Summer 2008

The green newspaper for the South constituency The Rising Cost of Living: Green Solutions Needed Hardly a day goes by without a media what are the potential solutions to the living in a long-lasting way. This needs and get the benefit of free and secure headline about further increases in problem? to involve reducing energy consumption energy for the future. the price of everyday goods. The The Green Party has as well as increasing renewable energy “It is also crucial that the Government price of oil on international markets has long argued that the production. At present food production invests money raised from taxes on fuel doubled in little over a year and this Government needs to put is far too dependent on oil – mainly into measures that will help reduce our is having a serious effect on the price in place measures to reduce because foods are often transported oil usage. More efficient and cheaper of oil-based products. These price our society’s dependence on oil far longer distances than is necessary. A public transport is the most pressing increases affect the cost of – not just because of the damaging more localised economy would benefit example.” petrol but, in a society that effect on the environment of burning local producers, boost local jobs and The Transition Towns movement is highly dependent on oil, ever-increasing amounts help tackle climate change as well as has been set up to help towns and they also affect electricity of fossil fuels, but reduce the use of fossil fuels. We also cities around the country reduce their and food bills. also because need the Government to regulate against level of oil consumption in a way that With the world close to these fuels the excessive use of products that are will be positive for local communities. reaching the peak of its oil are in limited oil-based, such as most packaging and The Transition Norwich group is being production the price supply. plastic bags. formally launched on 1st October. of oil is going A d r i a n “Reducing energy use in the home Details are in the box below. to continue R a m s a y , is also key. The ways individuals can to rise. Green Party help with this receive lots of attention. Transition Norwich Launch On the Pa r l i a m e n t a r y However, Government can and should face of it Candidate for help through introducing free home Wednesday 1st October, 7.30 pm, St.Andrew’s Hall this seems Norwich South, said: insulation schemes (which would also Main Speaker: Rob Hopkins, to be a “We need concerted help tackle fuel poverty). There Founder of Transition Network U.K. m e s s a g e action from the should be far more investment in clean Admission: £5. Book online at: of doom and Government to renewable energy – not just large-scale www.transitionnorwich.org gloom for people reduce the country’s solutions but also in making small-scale or call (01603) 614460. on low incomes who dependence on oil wind turbines and solar panels much Free films at Inner Space, St.Benedict’s are really suffering from in order to tackle cheaper. This would enable many more through July/August/September. See www.transitionnorwich.org the increasing cost of living – so the increasing cost of people to install them on their homes

Percentage of votes cast across your Greens Ahead in Norwich South General Election constituency (Norwich South), 2006-2008 In the local elections on 1st May the 35% Green Party finished in a clear first “In Charles Clarke’s Norwich Green place across your Parliamentary South constituency, as in 2007, Constituency (Norwich South). A the Green vote topped the poll, 30% similar vote at the next General Election and this time by around 2,000 LibDem would see Green Party Candidate votes – a pointer to a very 25% Labour Adrian Ramsay replace Charles Clarke intriguing general election contest as your local MP. to come.” BBC News Online, 8,567 Norwich South residents 2nd May 2008. 20% voted Green on 1st May – over 3,000 Conservative higher than the Labour vote and over 15% 2,000 higher than the LibDems. It is “Although such boasts [about clear that Norwich South is one of the 10% best prospects in the whole country becoming an MP] are common for securing Green representation at in political circles, Ramsay’s Westminster. now appear to be based on firm 5% The Green Councillors would like electoral support.” Channel 4 to thank everyone who voted Green website, 2nd May 2008. 0% in the local elections. 2006 2007 2008 Edited and produced by James Conway. www.norwichgreenparty.org Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. Mixed News on Post Offices Save New Costessey On 24th June bosses at the national Post Office! Post Office annouced their decision The latest twist in the Post Office 42 Days about which local Post Offices in saga is that Post Office Limited is • Length of time that Norwich are to close. There was now recommending that the New UK Police will be mixed news for Norwich residents. Costessey branch on Norwich Road able to hold terrorist The Vauxhall Street branch, which be closed. Ruth Makoff, Green Party suspects without had been proposed for closure, will Councillor for Wensum Ward (which remain open. However, Post Office borders New Costessey) said: “The charge, under bosses announced that the branches Norwich Road branch is the local Post new Government on Rosary Road and Bowthorpe Road Office for thousands of residents, legislation are to close. Peter Offord, Green Party Councillor for including many of my constituents in Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Thorpe Hamlet, by