Public Document Pack

Cabinet Supplementary Information

Date: Tuesday, 2 June 2020 Time: 4.00 pm Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom Committee Meeting with Public Access via YouTube

2. Public Forum (Pages 3 - 34)

Issued by: Corrina Haskins, Democratic Services City Hall, , BS1 5TR Tel: 0117 35 76519 E-mail: [email protected] Date: Tuesday, 02 June 2020 Agenda Item 2

CABINET – 2 June 2020

PUBLIC FORUM ITEMS

Statements and questions have been received as follows (full details are attached):

Agenda item 2 – Public Forum Arrangements

PS02.1 Councillor Martin Fodor

Agenda item 8 – Traffic signals maintenance, supply and installation

None

Agenda item 9 – Moving Forward Together

PS09.1 Councillor Graham Morris

Agenda item 10 - COVID 19: Cross Directorate Application for Contract Awards, Extensions and Variations Necessary due to the Impact of COVID 19 on Commissioning and Procurement Activity

None

Agenda item 11 - Extensions and Variations to Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence contracts due to the Impact of COVID 19

None

Agenda item 12- 2020/21 Period 1 (April) Finance Report

PS12.1 David Redgewell

Agenda item 13 - 2019/20 Finance Outturn

PS13.1&2 Suzanne Audrey

Agenda item 14 -

None

Agenda item 15 –

CQ15.1&2 Councillor Clive Stevens

Agenda item 18 - Adult Social Care COVID-19 Funding

Page 2 None

Agenda item 19 - Port Communities Resilience Fund – Project Closure Report

CS19.1 Councillor Don Alexander PQ19.1 Mary Page

Agenda item 20 – City Leap Update

CQ20.1 Councillor Martin Fodor CQ20.2&3 Councillor Claire Hiscott CQ20.3&4 Councillor John Goulandris

Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy Update

PS17.1 Samuel Williams PS17.2 Gordon Richardson CS17.1 Councillor Mark Weston CS17.2 Councillor Tim Kent CS17.3 Councillor Jerome Thomas

PQ17.1 Mary Page CQ17.1&2 Councillor Gary Hopkins CQ17.3&4 Councillor Chris Davies CQ17.5 Councillor Martin Fodor CQ17.6&7 Councillor Jerome Thomas CQ17.8&9 Councillor Mark Weston CQ17.10&11 Councillor Geoff Gollop CQ17.12&13 Councillor Richard Eddy

Exempt Session ECS17.1 Councillor Geoff Gollop

Page 3 Question: CS2.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 2 – Public Forum

Statement submitted by: Councillor Martin Fodor

This meeting follows recent Licensing, Development Control, and the Extraordinary Full Council.

All have allowed live, virtual, public forum statements and questions or petitions.

Yet the papers state this [emphasis added]:

“Public Forum

Please note: written submissions can be considered at this meeting. The

meeting will be live streamed for members of the public to view via YouTube, but there will not be an opportunity to participate in the meeting.

Up to one hour is allowed for this item

Any member of the public or Councillor may submit Public Forum. Petitions,

statements and questions received by the deadlines below will be taken at the

start of the agenda item to which they relate.”

As the main decision making meeting of the council it was worrying that the papers made it appear it would have the least public participation of all when all the facilities exist and have been demonstrated to work for virtual participation. It turns out this was an error and people can be heard. But surely the papers should have been amended to make clear public participation was welcomed?

On a separate note, again and again at the recent Extraordinary Full Council the Mayor started that it was not the time or place for questions about matters of public concern [regarding Bristol Energy] as the subject was on the Cabinet Agenda and everything could and would be dealt with there. He referred countless questioners to this meeting as the right one for discussion about the future of the company and how it has been managed. He said the papers will cover this matter.

We now find there are no published documents - the entire item on the subject is exempt - and no possibility of presented statements or getting meaningful answers to questions as participation is not allowed and there is nothing to have sight of to refer to, anyway. What does this say about transparency, democracy and a commitment to open meetings?

Page 4 Why should the main decision making meeting of the city be subject of the lower standards of participation and opaque decision making - and given the Mayor would have known he was shielded from scrutiny on this matter will he be explaining and apologising for misleading members of the public and councillors before excluding us from the item during the meeting?

Page 5 Question: CS9.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 9 – Moving Forward Together

Statement submitted by: Councillor Graham Morris

I am very pleased to see this report today.

