Spring 2009

The green newspaper for the South constituency Green Jobs to Tackle Recession alf a million jobs could be “As well as investing directly in public created under Green Party transport, renewable energy and other Hproposals to tackle the areas where jobs could be created, we recession and save households money. need more Government attention on The proposals would help thousands of skills training for these areas. We also people back into work while tackling need measures to support local food climate change and reducing our production. This would include a dependency on oil imports. change in the law to make it easier for councils, hospitals and other public The ‘Green New Deal’ report, organisations to insist on using local authored by Green Party Leader products whenever they are available.” and several other green economists and campaigners, calls for One of the Green Party’s proposals governments across Europe to invest in is a free insulation scheme for homes across the country paid for by a tax on measures that will help the Green Party European Election Candidate Rupert Read (left) and Deputy Leader energy companies that continue to environment and create jobs. Adrian Ramsay are pressing for Government investment to create green jobs make huge profits. In England alone Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy there are more than nine million Leader and Parliamentary Candidate for As well as creating jobs the Green “Here in Norwich we have one of the homes without insulation. Insulating Norwich South, said: “Many thousands proposals would: highest levels of unemployment in East these homes would reduce people’s more jobs could be created by insulating • slash people’s bills Anglia and we are feeling the effects of bills and bring huge cuts in homes, installing solar panels, recycling • cut carbon emissions the Government’s inaction. It is carbon emissions. and repairing goods, investing in public • lift thousands of people out of fuel shameful that the Government is transport and supporting local food poverty failing to grasp the opportunity to To find out more about Green production. Investing in these areas • provide secure local energy boost jobs and tackle climate change. Party policies on job creation and would create skilled manual jobs and The Government has talked about a the recession, please come to a • reduce our dependency on dwindling public meeting on 16th April the sustainable retail and office-based oil imports. Green New Deal but is not making jobs associated with them.” green jobs a priority. (details on back page). A recent report published by HSBC bank, entitled ‘A Climate for Recovery’, highlighted that Britain is falling a long way behind other European countries Norwich South Vote 2008 in measures to create green jobs. Votes cast Adrian Ramsay continued: “In the UK across your 33% I hate lycra! we are already lagging far behind other General BTCV’s Norwich Green Gym European countries in green jobs and Election 24% is different - and it’s FREE! technology. To give just two examples: constituency 21% 21% Get fitter and feel better by taking regular Portugal gets 40% of its energy from exercise at your own pace outdoors. We in the May do practical conservation work in local renewable sources, while the UK gets a 2008 local green spaces, so you can meet new meagre 5%. Germany has 250,000 jobs Liberal Democrat Conservative Labour people, learn new skills and discover elections Green some beautiful new places to enjoy. in renewable energy and more than 1.8 million jobs in environmental A similar voting pattern at the next General Election would see Call Mark on 01603 767 300 or Adrian Ramsay replace Charles Clarke as your MP for Norwich South. via [email protected] protection. The German Government Supported by NHS Norfolk and Pfizer UK Foundation Everyone receiving this newspaper will be in the Norwich South INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES recently announced plans to tackle the www.btcv.org/norfolk constituency at the next General Election. The Mousehold Street area BTCV 2006 • Registered Office Sedum House, recession by tripling the number of Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB • Registered Charity 261009 Norfolk is being moved from Norwich North to Norwich South. green jobs over the next ten years.