the Rosary Road Post Office the Woodhill Rise area of Wensum • Length of time in Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich Ward. The Green Councillors will be which 15 million South, said: “I am delighted by the community facilities that need to be responding to the consultation to outline decision to save the Vauxhall Street supported and given more services to why this branch should remain open people are born branch. It is a popular local facility run. The continual erosion of the Post and I urge residents to write in too.” around the world that provides a crucial service to Office network is not acceptable.” The consultation runs until 26th thousands of local people, including The Rosary Road branch will remain August. You can send your views • Length of time it takes many elderly and disabled residents. open until 1st October and Bowthorpe to: National Consultation Team, for each UK citizen to However, I feel that the decisions of the Road until 1st August. In both cases the Post Office Limited, FREEPOST national Post Office are inconsistent as newsagent and shop will continue to CONSULTATION TEAM or e-mail consume 200 litres of exactly the same arguments apply to function. Green Councillors are asking [email protected] refined oil the Rosary Road and Bowthorpe Road residents to continue supporting these branches. The Government should important local community facilities to recognise that Post Offices are crucial ensure that they survive. Save Our City! On 7th July the independent 1.1 Million Boundary Committee announced • Number of low wage its recommendation for the future of local government in Norfolk. The earners who will be committee’s preferred option is one hit when the 10p unitary council responsible for all tax rate is scrapped, local government services across the even after the latest whole of Norfolk plus Lowestoft. Two concessions reserve options were also put forward, one of which (known as the ‘doughnut’) would give Greater Norwich its own • Number of people in unitary council. The other option would the UK who own a Green Party Councillors and local residents involve putting Greater Norwich in celebrate the decision to keep the Vauxhall Street Post Office open second home the same council as the Broads and Yarmouth and Lowestoft. In both these • Number of people cases, there would be a second council Anglia Square Redevelopment for the rest of the county. planning to Anglia Square is set for a makeover The layout of today’s central square Claire Stephenson, Deputy Leader downsize their home under plans by site owner Centenary would also be changed. Sovereign of the Green Party City Councillors, in order to deal with Ashcroft. The plans involve the complete House, formerly the offices of HMSO but said: “This is an extremely poor set the credit crunch redevelopment of the site, building long since an empty eyesore, would be of options. All of them involve an houses and flats and creating space for demolished under the proposals. enormous, remote council covering a large food-store with parking facilities. Tom Dylan, Green Party Councillor for most or all of the county. However, Mancroft Ward, said: “Green Councillors the ‘doughnut’ option is clearly the 70 Percent are calling for any redevelopment of best of the three for Norwich as both Anglia Square to meet local needs for the others would leave the city with no • Rise in the price more affordable housing, for a high council of its own. We need to respond of rice since the proportion of independent and local to the Boundary Committee with a beginning of 2008 businesses and for renewable energy clear ‘Save Our City’ message. The generation to be included on site. We Government has the final say. I hope • Proportion of the are also supporting residents’ objections it will give Norwich unitary status and to the proposals for a very tall residential allow other parts of the county to have world’s fresh water tower block. However, the development their own local councils.” that is consumed by does provide a welcome opportunity to The consultation runs until 26th agriculture create more jobs in the city centre.” September. You can respond by The plans, and the consultation writing to: Review Manager (Norfolk • Proportion of responses from local residents, are still and Suffolk Review), Boundary the world’s food being considered by the City Council Committee for England, Trevelyan Planning Department before being put House, Great Peter Street, London, made up of just to City Councillors for a decision. The SW1P 2HW. You can also e-mail 12 different plant developers are hoping to start work [email protected] . species on phase one of the project by the end The committee is asking respondents Councillor Tom Dylan in Anglia Square of 2008. to explain the reasons for their views. Greens Second Party at City Hall GreenView Profile Number of Councillors on The City Council remains in no overall must include improving insulation in Norwich City Council control. Labour, as the largest party council housing – which is crucial for by Party with 15 seats, is running a minority addressing fuel poverty in this time of 15 administration. The Green Party, with rising fuel prices. Another key priority 13 13 seats, is the official opposition. The should be for the Council to increase 15 Green Councillors have pledged to be the amount of affordable housing in a constructive opposition, holding the new developments.” Labour administration to account and The Green Party has already made challenging policies they disagree with progress on two election pledges. 20mph but also putting forward positive Green speed limits are set to be introduced 6 policies for the city. across residential roads in the city over 5 Green Councillor Adrian Ramsay the next two years. The City Council has is now Leader of the Opposition on also approved a Green Party motion Labour Lib Dem Green Con Norwich City Council. He said: “We calling for the gradual development of Peter Offord was elected as Following the local elections on are pressing for the Council to take a network of cycle routes across the city a Green Party City Councillor for 1st May the Green Party is the a lead in reducing carbon emissions as opportunities arise during planning Thorpe Hamlet Ward in the 2008 second largest party at City Hall. from its buildings and services. This and transportation changes. local elections. When and why did you join the Green Party? I joined the Green Party in 2006, Orangutans Driven Close to Extinction after being a lifelong Labour Party It seems a long way from the rainforests of global greenhouse gas emissions. supporter but sometimes voting Green of Indonesia to the soap in your sink, Palm oil is now in such a wide range in local elections. There needs to be but for orangutans and other rainforest of products that it is hard to avoid real political change, not just the wildlife your soap can make a world buying it. This makes it essential that the Punch and Judy show of the three of difference. Every year huge swathes global corporations which use the oil – ‘major’ parties. The Green Party, at of Indonesia’s rainforests are cut down including Nestle and Proctor & Gamble a local and national level, is offering to make way for palm oil plantations. – stop driving this destruction. Some strong and distinctive policies on The palm oil makes its way into a wide companies are now seeking sustainable renewable energy, social justice and range of everyday products, from soaps alternatives but many are continuing to protecting public sector services from and moisturisers to peanut butter and use palm oil. privatisation and fragmentation. other foods. Adrian Ramsay commented: “Such What do you do outside party Palm oil production has doubled in the corporate abuses of the environment and work? past decade, with tragic consequences native communities can only be tackled My paid work is teaching art to for wildlife and people. Orangutans through strengthening laws on corporate people with disabilities: I believe that are being driven close to extinction, responsibility. Greenpeace and Friends art can transform people’s perceptions. while many local communities have of the Earth are mounting strong I work as a tutor, moderator and been uprooted and deprived of their campaigns, but what is missing is a strong assessor in the Additional Learning livelihoods. Furthermore, deforestation Green voice in Parliament to promote Support Team. I also run an art therapy around the world accounts for one fifth genuine corporate accountability.” group, helping people to communicate through art. I am actively involved in Norwich Stop the War Coalition. Why did you decide to stand for election as a councillor? A Green MEP for Norwich? I put myself forward as a councillor Norwich Councillor Rupert Read is representation, meaning that a Green and (for London). because I want to be part of a standing as the Green Party’s lead Party vote of around 10% across There is a total of 34 Green MEPs process for change, helping to make candidate for the Eastern Region in Eastern Region would be enough to from 12 different countries working a difference at a local level and next June’s European Elections. The win one of the region’s seven seats. for a European Union with stronger engaging residents in the process. European Elections are conducted The party achieved a higher average environmental, human rights and social You won the seat this time with a under a system of proportional vote than this in the wards it contested justice policies. The Green Party would huge swing to the Green Party. Why in the 2008 local also like to see a more accountable do you think that happened? elections – and a and decentralised European Union, The Thorpe Hamlet majority (501) much higher vote with less power in the hands of exceeded my expectations. Our share in Norwich! If unelected officials. success was due to hard work on this is repeated in At present none of the seven the ground, listening to the residents, 2009, then Rupert MEPs for Eastern Region are based taking up important issues in the ward will be elected in Norfolk. and also a lot of support from other as your Member Green Party members. of the European What do you think of working as Parliament (MEP). Norwich Community Co-op a councillor so far? Credit Union Ltd. There are It can feel overwhelming at times, currently two FOR ETHICAL SAVINGS & LOANS with so much to learn and a variety Green MEPs from Telephone: 01603 764904 of casework on issues from recycling the UK: Caroline www.norwichcreditunion.org.uk to planning applications. Overall it is The Eastern Region Green Party’s Lead Candidate for the European Elections Rupert Read (centre) with Lucas (representing FSA approved - Ref. No.213351 very rewarding, especially when you current Green MEPs (left) and Jean Lambert (right) the South East) know that you have helped someone. Health Warning on Polyclinics services normally offered by local GPs potentially result in local community that the Government and some minor hospital treatments. surgeries closing. will look for the If the current