I fully endorse the aims and objectives outlined as in my 5 years of service to the residents of Stockwood Ward, it is very clear that Bristol City Council Housing Teams and the tenant have become far removed.

I do take issue with the sole blame being laid at the reduction in public sector financing and the real reduction in rental income over this period as this disguises other decisions which have led us to this situation.

My primary concerns have been the significant reduction in access to Landlord Services which started in 2006, when Bristol City Council shut the Local Housing Offices. We have then seen further reductions in the Council’s estate with the Citizen Service Points having been closed.

When we look at the 6 resident priorities:

- Being more visible and having a strong local presence - Listening to what residents say - Keeping our promises - Making it easier for residents to contact us - Tackling anti-social behaviour & crime - Improving the safety and appearance of our homes/estates

I contend that all of these primary concerns would not be as prevalent if we had retained Local Housing Offices or some other form of local connection with Landlord Services.

I fully understand the rational for a reduction in such facilities but this was undertaken by Bristol City Council PRIOR to austerity.

To declare otherwise paints or risks an inaccurate picture of why and where we are now. If we do need to look at how we have arrived at this position, I suggest that the actions of the then Lib Dem Administration, and the decisions of the Labour Party need to be reviewed more closely.

I very much welcome this project which is clearly needed and I hope for a successful implementation.

Page 6 Question: CS12.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 12 – Finance Update

Statement submitted by: David Redgewell

On the Coronavirus Transport network issues:

We would like to know what progress is being made of marking out bus stops in the Bristol city council area, and S Gloucestershire/BANES/ North Somerset and if WECA the mayoral transport authority have these social distancing measures in hand now? This should also include managing Local Railway stations including Bristol Temple Meads, Bath Spa Bristol Parkway and Weston super Mare.

Access by Bus service by routes 36 and 96 to south Bristol hospital urgently need to operate evening and Sunday services from Bristol city centre to Brislington and to Knowle and Hengrove. Also we need service 37 Bath – Bristol via Longwell Green and service 35 Bristol – Marshfield via Kingswood to operate out of core times. We understand that focus is on Mon – Fri 0700 – 1900 but there are essential journeys outside of these times too.

Work needs to be carried out in Kingswood Town Centre , Staple hill Downend Warmley, Cadbury heath .Longwell Green , Emerson’s Green, Filton, Patchway, Hanham, Yate ,Thornbury, Chipping Sodbury

There needs to be clear management plans for the Bus stations at: Yate, UWE, Cribbs Causeway, Southmead Hospital bus station, BRISTOL bus and coach station, Broadmead city centre, the Harbourside, Clifton Down Station, Old Market, Lawrence Hill Station, Westbury on Trym, Hartcliffe, Knowle and Brislington.

We currently have challenges with social distancing on the 75 route between The Wellington Gloucester road and Bedminster and routes 3/4 Bristol city centre to Shirehampton, Avonmouth and Cribbs Causeway bus station.

The Government guidance from the The Department for Transport has requested local authorities to work with bus operators on marshalling at key bus stands and extra cleaning of Bus shelters . Are Bristol city council improving information on bus shelters and stations on social distancing notices and realtime information.

On public toilets what plans does council have to reopen public toilets

On bus services there is a need for extension by the department for transport for covid 19 bus Bus operators grant . To enable social distancing of buses only 20 passengers on a double decker and 10 passengers on a single decker can be carried.

Page 7 We are concerned about the bus services being withdrawn:

X14 bus station to Cribbs causeway bus station station to Chepstow bus station and Bristol bus and coach station. X5 cribbs causeway bus station to Portishead Clevedon and Weston super mare.

All are Operated by stagecoach west but with no public subsidies from Monmouthshire council and and Transport for and WECA. Services terminate on the 14th June 2020. The x5 is being retendered by North Somerset and WECA.

Service 19 Bath spa bus station to Cribbs Causeway bus station via Hillfields and kingswood, needs an evening service and Sunday services.

What plans does the council have to provide extra cycling space pavements and Bus Stabling facilities in line with Department for Transport instructions.

Addendum to statement:

We are very very concerned about the situation in Bristol city centre with a lack of public toilets including disabled accessible toilets.

With the community scheme not now in operation due to shops and restaurants closed down due to covid19 emergency, there is an urgent need to reopen some of the public toilets with grants from central government.

