Spring Conference 2015

FINAL1 AGENDA 2 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 This is an interactive document please click on content headings, urls and Contents emails to connect

Page 5 SECTION A Reports from party committees and bodies required to report to Spring Conference.

Page 14 SECTION B Voting papers – revisions of complete chapters of Green Party Policy.

Page 27 SECTION C Policy Motions - changes to party policy and statements on contemporary political situations.

Page 47 SECTION D Organizational and Other motions – proposals about the way in which the party operates.

Page 55 SECTION E Draft voting papers – these are included for discussion, and will appear for discussion and voting at a future conference.

Page 74 OUT OF ORDER MOTIONS Motions which have been submitted, but do not meet the requirements for being included in the agenda.

Page 80 PROPOSERS CONTACT DETAILS

Page 81 APPENDIX 1 Proposed Disciplinary Standing Orders – associated with motion D4.

Page 84 APPENDIX 2 The full original text of composited motions.

3 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 SPREAD THE WORD! These policy memes, and many other approved memes for sharing on social media, are available on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenPartyMemes and Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenPartyMemes

4 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 SECTION A 18 passes, then amendment 19 will Adjustments to the agenda order of C automatically fall as they amend the motions. A01 Standing Orders same section and contain conflicting Motion C12 came 30th in the prioriti- Committee (SOC) Report clauses. zation ballot, but has been moved to Doug Rouxel, Convener of SOC Amendments 21 – 29 in Section B 12th on the agenda on the basis of have been placed in a single basket Section E, Subsection 3, part e clause iv Content of the Final Agenda of reorganizations. All of these of the Standing Orders for the Conduct amendments propose changes to the of Conference – “having regard to There is 1 fast track Voting Paper locations of the particular clauses of the previous Conference history of (Section B) which has 29 amendments policy without actually changing the motions and papers, including whether and 1 Draft Voting Paper (Section policies themselves and as such can all they have been submitted for debate E) at this conference. There are 36 be taken as a single block. The chair of previously.” policy motions (section C) with 7 the session should formally move that amendments and 15 organizational This will be the third time this motion conference accept these amendments and other motions (section D) with 7 has appeared on the agenda, and it as a basket, and then vote on the basket amendments. has consistently appeared very near itself. the bottom and never been discussed. 9 motions, or parts thereof and 2 Ordering of motions There are no other motions on the amendments have been ruled out of agenda where the same motion has order, and are listed at the end of the SOC has attempted to ensure that been proposed 3 times. SOC made the agenda. 6 motions were submitted the agenda and discussion that takes decision to move the motion to C12 to with insufficient signatures and are not place this conference is as streamlined ensure that due regard was given to included in the agenda. as possible whilst maintaining the the democratic mandate of the prioriti- democratic process which the party Composites, Baskets and zation ballot, but giving it a reasonable operates. SOC undertook discussions Consequentials chance of being heard as part of the with policy committee and conferences motions actually debated at confer- There are two composites on the committee about ways in which we can ence. agenda, these have been brought do this, and a number of suggestions together as they address similar parts have been implemented. The results of Adjustments to the agenda order of D of the Policies for a Sustainable Society this can be seen below. motions. (PfSS). They are C10, Gender Rights The Standing Orders for the conduct Motions D4 and D5 came 10th and Composite and C13, Democratic Reform of Conference state that SOC must 12th respectively in the prioritization Composite. The full text of the original conduct a ballot to assist in the prioriti- ballot, SOC has moved these higher up motions can be found in appendix 2 of zation of the motions; the precise the agenda on the basis of Section E, this agenda. format is not laid out. This conference Subsection 3, part e clause iii – “to give There are a small number of consequen- SOC undertook a ballot via the Borda special priority to any motion in section tial amendments, and a basket to the Count Method to produce an ordered d) which SOC considers to be urgent for Section B Fast Track Voting Paper. These list of motions in sections C and D. the resolution of controversy or for the are: The number of points which each continuing functioning of the Party or motion attracted in the ballot is shown any part thereof.” Amendments 7 and 8 – if amendment underneath the title in the agenda. 7 passes, then amendment 8 will With respect to D4, the proposal to Where motions were on the exact same automatically fall as they amend the implement a new disciplinary process number of points, the number of first same section and contain conflicting was proposed and passed at the spring preferences was taken into account to clauses. conference of 2013, where there was order motions. an instruction for GPRC to bring revised Amendments 9 and 11 of the Section 473 people took part in the online processes to the spring conference of B voting paper were proposed as a ballot, a significant increase from the 2014, as such, SOC felt that there was single amendment, but have been last conference where 173 people took sufficient reason to move this motion split to ensure that they appear in the part. up the agenda to ensure the continuing voting paper at the point where the functioning of the party in this regard. amendment takes place. These two SOC has taken due notice of the order amendments will be taken as a single of motions as identified by the prioriti- With respect to D5, there has been proposal, debate and vote. zation ballot, and used this order significant pressure on the Governance as the starting point for setting the Review Working Group to address the Amendments 13 and 14 – If amendment order of motions on the agenda. There question of delegate conferences, and a 13 passes, then amendment 14 will have however been a small number significant amount of energetic debate automatically fall as they amend the of situations where motions will now on the topic on and off the members same section and contain conflicting appear on the agenda out of their website. The structure and govern- clauses. prioritization ballot order. The details ance review is not able to address the Amendment 18 and 19 – if amendment of this are outlined below. question of delegate conferences as

5 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 per the requirements of the motion potentially slotted into the remaining Errors in the Agenda that set it up, however the party has business time for section A, B and D If you notice any errors in the final recently gone over the 25,000 member motions. agenda please notify SOC by emailing limit described – by almost 100%. In If there is any remaining business in - [email protected] light of this, SOC felt that the motion any section A, B or D plenary session, should be advanced up the agenda as Summaries and Synopses then the following motions will be the question needs to be addressed taken in the order they appear in the Conference Standing Orders state that fairly urgently. final agenda: all motions must be accompanied by a synopsis of not more than 50 words Assigning motions to specific plenaries C3 Providing free universal childcare in the timetable (300 for policy papers). If your synopsis C21 Proposed addition to Workers’ is more than 50 words (300 words for Section E, subsection 3, part a of the Rights and Employment Policy; policy papers), it will be cut by SOC. Any standing orders for the conduct of section on International Action instances in this agenda are identified conference outline that SOC, in consul- C22 Abolition of Employers’ National by the words “[excessive length, cut by tation with conferences committee, Insurance SOC]” after the truncated synopsis. can create specific subsections of the C27 ED030 Youth School agenda to be taken in specific plenary Original Text of documents proposed sessions. SOC has undertaken this in C34 Additional Policy on Producer for amendment Responsibility two ways. Based on feedback from members The motions that came first and second Fast Tracking at conference, SOC has attempted to in the prioritization ballot have been The following motions have been ensure that where a policy does not assigned the first slots in the two selected by SOC for fast tracking: appear in the motion in its original specifically identified C motion plenary format that the original text is included These will not appear for discussion sessions. This means that it will be as a note alongside it, or in an appendix, in a plenary, there is no workshop clear exactly which of the most popular depending on the length. timetabled for them and will be moved motions will be being heard at what formally by the chair, not discussed and Contacts for motions in this agenda time. At the time of writing (and the voted on by a simple show of hands timetable is subject to change) motion The names of those signing motions following the SOC report. C1 will be heard at the start of the are included after each motion. The Lunchtime Plenary of the Saturday and If there are any objections to these principal contact for each motion is Motion C2 will be heard at the start of motions being fast tracked then you indicated by (*) after the name and the morning plenary on the Sunday. must raise these concerns and they contact details can be found at the end The C motions will then follow on from will be ordered into the agenda and of the Agenda. there in their order on the agenda discussed as usual. Proxy Votes (skipping C2 in the first session which C14 Regional Government in England will start with C1). Historically there has been a physical C18 Removing out of date references form with which members had to Section C, Subsection 1 from Migration Policy issue a proxy vote to another member The second subsection of motions C28 Remove out of date aviation to use at conference in the event of a which SOC has identified is a short paragraph card vote. This has been replaced by list of motions which are to be taken D7 Tidying the constitution an online system so that members in any remaining time (other than the can assign their proxy to a member In the prioritization ballot, SOC time allotted for emergency motions) attending conference very easily via the included a question to allow members in plenary sessions set aside for A, B or members website here: to contribute to the fast tracking D motions. process, so that SOC could gauge the https://my.greenparty.org.uk/form/ This has been undertaken on the basis appetite of members to a greater proxy-vote-submissions-conference of Section E, subsection 3 part e, clause i degree of fast tracking than we would Committee Elections of the Standing Orders for the Conduct have potentially chosen for ourselves. of Conference, which outlines that There was significant support (in excess By-Elections will take place at this policy committee can identify motions of 39% of respondents) for a C18, C28 conference for all places not filled at which need special priority because of and D7, as well as C1. C1 received an the committee elections at the Autumn the lack of policy in a specific area. amendment, and as such, cannot be Conference. These include: included in the fast track. SOC consid- 2 Places on Campaigns Committee Policy Committee provided a list of ered that despite C14 not received the motions, a small number of which 1 Place on Conferences Committee same level of support, that it should has been selected by SOC to go in this 3 Places on Disputes Resolution also be fast tracked as it is a motion subsection. The only motions from the Committee which removes out of date terminology policy committee list which do appear and references, rather than changing 2 Places on Green World Editorial are those which are short enough to be the policy itself, much like C28 and C18. Board

6 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 1 place on Standing Orders Committee need to update or clarify the policy that emergency motions will not be outweighs the normal considera- accepted on Monday (the final day) for Full details of the committee positions tion of procedure, discussion that day. up for election, and the nomination j) seeks to overturn, or fundamentally paperwork will be available with the These arrangements enable SOC to amend, the result of a party-wide Final Agenda. make the necessary preparations for ballot held under the provisions the emergency motion session. For information on these elections of clause 11 (ii) or clause 17 (ii) please contact the ERO via e-mail on of the Constitution, or to initiate The order in which emergency motions [email protected] a new party-wide ballot seeking are taken is a beauty contest. The more members’ signatures you obtain before Members are reminded that they may to do so, within two years of the result of the original ballot being handing your motion to SOC the more not serve for more than 5 successive likelihood there is of it being discussed years on any of these committees. announced. An exception to this should be allowed if the motion is in your desired slot. Rules for Motions & Emergency submitted by GPRC, having been Presentation of emergency motions Motions supported by a 2/3 majority vote on screen at previous conferences was SOC would like to remind everyone at a properly convened meeting of well received. SOC would particularly that although Standing Orders are GPRC, on the grounds that GPRC appreciate proposers who are able to suspended when an emergency motion believe that exceptional circum- supply an electronic version of their is discussed, it is only Section A of the stances render it necessary to emergency motions, so that we do Standing Orders that is suspended. revisit the original decision in order not have to type them up ourselves. This is the section that deals with the to protect the well-being of the Otherwise, if you can provide SOC with requirement to submit motions by the Party”. a typed copy of the motion that would First Agenda deadline. In addition, Section G1 of the Standing be greatly appreciated. Motions which are brief enough to fit legibly onto a The section of the standing orders Orders states: screen are likely to be better received that deals with reasons for SOC ruling b) Emergency motions shall only be by Conference. motions out of order is NOT suspended. accepted provided This is Section C8 of the standing i) the issue has arisen, or has substan- SOC Stall at conference. orders, which states: tially changed, since the deadline In addition to their table in the plenary “Motions or amendments to motions for motions hall, SOC will have a stall with all of shall be ruled out of order on grounds ii) the motion is consistent with the the other stalls at this conference, and of being one or more of: PfSS and neither changes nor adds will be attended as much as possible throughout conference, timetable to be a) contrary to the Constitution, to the text of the PfSS published, to ensure there is someone b) retrospective in their effect, c) No amendments to the Consti- tution or Standing Orders are to advise and accept things on behalf c) ambiguous, permitted under this suspension. of SOC. There will also be boxes on the d) vague, SOC stall to submit things and find d) An emergency motion shall not: e) trivial, paperwork when there is no one there. - Commit the Party to expendi- f) requiring no consequential action, ture of more than one hundred Updates to the Constitution and g) substantially changing policy areas pounds without the approval of the Standing Orders. or having complex implications for relevant budget holders Following the last conference there other areas, without having passed - Significantly alter the Party’s agreed were a number of amendments to through the agreed process of strategy. the Constitution and The Standing consultation, order for the conduct of Conference. Please bear these restrictions in mind SOC made these amendments and h) seeks to significantly amend the when composing emergency motions. principles passed in a policy motion published a revised version of these on or Voting Paper less than one year Submission of Emergency Motions – the members website in early October. and nine months previously, deadlines at conference i) seeks to re-present a policy There will be an Emergency Motions Rulings proposal which has been debated slots where available in the timetable, and defeated at Conference less and these will be clearly identified. Susan Murray, Lewes Green Party made than one year and nine months There is no guarantee that emergency a request for a ruling on section 8.1 previously ), except where it is motions will be heard in these slots. of the disciplinary tribunal standing proposed by Regional Council and The deadline for handing signed orders as there had been conflicting agreed by SOC that the specific emergency motions to SOC for discus- points of view with regards the location exception to that requirement sion the following day will be 6pm on of an upcoming disciplinary tribunal. shall be made in respect of an area the previous evening, i.e. by 6pm on The relevant standing order states: of Party Policy for which urgent Friday for the Saturday slot. This means

