New committees era begins at Bristol City Council

Bristol City Council has approved the members of its new committees which are replacing the Mayoral system

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

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

For the first time in its history, the authority will be led by the Green Party, with Southville Councillor 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".

The committee system is being introduced after Bristol residents voted in a referendum to abolish the role of elected mayor.

Lettuce joke misses mark

Supporters of the committee system say it offers a more collaborative way of working, however the meeting started in acrimonious fashion.

Referring to the disqualification of a Labour Councillor yesterday, the Liberal Democrat Leader Cllr Jos Clarke's attempts to make a joke comparing the situation to the former Prime Minister Liz Truss and a lettuce drew a stern rebuke from the outgoing Lord Mayor.

Paul Goggin said "can we leave the politics out of it please" before shouting at Ms Clarke to "be quiet".

Heather Mack and Tony Dyer are Bristol City Council's new deputy and leader

After appointing a new Lord Mayor - Liberal Democrat Andrew Varney - the meeting then proceeded to approve the new committees that will run the council in place of the elected mayor.

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

The second-largest group on the council, Labour, decided not to take up the offer of chairing the new policy committees, describing its role as "critical friends".

Speaking after being appointed the new council leader, Green Party councillor Tony Dyer said, "As a proud Hartcliffe boy, this is a proud moment for me."

He urged his fellow councillors to work together under the new system.

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

"All of us need to accept the greater responsibility of ensuring that our decisions are made in a timely and informed manner and to the best of our abilities.

"Our citizens deserve nothing less."