The government and public health England are looking at funding public toilets upgrading and cleaning.

We would like to see Bristol city council south Gloucestershire council who toilets are also closed Banes to make the case for investment in public toilets in the city region. With North Somerset council.

With tourist coming to BRISTOL harbour the Downs Clifton suspension Bridge Park like ,Blase castle, castle park, st George park Eastville park sodbury court, to Name just a few locations.

In the meantime we would like to see the council invest in portaloo and cleaners at key locations across the city with hand gels s . We ask the Director of public health for Bristol investigate urgently the operation of public toilets in Bristol with disabled facilities. Looking at government grant for a changing places toilets in Bristol city centre. On the danger of lack of social distancing in Bristol parks City centre shopping centre s and the Harbour we would like to see the setting of the mayor of Bristol social distancing marshals with yellow vest and making out social distancing on the backs the scheme could work with weca mayoral transport authority . To provide movemakers at key bus stops Bus station and interchanges railway stations.

Page 8 There is urgently a need for clear key messages from the local authority and the mayor Especially message on social distancing Stay safe and Alert. Go Home when a park is unsafe. Bristol can also talk to core cities and south west councils about the problem of social distancing and For the government guidance is fine but investment is required from central government to keep the community safe in public health terms and allowing economic growth in Bristol shopping centres and in future tourism industry night time economy bars and restaurants later in the summer. Hope these issues can be raised the Cities mps and government talk with Plymouth Exeter Bournemouth Poole and Christchurch leadership may help a south west and West Gateway approach.

In the and that portable toilets can be provided with the city. In public transport network interchanges By the metro mayor so there are toilets for people to wash your hands.

Gordon Richardson chair Bristol disability equality forum

David Redgewell Transport lead Bristol disability equality forum, South west Transport network and Railfuture Severnside.

Page 9 Question: PQ13.1&2

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 13 – Finance Outturn 2019/20 - Question for Cllr Craig Cheney

Question submitted by: Suzanne Audrey

1] Please can you explain the term 'earmarked' in relation to local authority budgets and financial reporting?

2] If funds are 'earmarked' for a particular project or funding stream but circumstances change, is it possible to review that proposed expenditure and allocate the funds elsewhere?

Page 10 Question: CQ15.1&2

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 15 – Bristol is Open

Question submitted by: Councillor Clive Stevens

1. Whilst it is good to see that most of the six jobs are secure (Appendix G seems to show one job loss). It is not a good time to lose your job. What support is the Council giving to help this person regain employment?

2. I think this is a clear and well written report. At 3.2 it says, “Improved BCC oversight over the delivery of the OCPR deliverables”. Will this improved oversight apply to all councillors or will BiO be subject to exemption rules (of information) too using LGA 1972, Sch 12a Part 1 to keep the rest of us in the dark?

Page 11 Question: CS19.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 19 – Port Communities Resilience Fund

Statement submitted by: Councillor Don Alexander

I have been very involved with the PCRF since its inception and I believe we have developed here a model of local authority and community partnership working that could easily be applied elsewhere. Whilst this report outlines the areas of life most visibly impacted, what might not be so clear are the benefits generated by the years of discussions and community engagement but which are not easily quantifiable.

Through presenting robust challenge to governance and self-sufficiency amongst community groups, many of the outcomes of the fund will only truly become evident in the future in the form of increased community resilience and cohesion. I would like to pay tribute to the many BCC officers who have contributed over the years in such a mutually co-operative manner. Personally, I will take with me into my future thinking a powerful impression of partnership working between a local authority and communities that has demonstrated how much can be done with relatively modest financial input. I recommend making time to read this report and I would be happy to meet with anyone who wished to speak further about our experience.

Page 12 Question: PQ19.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 19 – Port Closure Resilience Fund Closure Project

Question submitted by: Mary Page

I note and welcome the allocation of £450,000 within the Port Communities Resilience Fund report and the ambition to deliver four hubs (Lawrence Weston, Lawrence Weston, Shirehampton and Seamills) to support with jobs, training and enterprise. With the necessary response to Covid 19 meaning a delay to these projects, and also noting the numbers of jobs lost due to the pandemic impact on the economy, what is the Council's plan to bring these vital services for the community into action, as they will be needed even more to aid workers in this area of the city, retrain, gain new jobs or start their own businesses?

