ANOTHER ELECTORAL TRIUMPH FOR BRISTOL LIB DEMS

Bristol City Council leader Barbara Janke welcomed Friday's local election results, in which the group increased its holding to 38 seats. She said:

“This is a very good result for the Lib Dems in Bristol. We have increased our majority. The voters clearly support our administration and want us to take our programme forward, devolving power and budgets to neighbourhoods and making Bristol a green and dynamic city.

“We will continue to provide clear and effective leadership for the city in the face of undoubted challenges ahead.

“Whichever party or parties form the next government, huge spending cuts are inevitable for councils all over the country.

“Here in Bristol we will do our best to spread the impact of cutbacks fairly and to ensure that the city emerges successfully from recession, with everyone enjoying an opportunity to share in that success.”