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- Bristol News by HANA Edition 21
Bristol News by HANA Edition 21
Bristol Bites: Council Budget ‘Cliff-Edge’ and Mouldy Digs
Louis Inglis
February 07, 2025
Bristol News by HANA Edition 21
Bristol Bites: Council Budget ‘Cliff-Edge’ and Mouldy Digs
From the Editor
It is easy to be morbid sometimes. Bob Dylan was lambasted in this country for using an electric guitar in 1966. Apparently, he had lost his ‘integrity’ by doing so. Fast forward 60 years, England’s national rugby stadium has recently been renamed “Allianz” - after the German insurance company. I wonder what Dylan would think of that?
Bristol City Council will not allow another e-scooter company to contest Tier-Dott in Bristol - so they continue to push up prices and, in my opinion, decrease the quality of their service. This is, of course, the same council that faces a budget shortfall approaching hundreds of millions. Consumerism done right can keep the market competitive. Consumerism done wrong will make a person’s complaints repetitive. It is easy to be morbid sometimes. I said that.
“People seldom do what they believe in. They do what is convenient, then repent,” Bob Dylan said that.
Louis Inglis | Bristol Editor
The John Cabot statue by the Harbourside
Databox
Only 34% of residents are satisfied with how Bristol City Council ‘runs things’, down from 39% in 2022 and 43% in 2019.
Among residents in the most deprived areas, satisfaction is even lower at 23%, marking an 8% drop from last year.
Just 23% of residents believe Bristol City Council provides value for money, a decline from 26% last year.
This number drops to 15% in the most deprived areas, with 47% of all respondents believing the council does not provide value for money.
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
A pigeon feeds on seeds in a man’s hand in the Centre
Hyper-local news articles
Girl followed by man who asked her to get into car in Bristol BBC News - February 4, 2025 Avon and Somerset Police are investigating an incident in Withywood, Bristol, where a man in a white Seat Leon approached a young girl for directions before asking her to get into his car. Described as being in his 20s or 30s with dark braided hair, he followed the girl briefly after she refused, prompting police to seek witnesses and review CCTV footage. |
Ben Condon's father accuses Bristol doctors of 'cover-up’ BBC News - February 4, 2025 Allyn Condon accuses Bristol Children's Hospital of intentionally withholding information about his eight-week-old son Ben's fatal bacterial infection, which was initially misdiagnosed as viral. Following a quashed inquest and an admission of negligence regarding antibiotic treatment, Condon highlights the profound impact of the hospital's lack of transparency on his family's grief. |
Calls for Tripadvisor-style student website amid mouldy flats BBC News - February 4, 2025 Students at the University of Bristol have launched the Break the Mould campaign, advocating for a Tripadvisor-style website to review rented properties suffering from mould issues. With support from the Bristol Student Union, the initiative aims to empower students by promoting transparency in housing conditions, as many face health challenges and high rents for inadequate living spaces. |
New AI app DeepSeek poses ‘severe’ safety risk, according to new research University of Bristol - February 3, 2025 A recent study by the Bristol Cyber Security Group highlights the vulnerabilities of Chain-of-Thought (CoT) models like DeepSeek. The study reveals that while they improve problem-solving and more effectively refuse harmful requests, their transparency can inadvertently generate dangerous content. The research calls for urgent investigation into mitigation strategies to address the risks posed by these models in real-world applications. |
Financial 'cliff edge' facing Bristol City Council due to special needs is rapidly approaching Yahoo News - February 4, 2025 Bristol City Council is grappling with a financial crisis, facing a projected £58 million deficit by March 2026 due to rising costs of special educational needs support and the impending end of a temporary government budget override. Amid concerns over a judicial review of a £27 million Safety Valve deal, council leaders warn that they risk severe financial instability and potential bankruptcy without ongoing government assistance. |
Bristol Chinese community shares Lunar New Year customs BBC News - February 1, 2025 Bristol's Chinese community joyfully celebrated the Lunar New Year, which began on January 29. The festivities included music, food, and family gatherings. Joe-Wah Chow emphasizes the cultural significance of this time, likening it to Christmas in the UK, which is marked by important family meals that usher in the new year. |
Bristol e-scooter scheme has contract extended despite criticism BBC News - February 1, 2025 Tier-Dott will continue its e-scooter rental service in Bristol after receiving an extended contract from the West of England Combined Authority, which includes funding for new parking infrastructure. However, criticism has arisen over increased prices and a decline in service quality, prompting calls for greater accountability in the exclusive contract for micro-mobility services. |
Memories of Dylan's controversial 1966 'Judas' tour in Bristol BBC News - February 4, 2025 Almost 60 years ago, Bob Dylan faced significant backlash during his UK tour for "going electric," particularly at a Bristol concert where the audience was shocked by the amplified sound. This controversial performance set the stage for a historic moment in music history, culminating in a notorious show in Manchester where an audience member shouted "Judas," leading to the tour being remembered as the "Judas Tour." |
Genge and Randall to face France at Twickenham Allianz Stadium Bristol Bears - February 6, 2025 Ellis Genge and Harry Randall have been named in England’s starting XV for their Six Nations clash against France at Allianz Stadium on 8 February. Vice-captain Genge starts at loosehead prop, while Maro Itoje captains from lock. Fly-half Fin Smith partners Alex Mitchell at half-back, while Marcus Smith moves to full-back. Ollie Sleightholme and Tommy Freeman start on the wings. A 6-2 bench split includes Jamie George and Elliot Daly. Coach Steve Borthwick anticipates an exciting contest at home. |
Misty morning walkers on the Downs
Property news
The salary needed to buy a home in different areas across Bristol Yahoo News - February 5, 2025 House prices in Bristol have risen 1.7% over the past year, with the average now at £341,800, necessitating a household income of approximately £64,560 for a mortgage. Various neighbourhoods exhibit significant price disparities, leading to increasing financial demands on potential buyers amid broader trends of housing affordability challenges across the UK. |
Entire High Street of shops up for sale in Bristol as redevelopment opportunity Bristol Live - February 6, 2025 The High Street shopping precinct in Brislington, Bristol, is on the market for £1.6 million, offering a promising redevelopment opportunity for up to 100 new homes alongside retail spaces, despite concerns from current shop owners about potential lease non-renewals. A feasibility study backs plans for 96 apartments and ground-floor retail, pending planning approval and strategic asset management. |
Business funder moves to new Bristol office and expands team Business Live - February 6, 2025 Growth Lending has expanded its operations by opening a new office in Bristol, led by Chris Mears and newly appointed debt finance director Johan van der Walt, to strengthen its deal-sourcing team in the South West. This expansion follows a significant £1bn funding partnership with Aros Kapital, allowing the company to offer loans of £2m to £10m to SMEs across various sectors over the next five years. |
Pero’s Bridge at the Harbourside
What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
All photos are credited to Louis Inglis unless otherwise specified.
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