7 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 8.1 VENUE inappropriate before initiating this only for candidates who had signed up process. to the pledge, this is ruled out of order The Tribunal members shall arrange a by the Brighton and Hove Green Party date and venue for the Tribunal conven- Extract from the Constitution constitution section 4.10, and as such, ient for Plaintiff and Defendant. If the Section 4, part viii) Disciplinary the motion should have been ruled out Defendant does not make themselves cases may be brought by a Local or of order on that basis. reasonably available, a Tribunal will be Regional Party, a body of the Party held in their absence. Extracts from Brighton and Hove Green at national level, or any member(s) Party Constitution SOC’s interpretation of the standing with the agreement of the Chairs of the order is that the venue and date for the Regional Council and Executive. GM3.4 The Agenda shall be sent out tribunal should be somewhere conven- with the Minutes of the previous Extract from The Disciplinary Tribunal ient for the plaintiff and defendant. meeting to all Members who have Standing Orders subscribed, and to any Member who In the case of the convenience of the Section 3.0 b) (b) other means of resolu- requests and pays the appropriate two conflicting, the final decision on tion are either exhausted or inappro- postage no less than five days before the balance between the plaintiff and priate. a General Meeting. They may also be the defendant should be decided by the requested from the Co-ordinator of members of the tribunal, but it should The co-chairs of GPRC, Freda Davis Meetings in person. be done with a view to making it as easy and Mike Shone, requested a ruling on as possible for both of them to attend whether or not the following extract, and and present their case, and as such the from a motion passed at a meeting of 4.10 The Party does not operate a Whip, prospect of witnesses attending should Brighton and Hove Green Party, which either between the Party and the Green be taken into account. was apparently only circulated 2 days Group, or between either of them and in advance of the meeting, was in Alan Borgars, Welwyn and Hatfield elected individuals. This does not line with the national and local party Green Party made a request for a ruling make any member exempt from BHGP constitution. on whether or not the removal of the disciplinary procedures. below section of bylaw 7 (the young “B&HGP supports the excellent work Nick Hales, Bath Green Party, asked Greens Internal Complaints Procedure): carried out by the local Defend the NHS Standing Orders Committee for a Sussex Keep Our NHS Public campaigns. “If at any stage either side or the Young ruling on the constitutionality of a It supports their Candidates Pledge on Greens Committee or Structures and local party deciding to adopt candidate the NHS (which is entirely in line with Procedures Committee feels that the selection procedures for local govern- GP policy) and urges all existing elected Young Greens as an organisation can ment elections that required at least councillors and prospective parliamen- no longer deal with the complaint, 50% of candidates to be Muslim, or all tary and councilor candidates to sign the complaint will be sent through candidates to be vegan. the pledge. This General Meeting of the national Green Party’s complaints B&HGP instructs the local Green Party Standing Orders Committee (SOC) has procedure.” to publicly disassociate itself from any refrained from providing a ruling on Had an effect on the ability of Young councillor or candidate who refuses to this question on the basis of the clause Greens to bring internal complaints sign the pledge and to work to remove 5 in the SOC standing orders (extract through DRC and/or GPRC. such a person from any elected position copied below). within the GP or GG” Section 4 part viii of the constitution (Extract from SOC Standing Orders, applies to all members of the party, if SOC responded that: appendix C of Standing Orders for the an individual member wants to bring Conduct of Conference) It is not clear from the informa- a case forward under the disciplinary tion provided that the meeting was “5. SOC Rulings processes, then given the agreement undertaken within the requirements of of the Regional Council and Executive SOC will receive requests for rulings decision making meetings as it appears Chairs, then they can. from time to time. SOC should refrain the agenda was not distributed in time from issuing rulings based on vague & The decisions of constituent bodies of (as per GM3.4), we do not have the full hypothetical situations since this could the party with regards complaints and information to completely clarify this, lead to the application of rulings out of the ways in which they will resolve but if it is the case, then the motions context. them locally is secondary to this. passed at the meeting cannot be considered legitimate. Parliamentary Candidate Selection However, the process used within Procedures constituent bodies will form part of There is nothing in the national consti- the decision making process which tution which would rule this out SOC has been asked a number of the chairs follow because section 3.0 of order, however, the motion in its questions with regards selection b of the disciplinary tribunal standing amended form amounts to a proposal processes over the last 6 months. These orders require that other means of to whip the membership of the local have all been related to the bye-laws resolution are either exhausted or party in the selection procedures to vote associated with the selection of general

8 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 election candidates. a decision they have asked us to on This Conference requires writers of all behalf of someone else, and that the internal publications to clearly indicate The full detail of these has not be person they are asking for has already in full any title of a committee or post reproduced here. The questions have had an in depth explanation as to the the first time it appears in any internal centered on a small number of areas, reason why SOC has made the decision document with the relevant acronyms principally the process required for the it has. So in order to avoid that kind of by the side of it. Acronyms should nomination of members who have not embarrassment for SOC members and only be used where it is clear what been a member of the party for 1 year yourselves, please refrain from this. they stand for. Example: Green Party prior to the election taking place. Regional Council (GPRC)” Lords Selection Process GPRC and the National Election Agent, SOC Chris Rose have also been undertaking The current process for selecting Green a significant amount of work in Party members to be drawn upon Autumn 2014 “Requires Confer- this regard to ensure that selection should the Green Parties in England and ences Committee and Standing processes can take place within the rule Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Orders Committee to work together and SOC has consistently supported the be offered any positions in the House of to implement a system of live web approach which they have diligently Lords contains a specific clause which streaming of its Annual and Spring been taking in this regard. states that once the parties make Conferences so it can be made available nominations to the House of Lords, that to all who wish to watch the web The level of misunderstanding and the selection process should restart stream with the required safeguards in confusion surrounding the selection from the beginning. place where a member doesn’t wish to process and the requirements on local be shown on a video stream. parties outlined in the constitutional Jenny Jones was nominated by the party bye-laws leads SOC to the conclusion to the House of Lords in Summer 2013, Requires parts one to three shall be that there is a significant need within but there has not been any attempt to bought into effect from Annual Confer- the party to express these processes start the nomination process again. ence in 2015 and run as a trial for three with a greater degree of clarity, and to years when it should then be reviewed, SOC is concerned that the process has ensure that ERO’s locally have enough terms of the review to be decided in not yet been initiated, and it is unclear information to undertake the process advance of the start date.” if all of the relevant Green Parties will effectively and within the constitution support the process this time round. If Autumn 2014 “This (single point of of the party. the party is to continue making nomina- access for party documents) will be There is also room within the processes tions to the House of Lords, then it is updated and maintained by Standing for significant review to ensure that the important to establish this support, and Orders Committee. correct level of oversight is undertaken, if it remains then GPRC should initiate In addition to bringing together without the process being a significant the process and establish a selection currently existing organisational administrative burden. committee as per the process. If there documentation, the page will feature a is no agreement amongst the other Lobbying SOC “Record of Organizational Statements” Green Parties, then the party needs to (RoOS) - a document which takes all In the run up to this conference, there discuss this issue further. organizational proposals from confer- has been a small number of people Record of Organizational Statements ence and distills them into instructions attempting to, or succeeding in for specific committees to undertake. co-opting members of the party with In the last 2 conferences there were a visible elected positions to lobby SOC number of motions which were passed SOC will be responsible for compiling on their behalf in order to try and get which instructed specific bodies in the the instructions and identifying them to reverse decisions which they party to undertake specific actions. the correct committee tasked with have made. These have been recorded here to undertaking the task. The record remind members of the actions that will be distributed to all the relevant SOC would like to remind all members, were committed to last conference, and committees and made available for all elected to positions in the party and hold committees to account. members. otherwise that SOC does not respond to lobbying and where it makes decisions Anyone who authors or has editorial Insert new part v of section 10 ‘Confer- it does so on the basis of specific rules control over party documents and ences’ into the Constitution: set out democratically by conference, publications. Standing Orders Committee will not on the basis of a whim or particular Autumn 2014 “This Conference be responsible for compiling and dislike of a particular person or topic. requires that the people who maintain maintaining a Record of Organizational Where you wish to challenge SOC, then editorial control of internal Green Party Statements to include instructions this can be done as part of it’s report publications provide a simple easy to made by conference to bodies within to conference which contains all of it’s read chapter in all internal documents the party. decisions since the last conference. that explains the authority by which Autumn 2014 “Make the following It is slightly uncomfortable to have to any publication is provided and how it amendments to Section 8 part xi of the tell people that we won’t be reversing came to be published,

9 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 constitution: determine how emergency motions Spring 2014 “To adopt a policy ensuring taken in such time may be prioritised.” transparency in dealing with remuner- “Should the Leader or one of the two ation, including salary, allowances, Co- Leaders resign there will be a and replace with the following: expenses, sponsorship and any other byelection for both Leader and Deputy “2. Emergency motions shall normally income associated with work as an MP, Leader(s) or both Co- Leaders. Should be taken in the last plenary session and the expenditure of that income. the Deputy Leader(s) resign, there of each day for the final 15 minutes will be a byelection for Leader(s). They That on being elected, an MP will be (timing at the discretion of the chair). shall serve a term lasting as if they encouraged to make a contribution Members will be allowed to prioritise were starting following the result of from salary and other income to a them through a procedure decided by the previous Annual Ballot, or if held constituency office; SOC.” after May, lasting as if it were starting That a report should be published 6 following the result of the next Annual Conferences Committee times a year by the MP in a manner that Ballot.” Autumn 2014 “Requires Confer- is open to public scrutiny and comment Delete the whole of the first sentence ences Committee and Standing and displayed transparently. (Should through to Leader(s) and Orders Committee to work together To oppose the IPSA recommendation replace with: to implement a system of live web that MPs be awarded an 11% pay rise streaming of its Annual and Spring “If there are Co-leaders and one of after the 2015 General Election Conferences so it can be made available the Co-Leaders resigns, there will be a to all who wish to watch the web To support the IPSA recommendation byelection for both Co-Leaders. If there stream with the required safeguards in that in future MPs salary increases be are two deputy leaders, should one of place where a member doesn’t wish to linked to increases in average pay. the deputy leaders resign, there will be be shown on a video stream. a byelection for both deputy leaders.” That on being selected a Green Party Requires parts one to three shall be candidate would make the following It would then read: bought into effect from Annual Confer- pledge and encourage other candidates “If there are Co-leaders and one of ence in 2015 and run as a trial for three to do the same: the Co-Leaders resign, there will be a years when it should then be reviewed, Remuneration Pledge 1. I will make a byelection for both Co-Leaders, if there terms of the review to be decided in full time commitment to the job for are two deputy leaders, should one of advance of the start date.” which I will be well paid. the deputy leaders resign, there will be Leader, Deputy Leader, MEP’s and MP a byelection for both deputy leaders. 2. I will ensure that, in the interest of to undertake: They shall serve a term lasting as if transparency, a report is prepared they were starting following the result Spring 2014 “The Green Party calls on every two months in which all of the previous Annual Ballot, or if held our leader, deputy leader, MP and MEPs allowances, other related income after May, lasting as if it were starting to use public appearances, particularly and expenses will be included. following the result of the next Annual crucial national television and radio This report will be submitted to a Ballot.”” appearances, to point out, when and if local constituency body in a way they are provided the opportunity, the that is open to public scrutiny, with Autumn 2014 “In Section 10. part iv of futility of chasing economic growth receipts and justification for all the Constitution, delete the phrase “No in Britain and the positive benefits on expenses. member shall serve for more than three wellbeing and quality of life of reducing 3. I will invite the local party to consecutive years.” so that it now reads: consumption.” discuss with me a donation to it of “iv) The SOC shall consist of not more GPEx to undertake: a percentage of my salary, which than five members elected by Annual will be used to fund support staff Conference (not more than two of Spring 2014 “We call upon GPEx for my constituency work. to establish a working group (WG) whom shall be members of the Regional 4. I will advertise all positions within drawing on expertise in the fields of Council).” my constituency office. Positions taxation, social security and any other Make the following amendments to would be filled to industry- relevant fields, to calculate a Citizens the Standing Orders for the conduct of standard terms and conditions for Income at a level that is reasonable and Conference “Delete the current Section conducting interviews and making affordable. We also call for a second WG H Part 2: appointments. Family members to be established to create and propose would only be employed through “2. Emergency motions shall normally a strategy to raise public awareness that open recruitment process.” be taken on the last day of a confer- and support for a Citizens Income. ence following a procedure by which Spring 2014 “Conference instructs the We also call on Green Party Regional members may prioritise them. The Party to Council to ensure that a Citizens Conferences Co- ordinator shall have Income is included in the manifesto for 1. proactively set our own agenda discretion to allocate earlier slots the next General Election in 2015” rather than accept the agenda to emergency motions, and may of the other parties; that agenda

10 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 to prioritise the urgent need for who was appointed as GPEW’s Senior their tireless efforts in drafting and positive action on the threats to Policy and Communications Officer in redrafting the manifesto, taking in the biosphere from climate change, early 2014. His unstinting support has comments and requests from a wide resource depletion, loss of biodiver- made our role (almost) manageable. range of individuals and organisations sity and despoliation of ecosystems; both within and outwith the party, and Policy Committee has met regularly we sincerely hope that members (and 2. emphasise the causal role of over the last year, and has been at voters!) will be pleased with the fruits our economic system in exacer- full strength since Spring confer- of their labours. bating these threats, in particular ence 2014. We assisted with two economic growth, over-consump- major policy revisions (B motions) In recent months we have also put a lot tion, globalisation and financialisa- proposed at Autumn conference 2014, of time into the appointment of policy tion; on Energy and on Jobs and Industry; spokespeople (an externally-facing 3. In the run-up to the next general as no B motion was expected for this role) and policy experts (an internally- election and beyond Spring 2015 conference we agreed to facing role). Both roles were advertised · build a clear vision of an alternative put forward a revision to the Health within the party in the summer of future, highlighting the personal, chapter of Policies for a Sustainable 2014, and we were overwhelmed with social and economic benefits of a Society (PSS). Work on this has been led the level of response. The new roster of different way of doing things; by Stuart Jeffery, and thanks are due to spokespeople is due to be announced him, and other members of the Health in mid-January, and we hope to have · develop key short term transitional Policy Working Group, for their efforts a rolling programme for policy expert policies; in bringing forward a wide range of applications set up by the end of this · undertake a process of education amendments intended to update our month. Particular thanks are due to within the party, helping local Health policy in advance of the General Tom Sharman for his tremendous activists to explain these matters in Election. contribution to both these appoint- the press and on the doorstep.” ment processes. We have also been promoting Policy Internal Communications Coordinator Working Groups more generally, and Finally, the primary business of confer- Conference instructs the internal a total of fifteen now have contact ence is the creation of new policy. The communications coordinator to ensure details listed in the directory section of volume of policy motions put forward that there is an easily accessible, clearly Green Activist. Each named contact has for this conference is unprecedented, labeled single page on the members’ been sent a model Terms of Reference and we would like to thank Standing website where all the party documen- that we would like Policy Working Orders Committee for all their efforts tation can be accessed. Groups to adopt, and we anticipate to produce the agenda in a timely that our report to Autumn Confer- fashion. Policy Committee have consid- GPRC to undertake: ence 2015 will be informed by reports ered all the motions, and encour- Spring 2014 “We also call on Green from each of the Working Groups. If no aged proposers to provide supporting Party Regional Council to ensure that Policy Working Group exists in a policy evidence to inform debate. We have a Citizens Income is included in the area we are happy to assist interested organised a training session at this manifesto for the next General Election members to set one up. Contact us via conference on policy process which all in 2015” [email protected] members are invited to attend. This will explain our current policy process, Our main preoccupation is currently and also introduce the Policy Process with the preparation of the General A02 Policy Committee Report Consultation, hosted on the members’ Election manifesto – Sam has been Sam Riches, Policy Development website, which will run until the end of convening the Manifesto Working Co-ordinator (job share with Caroline June 2015. Group, which has representation Bowes). from various parts of GPEW including Sam Riches and Caroline Bowes were the regions, Young Greens and the A03 Disputes Resolution elected to the role of Policy Develop- Association of Green Councillors. ment Co-ordinator in the summer At the time of writing the current Committee 2014 GPEx elections. Sam acted as (fifth) draft of the manifesto is being Benjamin Sweeney, Chair of DRC. Policy Development Co-ordinator in circulated to candidates and also the A lot of the time since the last confer- a co-opted capacity from Autumn recently-appointed roster of spokes- ence DRC has been trying to find its feet 2013, and she is grateful to Caroline people. We have applied for a fringe as we did not have a full committee for agreeing to stand as her job-share session at this conference where the and those elected had not been on DRC partner as the role can be very manifesto authors – Brian Heatley long if at all before. DRC very quickly demanding, especially during a General and Andrew Dobson – will introduce co-opted Bernard Ekbery to bring up Election year. We are both grateful the main points of the manifesto to our numbers to 3. We then picked to the members of Policy Committee members and discuss the approach Benjamin Sweeney as chair. One of the for their work over the past year, and they have taken. The entire GPEW is problems DRC has had is communi- would also like to thank Tom Sharman, deeply indebted to Brian and Andy for cation issues whether it be getting