Edited and produced by Stephen Little. Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, www.norwichgreenparty.org Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich and Eastern Region Green Parties, all c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. GreenView Profile Improving Lakenham Way Friends of Lakenham Way group as a haven for nature. Students from Speaking about the group’s first has been formed following City College have been among those meeting, Councillor Little said: “I feel so Aconcerns about anti-social offering to form regular working parties. encouraged by the interest and behaviour along the route. Stephen enthusiasm residents have shown for Little, Green Councillor for the area, is this important site and would like to heading up moves to regenerate the thank all who attended.” Among the Way and secure arrangements for its long term ideas for the site are an long term management. outdoor leisure area, more CCTV coverage and its designation as a park Local Police Officers, voluntary or local nature reserve. groups and residents are supporting the work to improve safety and the If you are interested in joining or local environment. The former railway helping Friends of Lakenham Way route is a major pedestrian and cycle or if you have ideas for the area track from Lakenham to the city centre then please contact Councillor upert Read, 42, is a Green and a popular destination for dog Stephen Little on 01603 617888 Party City Councillor for walkers and ramblers. or [email protected] RWensum Ward. He also The Friends group was formed teaches at the University of East following leafleting and canvassing of Watts by Ryan Photography Anglia. He is the party's lead local residents. It aims to attract further Green Party Campaigners Lee Cozens News in Brief candidate for the European funding and involve the local community (Lakenham Ward Candidate, left), Green Party County Councillors Elections on 4th June. in such work as litter picks and cutting Councillor Stephen Little (Town Close have put forward proposals for Around 10% of the vote in the back vegetation to improve visibility. Ward, centre) and Councillor fighting the recession and Eastern Region would be enough Conservation work is also planned to Adrian Ramsay (Parliamentary improving public transport as part for Rupert to take one of the help realise the full potential of the area Candidate) on Lakenham Way of their alternative budget for the region's seven seats in the Council. The Green proposals European Parliament, where he include establishing a ‘Resilience would join a strong existing group Greens Press for Independent Task Force’ to help create green of Green Euro-MPs. jobs, reduce carbon emissions and create more local credit unions. What do you like about living in Inquiry on Greyhound Opening A Norfolk Bank would also be Norwich? n December it was revealed in Christine Way, Green Party established to enable people and • This city is small enough to get The Times newspaper that the Campaigner for Bowthorpe Ward, local businesses to save and borrow around comfortably by bike. I like IHead of Housing at City Hall was commented: “The City Council’s in a more reliable and ethical way. visiting London but Norwich is a living in a council property in internal investigations have answered The Greens also called for a city built on a more human scale. Greyhound Opening. some questions but other important review of how County Hall’s I particularly like the distinctive In March 2007 the ruling Labour questions remain unanswered. For transport department spends its small shops in Norwich. Executive at City Hall decided that the example, it is unclear whether the budget. Andrew Boswell, Green • The incredible natural beauty of homes at Greyhound Opening should Labour Councillor in charge of housing Party County Councillor for Nelson this fine county of Norfolk. be demolished and replaced with new at the time took part in the decision to Ward, commented: “The County allow any member of staff to apply to • The university: it adds hugely to affordable housing. The elderly tenants Council should be bidding for live there. She says she didn’t but a the cultural life and economic were asked to move out. Later in 2007 government money that is available Council Director from that time says vitality of Norwich. senior officers in the housing for improving sustainable transport. she did. department decided that council officers This requires more staff time being Which of your political should be given the opportunity to “On an important issue like this there spent on developing cycle routes, achievements are you most rent the homes in the period between should be a full independent inquiry into pedestrian safety and public proud of? residents moving out and demolition. what went wrong and how the Council transport proposals rather than I am very pleased to have played This decision went against Council policy. can ensure it does not happen again.” focusing on road building. Norfolk a key role in securing the pilot has a long way to go in improving scheme for 20mph speed limits bus services and cycle routes.” across residential areas of the city. It won’t stop everyone driving too New Boilers: Warmer Homes Green Party City Councillor fast but if it reduces accidents esidents of Winchester Tower, off Stephen Little has launched a then it will be totally worthwhile. Vauxhall Street, have recently campaign to help protect local It will also make our residential Rhad a new heating system pubs, some of which are struggling streets cleaner and safer places to installed to help warm their homes because of the recession. Stephen walk and play. more efficiently. Green Councillors are has pledged not to buy any alcohol pressing for such energy saving from supermarkets for the next What would be your top priority measures to be installed across the city. year and has set up a Facebook if elected as an MEP in June? Winchester Tower residents have group ‘Save the pub - no alcohol The European Union should be been provided with a thermostat from supermarkets’ where others investing far more in harnessing Watts by Ryan Photography control for each room and new can make the same pledge. the free energy that comes from Winchester Tower radiators to replace warm air heaters. Councillor Little, who represents wind, sun, waves and tides. The new heating systems, organised by Town Close Ward, said: “Pubs are an I want to make this region more similar improvements to other council the City Council and installed by important part of the community energy-independent: making the housing blocks, starting with the CityCare, will cut energy use, help save and provide local jobs. I don’t want most of our tremendous Langley Walk and Canterbury Place fuel bills and reduce carbon emissions. to see any more pubs close as a renewable energy resources. area, where boiler replacement is set result of the recession.” The City Council is planning to make to begin in the late spring. Greens Protect Play Spaces Summed Up roposed cuts to some key • cutting the budget for City Council services have maintaining play spaces; 6 million Pbeen stopped by a Green Party • reducing the amount spent budget amendment. on initiatives for promoting • Children dying every The Labour administration’s cycling; and year in developing spending proposals for the next • stopping the grant to Norfolk countries from easily financial year originally included: railway lines. treated conditions • reducing the number of litter bins in The proposed cuts in these streets, parks and open spaces; areas were all stopped when like dehydration the Green Councillors’ amendment to the budget • Profit (in US dollars) Greens Fight was accepted. of the world’s top Marcus Hemsley, Green Party

Photography by Ryan Watts by Ryan Photography four drug companies to Save Forests Campaigner in Wensum Ward, Green Party Wensum Ward Campaigners every hour said: “I’m delighted these Marcus Hemsley and Councillor Ruth Makoff amendments were accepted. I at the play area off Motum Road • Cost (in US dollars) of was particularly concerned about the proposal to cut 100 million sachets of maintenance of play space equipment constructive discussion with the other rehydration salts to because it would have resulted in play parties to get the best outcome we treat dehydration facilities being removed in some areas. can. We can’t get all our initiatives In North Earlham, there are already through because we don’t run the some play areas where damaged Council but I’m pleased our Deforestation in the Amazon equipment has not been properly amendment has helped improve the repaired. The play apparatus that is Labour budget. It’s important that the very year an area of 300,000 functioning is well used. Residents City Council does all it can to create a rainforest the size of have in this area told me how clean and healthy local environment. England is slashed down by • Children living in E important it is to them to have play The proposed cuts to litter bins, cycling illegal loggers. The Green Party is areas that are within walking distance initiatives and railway lines grants poverty in rural areas calling for urgent action to for their children to use.” would have been a step backwards.” protect the world’s remaining of the UK forests and secure the survival of Adrian Ramsay, Leader of the Green The budget proposals from the two the people and wildlife that Party City Councillors, added: “The smaller opposition parties on the City • Number of long-term depend upon them. Greens are now the main opposition at Council, the Liberal Democrats and the jobs predicted to be City Hall but we continue to engage in Conservatives, were not passed. Green Party Members of the lost in Britain in the European Parliament (MEPs) recession recently achieved a breakthrough in the fight to protect forests. The • Amount (in pounds) European Parliament approved a Report Issues Climate report by Green Party Leader and that RBS bank bosses MEP Caroline Lucas which outlines spent on a ways to strengthen the law on Change Warning champagne party illegal timber. The Green Party’s ollowing recent scientific reports food supplies and being threatened proposals mean that companies after a £20 billion that man-made climate change with extinction. The time for action is and organisations involved in all Government bail-out is happening at a faster rate than now – not when it’s already too late. parts of the timber supply chain will F expected, Greens are calling for all be responsible for ensuring timber “By setting targets for forty years in political parties in the UK to work comes from legal sources. The law the future, Government ministers are together to set and meet annual targets will be backed up by independent immune from responsibility for for cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. monitoring and stiff penalties. meeting those targets. It’s time for 250,000 The Green Party has invited political Caroline Lucas said: “The world’s the UK to take an international lead party leaders and leading campaign forests are vital for the survival of and set binding annual targets that • Child soldiers fighting groups to an urgent meeting to agree a people and wildlife and crucial in meet the levels demanded by climate national response to the climate crisis. in wars around the the fight against climate change. science. We have the technology and In February, world climate expert world For many years the EU has called the public support to make the Professor Chris Field warned that for better measures against illegal transition to a green and sustainable climate change "will be beyond economy – all that’s lacking is the • Veterans of the Iraq timber, yet has continued to be anything" previously predicted. one of the world’s biggest markets political will. war predicted to for it. Failure to ban the import of Councillor Rupert Read, Green Party “Not only is the Government failing suffer Post-traumatic illegal timber has allowed forest Lead Candidate for the European to cut emissions, it’s pressing ahead Election in Eastern Region, said: “The Stress Disorder resources to be