Amirah was elected to represent Ashley ward in May 2021.

She has lived in the area for over 40 years and is passionate about her community.

Amirah is committed to making a difference in Ashley where she grew up, lives, and raises her children. She has a background as a community organiser and activist, with a wealth of experience in campaigning to protect community, cultural and environmental assets. Campaigns include:  Save the Malcom X Community Centre, Save St. Paul’s Afrikan Caribbean Carnival, and Save the M32 Maples. 

She has participated in many local demonstrations, addressing the negative impact of the Nationality & Borders Bill on refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, the Hostile Environment deliberately created by the Tory Government and its adverse impact on vulnerable communities. Amirah also joined young campaigners at the Youth Strike 4 Climate rally where she spoke in their support.

As a Councillor, Amirah’s priorities include:

Environment, Parks, and Green Spaces

Amirah is working collaboratively to address the climate and ecological emergency and is the Labour lead for the Communities Scrutiny Committee. 

She was part of a task group that wrote a report presented to cabinet looking at the development of a tree planting and tree strategy for Bristol.

She has secured £125,000 to improve the facilities and play equipment in Montpelier Park, St. Andrews Park, Albany Green and Narroways Nature Reserve.

Amirah has successfully negotiated the reinstatement of individual bins for some residents in Winkworth Place to try and address the issue of fly tipping. She will be working with local residents in nearby streets experiencing similar problems. 

Parking and Congestion 

Amirah is committed to tackling problem parking and air pollution. She aims to ensure that local neighbourhoods work for everyone, improving safety for disabled people, pedestrians and cyclists. 

Housing

Amirah is committed to raising the overall standard of service received by tenants. Representing the interests of council tenants, private renters and leaseholders, she is a member of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) working group. This has developed a 30-year Business Plan which identified options for funding increased housing costs and suggested the introduction of replacement bathrooms for council tenants.  

Amirah participated in a recent ‘Home Choice’ review along with applicants at various stages of the process. Feedback from tracking the applicant’s journey throughout the process will help to improve this service. 

In her role in the Communities Scrutiny Committee Amirah will explore some of the challenges for homeless people and people in temporary accommodation. 

Amirah also attends the monthly Housing and Leaseholders Forum. 

Education and Youth Services

Amirah believes parents are their children’s first educators and that they should be fully involved in the learning that takes place in nurseries and schools. 

She has worked with parents to raise awareness of the education system and to increase parental engagement. Amirah strongly believes that improving relationships between parents and schools leads to better outcomes for children and young people. 

Amirah has successfully supported parents and pupils in local school appeals and helped them to access the resources needed to support young people with additional needs.

She will be arranging meetings with head teachers and parents’ groups in the coming months to see how schools and parents can be better supported.

Amirah supports the development of youth services offering young people access to creative and academic opportunities. 

She strongly believes that good, well-coordinated alternative provision would provide a positive way forward for many young people whose needs are not met in current mainstream education.

Amirah is working with young entrepreneurs who are raising funds to support activities which aim to reduce young people’s involvement in crime and anti-social behaviour. 

Inclusive Regeneration and economic opportunities

As a Planning Committee member, Amirah supports local residents’ input into the planning decision-making process. She strongly believes that the climate and ecological needs of the city should be embedded in planning applications and that developers and their workers respect our city and our citizens. 

Amirah sees the development of strong neighbourhood networks contributing to neighbourhood plans as a crucial aid in the development or renewal of community assets. This will ensure our precious parks, green spaces and local amenities are safe and well maintained.

Amirah says, “Ashley is an incredibly diverse community – it is Bristol in microcosm. I want to represent the interests of everyone who lives in our ward and will be fighting hard to empower residents to ensure their voices are heard and acted on by city leaders.”

She can be reached at:

• Email:  Cllr.Amirah.Cole@bristol.gov.uk
• https://www.facebook.com/amirah.cole
• Mobile:  07584183133

Ashley Ward