Bristol councillors have made a plea for a “smooth handover of power” to the committee system in 2024 amid heavy criticism of planned staff cuts. The cuts could affect transport planners, engineers and architects at Bristol City Council.
Council chiefs are planning to transfer staff from the strategic transport team to the West of England combined authority (Weca) and disband the city design team. The two teams play “a vital role” in how Bristol develops, including guiding major new buildings and bike lanes.
But the council’s financial advisers have warned in cabinet papers that these plans would end up costing the city more money than it would save. Future projects could rely on expensive private consultants, and abandoning ongoing projects could result in fees of more than £1.3 million.