11 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 members onto the same mailing list A04 Governance Review content of the interview process, a or information between DRC and other Working Group list of headlines coming out of those groups not getting to those who need interviews has been pulled together as Doug Rouxel, Chair, Governance Review it. Thankfully those problems have follows: Working Group. been solved or are being addressed as • The open and democratic nature of The consultation process has had a I write this. the party is seen as a key strength; wide and expansive response. The Below is a list of some of the disputes maintaining that with a much written responses total 90 pages, and and actions DRC has been involved larger membership is going to 40,000 words, from over 40 individuals, with: require significant and clever use of 4 separate party committees and 5 digital services DRC was contacted by GPRC about local parties. There were 10 interviews involvement in a long standing dispute undertaken with individuals, ranging • Conference has grown significantly this did not initially go well due to the from the party chair, our MP, some and needs a radical re-structure afore mentioned communication issues senior party employees and one of our to meet the needs of regional and but is now being handled. MEP’s. local party members • There is little appetite for delegate DRC was contacted by a member with a The responses that the consultation conferences at any size of the Party complaint about another member this has received have been varied, many of has now been dealt with. them detailed and have come from a • There is a sufficiency of democracy variety of different perspectives within but a deficit of accountability and DRC was asked by a Regional Party’s the party. The working group is keen authority co-ordinator to intervene in a dispute that the party continues to feed into • Identifying the needs of new between two party members, as a result the consultation process. Whilst the members and communicating of which emails about the dispute were initial phase of the consultation process with them appropriately is a major being sent to members of a local party has closed, any responses which the challenge who felt uncomfortable about allega- working group receives from now on, tions being made. The disputant was • Decision-making is slow and will continue to be considered, anyone contacted, offered dispute resolution cumbersome (particularly that wishing to respond to the initial consul- and informed of local party members’ related to policy) and inconsistent tation document, or the content of this request that the allegatory emails with the requirements of a report then you should respond via cease. The disputant declined the offer changing political scene the governance review e-mail address of dispute resolution. DRC took no • Councillors, which are the main at [email protected]. further action. representatives of the Party in uk, ask questions of this report during government, are given little priority DRC was invited by a Regional the plenary, or comment in the report • Local parties are not well-served Party co-ordinator to contact a new workshop. The review group will also by the national Party (although a member who raised concern about be using short simple survey questions number of new regional officers the behaviour of a party member that throughout the following months to have been appointed) had affected them before they joined. try and gauge the opinions of members The new member has been offered on specific issues when formulating the • GPRC is completely dysfunctional; structured dispute resolution with the options for conference to consider. there is no clearly identified role for other party and is currently considering it The consultation process, as predicted, DRC’s suggested approach to the other • GPEx is seen as the seat of power has thrown up a large number of party. so all manner of representatives divergent views, and given that we have want to join it; it currently has 26 One DRC member has recently been had around 16 days from the closing members* involved with his Region’s review of its of the consultation process to submit- constitution. There is to be a section ting our report, we have not been able • Policy-making and coordination is providing for a Regional procedure to provide a full scale response to the unwieldy, inconsistent and under- for dealing with disputes, which does every single thing which has been valued not cut across DRC’s role. A Code of raised, as such, we have decided to try • Although there is a vast amount Conduct & Email Protocol will be and give a flavor of the issues which of policy, the weight of manage- appended to the Region’s constitution. have been raised, the headline issues, ment is biased towards executive These can be found in the DRC section these have been raised by multiple management at and of HQ of the members’ website. It has been people and provide specific issues • The Party’s politicians are not suggested that all local parties be which may well require addressing as closely linked to the policy process, encouraged to adopt and append these part of the proposals which the govern- nor indeed to the Party as a whole, to their constitutions and to send new ance review group put to conference. but operate independently local members a copy upon joining. Headlines from the interviews. The written consultations have not had The interview process was undertaken the same in depth lead from a single by Liz Reason, as part of compiling the person, so it is less easy to pull concise

12 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 headlines from the documentation, so examples). learning was a theme which was a series of areas for discussion has been • Infiltration and undue influence put forward which didn’t specifi- drawn out by me (Doug Rouxel) here: in the structures of the party cally come from the consultation • The pace of change and the were discussed by a number of document, this was welcomed by nature of how the change might contributors, both in terms of the members of the working group, be undertaken was highlighted use of finance as an influence, and is something that it would be by a number of people. There the possibility of affiliates as an useful to explore further. were also contributions about the unwelcome influence and the • The position of conference as the way in which the review process possibility of organized political sovereign decision-making body examines the party as it stands and infiltration of the party, and how of the party was highlighted by the proposals for structures and the parties governance structures some, but it’s ability to continue in governance in the review. could deal with this, particularly this role was challenged by others, • Autonomy of local parties was in relation to the barriers to entry pointing to the shrinking propor- highlighted as contradictory to for being elected to particular tion of members who attend. being a coherent political party by positions within the party, as well This is not by any means all of the issues some, with a call for a clear require- as discussing how the party could raised, and there are almost certainly ment to adhere to the constitution, foster constructive competition for further issues to discuss, but hopefully the agreed policies and philosoph- elected roles within the governance it provides a flavor of some of the issues ical basis, however there was a view of the party. raised so far. that local autonomy is precious • Recalling internal officials, both As a reminder of the people in the within the party and dissent from the ability to do this in an effective working group: agreed decisions should be part way, as well as safeguards against and parcel of the way the party it being used in a frivolous or Members not on any national works. harassing way. committee • Identity and intersectionality, and • Accountability of staff, ensuring Liz Reason the representation of minority that the leadership and strategic Matthew Pollitt groups within the govern- decision making comes from ance structure was identified as elected members of the party, not Jayne Forbes something that should be consid- employed and appointed members Members from Committees Elected at ered by some, with proposals as to of staff. conference how that might work. Whilst some • Considering how the party put forward that this should be no responds to growth and future John Street “no granting of any special status growth is important, but as well as Manishta Sunnia to certain groups just because of being “growth proof” the proposals DRC Representative some special identity”. should also be “shrink proof”. • Bringing political committee into • Finance and funding, concerns Ben Sweeney the formal structures of the party, that money could become an GPRC Representative discussion about it’s democratic undemocratic dividing line within mandate within the party, and the party between those that have Freda Davis the need for a clear fast response the resources to be visible and GPEx Representative body in the party, but avoiding a those that do not, and a need for a Derek Wall SE/London bias in such a body was transparent process for the alloca- put forward across a number of tion of resources, financial and SOC Convener (and chair of the responses. otherwise. working group) • The role of members of the • Whilst there had been a lot of Doug Rouxel executive was discussed by a energy around the question of variety of respondents, should affiliates in advance of the consul- Representatives of special interest they be generalists, able to provide tation, only a small number of groups management experience to inform responses addressed it, with Sarah Cope and Liz Wakefield from the decisions and activity of paid responses ranging from total Green Women (job share) staff, or should they retain their opposition to affiliation, through Maureen Childs from Green Seniors specific roles in the body to ensure a very soft approach to affiliation clear lines of responsibility. In where they received no influence Charlene Concepcion from Young addition, there was a call for the or positions in the party, through Greens executive to retain solely executive to actively encouraging affiliation The next part of the process is to go functions, rather than representing with votes or positions offered to through the responses to the consul- the interests of a particular affiliate organisations. tation, and identify all of the key areas group (YG’s and Wales GP cited as • Organisational memory and

13 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 for discussion. The challenges that SECTION B interventions at the biochemical and will become apparent from working individual levels, too little on the social through the responses in a directed Health Chapter Fast Track and ecological. Achieving better health and methodical way will be identified Review requires a balanced, integrated and and categorised. Some of the issues Sam Riches*, Gina Dowding, Caroline holistic understanding and approach. identified have divergent and difficult Bowes, Rustam Majainah, Stuart Jeffery. HE102 The organisation and use of to reconcile proposals, which will form Motion health care services is only one of the a natural basis for the different options factors which impacts our health. To to be proposed to Autumn conference Delete the existing Health Chapter of a large extent, factors such as where 2015. the Policies for a Sustainable Society we live, the state of our environment, (HE100 to HE370) and replace with The deadlines the working group are genetics, our income and education same to allow amendments to be made working to are as follows: level, and our relationships with to the existing policy under the fast friends and family all have considerable • Next meeting to start the process track process. off formulating the options 21st impacts on health. However, willing- February 2015 Health ness and ability to care for its vulner- able members are essential features of • Deadline for draft options to be Values and Principles a compassionate society.. Free market circulated round the working group HE100 Health is the condition in mechanisms cannot adequately meet 31st May 2015 which individuals and communities health needs, or effectively constrain • Deadline for options to be achieve their full physical, intellectual, costs. Proper healthcare for all and submitted for the working group social and spiritual potential. Health the responsible use of resources both report to the Autumn Conference for individuals is only possible in the require the continued provision of 15th July 2015. context of a healthy environment and well-financed and publicly-funded The remaining deadlines set out in the society. The healthy society is one which health services. guarantees a safe and clean environ- Governance Review Terms of Reference HE103 Health services can create ment; material security for all its are: dependence on the part of users, which citizens; good work; adequate housing; is itself unhealthy. Individuals can Autumn Conference 15: a balanced and unpolluted diet and through properly informed choice, and • Outcome and initial options clean water; appropriate education; a when adequately supported, acquire published safe transport system; accessible and much greater responsibility for their sensitive public services; equality of Spring Conference 16: own health, and the health of their opportunity; and a secure present and families. However, true freedom of • Vote at conference hope for the future. All Green Party choice cannot be exercised without the Soon after: policies are designed to promote the economic and political power to choose, health of individuals, communities and • Referendum at present denied to the majority. society. Autumn Conference 16: HE104 Healthcare is not a commodity Amendment 1HE100 • final date motion can be put if to be bought or sold. The National delayed Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul Health Service must provide health- Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. Thank you to everyone who has found care, free at the point of need, funded the time to formulate a response to Add the following at the end of through taxation. It must be a public the consultation so far, and we hope HE100: “The Green Party supports service funded by, run by and account- anyone, or any group, which has not the full implementation of the able to local and national government been able to so far, is able to find some World Health Organization’s and devoid of all privatisation, whether time to respond in the near future. Health2020 approach to health and privatised administration, healthcare These responses will be essential in we subscribe to the EU’s ‘Health in provision, support services or capital ensuring that the proposals which are All Policies’ approach, encouraging ownership. The NHS is concerned with made to conference to consider cover them to be adopted at all levels of healthcare provision and should not be the full range of opinions within the government.” subject to market forces either internal party. HE101 Ill health exists at many levels: or external. a diseased organ within a stressed *26 members of GPEx is a quote from Amendment 2 Manifesto Commitment person, a sick individual within an an interview, my calculations suggest to Repeal the Health and Social Care uncaring society, or a sick society that there are potentially 23 people Act 2012 within an overstrained and collapsing attending the meetings. Geoff Collard*, Dominic Tristram, Greg ecosystem. To achieve improved Dring, Jeannie Lowe, Rob Telford. individual, social and environmental health, effective interventions at all Insert after HE104 new section levels are needed. Current theory and HE105: practice place too much emphasis on “We note that the Health and

