Bristol City Council’s new committee roles are approved

Bristol City Council met for the first time under its new committee system.

The meeting was primarily to appoint councilors to their new roles, including leader and deputy.

For the first time in its history, the authority will be led by the Green Party, with Southville councilor Tony Dyer its new leader and Heather Mack deputy leader.

Speaking after his appointment, Mr Dyer, who grew up in Hartcliffe, said it was a “proud moment”.

Proponents of the committee system say it offers a more collaborative way of working, but the meeting got off to a rocky start.

Paul Goggin said “can we leave the politics out please”, before shouting at Ms Clarke to “shut up”.

After the appointment of a new Lord Mayor – Liberal Democrat Andrew Varney – the meeting then moved on to approving the new committees that will run the council in place of the elected mayor.

Six will be chaired by the Green Party and the other two will be chaired by the Lib Dems.

The second largest group on the council, Labour, has decided not to accept the offer to chair the new policy committees, describing their role as “critical friends”.

Speaking after being named the council’s new leader, Green Party councilor Tony Dyer said: “As a proud Hartcliffe boy, this is a proud moment for me.”

He urged his fellow councilors to work together in the new system.

“Given the current financial, environmental and societal pressures, there will be times when you will have to make difficult decisions,” he said.

“We must all accept greater responsibility to ensure that our decisions are made in a timely and informed manner to the best of our ability.

“Our citizens deserve nothing less.”