Page 13 Question: CQ20.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 20 – City Leap

Question submitted by: Councillor Martin Fodor

The delayed progress on City Leap is regrettable. If the bidders wanted a different approach it would be helpful to understand what differences were asked for and why. We’re not being told.

This delay and rethink could significantly affect the outcomes for the city and our communities, for instance the strategic partner might be less willing to offer a comprehensive package of social value, or be unwilling to share the investments in a meaningful way with the city’s rich ecosystem of community energy groups and existing enterprises who are already busy developing carbon saving projects and social benefits already. The need to separate the loss making Bristol Energy once it was added to the package was always likely and bound to slow progress with the initiative.

Please can you explain:

What is the new likely timescale for City Leap and to what extent does this rethink affect the ways local energy initiatives can be part of the acceleration of carbon saving and community participation?

Page 14 Question: CQ20.2&3

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 20 – City Leap

Question submitted by: Councillor Claire Hiscott

1. Can the Mayor state precisely what feedback from Bidders has prompted the need for changes to the procurement process?

2. We are told that irrespective of the assessment or future direction of Bristol Energy, there is still strong interest in participating in this low carbon programme. What safeguards, seemingly absent with the council-owned supply company, will there be to protect the commitment of public money in these enterprises?

Page 15 Question: CQ20.4&5

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 20 – City Leap

Question submitted by: Councillor John Goulandris

1. Can the Mayor advise whether or not ‘commercial sensitivity’ will be used to limit oversight of this partnership?

2. Can the Mayor confirm that all the criteria used to select potential partners in the new procurement process will be publicised, and that the process followed will be truly open and transparent?

.

Page 16 Question: PS17.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Statement submitted by: Samuel Williams

A year on year increasing crime rate with 33 per cent of the population in the most deprived areas fearing acts of crime and violence on a day to day basis. Hate crime up. Those “Not in Education, Employment or Training” is above the national average. Air quality continues to be dangerously out of control – and life expectancy significantly worse than the national average. Pupils in receipt of Special Educational Needs support or having an Education Health and Care Plan is above the national average and yet provision has been cut. In some quarters of 2019, the 20-week deadline to produce support plans failed to be met in 98 per cent of cases. Our cities housing crisis is met by a lack of leadership around affordable and social housing provision, whilst rough sleeping has increased exponentially in recent years. Irrespective of the fact that our city is in need, millions of tax payers money, money that could be directed towards these pressing issues continues to be thrown away to the tune of millions each year. Despite any noble aims, Bristol Energy has become a millstone around the necks of every Bristolian, the council and this administration. It has long been clear that there is no saving this project in order to repay that which has been lost; to continue constitutes little more than a gross disregarded for fiscal responsibility, political integrity and citizen wellbeing. I therefore urge Mayor Marvin Rees to act now in arranging sale of Bristol Energy without delay and without further losses to the people of Bristol. Now is the time for leadership to be shown.

Page 17 Question: PS17.2

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Statement submitted by: Gordon Richardson Chair Bristol Disability Equality Forum.

We welcome the review of the Bristol energy company but our concerns are about maintaining the tariffs for local disabled people.

The company has customer across the whole of Great Bristol and south west England. We fear the sale to a company with no Interest in the community.

Co op.energy has been sold to ovo Energy of Bristol but more alarming is the sale of Scotish and southern to ovo domestic customers with lots of cut back and customer support services being closed down.

We would ask Bristol city council to retain the company and find a private sector partner to invest with energy

Production such as the Stroud base Company.

Any trade sale need to protect the customer interest of the in Bristol and the south west and especially those people on low incomes and disabled people.

Please bring our statement to the attention of the cabinet and mayor

Page 18 Question: CS17.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Statement submitted by: Councillor Mark Weston

AGENDA ITEM 17 – BRISTOL ENERGY UPDATE I hope all Members will now have read this entirely exempt item and digested its content. It remains disappointing that they were prevented from doing so prior to last week’s EGM, although, , perhaps the Mayor thought it better for his colleagues to remain in ignorance a little while longer. Make no mistake.