14 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Social Care Act 2012, whether by individual and collective action, will the Health Service, and all public services, design or not, has the consequence challenge vested interests and promote influence the life of the community and that the NHS is being increasingly the personal, social and political the country. It is important that there is privatised. Just because the NHS changes needed to achieve improved no discrimination in employment and remains ‘free at the point of use’ states of health. that the NHS is a leader in challenging to patients does not mean that racism, homophobia, transphobia, and HE203 To develop health services privatisation of the NHS is not prejudice and discrimination based on which place as much emphasis on happening and it will continue to disabilities or faith. illness prevention, health promotion increase. As more and more private and the development of individual Amendment 4 Learning Organisation companies provide more and more and community self-reliance as on services, more and more taxpayers’ Jillian Creasey, David Smith, Adam Clark, the treatment and cure of disease. money will be siphoned off into Chris Rust, Jon Ashe, Graham Wroe. Such services will of necessity be the profits of ever larger private Add new paragraph as follows: empowering, participatory and corporations and the pockets of democratic and their development will After HE 207 add private shareholders. In effect, be guided by users’ own perceptions of HE208 The health service should this is stealing money from us, the their health needs. be managed as a “learning taxpayers, money which could and organisation” in which there is a should be used directly to provide HE204 To ensure that health care clear responsibility for continual a better NHS. Private profits being services are delivered with compas- improvement and in which all staff taken out of the NHS will inevitably sion, taking into consideration patients are encouraged to comment on lead to a poorer quality National full range of needs, health care will the systems in which they work Health Service. be delivered in an environment that and share learning in an open and promotes healing and care. This Therefore the Green Party will fearless way. repeal the Health and Social includes single sex wards in hospitals, Policies Care Act 2012 in its entirety. ensuring that maternity care is of the There will be no new contracts highest quality, ensuring that care HE300 This policy sets out how services with private companies. Where reflects people’s needs and that care will be delivered and regulated. It healthcare contracts with private promotes the dignity of all patients. expands on our values and principles companies already exist, once HE205 The Green Party supports the where necessary but it will not make they have run their course they continued development of national judgements on individual treatments will not be renewed, and all the minimum standards of care across the or medicines unless as a point of services hitherto so provided will entire range of health services. Local principle. All services will be available be returned to within the NHS. The people should decide what and how without charge at the time of need. marketization of the NHS will stop, services are provided and should have Community Health Centres and the Health Secretary’s duty to complete flexibility to meet local needs provide a complete state funded as long as services meet minimum HE301 Funding will be diverted away and state provided National Health standards. from centralised facilities towards Service will be restored.” community healthcare, illness preven- Amendment 3 HE205 tion and health promotion. Community Aims Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul Health Centres will be the focal points HE200 To promote public health Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. for self-help and community-based through policies designed to secure a In HE205 insert “at least” between initiatives and will also provide a wide healthy urban and rural environment, meet and minimum. range of services including primary healthy work, healthy agriculture and healthcare, and health education HE206 All healthcare whether intended food, healthy education, a healthy and health promotion programmes. to promote wellbeing or treat illness transport system and healthy local A variety of specialist services, in will be provided equally to all people economic development. (FD300s) particular midwifery, obstetrics, family to all regardless of economic, social or planning, counselling and psychiatry, HE201 To devise new economic models cultural status. Organisations providing will also be available. The midwifery using quality of life and health indica- health services will be expected to and obstetric service will be such that a tors as the target variables to be monitor and improve any inequality real option of home delivery is created. optimised. Policies to achieve these in delivery of services. This will apply To permit the availability of the widest targets will be integrated into overall to levels of income as well as other possible range of services and interven- economic strategy. Health-promoting equality and diversity strands including tions, staff will be organised into policies will be mediated by social gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or multi-disciplinary teams. The public investment at national, regional and cultural background, faith, disability will be provided with easier direct community levels. including learning difficulties, trans access to nurse practitioners and other people or age. HE202 To develop a new public non-medical health and social care health consciousness, which, through HE207 The Green Party recognises that workers.

15 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Amendment 5 HE301 to meet medium and long term needs. various reasons. For some people, there Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul This will be achieved by: ensuring that is still a stigma attached to breast- Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. terms and conditions for midwives feeding in public. The law does not are improved, increasing investment currently effectively stop attempts to Delete first sentence in HE301, in midwifery services to ensure that discourage breastfeeding. Further- insert new HE301 and renumber: these policies are delivered, specific more, artificial feeding products “HE301 Funding will be diverted funding for midwife training along (‘formula’) are heavily promoted. away from centralised facilities with targeted recruitment drives, and These, along with the equipment they towards primary and community ensuring that the culture of midwifery require, may interfere with the initia- healthcare, illness prevention and services is supportive for both mothers tion or continuation of breastfeeding. health promotion.” and midwives. HE302 Community Health Centres will HE311 The Green Party will work to HE307 All women and their partners provide walk-in facilities for patients ensure that: will be offered a full range of psycho- with minor injuries and illnesses. logical support after birth to help deal i Pregnant women are given the Maternity Services with trauma and post-natal depression. facts about how to breastfeed, and also the benefits and challenges HE303 All women should be entitled The Green Party will ensure that baby of breastfeeding so that they can to the highest standards of care during clinics are open for adequate hours, so make an informed choice about pregnancy and birth, and post-natally. that women can get access to health how to feed their babies. These standards will be maintained visitors and take their babies for regular for all regardless of sexual orientation, check-ups at a location and time that is ii Hospitals provide the counsel- gender identity, level of income, black convenient for them. ling and advice by trained NHS and ethnic minority background, age or HE308 Maternity units should be staff to enable breastfeeding to disability. We will ensure that women sufficient in number and located so that be established straight after birth, are given the information they need to all women are within reasonable reach should the mother wish to breast- make appropriate choices about how of one. Special Care Baby units will be feed. Special help will be given to they wish to give birth, and that a full expanded in line with the increasing women immediately after birth if range of options, including home birth number of babies that need intensive they are in pain, ill, or exhausted by and a range of styles of hospital delivery, care, but special attention will also be a difficult labour. Disabled women is made available to all women. given to preventative efforts to reduce and those with babies with special the number of low birthweight and needs will be given specialist help HE304 The incidence of medical to establish breastfeeding. intervention in childbirth has escalated other problems that contribute to this iii It becomes an offence to stop in recent years, particularly the rate of need. Funds allocated for maternity nursing mothers from breast- caesarean sections, which are expensive services should be ringfenced to ensure feeding their children in public and, when not medically required, risky. that they are used for the intended places (including the breastfeeding We will work to reduce the number of purpose. of toddlers in premises where interventions in childbirth, and change HE309 Throughout maternity services children are already allowed). the culture of the NHS so that birth is the focus will be on compassion and Businesses that break the law, or treated as a normal and non-medical on providing a safe, supportive environ- whose employees break the law, event, in which mothers are empowered ment. Complaints will be treated will face significant fines. and able to be in control. with sympathy, and systems arranged to ensure that complaints can be iv Public buildings and shops are HE305 All women will be entitled to encouraged to provide breast- the care of a single midwife through registered easily and are investigated properly, challenging the ‘conspiracy of feeding facilities for women who prenatal care, birth and the first month wish to breastfeed in a private, of post-natal care, in line with the silence’ that discourages women from speaking about their traumatic experi- comfortable, quiet place. Councils model of care currently provided by are required to provide breast- independent midwives. This will be ences for fear of frightening other women. feeding facilities in all their signifi- made possible by initiatives to improve cant buildings open to the public, the recruitment and retention of HE310 The Green Party recognises that such as town halls and libraries. midwives. breastfeeding has multiple short and v breastfeeding mothers who return long term health benefits for babies. HE306 We will ensure that the NHS to work are made aware of, and Mothers who have breastfed also embraces the current quality and encouraged to take advantage of, have lower risks of diabetes and some style of care as offered by Independent their legal right to take breast- cancers. However, in the UK women Midwives so that they are able to work feeding breaks. within the NHS system and offer this who want to breastfeed often feel unsupported and most stop before vi Steps be taken in order to type of care to all women in a single normalise breastfeeding, including tier system. We shall ensure that they wanted to. Around a quarter of women feel unable to breastfeed for improving education in schools, midwifery training places are increased public awareness campaigns, and

16 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 reassurances given by breast- Insert new HE315 after HE314 (and governed only by the interpretations feeding counsellors regarding the renumber): “HE315 administration of the regulator and not by clear rules. legitimacy of public breastfeeding. of the NHS by local government will We would abolish Foundation status, vii The provision of enough around significantly reduce any artificial fully reintegrating any such hospitals the clock breastfeeding counselling barriers between health and social into the NHS system. care.” services to support women who Occupational Health Services have problems with breastfeeding, Hospitals and expand the networks of breast- HE318 The statutory requirements that HE315 Primary and hospital care will feeding mothers set up locally for workplaces provide occupational health be more closely integrated. District women to be able to give each services, with standards of training and staffing structures will be reviewed, other help. equipment appropriate to their partic- with the aim of integrating hospital- ular hazards, will be strengthened. The based specialists into primary care criteria for such provision will be made HE312 The Green Party will institute and community health workers as clear and as simple as possible, and a complete review of the regulations into hospital practice. The hospital loopholes permitting unscrupulous regarding the promotion of artificial programme will emphasise the employers to minimise provision will be feeding products and the accompa- development of appropriately sized closed. Particular support and attention nying equipment to make it possible district and community hospitals, will be given to the occupational health for families to make decisions about with a reduced role for larger regional needs of employees in small organisa- infant feeding without commercial centres. However, some specialised tions and firms. The role of Health and pressure. We will support in full the services will continue to be provided on Safety inspectors in enforcing these implementation of the WHO Interna- a regional or sub-regional basis. requirements will be strengthened tional Code of Marketing of Breast- and enlarged. The provision of basic milk Substitutes and the subsequent HE316 Hospitals will focus on services for patients needing inpatient care. self-help medical training to all workers WHA resolutions. Powers would be will be encouraged and we shall require allocated to the appropriate bodies to Accident and Emergency Departments will be for emergencies only with employers to allow time off work for enforce the regulations, with education such training. as needed for Food Standards care for minor illnesses and injuries Agency and Local Authority staff. provided for by community health Health Promotion centres. We will require adequate night HE319 Health education and health and weekend cover from consultants HE313 The Green Party will regulate promotion will become central aspects and diagnostic facilities in all hospitals to ensure that all health care settings of the practice of the majority of health dealing with emergency admissions. (hospital and community) achieve workers, who should take part in Baby Friendly status, as established by HE317 The Green Party is opposed health advocacy in all areas of local and UNICEF to the development of “Foundation national policy where health is at issue. Community Services Hospitals” which, although argued to In particular, health workers should be locally controlled, could actually promote community health initiatives. HE314 Increased and protected result in reduced democratic accounta- Closer working relationships will be funding of community services will bility given that they will be unanswer- developed between health workers, the enable healthcare as far as possible to able to parliament or local authorities. voluntary sector, communities, families be provided at home or in community- Foundation Hospitals are in and individuals. (seeFD300, DU410) based facilities. Community services for fundamental opposition to the Green Choice of Treatments frail elderly people and disabled people, Party policy of the public health service including those with enduring mental remaining fully funded by public H320 The Green Party will set up and physical health problems or with taxation (see HE104), given that they within legislation the practice of learning difficulties will be increased. are required to produce a profit and patient empowerment, with the right This will ensure that everyone who are able to seek commercial partner- of individuals who are to receive needs it will receive high quality care ships. This is likely to result in charging treatment to have full and detailed and support, and will put them in the for ancillary services (disadvantaging knowledge as to their condition and position to lead as independent and the worse off), the reduction of the range of treatments available. self-determined a life as possible based medical education and training, the Health in Schools on their individual needs and circum- non-treatment of specialist or rare stances. Transfer of patients from illnesses and early discharges. Founda- HE321 The Green Party believes hospital to community care will be tion Hospitals risk undermining the much more can be done in schools to matched by an appropriate allocation principles of the NHS, creating a two- or prevent illness by caring for children of resources. multi-tier system of uneven provision. and educating children about health. Amendment 6 New HE315 This also threatens de facto privatisa- We lament the disappearance of the tion because the amount of commer- School Nurse and would therefore Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul cial borrowing and diversification bring back a dedicated NHS School Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. away from key NHS functions will be Nurse in every school, both at primary

17 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 and secondary level. Qualified nurses in the research and/or licensing polluting our air, water and food would be specially trained to give system give rise to conflicts of interest. supply. As many synthetic chemicals lessons in health awareness, including Steps shall be taken to ensure that bio-accumulate and are hazardous to diet, as well as providing an on-site medical research should meet the health, a long-term strategy will be primary healthcare service to all pupils identified medical needs of society, developed for stopping their produc- and students. and to make medical research institu- tion and use, beginning with the most tions democratically accountable. We dangerous, the most unnecessary HE322 The Green Party believes a good shall seek to end the situation whereby and the most easily replaceable. This diet is so important in the promotion commercial investment determines includes many fat-soluble chemicals, of good health that all schools will be research programmes in universities which become highly concentrated obliged to have their own kitchen so and public institutions. Attention shall in breast milk, and are therefore a as to be able to provide for each child be given to basic health research areas serious health risk to infants. Where a freshly prepared lunch each day, which have been neglected in the past. this conflicts with existing “Free Trade” using fresh, organic and local produce treaties, we would press for change to wherever possible. Food provided by Rigorous assessment, monitoring the treaties or withdraw from them. schools must include both vegetarian and audit of new technologies will The Green Party proposes that the right and vegan options. We would continue be undertaken prior to their general to legal aid for personal injury cases the school Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, application. shall be maintained, in the interest of with a strong preference for organic and Policy on animal experiments is public health and safety, and in accord- local produce. Such meals will be free contained in the Animal Rights section. ance with the “Equality of Arms” clause to all children and will be paid for out of While animal experiments continue to in the European Convention on Human increased taxation: we believe that the be used in medical research, the Green Rights. consequent improvement in health will Party will press for a thorough evalua- dramatically reduce the costs of illness Assessment and Regulation of tion of animal tests used to predict and social care to the NHS and other Medicines safety and effectiveness of medicines public services. Junk foods and vending and treatments, based on a comparison H326 The safety and regulation of machines will become unavailable in of existing research and data using medicines will be controlled by a state schools.” animal tests with equivalent human single agency. This agency will ensure HE323 We believe physical exercise is biology-based tests, to determine that medicines meet minimum safety beneficial to the promotion of good the best means to predict the safety standards, provide clear labelling of health development, and so more time and effectiveness of medicines and both ingredients and side-effects. The and resources will be made available to treatments for patients agency will cover existing synthetic allow children to participate in sports medicines as well as those considered The Green Party acknowledges the and games at school, ideally on a daily as natural or alternative medicines. existing and potential future benefits basis. to humans and other animals from HE327 We shall improve the protec- Research stem cell technologies, using both tion provided under the law to users adult and embryonic cellular material. of medicines. Prescribed and over-the- HE324 The Green Party will support These benefits include direct medical counter medicines will be monitored research into healthcare at all advances, improved non-animal testing more rigorously with regard to both levels, but especially into public methods for new medical treatments, efficacy and toxicity. Appropriate health, epidemiology, nursing and and the advancement of knowledge. methods of assessment will be community care, and particularly However, we also emphasize the developed for both synthetic pharma- in the community and primary care importance of continuing ethical ceuticals and natural medicines, settings. The Green Party will prioritise regulation, adequate government involving practitioners expert in their research and appropriate funding into funding, and transparency of research respective uses. Assessment will not be the environmental causes of cancer. in the areas of embryonic and adult dependent on commercial interest in The Green Party will set in place stem cell technologies, to protect production. (see AR407) All information methods whereby statistics necessary donors and the public health. gathered during the process of assess- for research into assessment of ment and licensing shall be publicly health risks (particularly in areas Environmental Illness available. where heavy, chemical and nuclear HE325 Where there is compelling industries are located), are available H328 The Green Party will further evidence that incidence of an illness with the maximum accessibility for introduce procedures for assessing in society has a strong environmental all academic, commercial or individual existing research which has led to factor, that illness shall be designated use. All existing health statistics licensing of drugs where there is a case a notifiable disease. Cancer, asthma to also be made freely available. for stating there has been a conflict of and ME/CFS shall be among those The Green Party will introduce interest affecting such original research included on this list. This informa- procedures for dealing with medical/ which in turn led to licensing of drugs. tion shall form the basis of statis- scientific personnel whose positions tical research into the effects of H329 The Green Party recognises

