News / Bristol Arena
‘Window of time to scrutinise Bristol Arena report is getting smaller’
Scrutiny councillors have asked to get their hands on a major report on Bristol’s long-awaited arena before it’s made public.
The request follows concerns about having enough time to scrutinise the information prior to a cabinet meeting on May 1, when the final location of the venue is due to be decided.
Land near Temple Meads has long been earmarked as the site for the 12,000-capacity arena, but mayor Marvin Rees shook things up when he confirmed the Brabazon hangar at the former Filton Airfield is in the running as a possible alternative.
is needed now More than ever
The final decision will be based on a value-for-money assessment.
The decision is between land at Temple Meads or the Brabazon Hangar (pictured)
During an overview and scrutiny management board meeting at City Hall on Thursday, March 8, members expressed concerns about having enough time with the report to give “valuable scrutiny”.
Members of the board are expected to get a full copy of the report before their next meeting on April 12.
But when asked whether this timeline was still likely, acting executive director of resources Denise Murray said she was unable to say whether the report would be ready in time.
Speaking at the meeting, Murray told members it was a complex report being prepared by outside bodies and therefore the council was unable to say specifically when it would be ready.
Jude English says the report is fundamental to the decision-making process and needs proper scrutiny
Jude English, Green councillor for Ashley, said members needed sufficient time to digest the report before meeting to scrutinise it and the window to do so was getting smaller.
There is just over two weeks between the scheduled April 12 scrutiny meeting and the cabinet meeting on May 1.
“That report is going to be very fundamental to the arena decision. We need to have it before it goes to cabinet,” added English.
Anthony Negus, Lib Dem councillor for Cotham, added: “All we are simply asking for is the report. We are not trying to pry stuff out of officers or the executive.”
But board chairman Geoff Gollop told scrutiny members they had to be realistic about the timeline and flexible about meeting to discuss the report.
He did ask if there was a way members could view the report before it is officially made public with the cabinet meeting papers on April 24 to give members enough time to meet and provide valuable scrutiny and recommendations to cabinet.
Kate Wilson is the local democracy reporter for Bristol.
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