Here, is a triumph of hubris and vanity over humility. For the benefit of those Labour Members who were not around at the time, I embed below some the concerns put on public record by Conservative councillor Alastair Watson back in 2015:-

MEMBER FORUM – 21 JULY 2015 CON. QUESTION 1 Question(s) to the Mayor from Councillor Alastair Watson BRISTOL ENERGY 1. Is the Mayor aware of any other municipal energy companies in this country which have proved to be commercially successful?

2. As the Mayor will be aware, we are told that this new venture “…. will be a different type of energy company, being a force for social good not wholly driven by profit, supporting the business of the Council and the City and generating a new revenue stream for the Council…” Can the Mayor confirm which of these potentially conflicting aims has overriding priority?

Reply from Cllr Cook, Assistant Mayor for Place: There are no other municipal energy companies in the UK currently running however Nottingham City Council is in the process of setting one up.

Quite simply, the company needs to be commercially successful, that is the first priority then, after that, there is a balance to be sought between profit and social good. That will be an ongoing discussion and is one of the reasons we have established the governance arrangements in the manner that we have.

Supplementary Question 1: Did we look to partner up and collaborate with some commercial organisations rather than taking the risks in this way? Reply from Cllr Cook, Assistant Mayor for Place: There is always going to be a risk. Partnerships in the future may be a possibility but in the first instance we want something set up on good principles. We are not ruling anything out in the future. This is meant to be beneficial to the community as well as being profitable. Supplementary Question 2:

Page 19 Price and service are the two main areas we have to look at if we are going to help people pay for their energy. Do you have complete confidence that this council can be entrepreneurial and customer orientated to look after the cost base so we can make enough money so this company does not go bust? Reply from Cllr Cook, Assistant Mayor for Place: Given the information we have received over a long period of time I am confident that this will be successful. It is rightly said that ‘hindsight is a wonderful thing but foresight is better’. The Mayor and his Deputy Cllr Cheney know well enough that the Conservative Group has been sounding the alarm over this misadventure for the last four years. We did so in response to every iteration of its business plans and promises of eventual profitability. Of course, much of these warnings were forced to be made in private because of constraints imposed by commercial confidentiality,

Ironically, this Administration chose to ignore the dictum of a former Labour Chancellor, the late Denis Healey, who famously stated “when you’re in a hole, stop digging”. Since 2016, each decision to commit more resources into this doomed enterprise has been one taken by the Mayor alone. This is especially so once he decided to try to save the Authority’s investment by incorporating energy supply into the City Leap prospectus. Well, the second EY report …… . This was Mayor Rees’s rescue plan and was repeatedly used to justify the piling on of further debt and liabilities.

. I hope to be proved wrong,

For these reasons, the cowardly attempt to share or put the blame on previous Administrations for this fiasco is sadly predictable and equally contemptible. In any event, the power to make Executive decisions under our system of governing is completely vested in the Mayor’ not his deputies or Cabinet colleagues. As was the case under his predecessor. As soon as the dust settles around this colossal failure, the Bristol public will demand to know who was willing to gamble taxpayers’ money in chasing these growing losses, what can be done to prevent such a calamity from occurring ever again, when will there be some accountability for the errors made, where does true responsibility for this lie and why the executive allowed such a hopeless position to escalate in this way?

Page 20 Accordingly, the Conservative Group supports the commissioning of an independent formal inquiry into this matter. In order to assist or facilitate such an audit, we seek assurances that all records pertaining to this subject will be preserved or protected for the next five years. The next local elections may deliver a new City Mayor, someone who is actually committed to openness and transparency, who will want definitive answers to the questions posed above. It would be extremely unfortunate if those efforts were stymied by relevant information or correspondence having been lost or deleted before this can take place.

Page 21 Question: CS17.2

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Statement submitted by: Councillor Tim Kent

Once again we see exemption rules being used to attempt to cover up your disaster around Bristol Energy. It has been clear now for well over 15 months that this company will not stabilise and will continue to require substantial subsidy for years to come.

There is now only one option. To wind the company up as soon as possible and at the lowest additional cost as possible. The 2018/19 accounts make it clear that Bristol Energy has had purchases underwritten and according to the public accounts of the company this practice is continuing. An estimated £15m of additional risk that has been hidden from councillors. It is now imperative that we sell off the assets of the company and wind this up without risking further public subsidy.

Page 22 Question: CS17.3

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Statement submitted by: Councillor Jerome Thomas

I am concerned that when I requested details of Bristol Energy’s forecast financial figures (Sales and profit or losses) for the financial year ended 31 March 20 that this was designated a question that could not be addressed in a public session of the extraordinary full council meeting on Tuesday 26 June.

