If you care about your local community and want to have a say in the future of how services are run in Bristol now is your chance. There is now less than a week left for you to contribute to Bristol City Council’s ‘Your Neighbourhood’ and ‘Supporting People’ consultations and put forward ideas for the future running of some local services. I want you to get involved.
We have to make some tough choices, but before any decisions are finalised, we need to properly understand what the people of Bristol feel about the proposals and how we can minimise potential effects on communities.
The set of six consultations put forward options that relate to proposals for several council services. The closing date for people to give their views and complete the surveys is Tuesday 5 September.
The consultations propose options for services to be delivered differently and more efficiently, thereby helping the council address the huge financial challenge it faces and reduce dependency on council-funded services.
The Supporting People consultation is a separate set of proposals to rethink the way the council provides services such as supported accommodation for people with mental health issues or a learning difficulty, sheltered housing, advice services and ‘floating support’ that supports people in their own homes.
Feedback from local people on these proposals is critical and we urge you to have your say before the deadline. It’s important that we make these decisions together and ensure that we make the best use of our resources, despite the ongoing effects of austerity from central government.
Consultation forms are available online at http://www.bristol.gov.uk/yourneighbourhood and http://www.bristol.gov.uk/supportingpoeple and in other formats, including large print, audio, British Sign Language and Braille. To request alternative formats please call the consultation team on 0117 922 2848 or email consultation@bristol.gov.uk.
Paper copies are available from local libraries and the council’s Citizen Service Point at 100 Temple Street. People who can take part online are encouraged to do so because it is quicker and easier for them and helps save the council money in print and transcription costs.
Please take time out of your busy schedules to share your views and help make Bristol an even better place to live.
