State of the City 2018

Bristol has transformed from the city where nothing gets done to a city that is delivering on its promises (October 17th).During his annual State of the City address, Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said he has turned the council around so he can deliver pledges made during his 2016 election.Mayor Rees summarised progress against his 2016 election pledges and announced innovative ways for enhancing delivery.Pledge 1Mayor Rees confirmed:This year, 1886 homes, with 271 affordable are expected to be completed.In 2019-20, 2308 market rate homes, with 499 affordable are projected to be completed.By the target year of 2020, 1533 market rate homes and 916 affordable should be completed.Mayor Rees also confirmed the launch of Bristol City Council’s own housing company which will build houses where the market doesn’t provide the right solutions and re-invest profits in affordable and social housing.Pledge 2Mayor Rees confirmed:In 2017 the “Bristol works” initiative saw 51 employers offering work experience with 2477 young people benefittingBristol’s Learning City Partnership enables collaborative working between employers, universities, colleges and schoolsBristol is now one of five national Apprenticeship Diversity Hubs, working to create an increasingly diverse workforcePledge 3Mayor Rees said it became clear that prioritising transport was needed. He confirmed:A review of RPZs was delivered and are open to further changes should ward councillors demonstrate overwhelming support in the communityThe Bristol Transport Strategy out to consultation, outlining our vision to 2036The biggest single biogas bus order in the UK has been made, and the city is leading the way with smart ticketing and contactless payments. Seven out of 10 passengers now board the bus using these payment methodsThe key outcomes of the Congestion Task Group are being implemented, including the creation of a Transport Board that will bring together key city transport partners, to work more closely with the city council for future planningThere is a flightpath for a phased growth of public transport. The first strand of that growth will be looking at a new deal for bus use. The aim of the agreement will be to double bus usage to 20% of all journeys through:1. Enhanced service frequencies on the core network, doubling the frequency on main routes2. Greater Service stability through increased enforcement of bus lanes and highway improvements3. Use of new technology to inform where services are most delayed4. Extension of quality and frequency services into less well served areas5. Extension of quality services into less well served areas6. A single flat fare zone, covering the whole city.Pledge 4Mayor Rees confirmed:£1.8m has been invested in remodelling children’s services to keep them openThe Children’s Charter has launched and is the city’s first set of aspirations for children clearly laid out with a delivery plan for eachOver 20 organisations, as well as families and children, from across the city have pledged support at the Bristol Play Day in AugustPledge 5Mayor Rees confirmed:A site in Temple Quarter has been secured for what will be Bristol’s biggest secondary school and plans are being developed for a new school in LockleazeThree years ago, Bristol was ranked the worst for school attendance in the whole of the UK and this is being tackled. Last week a summit was held at City Hall with over 100 education partners, sharing best practice and developing a strategy that includes robust guidance on mental health, support and a focus on vulnerable children.Pledge 6Mayor Rees confirmed:The launch of the City Leap, a £1 billion package of projects that will transform the way Bristol generates, stores and utilises energy. 180 investors across the UK and around the world from the Japanese national bank to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway investment vehicle submitted expressions of interestDistrict heating systems are being installed placing new insulation measures in 20,000 council properties and fuel poverty projects have launched across the city3000 volunteers have been mobilized as part of a clean street initiative and introduced fines with over 10,000 being issued to date.Pledge 7Marvin Rees confirmed:As part of the city’s culture strategy Bristol’s bid was successful to become a UNESCO city of filmBristol pitched to become Channel 4’s new home and remains shortlisted in the final sixAnd we have contacted Netflix, which is looking for UK bases, so we can position Bristol as a hub for production studiosFunding has been committed to phase 2 of the Colston Hall redevelopment, saving this key cultural hub in the city as well as supporting successful developments of St Georges and the Old VicCollaboration between the council and professional clubs and the sporting sector will bring world class sporting events to the city, grow participation and develop elite athletes.