The first brief of the Brookings Institution’s ‘City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs’ explores the local governance structure used in Bristol, United Kingdom.

Authored by Allan Macleod, Bristol City Council, the brief titled, ‘Why the One City model works: Local governance to achieve the SDGs and leave no one behind,’ reviews the city’s response to shrinking budgets over the past decade.

Beginning in 2016, the City Office began convening biannual stakeholder gatherings (called “City Gatherings”) as well as citizen consultations to identify shared priorities and challenges. The brief reports that City Gatherings are now attended by over 250 stakeholders. 

A “One City Plan” was developed out of these consultations. The Plan identifies a shared vision and objectives, and opportunities for partners to be involved in improving the city. Six “One City boards” meet quarterly to discuss issues related to six themes: Connectivity, Economy, Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Homes and Communities, and Learning and Skills. 

The brief provides an overview of the governance structure of the Plan, noting that it is supported by a small core team that facilitates partnerships and empowers stakeholder action. The author also notes strengths and weaknesses of the model, highlighting challenges with asking partners to support work that “should be covered by local taxation.”

The Brookings Institution’s ‘City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs’ series provides how-to briefs and case studies on advancing sustainable development and social progress locally. The briefs focus on four themes: Governance and Partnerships; Data and Measuring Progress; SDG Priorities; and Budgeting and Finance. The briefs come from cities participating in Brookings’ SDG Leadership Cities community of practice. [City Playbook for Advancing the SDGs] [Publication: Why the One City model works: Local governance to achieve the SDGs and leave no one behind]