News / Politics
Rees announces ‘City Office’ in first speech
Marvin Rees will set up a ‘City Office’ in Bristol where he will invite leaders of all the largest institutions in the city to sit at the table of power.
In his swearing-in speech at the M Shed on Monday afternoon, the new mayor said he wanted to “build a better Bristol” in the “spirit of collective city leadership”.
He also announced plans to commission a report into the Green Capital project, which came under fire over transparency.
He added that his first job was to order a brief, which he will share with the public, on the current state of the city’s finances which are facing further cuts from central Government.
“I say to the people of Bristol, as your mayor, I am now the custodian of our city. I will be open in all I do,” he said.
In his speech, in front of about 200 people including George Ferguson, he said his City Office, an idea he first floated writing for Bristol24/7, would offer the best chance at tackling challenges including, building 2,000 homes a year, making the city cleaner, rolling back inequality and child poverty levels, and creating more jobs.
He invited Bristol’s police commander, Jon Reilly, UWE vice chancellor Steve West and Deborah Evans, managing director of West of England Academic Health Science Network, to speak of their own visions alongside him on stage.
“We can be fantastic. The thing that will stop us is if we don’t work together,” Reilly said.
Rees finished his speech by addressing all the citizens of Bristol: “You have given me your trust and I accept the task willingly. I will serve all of the people of Bristol, without fear or favour.
“All of our people are entitled to expect this great city to be a place where they can live lives as fulfilled and happy as possible.
“Together we have the capacity for success, and together we will create that success for our city and for all of its proud citizens.”
Read more: Marvin Rees full swearing-in speech.
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