proposal were for an There are also major concerns cheapest bidder to additional walk-in centre I am sure this about the way the new polyclinics run the polyclinics, would receive widespread support. will be financed and managed. The seriously affecting Such centres are able to open for proposed contract type is designed to the standard longer hours than GP surgeries and it allow private corporations to bid for of patient care Adrian Ramsay writes... would benefit thousands of Norwich management, effectively opening the available. residents for a walk-in facility to be door to privatisation of P u b l i c l y - 5,616 patients and doctors in Norwich available in the city centre. However, the NHS. financed polyclinics have signed a petition against the there are two major problems with the Dr Richard might be beneficial proposed closure of Dussindale walk- current polyclinic plan for Norwich: 1. Vautrey, Deputy in some areas as in medical centre. The Primary Care the proposed closure of the existing Chair of the British additional walk-in Trust (PCT) for Norfolk is intending popular facility at Dussindale; 2. the Medical Association’s facilities. However, they to replace this facility with a new fact that, unlike at walk-in centres, GP’s committee, has should not be introduced ‘polyclinic’ in an undecided location. patients can register with a GP at voiced concerns that in a way that could threaten The plan is in response to a Government polyclinics. This means that polyclinics multinational corporations community-based GP surgeries policy that every PCT in England should are not simply additional walk-in will set up polyclinics in that are within walking distance establish a polyclinic in 2008/09. The facilities but would take away patients direct competition with for most residents and enable proposed polyclinics would provide from existing GP surgeries and existing NHS services, and patients to get to know their GPs. Local Postmaster Backs Adrian Ramsay Scrap Box: Re-using Business Waste closure and because they had helped The need to improve household resolve a local drainage problem. waste recycling is given a lot of Now, Ian wants to see a Green MP attention in the media but business for Norwich South. He said: “The Green waste is often overlooked. Green Party did the most to help save my Post Councillors would like to see improved Office branch. Green Councillors were facilities for the recycling of business the first in the door to offer help and the waste but one facility that already party has a clear commitment to Post exists is the Mini-Scrapbox, based in Offices as important local services. Our Reepham. Ian Goulden-Duffy (left) with Adrian Ramsay current MP Charles Clarke, by contrast, Mini-Scrapbox offers a free Business waste being used for art voted for the closures in Parliament. collection service to businesses. Ian Goulden-Duffy, who runs “The best thing this country could Collected ‘waste’ is sold to churches, make of it. the North Earlham Post Office on have would be a hung Parliament with schools, theatres and after-school Please contact Jim Elliott (01603 Bowthorpe Road with his wife Izzy, the Green Party holding the balance clubs. They use it for their activities 873128) if you represent a business is supporting Green Party Candidate of power. Majority Government has in art, craft, drama and technology: or are involved in an organisation Adrian Ramsay to become the new given Labour the ability to dictate whatever re-creative use they can which could make use of this service. MP for Norwich South at the next rather than listen. Norwich is a place General Election. Mr. Goulden-Duffy where the Greens are doing well voted Green in the recent local elections at local level and could make the Can you help Norwich Green Party gain an MP and because Green Councillors had played breakthrough into Westminster. I will more councillors to tackle the issues raised in this an active role in the campaign to try be voting for Adrian Ramsay at the newspaper? Your help can make a difference! to save his Post Office branch from next General Election.” Yes, I will help by: [] Voting for Adrian Ramsay at the next General Election to elect a Green MP for Norwich South Contacting the Green Party [] Voting Green at the June 2009 European Election GreenStock08 City Councillors: [] Displaying a window poster at election time Please phone 01603 212969 [] Displaying a garden poster board at election time a climate change festival with any questions, suggestions [] Delivering some leaflets in my area music|art|eco-stalls|food or problems for the Green City Councillors to investigate. [] Doing some paperwork, such as folding letters [] Coming to a Green social event (tick to request details) Sunday 24th August Contacting Norwich [] Making a donation (cheques payable to ‘Norwich Green Party’) 10.30am-7pm Green Party: [] Joining the Green Party (tick for details) Heigham Park, Norwich Phone 01603 611909 Name: ...... E-mail: Address: ...... Free Entry [email protected] Post: Phone number:...... E-mail:...... www.thegreengrocers.co.uk 27 Clarendon Road, Please return to: Norwich Green Party, 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. Norwich, NR2 2PN. The Green Party will contact you using the details you have supplied. If you do not wish to receive information from the Green Party please tick this box: [] Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Recycled Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich Green Party, Paper both c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN.