The final sessions of Bristol’s first citizens’ assembly took place in early March, with participants discussing and preparing a response to the important question ‘How do we recover from COVID-19 and create a better future for all in Bristol?’. The recommendations from the assembly were launched at the City Gathering on Friday 12 March.

Sixty assembly members, residents randomly selected to reflect Bristol’s diverse population, met online over four weekends to discuss three main issues – climate change and housing, transport, and health inequalities – and produce a set of recommendations in response to questions posed.

The discussions were informed by 33 speakers including community organisations, citizens, One City partners, academics and subject specialists and council officers. Ellie Freeman, AGB Chair, spoke at one meeting about community development.

The assembly produced recommendations, with actions to:

• rapidly reduce the impact of our homes on climate change
• make changes to our neighbourhoods to make traveling easier, healthier and better for the environment
• tackle health inequalities in Bristol.

You can read the recommendations on the citizens’ assembly website. The pages also provide lots more information on the assembly including speaker presentations and the latest updates. Bristol Citizens’ Assembly – Bristol – Citizen Space