A Conservative motion calling for a review of how Bristol City Council manages major public-private partnership agreements and how it agrees more complex, high risk decisions was unanimously supported by councillors from all political groups at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 8th September.
The resolution, proposed by Cllr John Goulandris, Conservative councillor for Stoke Bishop, was brought forward following concerns raised during the recent strategy and resources committee decision to approve major changes to the partnership arrangements for the Temple Island development, which include a Council 40 year rent guarantee.
The motion calls for a review, which will examine how the Council can better safeguard affordable housing commitments and strengthen financial protections for taxpayers, when undertaking more complex, high risk projects.
This evaluation will also examine ways to improve transparency, strengthen oversight and ensure financial risks are shared more fairly between public and private sector partners throughout major regeneration projects.
The motion did not seek to revisit the Temple Island decision itself. Instead, it focused on identifying lessons, which can be learned from the experience and applying them to future partnerships involving significant public investment and assets.
Cllr Goulandris (Stoke Bishop) said: "I am very pleased that councillors from all parties recognised the importance of learning lessons from the Temple Island experience and unanimously supported our motion.
"The proposals are intended to identify best practices to ensure that public interests are protected, when partnership agreements are renegotiated and /or when high risk, complex decisions are agreed, which are outside the norm.
"There remain legitimate questions about how affordable housing commitments can be maintained, how financial risks can be shared fairly and how transparency can be improved in future projects.
"Many councillors felt stronger safeguards were needed to uphold commitments, protect taxpayers and ensure public benefits are preserved when economic circumstances change.
"The unanimous support for the motion demonstrates a shared commitment across the Council to improving governance, strengthening public confidence and ensuring robust safeguards, when public money and assets are involved.
"While this motion was prompted by concerns arising from Temple Island, today's decision is ultimately about the future.
"By learning lessons now, we can build stronger partnerships, secure better outcomes for residents and give taxpayers greater confidence that their interests will always be protected.
"I look forward to the review being established and to constructive cross-party working on these important issues."
CONTACT JOHN GOULANDRIS: 07825-315636