18 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 the huge profits made by the drug interventions and complementary tioners providing therapies to NHS and companies out of the NHS. This is often therapies. private patients. These professional through a form of cartel pricing, and bodies will provide, as a minimum, We recognize that the assessment of we do not believe it is right that the assurance that: treatments is a lengthy and ongoing National Health Service as a public process that should be driven by clinical • A minimum set of standards for health service should have to pay unfair need rather than either political or practice are maintained prices. Therefore the medicines agency commercial influence. • Practitioners have demonstrated (HE326) will have the power to set the adequate expertise in their field price of drugs provided to the NHS. The agency will produce recommen- and hold a relevant qualification This arm of the medicines agency will dations that compare effectiveness be composed of doctors, healthcare against cost allowing the NHS to • Appropriate and confidential professionals, economists, and a legally decide which treatments are required documentation is maintained trained chairperson, which will look at to meet the needs of the service within • Treatment, or non-treatment, and the cost of research and development its budget. advice should be determined, as in drugs and their manufacture, and HE332 Whilst assessment of treatments far as is possible/practical, by the receive evidence from chemists, the must be evidence based, an holistic patient’s best interests. pharmaceutical companies, and other approach will generally be taken. This • Practitioners ensure that other countries’ health services. The pricing will take into account the range of healthcare practitioners are arm will then decide what is a fair price factors in health and disease, wider informed of therapies / care where for a drug which is to be provided to the benefits and health outcomes than appropriate, especially a patient’s NHS by the manufacturer, and that will addressing a single illness and a full GP. be the price which the NHS will pay for assessment of side effects and risks to • Practitioners do not make the drug. the patient and to society. Treatments demonstrably false claims as to the H330 Novel compounds will not be that target the causes of ill-health effectiveness of treatments. introduced into general use unless will be favoured over treatments that • There are processes for removing they can be shown to have significant simply target symptoms. practitioners who do not meet advantages over existing drugs. Limited HE333 We shall identify health areas minimum standards or who breach list prescribing will be extended across where existing treatments available regulations the full range of pharmaceuticals. The under the NHS are either so expensive Prescription Charges direct advertising of prescription- only that they are unsustainable, where medicines to the medical profession existing treatments have a poor record HE336 Prescription, and other charges, will cease. Information to the medical of restoring patients to health or where are wrong in principle, unfair in practice, profession will be the responsibility existing treatments pose a significant and generate little income for the of medical schools and independent health risk in themselves. These shall Health Service. They will be abolished authorities with no vested interest become designated priority areas for as soon as possible. The taxation system in companies which manufacture or assessing the comparative benefits will require adjustment to compensate market pharmaceuticals. of current health service practice and the Health Service for the revenue lost. Assessment of Treatments other treatments, currently available Abortion privately. This knowledge shall be used H331 The assessment of the effective- HE337 The fact that the number of to draw safe, effective, treatments into ness of treatments in relation to the abortions carried out in England and NHS provision. cost of their provision is fundamental Wales continues to rise should be of to the provision of high quality, cost HE334 When donors of organs or blood concern to all. Given the health risks effective healthcare. The Green Party are assessed for suitability, only charac- associated with any medical and would ensure that an independent teristics that are scientifically proven to surgical procedure and many people’s healthcare treatment agency provides be relevant should be considered. This moral discomfort with induced assurance on the effectiveness of would mean that the current -lifetime terminations, it is entirely understand- treatments and recommendations for ban on donations from gay or bisexual able that many wish to see this number new treatments to the NHS. men would be removed. significantly reduced. The effectiveness of treatments will be Regulation of Practioners HE338 The Green Party recognises assessed by the agency using the best HE335 To protect patients from poor the problems caused by unwanted clinical evidence available. The agency practice, negilgence and fraudulent pregnancies and supports a multi-policy will use independent panels of experts practice, all healthcare practitioners strategy to reduce them, including: to assess treatments. The agency will who have a direct responsibility for care a. ensuring adequate sex education in assess the effectiveness of treatments or therapy delivered to patients should all schools (see ED042). This should across the entire health care spectrum, be registered with an appropriate be done at a sufficiently early age from synthetic pharmaceuticals and professional body recognised by that children should be fully aware surgical procedures to public health government. This will apply to practi- of the potential consequences

19 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 of sexual activity before they are HE340 The Green Party recognises that telephone or internet. All services likely to become sexually active. the decision whether or not to continue should strive to ensure appropriate Schools should also teach life skills, with a pregnancy is never undertaken speed and coordination of palliative including those relating to caring lightly. The Green Party believes that care services. for and raising children, so that counselling should be offered to every H345 It is important to review, and young people feel better prepared woman considering an abortion. reevaluate, the availability of hospice to become parents when the time However, the ultimate decision and other palliative care to those with is right for them. about whether or not to terminate a all diagnoses and conditions. Pallia- pregnancy should always lie with the b. ensuring adequate financial and tive care policy promotes provision of pregnant woman who has to deal with social support for parents, particu- palliative care to all those with end of the consequences of that decision. larly lone parents and those with life conditions and diseases such as disabled children, so that women End of Life Care stroke, dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, do not feel pressure to terminate end stage heart disease, end stage H341 Existing UK expertise about a pregnancy purely because they lung conditions, Parkinson’s disease, palliative care should be a bedrock and would be unable to make financial Huntington’s disease and other springboard for further development ends meet (seeEC730-733 and terminal conditions and diseases. and expansion of palliative care. All ‘Social Welfare’). Palliative care should be available for services - hospital, community, clinic c. ensuring adequate provision of deaths wherever they occur - in own and care homes - should promote the free family planning advice by home, care homes, hospital, hospices knowledge and understanding of the properly trained health workers and wherever death occurs in the UK. patient process of dying. Universal and counsellors (see HE301) and palliative care raining is required for H346 Sufficient emotional support the provision of free contracep- all clinical, care and ancillary staff, should be available to those who tives. To ensure proper protection of appropriate to each staff member’s surround people who are dying. This their rights and wellbeing, children role. would include staff working in pallia- under the age of consent should tive care, friends, relatives and formal feel fully able to seek such support H342 Palliative care is holistic; high and informal carers. and facilities without their parents quality palliative care aims to support necessarily having to be informed. the physical, psychological, social and HE347 The Green Party recognises any spiritual dimensions of the patient’s that medical decisions taken towards HE339 The Green Party will support process of dying. Palliative care the end of a person’s life should never a change in the law to remove the promotes dignity and respect. Pallia- be undertaken lightly. We believe that requirement for two doctors to tive care should be based on the best when the quality of life is poor (e.g. approve a woman’s decision to have an clinical and ethical practice including due to severe dementia) life prolonging abortion, and will support a change in conventional and complementary treatments such as influenza vaccines the law to allow the procedure to be therapies. To ensure important aspects and antibiotics should not be given carried out by appropriately trained of palliative care do not get lost for any routinely without consideration of the nurses and midwives up to three reason, this policy stresses that high whole situation including the wishes of months of pregnancy. It will support quality palliative care aims to support the patient and relatives. NHS provision of such nurses and any spiritual, religious or philosophical midwives and will support a widening HE348 Many medical interventions dimensions of the patient process of of the number of locations at which an provided at the end of a person’s life dying. abortion can be carried out. This should will both relieve suffering and hasten reduce delays in service provision and H343 To ensure high quality palliative death. We recognise that this can cause prevent access being obstructed by care, there needs to be awareness of concern amongst health professionals doctors with personal anti-abortion bias and disadvantage that might arise and the public and will introduce clear views. associated with ethnic origin, disability, guidance to protect all parties. gender, gender identity, sexual orienta- The Green Party will not support HE349 Assisted death presents moral tion, religious or non religious belief, any change to the current laws on and legal concerns to health care age, body size, mental health diagnoses abortions which would aim to make professionals and the public. We believe and other factors. Services should be it more difficult for women to obtain that people have a right to an assisted planned and delivered in ways that them. Such a change in the law would death within the following framework: avoid discrimination. do nothing to address the underlying • The appointment of an factors which lead to women seeking H344 It is essential to promote rational, independent advocate must be abortions. Instead, it is likely to drive evidence based and ethical palliative made when either diagnosis of them into going elsewhere for the care practice. Where a medically led terminal illness is made or the operations - either overseas or to illegal multidisciplinary palliative care team person receiving care expresses the practitioners in this country - which is required, a team should be accessible desire to end their life will increase both the distress and the whether by consultation in person • Counselling must always be offered health risks for those involved. or by communication media such as to every patient considering an

20 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 assisted death Amendment 7 Presumed Organ rights of the individual and • Alternatives, such as palliative care Donation particularly those with disability or capacity issues and those who must be discussed with the patient [SOC Note, if amendment 7 passes, then may have a religious or cultural • The patient’s ability to make the Amendment 8 automatically falls.] objection. A process of highlighting decision must be established Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul awareness of the change, which by joint assessment of two Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery, Claire Allen, will be independent, will be put in independent doctors, one of whom Emma Carter, Keri Edmonds, Sam Peters, place on policy implementation should ordinarily be the patient’s Samuel Gurney. to ensure that all individuals have GP, unless impractical in the Insert new HE350 and renumber. access to removing themselves circumstances, in which case it may from the register if they so wish be the patient’s medical consultant, “HE350 Presumed Consent for and at any time, with no explana- one of which must be a psychiatrist Organ Donation. tion necessary or required. This and a third independent registered The Green Party supports a right will be inferred on the legal health or social care professional move towards a system of ‘soft’ guardian(s) of individuals with who has undertaken approved presumed consent (opt-out) for capacity issues.” training in this area and who has organ donation. In the United no prior knowledge of the patient. Kingdom, current legislation is Amendment 8 Organ Donation • This decision must take into set out in the Human Tissue Act Alternative account evidence provided by the 2004, covering England, Wales [SOC Note, if amendment 7 passes, then independent advocate. and Northern Ireland and the Amendment 8 automatically falls.] Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006. • Treatable illnesses that may Presently, both Acts state that Alick Munro*, Anne Critchley Andree impinge upon the decision making if a person has, while alive and Frieze, Monica Saunders, ability, e.g. depression, must be competent, given consent for some “The Green Party recognises the treated and excluded from the or all of their organs or tissue to distress of individuals with organ rationale for requesting an assisted be donated following their death, failure or in need of skin or eye death then that consent is sufficient for tissue from donors, and that the • The patient has the right to appoint the donation to go ahead. Once United Kingdom remains behind individuals either during or prior to consent is established, relatives or some other European countries the process who will have access to other relevant people should be in deceased donation rates. The their medical and other records and advised of the fact and encouraged current system loses potential whom they wish to be involved in to respect the deceased’s wishes. donors. Despite a long concerted discussions However, they reserve the right to effort by NHS Blood and Transplant • The patient’s informed consent refuse. to promote registration, less than must be clearly documented, full The Green Party recognises one third of UK people are on the discussion of the outcomes of the distress of individuals with organ donor register. both the illness and the assisted organ failure and that the United To improve the recording of death must also be provided in a Kingdom remains some way behind people’s personal wishes, The Green language and form understandable the rest of Europe in deceased Party favours requiring a question to the patient donation rates. The current system on this to be answered when • The patient’s close family should be loses potential donors. Despite a people register with GPs, and for involved in all discussions long concerted effort by NHS Blood GPs to seek to get answers on this • There should normally be a waiting and Transplant to promote ‘opt in’ matter at other suitable times in period of at least 7 days, set by local and registration, less than one third consultations. policy, for the patient to reflect on of people are on the organ donor In the United Kingdom, current their decision. register. The Green Party would legislation on tissue donation is • Patients could orally revoke the implement a system of presumed set out in the Human Tissues Act request at any point consent (soft) where all individuals 2004, covering England , Wales are registered as organ donors and Northern Ireland and the • Healthcare professionals can refuse unless the individual has expressed Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006. to be party to any stage of assisted a wish not to be and removed Presently, both Acts state that deaths for their own moral reasons themselves from the register. It will if a person has, while alive and • Assisted death will be notifiable be mandatory for health staff to competent, given consent for some We will introduce legislation based on discuss with family members in all or all of their organs or tissue to this framework to ensure the protec- cases. The ‘soft’ option will reserve be donated following their death, tion of all parties. the right of family members or then that consent is sufficient for legal guardian(s) to refuse. the donation to go ahead. Once The Green Party recognises the consent is established, relatives or

