The Greens insist they haven’t reversed plans to sell Bristol council homes, clarifying only a few properties will be affected in the coming years.
Cllr Barry Parsons, who leads the housing committee, mentioned some misleading figures were floating around. He admitted the earlier report didn’t clarify the actual numbers, which are much lower than suggested.
Labour jumped in, accusing the Greens of a big U-turn. They’re worried about the impact on affordable housing in the city. The Greens, however, are standing firm, saying Labour is just trying to stir up fear.
They pointed out that the previous Labour administration didn’t manage housing well, leading to a judgment that the council must improve its homes. This means they need to spend millions to fix things up, which could delay other projects.
The report mentioned that selling some properties could help fund new homes or improve existing ones. Cllr Parsons emphasized that only a handful of homes might be sold, and they would follow proper procedures.
Labour’s Cllr Rob Logan expressed concern that the Greens are backtracking on their promises. He believes Bristol needs more affordable housing, not less.
Cllr Parsons reassured everyone that they wouldn’t sell anyone’s home without proper consideration. He stressed that the focus is on making existing homes safe and livable after years of neglect.
He also criticized Labour for not taking responsibility for their past actions. The Greens are determined to move forward and improve housing in Bristol, despite the political back-and-forth.
