A People's Council for Easton

What could a People's Council do for Easton?

Practical improvements

A locally-run council could:

Create a neighbourhood plan to protect community spaces and public buildings from big development
Tackle fly-tipping with initiatives such as community skips
Support existing organisations by helping them secure grants or funding
Represent residents in discussions with police, health services and the council

Thinking bigger and longer-term

With enough support and resources, a council could also:

Set up co-operative businesses (for example energy or housing co-ops)
Bring empty buildings into community use
Take on local services where it makes sense to run them closer to the community

Exactly what it does would be shaped by the people who live here.

398 people have already signed up!

Get in touch

A few moments from last weekend's Parking Assembly ✊

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, shared their experiences, and got stuck into the conversation. It was a thoughtful, honest discussion with plenty of ideas for what we can do together.

This is exactly what the Easton People's Council is about: turning local conversations into collective action. More to come.

A few moments from our Renters' Assembly ✊

Thank you to everyone who came along and made it such a thoughtful and energising afternoon. We heard from organisations working to build renter power across Bristol, including @acorn_bristol , @bristolfairrentingcampaign and @bristol_housing_action_mov , we had some brilliant conversations about what a different future could look like.

Together we explored ideas for community-owned housing, putting local assets to work for the public good, and how we can organise collectively to tackle the housing crisis in Easton.

There was a real appetite to keep working together, and this feels like the beginning of something bigger.

Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences, ideas, and time. Onwards. ✊

What an inspiring afternoon.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. There was so much energy, hope, and love for Easton in the room.

Together, we agreed on a campaign that tackles a root cause of fly-tipping, doesn't exclude those who are too often left out of decision-making, and is something we believe we can win. Most importantly, our takeaway was clear: Easton deserves better.

We've now formed working groups, everyone left with a clear action, and we're excited about what comes next.

More information soon. If you care about Easton and want to be part of the campaign, get in touch—we'd love to have you involved. 💚

FAQs

How do we establish a People's Council?

Step 1

A petition is created and signed by at least 10% of local voters.

Step 2

The petition is submitted to Bristol City Council, which reviews the proposal.

Step 3

Depending on the outcome of the review, a local referendum may be held.

Step 4

If a referendum takes place and the majority vote in favour, the new council is created. A clerk is appointed and elections are held.

Do we have to pay for it?

Residents decide collectively how much funding the council raises each year. This is based on the projects and services people want it to run.

The cost could start from around £2 per month per household.

For example:

£1.50 per month -> about £50,000 per year
£2.50 per month -> about £120,000 per year
£4 per month -> about £190,000 per year

All the money would be spent locally on the things our community cares about most.

What area would it cover?

People say the boundaries of Easton ward drawn up by the government don't fully reflect the community. If a People's Council is created, residents would help define the area it represents.

Would the council hold elections?

Councillors are elected every 4 years or less.

Residents could stand as candidates and represent the area as individuals rather than political parties if they choose.

Could we have a bigger say in decision-making?

Yes! Different councils experiment with different ways of making decisions, with some of them heavily participatory.

Some ideas include:

Neighbourhood assemblies where residents deliberate and decide on local issues
Participatory budgeting, where people vote on how community funds are spent
Open working groups focused on specific topics (for example youth wellbeing or housing)

Exactly how this would work in Easton would be shaped by residents.

🚮 Fly-tipping affects communities across Bristol, and it's a problem that's particularly felt in Easton. It won't be solved without local action.

Swipe through to learn more about what our research team has uncovered about fly-tipping in the city.

Interested in discussing solutions and hearing from others who care about cleaner, healthier neighbourhoods?

Join us this Saturday at The Jam Jar, Bristol.

📅 Saturday 🕚 11:00am–1:30pm 📍 The Jam Jar, Bristol

Everyone is welcome. We hope to see you there.

A few snaps from our recent Community Organising Training ✊

We had a great turnout and spent the day digging into how change happens — exploring power, different ways of engaging people, practicing listening skills, and planning campaigns using the Community Organisers Framework.

A big thank you to everyone who came along, shared their experiences, and got stuck in. There's a lot of energy and talent in this community, and we're excited to keep building together.

Onwards.

Come and learn more!

Still have questions? Come to an upcoming info session and ask them in person.

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