plundered with with plans for new airport runways Government has set targets for 2050 – devastating consequences.” and a new generation of coal-fired but the United Nations has warned • Gallons of oil spilled power stations that will pump out that by 2050 a billion people may have For more information on the even more greenhouse gases.” off the Irish coast by work of Caroline Lucas as a lost their homes due to man-made the Russian navy in Green MEP please visit: climate change. Already we are seeing To find out more on the expected www.carolinelucasmep.org.uk severe effects on wildlife with polar impact of climate change please February bears and other species losing their visit: www.ipcc-wg2.org Don't Privatise Royal Mail The Green Party has consistently The Government is breaking its own fought hard against the Government’s campaigned against the transfer of manifesto commitment to a ‘publicly attempts to close down our local Post essential public services to private hands. owned Royal Mail’, showing a shameful Offices. The Green Party is now We have already seen the impacts of disregard for democracy. There is no seeking local support for the campaign privatisation on the NHS, BT and the public mandate for this move and to keep the Royal Mail in public hands. railways amongst other services. there is strong evidence that it is To sign a petition by the unpopular with postal workers and the Adrian Ramsay writes… Many people are concerned that a Communication Workers Union private company would put profits majority of the public. he Royal Mail is a treasured to keep the Royal Mail public national institution that provides above services. For example, we could Green Councillors and local residents please visit: www.cwu.org vital services for all of us. If we see reduced deliveries and cuts to rural T collections. Part-privatisation is also allow the Government to go ahead with plans to part-privatise the Royal likely to involve job losses at a time Green Links to Mail we risk losing essential local when we urgently need more jobs. By services that would be deemed selling to a Dutch company we stand ‘unprofitable’ to private business. That’s to lose money and jobs from the local Whitlingham Country Park economy. The Communication Workers why I am strongly opposed to Peter he Steering Group in charge of Mandelson’s plans to sell one-third of Union (CWU) estimates that 50,000 introducing new pedestrian the Royal Mail to a foreign buyer. workers could lose their jobs. Tand cycle routes across the river to Whitlingham Country Park has chosen its preferred routes. The Former Friends of the Earth two new pedestrian and cycle links are set to start by the football ground Director Joins Green Party and by the bottom of Harvey Lane. Phil Hardy, Green Party Campaigner ony Juniper has stepped down Watts by Ryan Photography for Thorpe Hamlet Ward, said: “These from his role as Director of Left to right: Adrian Ramsay and links will make it much easier and Friends of the Earth to focus on Rupert Read with Green Party Thorpe T safer for residents to get from Thorpe campaigning for the Green Party. Hamlet Campaigners Phil Hardy and Hamlet and from the city centre to Councillor Peter Offord at the start of While at FoE Tony led many successful Whitlingham Country Park. However, the proposed new pedestrian and cycle initiatives, including the Big Ask I’m concerned that the project may route to Whitlingham Country Park campaign, which resulted in the world's be held up because the organisers first national law on reducing carbon need trained staff to do the design from the Big Lottery can be used. emissions – the 2008 Climate Change and planning work. The Green Party Thousands of residents could then Act. The Green Party recently selected is pressing for the County Council to get to Whitlingham by bike and foot him to stand as General Election supply this support so the £900,000 to enjoy the wildlife, pleasant Candidate for Cambridge where he lives. Tony Juniper (right) with Thom Yorke, that Norwich won for this project surroundings and watersports.” Tony Juniper said: "Campaign groups lead singer of Radiohead, who is like Friends of the Earth play a vital role supporting Tony's campaign. in pressing for change, but we really need elected Green Party politicians at Can you help Norwich Green Party gain an MP and all levels of government to bring about kick-start the real political progress more councillors to tackle the issues raised in this genuine action. I’ll be working closely that our country needs – and ensure a with Adrian Ramsay, Caroline Lucas Green breakthrough into Westminster newspaper? Your help can make a difference! and others in the Green Party to at the 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 Green Responses Contacting the Green Party Voting Green at the 4th June County Council and European Elections to the Recession City Councillors: Displaying a window poster at election time Please phone 01603 212969 Displaying a garden poster board at election time with any questions, suggestions Public Meeting or problems for the Green Delivering some leaflets in my area Free entry. All welcome. City Councillors to investigate. Doing some paperwork, such as folding letters Thursday 16th April, 7:30pm Contacting Norwich Coming to a Green social event (tick to request details) Princes Street United Reform Church Green Party: Making a donation (cheques payable to ‘Norwich Green Party’) (near top of Elm Hill) Phone: Joining the Green Party (tick for details) Speakers: 01603 611909 Name:...... Caroline Lucas MEP, E-mail: Green Party Leader [email protected] Address: ...... Tony Juniper, Former Director Post: ...... Telephone: ...... of Friends of the Earth 27 Clarendon Road, E-mail: ...... Jeremy Leggett, Norwich, NR2 2PN. Founder of Solar Century Please return to: Norwich Green Party, 27 Clarendon Road, 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: Recycled Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich and Eastern Region Green Parties, paper all c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN.