Councillors at Bristol City Council have been urged to stop interrupting and “talking over other people” during public debates. But the “recurring problem” could be addressed as part of the council’s switch to a committee-run model of governance from May next year.
Controversial topics are often discussed during public meetings at the council, from new housing developments to changes to the road network, and some issues can spark tense debate. But questions have been raised about how this conduct could be improved.
Last year Bristol voted to scrap the role of the directly elected mayor, and bring in a series of committees to run the council instead. During a committee model working group meeting on Friday, April 28, councillors were asked how the issue of interruptions might be looked at.
