Is it time to build community power in Easton?
Together let's explore what a People's Council could look and feel like for us in Easton.
The Big Question
What’s this all about?
Did you know that any community can set up a council...? Community Councils give our community new powers to protect what's already good and build an alternative where we live that actually works for us.
Tell me more...
A Community Council is a type of local council, with the same official powers as a Parish, Town, or Village Council. In areas without a Community Council, we tend to have less influence over many decisions affecting our lives. That’s why the government is encouraging Community Councils to take on a bigger role in delivering projects and supporting us.
These councils can manage local spaces and initiatives—such as allotments, sports facilities, and youth projects—and act as a voice for the community in discussions with the police, health services, local planning authorities, developers, and even government bodies and parliamentarians. Importantly, City Councils have a statutory duty to consult with Community Councils, giving local people a direct say at the city level, too.
What could a Community Council do for Easton?
Protect what’s already good
Create a neighbourhood plan to protect community centres and public spaces from big developers.
Support existing community organisations to keep doing amazing work with grants.
Represent the community officially to local police and health services.
Build the alternative
Make decisions collectively through direct democracy (e.g. through neighbourhood assemblies).
Set up cooperative businesses (e.g. energy coops) owned and controlled by us.
Reclaim buildings for community use.
Take back public services so they are closer to the people who use them.
+ much more...!
Who are you?
The idea was kick-started by a small but growing group of Easton locals who are inspired by the many examples of communities that have built power around the UK. It isn't backed by any organisations or funders. Please get in touch through the button at the bottom of the page.
Come and learn more!
Come to an upcoming in-person info session to learn more and have a chance to discuss with your neighbours about the idea.
What's next
The small team of us are currently listening with an open heart to try to understand how people feel about this idea. The plan is to hold...
Exploratory conversations with community leaders (Mar - Jun).
Doorstep conversations with neighbours (Apr - Jun).
Open information evenings (May - Sep).
Of course, plans change so we will keep updating this page when we can.
Questions & Answers
- How do we set one up?
STEP 1
In order for the campaign to move forward a petition is drawn up and signatures of at least 10% of the electorate collected.
STEP 2
The petition is submitted to Bristol City Council which then conducts its own review to decide whether or not a new council should be created.
STEP 3
Dependent on the outcome of this review a referendum may be held.
STEP 4
If a referendum is held (although this may not be required by Bristol City Council) and the majority of the votes made are in favour of the creation of a People's Council, a clerk will be appointed and elections will take place.
- Do we have to pay for it?
People living in the area get to decide collectively how much money to pay each year to keep it going. This decision is based on what projects and initiatives we want to run for the year ahead. The amount can start at around £1 per month. When we put our money together we can get more for it if we invest it in our collective futures.
- What area would it cover?
People say the boundaries of Easton ward drawn up by the government don't represent our community at all. If we set up a People's Council we would define the area we think is Easton.
When we take the petition from door-to-door we can ask people what areas they call Easton.
- Does it have elections as well?
People's Councils have to have elections every four years according to the law. We can elect local community champions who are part of the community, not part of any political party.
- Could we have more of a say in decision-making?
In most councils, all decisions are made by a group of councillors. This group holds all the power. But there are ways of having a direct say (beyond just voting every four years). For example, sociocracy is a way of making decisions that spreads out power away from any one working group within an organisation. The power to make decisions goes to lots of smaller open working groups (e.g. youth mental health working group) within the same organisation have autonomy to get on with the job. Any person who lives in the area can join any group to have a say. Neighbourhood assemblies are another example of direct democracy. These are a structured way of making decisions as a group where everyone has a say and no voice dominates. Participants are led through a process in small groups by trained facilitators who support them to open up and share their view on the topic. Assemblies can be convened on specific issues as they arise e.g. dodgy landlords. Finally, participatory budgeting is a process where we have a direct say over how our money is spent. During this process, neighbours are given the facts and then decide how money should be divided across regular services and community projects. This can be done at big groups events or online.
- Why now?
You don’t need to be told that things aren’t good. We have less money in our pockets and the pressures we’re under are getting heavier and heavier. Adding to that stress, we might have a sense that more crises (e.g. NHS, climate, wars) are on the way. Under these pressures, our community is at risk of becoming divided. Now is the time to pull together and step up to decide the future of our community. Creating a People's Council in Easton will give us more control. But to get there we have to come together and create it for ourselves
- Isn't this just more bureacracy?
If you’ve ever waited 6 months for the council to fix a pothole, you already know the old system’s broken. A People’s Council cuts through bureaucracy by putting decisions in the hands of locals - not distant officials. We keep it simple: meet, decide, act. No endless meetings, just real power for real people.
- Has this worked in other places?
There are thousands of local councils all around the country but they are all in rural areas. Ten years ago in Queens Park in London, a group of residents set up a Community Council (also known as ‘The People’s Republic of Queen Park’) when the Government announced lots of cuts. 70% of residents voted in favour of setting one up.