Councillors’ anger at access to Bristol Energy report

COUNCILLORS responsible for signing off Bristol City Council’s financial accounts say they were given “inferior” access to confidential information about Bristol Energy.

Members of the audit committee asked to see the latest financial information about the councilowned, debt-ridden energy firm before signing off the local authority’s accounts last month.

That information included a second report from consultants Ernst & Young (EY), which has been instructed to find a buyer for Bristol Energy.

Members expected to view the report via a secure online portal. Instead, they were given what they described as an “odd” instruction to visit City Hall to inspect a single paper copy. When they complained about the change to past practice and health risks due to Covid-19, they were told they could view the document via Zoom while a council officer “turned the pages”.

Labour councillor Mark Brain, pictured, who chairs the cross-party audit committee, said this was “inferior” as it inhibited the ability “to form questions and make comments”.

A council spokesperson said councillors’ access to exempt information is governed by local government law.