21 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 other relevant people should be be readily available, based on the NICE also to represent the interests of those advised of the fact and encouraged guidelines. The Green Party would also with mental health issues whenever to respect the deceased’s wishes. ensure increased funding was made decisions are made on a local level. However they will have the right to available for further research into The Green Party recognises that there refuse. the development of evidence- based is much stigma surrounding mental therapies for provision through the “The Green Party supports a health difficulties, and this adversely NHS. Provision of talking therapies move towards a system of “soft” affects those experiencing these issues. should be made more readily available presumed consent (opt-out) for Working alongside charities and organi- either in addition to or as an alternative organ donation in England – sations that work to challenge stigma, to medication. following the example of Wales – we would encourage several measures, with a two year period for publicity Amendment 9 HE350 Mental Health including mental health awareness and discussion before it is enacted. Basket training within the public sector, Under this system all individuals workplace mentorship frameworks [SOC Note this amendment was are registered as tissue donors in order to support employees experi- proposed as a single proposal with unless the individual has expressed encing mental health difficulties, what is labelled as amendment 11 to a wish not to be and removed and would support people with lived the Health chapter below, and they will themselves from the register. It experience of mental health difficulties be proposed, debated and voted on as a will be mandatory for health staff sharing their experiences, encouraging single proposal.] to discuss with family members of a more open dialogue on the issue in dying people under consideration Claire Allen*, Andrew Pointon, Catrin wider society. for tissue donation in all cases. The Brock, Duncan Davis, Georgia Elander, The Green Party recognises that there ‘soft’ option will reserve the right of Gwen Buck, James Shipley, Jasmine is a real value in the service user, family members or legal guardians Heywood, Jeffrey Wakeham, Kester wherever possible, having a degree of to refuse. Ratcliff, Lucy Bannister, Luke Ilott, Paul Weaver, Stuart Maule, Thomas Pashby. control over their treatment options, The Green Party recognises the for example through personal budgets. Insert “within 28 days” after right of the individual and particu- This system needs to be improved “available” in the final sentence. larly those with disability or through more information being made incapacity issues and those who So that it reads: available about personal budgets to may have a religious or cultural HE 350 […] For individuals suffering service users, carers, advocates and objection. A process of highlighting from mental health distress, a staff. Whilst personal budgets can play awareness of the change, which range of evidence-based therapies an effective role in empowering service will be independent, will be put in and treatments will be readily users, they should not replace the core place for two years before policy available, based on the NICE funding of key services, such as day implementation to ensure that all guidelines. The Green Party would centres and inpatient care. individuals have access to removing also ensure increased funding was Amendment 10 Delete from HE350 themselves from the register made available for further research if they so wish and at any time, into the development of evidence- Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul with no explanation necessary or based therapies for provision Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. required. This right will be inferred through the NHS. Provision of In HE350 delete “, for example on the legal guardian(s) of individ- talking therapies should be made through personal budgets. This uals with capacity issues.” more readily available, within 28 system needs to be improved Mental Health days either in addition to or as an through more information being alternative to medication. made available about personal HE350 The Green Party recognises that budgets to service users, carers, a wide range of factors contribute to The Green Party also recognises that advocates and staff. Whilst personal mental health distress and difficulties. there are health inequalities in terms budgets can play an effective role These include economic, social, psycho- of the groups of people who access in empowering service users, they logical and biological factors. The Green talking therapies and other forms of should not replace the core funding Party recognises that evidence clearly NHS treatment. The Green Party would of key services, such as day centres shows that many of our economic encourage more innovation within and inpatient care” and social policies would contribute NHS services for reaching excluded and to improved well-being for all, such as marginalised groups Accordingly, the Green Party would provide funding for research into the increased community participation, The Green Party would encourage all optimal ways for mental health services improved social justice and secure Local Authorities to appoint a Mental to be delivered. employment. Health Champion, to advocate on For individuals suffering from mental behalf of people with mental health The Green Party would also continue to health distress, a range of evidence- issues with regard to housing provision, encourage the co-production agenda based therapies and treatments will employment and education access and within the NHS, in which opportuni- other local services. Their role will be ties are utilised for the employment

22 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 or participation of service users and discussed, stigma and discrimination rights of all people using mental health other experts by experience in creating, is challenged and emotional and social services for whom English is not the delivering and monitoring preventative education is central. We would stress first language to interpreters where and treatment services. the importance of a curriculum that needed, preferably carefully chosen includes ways of preventing emotional (to be sure there is no tribal/cultural The Green Party recognises that many distress, such as teaching about healthy clashing) and face-to-face rather than people working with those with mental relationships. by telephone. health difficulties, such as mental health nurses, social workers and support staff, [See also ED042]. The Green Party recognises that talking work long hours, in difficult conditions, therapies are particular to western Schools would also be encouraged to on relatively low pay and often with models of thinking, and will encourage employ suitably trained counsellors, to insecure job tenure. We would seek to and support the training of counsellors whom children could talk in confidence. improve the conditions and pay as well in mother tongue languages. The Green Overall, the Green Party aim will be for as the status of these important roles. Party will work to ensure that margin- health and educational services to be This would aid in the retention of staff alised groups are able to access services more integrated both at a local and and, as a result, in providing continuity through allocating funding to specialist national government level. of care. services where it is clear that there are LGBTIQ people are more likely to have groups who are under-represented in The Green Party would legislate so that contact with the mental health system accessing services. psychotherapists would be brought and are at much higher risk of mental under the governance of the Health The Green Party would recognise the health issues, self-harm and suicidal Care Professionals Council (HCPC). We crucial, unpaid and difficult work done ideation than heterosexual people. They would also oversee the setting up of an by those who are carers for people with are also more likely to come up against independent body that would investi- mental health difficulties. We would negative reactions from mental health gate any deaths which occur under improve the benefits system for carers staff. The Green Party would therefore mental health detention. as well as put systems in place to ensure ensure that guidance for good practice they are supported and advised, as well The Green Party recognises that mental is included in staff training. We would as ensuring they get adequate respite and physical health problems often go also ensure that LGBTIQ community from their caring responsibilities. together. specific health programs are funded and able to identify and support at risk The Green Party recognises the high For example, 40% of the tobacco individuals. levels of mental health need within smoked in the UK is smoked by those the population that come into contact with mental health problems. Holistic BME individuals are another identi- with the Criminal Justice System. For care and ‘joined up’ services are vital for fied group that is also more likely example, one in three young offenders better outcomes. We would increase to have contact with mental health have an unmet mental health need at the focus on partnership working and services. Certain communities are more the time of offence. Young people who integrated care pathways. This would at risk of developing certain mental become involved in gangs are at further also aid early interventions when health conditions, like psychosis. The risk of suffering mental health distress. problems arise, which is also essential Green Party would fund initiatives to in improving outcomes. reduce barriers into receiving care, Both social and health inequalities by instituting community specific are correlated with contact with the The Green Party recognises that health outreach programs, focused upon Criminal Justice System. This further services need to be sensitive to the raising awareness and reducing stigma demonstrates the need for our social needs of individuals on the basis of age, of mental health problems. Equally justice and early intervention policies. ethnicity, gender, sexuality and cultural we would more clearly make the In addition, the current structure and and socioeconomic background. link that deprivation and exclusion delivery of NHS mental health services We would encourage mental health of certain communities is linked to are limited in their ability to engage practitioners to take leadership on prevalence of mental health problems, and reach this group. these issues. For instance, reviewing and addressing those issues is key to the effectiveness of how services are The Green Party would support the use addressing mental health issues. structured, such as the transition age of innovative programmes and services of 18 and how services are accessed. The Green Party recognises also that to improve the health outcomes of refugees, asylum seekers, and vulner- people involved in (or at risk of) the Early Years Intervention has a vital role able migrants can be just as marginal- Criminal Justice System and work in securing good mental wellbeing ised within mental health services as to improve national access to such throughout life. Parent and infant within other services in the UK. These evidence-based programmes. We psychological services, along with peer groups are under-represented in terms would also emphasise the importance support networks, should be available of receiving mental health support, of training staff working within the throughout the country to aid better whilst at the same time Black males are Criminal Justice System, such as and more enjoyable parenting. Schools over-represented in the UK’s inpatient the police, civil servants, judges or should provide a supportive environ- wards. The Green Party recognises the probation, on mental health issues and ment where mental health issues are

23 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 the underlying causes of these difficul- we would support organisations and in recent years, and so we will discuss ties. We would ensure that health, services aimed at reaching out to with the Royal College ways of encour- policing and community safety are young men. aging dentists back into NHS practice. working together at a local and national The Green Party recognises that HE354 The Green Party will support level to meet the social, occupational mental health services in the UK are measures to prevent dental health and emotional needs of this group as a overstretched, that people are not problems including: means of reducing crime and distress. being assessed quickly enough and the promotion of good oral hygiene Amendment 11 HE350 Mental Health many people needing treatment are Basket not getting access to services at all. fast, free access to NHS dentists and In addition, mental health inpatient hygienists [SOC Note this amendment was services are being reduced by 1000 proposed as a single proposal with a reduction in the consumption of high beds a year. We recognise that some what is labelled as amendment 9 to the sugar content foods and drinks people need inpatient care and we Health chapter above, and they will be would work to reverse the decline in HE355 The Green Party is opposed proposed, debated and voted on as a bed numbers. We would also stress to the artificial mass fluoridation single proposal.] the need to review treatment length, of drinking water which is being Claire Allen*, Andrew Pointon, Catrin recognising that some patients require promoted by the Government. There Brock, Duncan Davis, Georgia Elander, longer treatment programmes than is conflicting evidence on the benefits Gwen Buck, James Shipley, Jasmine others, and that fixed-term treatments to dental health of this practice and Heywood, Jeffrey Wakeham, Kester are not always appropriate. In addition, major concerns on the cumulative Ratcliff, Lucy Bannister, Luke Ilott, Paul we could ensure that people are negative wider health effects of total Weaver, Stuart Maule, Thomas Pashby. aided in their re-integration into the ingestion levels of fluoride. There are Insert at end of HE350 community after a stay in inpatient further concerns on the links with the chemical industry that supplies artifi- “The Green Party would commit care, such as through protecting cial fluoride and the compulsory nature to ensuring everybody has safe funding for supported living environ- of its addition to drinking water that and speedy access to quality crisis ments. denies consumers choice. care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, The Green Party recognises that the whatever the circumstances in current isolation that many people face Administration which they first need help, regard- contributes greatly to mental health HE356 The Green Party believes it is less of where they turn to first.” problems. We would tackle this by wrong in principle that private health [See also CJ345 and CJ381]. protecting facilities such as community care companies and agencies should Amendment 12 New HE351 centres, which aid social cohesion, be able to employ or use staff who and could be used to provide specific have been expensively trained by the Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul resources for those faced with mental NHS without contributing something Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. health difficulties. to the cost of that training. Therefore Add new HE351 after existing The Green Party recognises the companies, including pharmaceu- HE350 and renumber. “HE351: The important role that Primary Care has tical companies, employing or using Green recognises the importance in mental health services. We would NHS-trained healthcare professionals of child and adolescent mental encourage General Practitioners’ outside the NHS will have to pay an health and will ensure that services Practices to employ a mental health additional training tax. This will take to support this are properly funded specialist such a mental health nurse. the form of a levy for each person- and accessible close to the people They would be there to provide help hour during which they employ or use who need them. We will ensure and support not only to the person NHS-trained staff outside the NHS. The that looked after and adopted experiencing the mental health difficul- proceeds from this levy will go directly children are properly supported by ties but also to the carers and families into the NHS Tax which the Green Party child and adolescent mental health of those affected. There would also be is going to create. services when needed.” an emphasis on increasing the mental HE357 To promote decentralisa- HE351 The Green Party recognises that health training of General Practitioners tion and accountability, Primary Care suicide is the biggest killer of young who currently act as gatekeepers to Trusts will be supervised by, and men in the UK. We would ensure that many services. accountable to, elected Local Govern- local authorities took preventative ment. Co-operation between Primary action in terms of well-known suicide Dentistry Health Trusts to improve services will spots. For example, installing barriers HE352 Essential dentistry, including be encouraged. The role of Patients’ and anti-suicide nets on bridges where check ups, is necessary basic health- Forums as users’ advocates will be suicides have taken place. Research care, and should be provided free under developed to provide greater assistance shows that when such action is taken, the NHS. to individuals in difficulties or disputes suicides from other surrounding high HE353 The Green Party recognises with the health services. Legislation structures do not increase. In addition, the great loss of dentists to the NHS will be introduced to allow individuals

24 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 access to their medical records. Funding most overworked in our society despite the importance of their day-to-day Amendment 13 HE357 HE358 Health spending in the UK needs decisions and actions. The multitude of to reflect the needs of the country and [SOC note, if Amendment 13 passes, local staff contracts and conditions will should be maintained at around the Amendment 14 automatically falls] be simplified within a clear regional average in the European Union. The structure. Privatisation of ancillary Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul party will continue to support the services will cease and be reversed, so Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. principle that the NHS is a national that all NHS workers of a particular Delete the first sentence of HE357 service, free at the point of entry and grade can expect the same terms within and replace with: fully funded by taxation. the same region. Collective bargaining “To promote decentralisation and HE359 We recognize that some people arrangements will be strengthened accountability, NHS services will be will want to pay for treatments that are and honoured. A particularly urgent run by and accountable to, elected not deemed sufficiently cost-effective to commitment will be to reduce all staff Regional Assemblies where they be provided by the NHS. We will ensure working hours to a maximum in line exist, to county level local govern- that NHS patients are not prevented with the Working Time Directive. ment or to geographically adjacent from accessing these, or denied any Amendment 15 New HE363 unitary authorities as necessary NHS treatment, as a consequence of to ensure that there is a sufficient paying for such non-NHS treatments. Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul population base to organise However, we will also ensure that the Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. services on.” NHS does not subsidise these either Add new HE363 after existing Amendment 14 Alternative HE 357 directly or indirectly. HE363 and renumber. “HE363: We Decentralisation of NHS Management HE360 An NHS Tax, earmarked to will ensure that sufficient training places for all types of clinician are [SOC note, if Amendment 13 passes, increase direct funding of the NHS, available to support future health Amendment 14 automatically falls] shall be introduced as part of general income and other taxation. We believe care needs and that people are able Alick Munro, Andree frieze, Monica this will have wide support. to access this training. We will keep Saunders, Tim Young. training places and the delivery of Delete the first sentence of HE357 HE361 Health Service spending will training under continuous review and replace with: be reviewed regularly, with a view to ensure that it meets changing to increasing the resources invested “The Green Party recognises the needs.” in health promotion, illness preven- need for evidence-based manage- HE364 The Green Party deplores tion, community care and community ment of the NHS with control held the poaching of healthcare profes- development, relative to spending on by a figure whose allegiance is to sionals from other less privileged curative interventions. the care of patients rather than to countries. Conditions and wages the current government. Internal Market / NHS Trusts of nurses, and also doctors, need We favour allocating responsibility HE362 The creation of NHS Trusts erased to rise to encourage more British for commissioning the NHS to the democratic accountability of local people to train as nurses and doctors. a chief medical officer, respon- NHS services. The rights of those who The NHS will not be allowed sible to the Secretary of State for work in the NHS, especially to partici- proactively to recruit non-British Health and whose tenure will be pate in its development and improve- healthcare staff overseas by affected by periodic ratings of ment, were widely undermined. Market any means, including overseas satisfaction with the NHS from forces cannot allocate healthcare fairly, advertising or direct approaches. users of the service and by evidence nor even efficiently. The internal market The Green Party will actively seek ways on health and wellbeing and has wasted badly needed resources of ensuring that healthcare skills are evidence on quality of life for those on administration, and reduced the shared between countries including suffering ill-health. efficiency and morale of the whole by offering exchange opportunities to The Green Party will ensure that system. The internal market opens the students and qualified staff. feedback from patients on the long term possibility of further privati- Amendment 16 New HE365 quality of services they receive sation of the NHS. The internal market Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul will continue to be co-ordinated should be wound up and replaced with Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. by Healthcall, the Care Quality clear financial and service account- Commission, the annual appraisers ability of decentralised service units Insert new HE365 after HE364 and of health professionals, hospital to regional assemblies within a single renumber: “HE365 Senior staff who trust managers, regional health corporate whole. are in a position of influence are authorities, and professional required to declare interests that NHS workers accreditation bodies for the health may conflict with their role in the professions.” HE363 For too long the workers in the NHS.” NHS have been underpaid, undervalued and ignored. They remain some of the

