Bristol City Council Commits to Stepping Up Scandal Review

Bristol City Council has committed to bring a report on the lessons learnt from the Stepping Up scandal to councillors on the audit committee.

In a recent meeting of the council’s audit committee, which saw the Chief Executive appear at the request of the Liberal Democrats to answer questions over council transparency, it was announced that council officers have committed to a fresh review of the Stepping Up scandal in the form of a ‘lessons learnt’ report.

The new update comes after the Chief Executive was summoned to the audit committee by Cllr Nicholas Coombes (Liberal Democrat, Westbury-on-Trym & Henleaze), to answer questions over the council’s transparency. Cllr Coombes’ calls for the council to be more transparent with members, as well as the public, follows years of the council refusing to provide clarity over what exactly happened with the Stepping Up scandal.

Cllr Nicholas Coombes said:

“A fresh review into the Stepping Up scandal is long overdue. The public deserve clarity over what exactly happened, and councillors need to ensure that the council can learn from its mistakes.

“I have previously asked for an independent investigation, which is still my preference. However, this report will be an opportunity for Bristol City Council to demonstrate a new commitment to candour and accountability.

“The council needs to ascertain once and for all which of its rules were broken, and if any laws were broken too. Clearly something went deeply wrong, and any corporate wrongdoing should no longer be allowed to be left hidden.

“The council also owes an apology and a thank you to those that brought this issue to light, and who continue to campaign for this to be put right. The council should and must promise to do better.”

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