Richmond and

Green Party news

www.richmond.greenparty.org.uk August 07 spin-free edition!

the green effect goes from strength to strength Since 1987 the number of Green Party councillors has risen from 2 to 110, including 12 in Brighton and Norwich and 13 in Lancaster.) Our presence on the GLA has had a huge influence on ‘Greening’ London Planning Policy and securing funding for a range of projects, such as cycle training for all five and six year olds. Our work on the Environment Committee has helped shape the borough waste and energy Strategies. Not long ago Climate Change wasn’t in the vocabulary of either large local party. The urgency is now accepted but as the online debate ( www.oncom.org.uk ) on insulation grants shows more action is needed.

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100 Should Richmond Old Town 80 Hall be sold ? The council is considering moving the 60 Green 40 councillors Reference library to the Lending library building, and selling the Old Town Hall. 20 We think it rarely makes sense in the long 0 2003 2005 2007 term to sell public property, but this purpose built 1893 building is tantamount

to the family silver. At this stage it is only Sian Berry has been an idea, but it’s no good waiting for the selected as the Green decision. We’d like to know your views Party candidate for the now. (The council doesn’t have to consult Mayor of London. No on property sales. Even where public stranger to campaigns space is involved such as Twickenham against the Riverside and Barn Elms residents need inappropriate use of 4x4 to fight tooth and nail to keep it.) cars in London she agreed Greens are making a difference in Richmond. “Richmond and Twickenham Greens forced through parking discounts for low carbon cars and it’s an idea that’s caught on.”

No-one asked us

The councils last adult Can Growth be Green ? The council has We are delighted to confirm that Derek cycling course for 2007 approved an 'adult starts Tuesday 4 Wall, one of the Green Party’s two gaming centre' for September 6.30 – 8pm, principal speakers (the other is Sian Berry – and runs for 4 weeks. Richmond but when we checked with local see above) will speak at a public meeting £20.00 for the whole Thursday 4 October at 7:30pm in the course. residents all but one Details are available on were against the idea, Winchester Hall, St Margarets. If you would 020 8487 5131. and many were not like to come please contact Harald on 0208 asked 891 0423 email harald@phonecoop coop Richmond and Twickenham Green Party 49 Beaconsfield Road, Twickenham, TW1 3HX Printed on 100% recycled paper by Hillingdon Greenprint Ltd 58 Beech Avenue, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 8UQ Fight Climate Change Now!

We know many of you have already switched to 'green electricity'. We still recommend Ecotricity, who offer a choice of two schemes. Both very green. (Call 0800 0326 100 and please mention us!) Why not also use the sunlight falling on your roof to provide over half your hot water needs. Now is the time to install solar water heating, as the government is stopping the Monica Saunders is our grants next year. Hopefully Richmond will follow other new spokesperson on councils and provide funding, or reduced council tax. Health issues While not cheap (an installation will cost £3000-5000) it should add value to a property. But be wary of some over priced companies around. Environment GREEN TIPS spokesman James Page has just had a system There is still no sign of the council collecting batteries installed and recommends reputable firms such as (it has for many years been against EU law for certain Rayotec, Southern Solar or SolarTwin (who offer a less batteries to be treated as general waste.) If you have expensive system suitable if you have softened water.) any rechargeable or button batteries to dispose of freepost envelopes are available from Sainsburies The government will shortly be consulting on stores. Safe disposal is especially important now that Heathrow expansion. But we were not asked Richmond council seems increasingly likely to sign an about the 'Open Skies' agreements which even incineration contract. without expansion at Heathrow will mean a shift towards long haul flights, and hence a huge rise 79 % of ecologist readers would support fortnightly in carbon emissions. See our NEW website for waste collections if it increased recycling. It does do more on flights. Unfortunately Liberal Democrats

that, and as one of the few councils with waste food support Open Skies, and expansion of some collection Richmond should be leading the way. So regional airports like Exeter which they see as please recycle your food waste. ‘important for regeneration and employment.’ And the Tories, in their latest Policy Group report – There's never been a better time not to buy a new TV. ‘Freeing Britain to compete’ – advocate the Shops have been doing a roaring trade in ‘HD ready’, development of Heathrow to an intercontinental flat screen televisions. This is slightly odd as what and hub. A long haul flight causes typically ten times how high definition may happen is still up in the air. the carbon emissions. And all the TVs currently available consume large amounts of energy. Better off waiting a while if you can! Airlines and aircraft manufacturers throughout the world receive subsidies. Contrary to industry claims the essential infrastructure is also subsidised. Following the council refusal to allow a Airport radar uses a huge bandwidth of valuable Starbucks café at Retail Park, an appeal radio spectrum that other industries such as has now been submitted. The Green Party had telecommunications and broadcasting would pay argued that the landscape would be ruined and billions for. Green Party research indicates Civil trees lost. Starbucks now argue that they don’t navigation for aviation uses no less than 14% of conform to British Standards tree sizes (!!) but the available radio spectrum in UK. have now agreed to retain some of them. Advertising hoardings have been appearing under If you’d like to comment on life in the borough the guise of 'replacement please get in touch. And if you’d like to help us phone kiosks.' They add in any way we’d also be delighted to hear from nothing to the street scene, you. We will shortly be selecting the SW London and can be dangerous. Green Party candidate for the GLA Election, and Several have now been removed, following our provided we raise sufficient funds (each deposit is objections. £500) we will also be contesting the General Election. Fred Lightfoot, Richmond and Twickenham Green Party Membership Secretary Grateful Thanks to Richmond Cycles 49 Beaconsfield Road, Twickenham, TW1 3HX 425 Richmond Rd, E Twickenham, 0208 892 4372 [email protected] for supporting this newsletter. Stock up for the mass cycle ride 23 September! Londonfreewheel.com