25 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Demand and Supply Management “HE366 Standards will be set for private health provision in principle, maximum waiting times for access Greens are opposed to a transfer of Amendment 17 New HE365 to health care, for instance: resources away from the public health Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul a) Patients should be able to access system which is available to all. While Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. primary care clinicians within 48 private health insurance still exists, Add the following before existing hours it should be a taxable employment HE365 and renumber: “HE365 We benefit where offered. b) Patients with emergency needs are mindful that approximately one should be seen and treated in A&E Opposition to ‘third way’ health reform fifth of the NHS clinical budget is (or admitted) within 4 hours devoted to treating illness caused HE369 We actively oppose and seek to by unemployment, inequality, poor c) Patients with suspected cancer reverse any public service health policy housing and pollution, and that should be seen within 14 days of GP reforms which lead to: referral and commence treatment green reforms in these sectors of a) a two- or multi-tier health service within 62 days the economy will reduce the load with uneven standards and service on the health service.” d) Patients with mental health provision, problems should be seen within Amendment 18 New HE366 b) further disconnection of the service 14 days of referral and commence from public accountability - via [SOC note, if amendment 18 passes, treatment within 62 days. then amendment 19 automatically local, regional or national govern- e) Patients with other physical ment, falls] illnesses should be seen within 28 c) the undermining of a fully Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul days of GP referral and commence integrated NHS, publicly funded Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. treatment within 18 weeks and committed to high quality Insert new before current HE365 and f) Patient should not wait longer than universal provision with free renumber: 6 weeks for a diagnostic test” services at the point of use, or “HE366 Maximum waiting times to HE365 Demand management will d) creeping privatisation. access health care will be enforced: be maximised through prevention HE370 General Practices are predomi- a) Patients will be able to access of illness and appropriate care of the nantly run as small businesses and primary care clinicians within 48 chronically ill. Demand for hospital therefore are insufficiently accountable hours services will be managed through the to local people and government. The best use of community services and b) Patients with emergency needs Green Party will introduce a new model through caring for patients as close to will be seen and treated in A&E (or of General Practice to be adopted home as is safely possible. admitted) within 4 hours when new practices open. This new c) Patients with suspected cancer HE366 Education of patients will be model will be based on practices being will be seen within 14 days of GP used to limit demand on healthcare patient-owned co-operatives. Patients referral and commence treatment services. National campaigns will will be able to have a strong voice in within 62 days encourage people not to automati- their primary care provision and staff d) Patients with mental health cally seek healthcare with self-limiting in the practices will be directly account- problems will be seen within 14 conditions like common cold, cough, able to their patients. Primary care days of referral and commence sore throat, diarrhoea and vomiting, co-ops will be open to all potential treatment within 62 days. and flu-like illness. Information will be patients to join and we will ensure available to help people self-manage that there are appropriate safeguards e) Patients with other physical these conditions, and to recognise around membership, governance and illnesses will be seen within 28 when they should seek help. There will provision. days of GP referral and commence be a strong message to discourage the treatment within 18 weeks Amendment 20 Co-operative policy practice of going to work, or to any amendment f) No patient will wait longer than 6 other social situation, when a person is weeks for a diagnostic test” suffering from a contagious illness such Ed Jones*, Daniel Key, Dave Boyle, David Amendment 19 New HE 366 ( as flu-like illness. Walker, Kate Whittle, Martin Childs alternative version) HE367 Because of the escalating cost of In HE370 delete from “patient- owned co-operatives” to the end [SOC note, if amendment 18 passes, healthcare there will always be insuffi- and insert the below: then amendment 19 automatically cient funds to meet expectations of falls] patients. This necessitates rationing. “co-owned by patients and medical Where necessary this should be open professionals in a multistake- Jillian Creasey*, David Smith, Adam and democratically accountable, rather holder co-operative model. This Clark, Chris Rust, Jon Ashe, Graham than arbitrary and unfair as it is now. will enable professionals, patients Wroe. and communities to be partners Private Healthcare Insert new before current HE365 in provision of care. Sufficient and renumber HE368 The Green Party is opposed to safeguards and training of

26 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 members would be put in place to Rationale: Settings of care to be SECTION C ensure evidence-based and high grouped together C1 Amending TR310 on car quality decisions being made. Amendment 23 Reordering 2 Patients and staff will be able to speed limits Move HE320, HE324, HE326 to have a strong voice in the primary (7872 points in the prioritisation ballot) care provision in the practices and HE334, HE336 (plus headings) to they will be directly accountable to after HE357 and insert a new Main Rustam Majainah*, Daniel Lee, each other. Primary care co-ops will Heading before HE357 of “Access Emmanuel Blondel, Sam Peters, Ben be open to all potential patients to and Choice of Treatments”. Samuel, Sam Coates. join and we will ensure that there Rationale: Access and choice issues Synopsis are appropriate safeguards around to be grouped together Our current transport policy has a line membership, governance and Amendment 24 Reordering 3 that would ban almost all currently provision.” Move HE335 to after HE364 and roadworthy cars. As this would probably So that it reads: add new Main Heading before prove unattractive with the electorate, HE370 General Practices are HE363 of “Health care profes- this motion replaces it with text that is predominantly run as small sionals”. more in line with the intentions of the businesses and therefore are Rationale: Staff and practitioners policy. insufficiently accountable to local policy together Motion people and government. The Green Party will introduce a new Amendment 25 Reordering 4 Delete current TR310: model of General Practice to be Before HE370 insert sub heading: TR310 Vehicles would not be permitted adopted when new practices open. “Primary Care” for road use that had the ability to travel This new model will be based Amendment 26 Reordering 5 at greater speeds than the majority of on practices being co-owned by EU national maximum speed levels. patients and medical professionals Move HE358 to HE362 (plus in a multistakeholder co-operative headings) to before HE356 and Insert new TR310: under the heading “Administration”. model. This will enable profes- TR310 The Green Party would introduce sionals, patients and communities Rationale: to group admin policies legislation to encourage car manufac- to be partners in provision of care. together turers to introduce speed limiters in Sufficient safeguards and training Amendment 27 Reordering 6 vehicles to prevent them travelling of members would be put in place Move HE365 to HE369 (plus faster than the UK national maximum to ensure evidence-based and headings) to ROPS. speed limit.” high quality decisions being made. Amendment 1 Patients and staff will be able to Rationale: they add detail to have a strong voice in the primary existing principles and are not John Coyne, Sarah Jennings, Pam care provision in the practices and required in the core policy Robinson, David Morgan. they will be directly accountable to Amendment 28 Reordering 7 Delete the following text. each other. Primary care co-ops will Move HE319 and HE325 to after be open to all potential patients to “to encourage car manufacturers to HE300 and add new Main Heading introduce speed limiters in vehicles to join and we will ensure that there “Prevention”. are appropriate safeguards around prevent them travelling faster than the Rationale: start policies with membership, governance and UK national maximum speed limit.” prevention provision. And replace by the following text. Amendment 29 Reordering 8 Amendment 21 Reordering “to require manufacturers to install Amendments Basket Add new Main Heading of suitable technology in all new motor “Pathways of Care” before HE303. Stuart Jeffery*, Jillian Creasy, Abdul vehicles such that compliance with (this should new include, maternity, Siddiky, Poppy Jeffery. speed limits is better achieved. The abortion, end of life, dentistry, Main Headings to be: Prevention; prescription of the most suitable occupational health if the other technology will be based on the Settings of care; Administration; moves are agreed). Access and Choice of Treatments; best evidence available at the time Pathways; Health care professionals the legislation is passed and will be reviewed from time to time. The Amendment 22 Reordering 1 maintenance of such equipment will Move HE301, HE302, HE314 to be covered by the annual vehicle test HE317, HE321 to HE323 to after (MOT).” HE369 and start this section with a Main Heading of “Service Delivery and Settings of Care”.

27 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 C 2. Higher and Further system. The problems within the education colleges. current Post-16 and Further Education Education Policy Update Planning Further Education Provision system are many and varied, some (7781 points in the prioritisation ballot) relate to organization, and some to ED227 A Green Government would Emma Carter*, Charlotte Rouxel, Clifford funding. return the Further Education Sector to Fleming, Georgia Elander, Hannah Clare, the democratic control of local authori- The introduction of the market into the Ieuan King, James Shipley, Michael Holt, ties or regional bodies. system up to and during the incorpora- Stuart Maule, Timothy Goodall, William tion of Colleges in 1992, the short term ED228 A Green Government would PinkneyBaird. nature of funding and the limited lens instigate borough/county wide Synopsis of the current inspection regime all cross-sector education forums with representatives from: local unions, The current Further and Higher impair not enhance the opportunities parents groups, student unions, Education policies are thin on the available to the people who need to community leaders, representatives ground, they only address a small access Further Education. from the pre-16 education sector amount of the serious issues these The Green Party believes that Post-16 and employers. Their role would be sectors face. Ranging from funding and Further Education institutions to map out the educational needs of to organizational issues, these policy should be community assets, run the community and to develop a joint changes fill gaps in our policy and by, and for the benefit of the local Further Education sector plan. provide our coherent vision for Higher communities they serve, not “national and Further Education. brands” competing against each other ED229 Struggling colleges should be given support where possible to solve Motion for students and funding. problems which arise and will be Colleges for the community The moving and renumbering clauses encouraged to twin with stronger ones has been undertaken as appropriate, ED221 A Green Government would give to gain experience and exchange best where clauses are altered from the Further Education Colleges an explicit practice to end the merger culture that current wording, both are included remit to operate as a community asset, has emerged in FE. with the changes required, where the and the success or failure of their activi- Funding Further Education current policy is included without ties will be judged on the benefit to the change except location, the current wider community, not crude metrics. ED230 The current funding regime in numbering is shown in brackets Further Education leads to short term ED222 A Green Government would following the new number – these decision making and fails to open up ensure that colleges held regular bracketed numbers should be removed the sector to the people who need it feedback forums and outreach prior to entering PfSS. most. A Green Government would seek with local groups exploring the to end the short termism, and direct Delete ED220 through to ED221. real educational needs of all in the funding towards supportive measures [Current ED220 and ED 221: community. for getting more people into education. ED220 Currently Further Education The Further Education Curriculum colleges are run independently ED231 A Green Government would: from Local Authorities. They receive ED223 The Green Party believes that • Abolish fees in Further Education a much lower unit cost per pupil diversity of curriculum delivered and all courses in FE would be than schools and the teaching in Further Education is a strength provided for free at the point of salaries are lower. not a weakness, and this should be use. maintained, with AS levels, modular ED221 The Green Party believes • Write off all outstanding debt and courses and resits reintroduced. that Further Education colleges resulting interest related to 24+ should be publicly owned by Local ED224 Wider learning experiences advanced learning loans provided Authorities and funded at the same should always be an integral part of a by the student loans company rate as secondary schools and be vocational curriculum, a Green Govern- to fund tuition for level 3 and 4 subject to the same requirements ment would ensure that the curriculum courses. as schools regarding sustainability, ensures students learn about their • Increase the funding per student in environmental education and rights, the role of trade unions, citizen- Further Education to match that in health.] ship, discrimination, participating in schools. democracy, sustainability, environ- And Insert the following, renumbering • Initiate a swift transition from the mental education and health. where appropriate: current start stop funding arrange- ED225 A Green Government would Post-16 and Further Education ments to a long term funding bring back democratic control of process for Further Education ED220 The Green Party believes that awarding bodies. provision over a 10 year period. everyone should be able to access the ED226 In Wales, where demand is clear 8 Place all funding bodies back under type of education that is right for them this will include proper provision of the democratic control of local within a high quality publicly funded Welsh-medium courses within further authorities/regional bodies.

28 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 • As part of the transition to the ED056) would assist and develop best removal of barriers to participation. citizens income, reintroduce an practice on a system of self-inspection • Full and adequate creche provision Education Maintenance Allowance and learner evaluation based on a for all staff and students. at a level which would be effective negotiated developmental approach. • A thorough trade union/manage- in supporting disadvantaged ED237 As a commitment to quality, ment/ student audit of all colleges students, and through a system where peer observation, mentoring and to ensure that they are fully which was clear and transparent, professional training take place, they compliant with the latest disability and not open to inconsistency in should be paid activities for college legislation, and funding made application. staff. available to ensure that where • Protect and improve the current issues exist, that they can be solved ED238 All staff must be considered support provision for disabled in the most appropriate way. students. when considering educational quality. A Green Government would implement • Trade unions /management/ Democracy and Governance of institu- full training with 5 hours remission students to monitor colleges to tions a week to be given to all employees ensure that they are compliant ED232 The structure and Governance (hourly paid and salaried lecturers) to with The Equality Act ensuring of institutions is essential in ensuring gain level 4 teaching qualifications. that discrimination and bullying in workplaces is stamped out and that their strategic direction is guided Further Education Pay by the needs of the community, not the positive duties are set. insular needs of the institution. ED239 Since Incorporation, FE Pay Higher Education has fallen behind that of both School ED233 A Green Government would Teachers and University Lecturers, it is Renumber ED230 through to ED233 as implement a series of governance currently uneven across the country, ED250 through to ED253, so that they reforms across the sector including: with significant differences in pay read: • All Post-16 and Further Education between different colleges. ED250 As a Green government will be governing bodies should have ED240 A Green Government would working towards sustainable living and representation based on: 25% local ensure: not consumption-led growth, Higher community leaders; 25% local Education, like schools and colleges, employers; 25% staff /union; 25% • An immediate increase in pay to will need to change to reflect the kinds students. bring FE lecturers onto the same of knowledge, skills and vision that are levels of pay as School Teachers • Student representation on all needed. Our society will need people and for non-teaching staff to be leading bodies throughout the to be educated to the highest level of brought on to local government college, which they are capable. pay scales. • Student unions to be allowed to ED251 Evidence suggests that the best • National negotiated agreements to organize independently of college results are achieved by people who be legally binding on all colleges. management and to make their have an active desire to study at this own decisions without direct or • The London weighting to be level when they feel ready, rather than indirect management vetoes. comparable with rates of other be an automatic extension of Further public sector workers (teachers, • All trade unions on campus to be Education. police, firefighters). included in all senior management ED252 Higher Education is essential in Diversity recruitment procedures. developing a civilized society. Education 8 Trade Union representation on all ED243 In order to ensure that the should continue to be treated as a college committees to include: barriers to education which currently process and not a product. It should academic boards; curriculum and exist are broken down within Post-16 enable a democratisation of knowledge quality committees; employment and Further Education, a Green Govern- and skills which are available to anyone policy committees and finance ment would implement: who wants to study for a degree regard- committees. • Regular professional development less of their age or background. Quality of Provision days for black and ethnic minority ED253 Higher Education is facing ED234 Ensuring that the education in staff. a funding crisis. Departments are post-16 and further Education is of the • Cross college liaison teams to closing, students are being forced to highest quality is essential, a Green facilitate the removal of barriers to pay increasing fees for their education, Government would make the following participation. lecturers are working longer hours and changes • Equivalent overseas qualifications receiving worsening pay and conditions to be consistently recognized. and the student to tutor ratio is ED235 lecturer’s teaching hours should increasing. be no more than 19 hours a week. • Introduce a requirement to monitor black and ethnic minority achieve- Insert new: ED236 The independent National ment, with a view to improving this Council of Educational Excellence (see Governance and Organization through better opportunities and

