A public petition, a vote in full council, and the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Management Board have all favoured locating Bristol’s arena on Arena Island at Temple Meads. However, many now believe that Mayor Marvin Rees favours YTL’s proposal to build an arena at Filton and has been seeking alternative uses for the original site.
Marvin Rees has indicated that a decision about the future use of Arena Island will be made at a cabinet meeting on 4th September. However, a cross-party group of councillors has called for an extraordinary council meeting on 3rd September to discuss the matter.
The letter requesting the meeting was signed by Labour councillors as well as opposition councillors and the three opposition party leaders. The agenda for the meeting will be published on Bristol City Council’s website on Thursday 23rd August.
It is rare to call an extraordinary council meeting, and this reflects the serious concerns that have been raised about the level of hospitality offered to Marvin Rees by YTL and the potential harm to Bristol’s retail and leisure trade if he favours YTL’s private development at Filton, close to Cribbs Causeway.
The extraordinary council meeting will take place in the council chamber at City Hall at 6pm on Monday 3rd September and is open to members of the public.