Bristol businesses are being invited to meet Mayor Marvin Rees and discuss his plans to address the city’s financial challenges at an event next week.
The meeting on Thursday is part of the city council’s ongoing consultation on Mayor Rees’ five-year plan for the city and how to solve Bristol’s financial challenges. It will take place between 8am-10.30am at City Hall. 
Businesses from across the city will be able to offer ideas and solutions during the discussion, which will also include cabinet members and senior council officers.
It has been estimated that the council will face a budget gap of £92m by March 2022 if it tries to carry on running the services the way it has in the past. The council’s plans for bridging this gap have been put forward as part of its draft Corporate Strategy.
The mayor and his cabinet are having a conversation with people across the city, aiming to work together on ideas for providing services in the future.
Mayor Rees said: “Businesses play an important role in the city and this conversation is about our relationship: what we offer them and how they give back in helping create a more inclusive city which provides opportunities for everyone who lives here.
“I’d like to invite businesses from across the city to join me in this discussion. We do have a big budget challenge but together we also have great power to create a positive change within the city.”
The event is free to attend but space is limited so anyone who is planning to come along is advised to book in advance on the Eventbrite page.
Anyone who can’t attend the events can still have their say as part of an ongoing 12-week consultation, which runs until January 5. The draft Corporate Strategy and a list of all of the proposed savings measures are available at www.bristol.gov.uk/corpstrategy, along with an online survey and an “at a glance” guide.