The answer that the Mayor gave me in the closed session was not the latest forecast financial figures which could simply be taken out of Bristol Energy’s management accounts but budgeted figures already in the public domain. This is indicative of the challenges that councillors face in trying to secure access to meaningful financial figures in council owned companies.

Please could the Mayor provide me with the Bristol Energy figures I previously requested.

Page 23 Question: PQ17.1

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Mary Page

1) There are as usual more items on the agenda than I am as a member of the public allowed to ask questions about, however I would like to ask, why did the Mayor in his previous non-answers to me about Bristol Energy, knowingly refer me and others to the exempt session papers on this agenda item 17, when he knows full well I, members of the media, and public are not able to view that part of the meeting or even review them?

Page 24 Question: CQ17.1&2

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy - Question for Mayor

Question submitted by: Councillor Gary Hopkins

Noting the failure by the Mayor to honour his written undertaking, regarding sharing reports and information about Energy Company and the misleading information given to Councillors and public questioners. I will give you a further opportunity to come clean.

1. There were obviously set up costs incurred by the previous Mayors decision to set up the company and cash had been earmarked for an initial trading period, but can you give a factual answer of the broken down cash cost, if you had made an immediate decision not to proceed with the company, instead of having a jamboree launch?

2. When (in date or following event terms) will the Mayor release the 2 recently procured reports paid for by the Bristol taxpayer?

Page 25 Question: CQ17.3&4

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Chris Davies

1. How many people are employed by The Bristol Energy Company?

2. If the Labour Cabinet decided to close down this company, what would be the overall redundancy costs?

Page 26 Question: CQ17.5

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Martin Fodor

1. One of the notable features of Bristol Energy, as a locally owned not for private profit company, is the added value of a commitment to renewable energy, social and local tariffs, support for community energy, and local sponsorship. What assessment is there of these contributions to the community and how is it envisaged that all these benefits be protected in any future arrangements?

Page 27 Question: CQ17.6&7

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Jerome Thomas

I have a concern, that may be unfounded, that Bristol City Council assets may have been handed over to Bristol Energy or contractual arrangements entered into by the council with Bristol Energy that unreasonably disguises the extent of Bristol Energy losses or unreasonably inflates the company's value. These could be in addition to the potential value of any financial guarantees that the council has provided for Bristol Energy to third parties.

Questions: 1) Can the Mayor confirm what council assets, if any, have been transferred to Bristol Energy in the last six years?

2) Can the Mayor confirm what contractual arrangements, if any, have been entered into by Bristol City Council with Bristol Energy in the last six years that might enhance the value of Bristol Energy?

Page 28 Question: CQ17.8&9

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Mark Weston

1. At the EGM held to discuss this company, the Mayor stated that the best thing to do is for Members and the general public to bring their questions to Cabinet where the latest report – and its contents - will be shared. Can the Mayor confirm what amount of public disclosure of this entirely ‘exempt’ document has taken place?

2. Again, on the basis that a promised briefing to all Members will not be given, does the Mayor recognise that his actions in relation to this have been, at best, disingenuous and, at worst, untruthful?

Page 29 Question: CQ17.10&11

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Geoff Gollop

1. In addition to funding within the Bristol Energy business plan, how much money has been given to this company to support City Leap, projects with the Council Energy Service or other innovations?

2. The Shareholders agreed to use additional money allocated to the City Leap Programme budget to fund the initial EY report, how much (as well as from where did the funding come from) did the second EY review cost?

Page 30 Question: CQ17.12&13

Cabinet – 2nd June 2020

Re: Agenda item 17 – Bristol Energy

Question submitted by: Councillor Richard Eddy

1. In answer to my suggestion that this initiative was an expensive ‘white-elephant’ you replied: “I don’t agree that Bristol Energy should be described this way..”and that “Losses so far are expected within the business plan. We are confident that the company will be a financial and social asset for the city.” Would the Mayor now like to revise his view of this ill-conceived entry into the highly volatile energy market?

2. Can the Mayor advise whether there is a point when the Mayor will not commit further public money to this venture - £50M of losses, £55M, £60M?

Page 31 By virtue of paragraph(s) 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Document is Restricted

Page 32