News / Politics
Marvin promises to freeze parking charges
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees has frozen the cost of residents’ parking zone (RPZ) permits and scrapped parking charges for the disabled.
Addressing councillors in his maiden speech at full council, Rees also brought forward plans to review each RPZ and 20mph zone, area-by-area, through neighbourhood partnerships.
“Delivering on this commitment will mean putting power back in the hands of local councillors, neighbourhood partnerships and our communities.
is needed now More than ever
“It is just one of the ways in which I will ensure that all voices are heard as we transform Bristol into a city in which everyone has a stake,” Rees said.
In his speech he also announced that work will now start on the long-awaited recycling centre for Hartcliffe, a move which he said would help “decarbonise” the city.
Over the coming weeks he also promised to reveal details of the health of the council’s finances and set up a commission to address the race and gender pay gap.
He also paid tribute to previous mayor George Ferguson. “It is right to say that George served as mayor with great energy and dedication and he ensured that the city of Bristol was visible on the world stage,” he said.
He finished by repeating a pledge to hand power back to elected councillors.
“I would like to end my remarks by saying that neither I nor any individual here, has a monopoly on wisdom or good ideas,” he said.
He added: “As councillors I invite you, irrespective of your personal party allegiance, to work with me, and to work with each other.
“I want you to be empowered in your communities so that we in Bristol can be a beacon of participatory democracy, where everyone has a stake and where no one gets left behind.”
Mark Weston, Conservative Party leader, called on all councillors of all parties to stop fighting against each other and unite to “work for the people of Bristol”. Mentioning his own party’s idea to create a council house-building vehicle, which has cross-party support, he added: “We are united, in fact, by far more than we are actually divided.”
Charlie Bolton, Green Party leader, congratulated Labour on their election success – also congratulating Jeremy Corbyn for having a large impact on swaying the electorate in the city. He also wished Rees luck on his promise to build 800 affordable homes a year.
Before Rees spoke, the chamber moved to name Jeff Lovell as the new lord mayor of Bristol, a ceremonial role which includes chairing full council meetings.
Lovell, a Labour councillor for Filwood and a former fireman in the city for 30 years, will become Bristol’s “first citizen” for one year. Moving the motion to have him named, fellow Filwood ward councillor said: “I can’t believe I’m here as a Knowle Wester moving a fellow Knowle Wester as the next lord mayor.”
Photos by Georgia Fredericks
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