June 11, 2025
In 2012, Bristol had voted to change its system of governance to a directly elected city mayor. It was argued that this would provide a strong, accountable leader. But, as the years progressed, the views of residents and their elected councillors were increasingly side-lined.
Guidance issued by the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government described scrutiny within local government as “fundamentally important” to the successful functioning of local democracy and delivery of public services. Effective scrutiny, the guidance stated, is even more important in local authorities with a directly elected mayor, where particular attention should be given to: rights of access to documents by the press, public and councillors; transparent and fully recorded decision-making processes, and; powers to question and review.
In 2018, councillors accused Bristol’s elected mayor of holding the scrutiny process in contempt and said they were not given enough time to read papers. Rather than being openly debated and discussed, decisions were made in private and rubber-stamped in public. This also undermined public participation in the democratic process, despite considerable interest in the issues under consideration.
Meanwhile, community campaigns were springing up across the city. The WhatDoTheyKnow.com website became a valuable resource as residents realised they were experiencing similar issues and frustrations. The site is easily accessible to the public and press; provides clear guidance on submitting Freedom of Information requests, and; gives advice on what to do next if legitimate questions are unanswered. The most prominent campaigns are documented in a recently published book entitled Our City: Community Activism in Bristol, including examples of the ways in which the WhayDoTheyKnow website supported groups and individuals with their campaigns.
In 2022, partly influenced by local campaigns across the city, Bristol voted to abolish its elected mayor.