29 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 ED254 Higher Education should be run footprint, they will adhere to the follows ED265 and renumber as ED266- and organized in a way that promotes same stringent regulations as large ED267 so that it reads: the capacity of institutions to serve businesses and other institutions. ED266 Currently many Higher society. Universities play a significant Insert New: Education Institutions are dependent role in society, this extends beyond the on international students due to the personal interests of those embarking Funding Higher Education inflated fees they pay. In some cases on higher Education, well beyond the ED259 The funding of Higher Education this can lead them to accept interna- organizational ambitions of individual has become a tool to direct and manipu- tional students who are less able than institutions and the expectations of late the direction taken by institu- EU students who they reject. those who employ graduates. It is with tions whilst appearing to be neutral. ED267 Under a Green Government consideration to this, that university The current system places an undue Higher Education Institutions will be organization and governance should burden on individual students and fails properly funded by the state so that not be a private matter for those in to recognize the societal benefits of where international students are leadership positions within the sector higher learning and research. A Green fee-paying the amount the institution to decide, but should be a matter Government would commit to: for society at large to decide on and charges will more accurately reflect the contribute to. A Green Government ED260 An increased proportion of UK true cost. public expenditure devoted to higher would embark on a programme of Insert New: reform to: education to at least the EU19 average of 1.1 per cent (up from 0.7 per cent) – A commitment to educational ED255 Democratise the governing a move that would bring in billions of excellence bodies of universities through the pounds to the sector. allocation of equal votes to staff and ED268 The quality of educational student representatives, community ED 261 Restoration of the block grant provision at university level is essential members, and employers’ representa- for all subjects. to ensuring that the clear benefits to society of Higher Learning and research tives. ED262 Under a green government are properly realized. Current models of all currently outstanding debts - yet ED256 Ensure the salaries of senior quality assurance do not deal directly to be paid - held by an individual, for staff and vice-chancellors to be fixed as with provision and focus on the distrac- undergraduate tuition fees and mainte- part of a nationally agreed scale with tion of abstract metrics which fail nance loans, and any resulting interest an income differential of no more than to measure the educational process would be written off. Specifically those a multiple of ten. effectively. A Green Government would: issued by the Student Loans Company ED257 A Commitment by employers to (SLC) and currently held by the UK ED269 Commit to staff/student ratios nationally agreed terms and conditions government. at the OECD average or better. for all staff and recognition of trade unions to negotiate these terms and Renumber ED 234 – 236 to ED263 – ED270 Require universities to adopt conditions. ED265 so that it reads: mission statements, relevant to each institution, that recognise the [Current ED248 ED263 Under a Green government obligation of institutions to foster there would be no student loans as ED248 Currently some institutions independent and critical thought, to there would be no tuition fees and living have some of the worst records for ensure access to the university for all costs would be met by Citizen’s Income. their environmental footprint.] social groups, and to seek the participa- In the short term we will reintroduce tion of the local community in the life Delete current ED248 student grants to meet living costs. of the university. [Current ED249 ED264 Due to the nature of the ED271 Scrap the National Student ED249 Higher Education will adhere economic growth we have been Survey and other forms of evaluation to the same stringent regulations experiencing there has been a shift in which perpetuate cultures of ‘customer as large businesses and other recent years away from manufacture satisfaction’ and quality control, and institutions.] and industry-related subjects. Whilst their replacement with forms of In current ED249, delete “Under a Green trends in the subjects students choose feedback that encourage meaningful government” to study will continue to evolve there reflection on teaching and learning. will be sufficient funding to protect After “Higher Education” insert: minority subjects and to cater for [Current ED237 “institutions currently have some of potential swings back. ED237 Currently the standard of the worst records for their environ- achievement of students with mental footprint, they” and renumber ED265 The Green Party will support a properly funded, accessible Higher comparable degrees and results So that it reads: Education system which would reverse from different institutions is ED258 Higher Education Institu- these trends. inconsistent.] tions currently have some of the Delete Current ED237 Move current ED245 - 246 so that it worst records for their environmental [Current ED238

30 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 ED238 There will be much more a minimum requirement for Universi- In current ED242 Delete “There will be” rigour applied to ensure consist- ties and Higher Education Institutions and insert “Commit a” in it’s place and ency through external accreditation to offer a free crèche to students and renumber as ED281 so that it reads: systems.] staff, nappy changing and breast- ED281 Commit a sufficient amount of feeding facilities as well as religious Delete current ED238 and replace with: funding to encourage independent and facilities such as prayer spaces to cater ethical research. ED272 Review the external examiner for people from a wide range of ages, system currently utilized with a view to religions and ethnic backgrounds. Insert New: improving it to include a greater ability ED282 Scrap the Research Excellence for external examiners to intervene in ED276 Accessibility will be addressed Framework (REF) and its replacement the organization of courses and the way through a combination of these institu- with a peer review based system of in which they are taught and assessed, tions offering Widening Participation monitoring research work based on and to ensure the role of external Programmes and creating a series of respect for the ability of individuals and examiner will have clearly defined firm targets which will ensure increased groups of researchers to define their with protected time and payment for social diversity. own research aims and priorities. any lecturers taking on the role for a ED277 The Green Party recognises that separate institution. under the current system the ability of ED283 Extend the remit of research ethics committees to consider, with Insert new: students transferring from school or Further Education to Higher Education teeth, the ethics of research for the Access and Equality is extremely diverse, sometimes arms trade, the military and the nuclear ED 273 In order to realize the potential depending on their social background industry. of Higher Education to serve local and or the school / college they attended. ED241 It is essential that there is wider communities, and to provide the ED278 Until this is no longer the case, not a commercial bias in research full benefits to the whole of society, in order to ensure full accessibility and undertaken in Higher Education they need to be institutions in which high standards, institutions will be Institutions. everyone is valued, which should funded to offer an externally accred- In current ED241 delete “It is essential be reflected in their student intake, ited Access Courses to students they that there is not a” and insert employees and remuneration. consider to have the potential to study “Introduce a public research funding ED274 As a transition to our more at a Higher Level but who are not yet code to ensure there is no” and move comprehensive reform relating to ready for it. and renumber it to ED284 so that it equality and immigration, a Green ED279 (ED247) At the same time reads: Government would: schemes would be set up to provide ED284 Introduce a public research • Require a Commitment by funding both for places for less wealthy funding code to ensure there is no employers to address the gender students from developing countries commercial bias in research undertaken pay gap with immediate effect. and at the same time to develop Higher in Higher Education Institutions. Education in developing countries • Immediately scrap of the Points Insert New: Based System of Immigration as it through partnership projects so that affects the higher education sector in the longer term they will not need ED285 Require a binding commit- and a halt to punitive measures to travel. Subject areas where there is ment from universities not to accept affecting the free movement of a shortage of skills in that particular donations from individuals or regimes international staff and students. country (for example Medicine and that refuse to sign a statement on This would include stopping the Engineering) will be prioritised. academic freedom that guarantees the right of academics and researchers withdrawal of the post-study Insert New: work visa, the relaxation of rules in the ‘donor’ countries to teach and Research affecting students’ ability to seek research without fear of state interven- paid work during their studies and ED280 The undertaking of research tion. a more sympathetic immigration in universities is an essential part of Lifelong Learning (including Learning in regime that encourages staff and their work within wider society, and the workplace and Retraining) students to come to the UK. directly influences the ability to teach Renumber ED260 – ED265 to ED290 – the next generation of innovators. It In addition to these measures: ED295 is essential that research is effectively Move ED239 –ED240, ED243 – ED244 funded without undue influence from Insert after current ED261 and and ED247 to follow ED274 so that those providing that funding. A Green renumber they now run ED275 – ED279 so that it Government would: reads: ED292 Include adult and life long [current ED242 learning provision in the single ED275 Universities will offer real ED242 There will be sufficient community lead 10 year funding plan, support to mature students and funding to encourage independent as outlined in ED231. students with families. There will be and ethical research.]

31 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Insert after current ED265 (new ED296): C3. Providing free universal C4. Reconciling our Industry ED297 Asylum Seekers to be given the childcare and Energy Policy right to free education. (7309 points in the prioritisation ballot) (7225 points in the prioritisation ballot) Insert at the end a new section: Natalie Bennett*, Cathryn Symons, [Policy Committee motion] Maya de Souza, Rebecca Johnson. Casualisation in Education Rustam Majainah*, Alan Francis, Synopsis ED300 A Green Government would Caroline Bowes, Jonathan Essex, Sam aspire to stamping out casualization in Like schools and the NHS, universal free Riches, Education. These contracts fail to meet pre-school childcare is a central plank Synopsis the educational needs of students due of a healthy and fair modern society. It The Industry and Energy Voting Papers to the inconsistency they introduce, offers all children the benefits of entitle- passed at last conference contained and fail to provide for those delivering ment to high quality early education a contradiction between them about and supporting the curriculum. (see and allows parents and carers who so our policy to renationalise the energy also ED238) choose to participate, contribute and industry. This motion seeks to rectify progress in the labour market. ED301 A Green Government would the clash without changing the princi- seek to implement: Motion ples passed. • An end to the damaging use of zero Current SW308 Motion hours contracts in education, SW308 We would extend the hours Current EN420 • All education employers to commit of nursery/children’s centre entitle- EN420 A Green government will to a rolling programme of fraction- ment for children aged 3 and 4, this diversify the ownership of energy alisation to convert all regularly and try to give parents and carers as generation and ensure democratic employed hourly paid staff to much flexibility as possible in terms of control. We will purchase large-scale salaried employees over a two year times and locations. The provision of renewable plant in order to secure period. occasional ‘ad hoc’ care will be encour- public sector energy provision at best • All agency staff to be offered direct aged and facilitated. value and increase wider competition employment contracts. Delete SW308 and Replace with new in energy supply. However we would Amendment 1 SW308 expect new large-scale generation plant (off-shore wind, concentrated Emma Carter, Thom French, Pete SW308 We will provide free universal solar power, sustainable biomass, wave Kennedy, Hannah Clare. early education and childcare from and tidal) and electricity transmission Insert new ED265 and renumber age 1 up to age 6 (five while that and distribution to continue to be built remains the age of formal education Under a green government all currently and owned by private companies. starting), with parental participa- outstanding Professional and Career tion strongly encouraged for younger Delete from EN420 “and electricity Development Loans (PCDL) - yet to be children. Universal provision will be transmission and distribution” paid - held by an individual, and any designed to give parents and carers as resulting interest would be written off. Current IN604 much flexibility as possible in terms Specifically those issued by commer- of times and locations. The provision IN604 Some industries provide for cial banks under Skills Funding Agency of occasional ‘ad hoc’ care will also be basic human needs and are so crucial regulations for learning providers encouraged and facilitated. Special to the well-being of society that the stated on the PCDL Register. attention will be paid to the needs of community must hold a stake in them. Amendment 1 disabled children. This will be overseen Industries which must be returned Emma Carter, Thom French, Pete by a cabinet-level, cross-departmental to public ownership include the NHS, Kennedy, Hannah Clare, Manishta minister for childcare. the water industry (see NR428), the railways (see TR230), and the gas and Sunnia, Rustam Majainah. Current ED024 electricity supply industries (with the in ED260, delete from “of 1.1per cent” ED024 Free and subsidised nurseries exception of small-scale renewable to the end of ED260. and early years education combined energy initiatives). with Citizens’ Income would help to [Policy Committee Comment: This Delete from IN604 “and the gas and create structures that encourage and motion has significant implications electricity supply industries (with the support parental involvement and for public spending (see proposed new exception of small-scale renewable nurture in these important years. ED231, ED240, ED260, ED262)] energy initiatives)” We would build upon and continue successful schemes such as Sure Start. and replace with In ED024 Delete the words “and “and the gas and electricity transmis- subsidised”. sion and distribution networks” So that it reads:

32 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 IN604 Some industries provide for non-profit making bodies and small with’ basic human needs and are so crucial rural businesses); and replace with to the well-being of society that the e) all Council Tax bills will be subject community must hold a stake in them. to a basic minimum, regardless of ‘Add after current HO607 the following Industries which must be returned to location. text and renumber:’ public ownership include the NHS, the Delete current HO607 and replace with: [Policy Committee Comment: In new water industry (see NR428), the railways HO607(b) Band A is actually the lowest (see TR230), and the gas and electricity HO607 As an immediate response to Council Tax Band, and contains no transmission and distribution networks. the lack of fairness with Council Tax £1million dwellings.] and National Non-Domestic Rates C5. Progressive Council Tax (NNDR) and cuts and restrictions to local government funding, Greens in C6. Railway electrification (6873 points in the prioritisation ballot) local government will seek: and more rolling stock David Walker*, Ali Ghanimi, Steve a) no exemptions or reductions for (5900 points in the prioritisation ballot) Synergy, Tom Druitt. empty or underused properties Alan Francis*, Jay Ginn, Jon Lucas, Julie Synopsis (including business premises and second homes), with the exception Boston, Steve Dawe. This update of short-term policy is to of the single person occupancy Synopsis ensure we provide an option for Greens discount for pensioners; in local government to fight austerity Lack of sufficient rolling stock on and cuts. There is currently no other b) i) Council Tax to be raised unelectrified rail lines, and the legal option and we must ensure Green significantly, with or without a consequent overcrowding, is becoming councillors have all the tools in which referendum, commensurate with a high profile issue especially outside to be able to act in the best interests of Band A paying at least 1% on a £1 the SE, approaching crisis point where residents and vulnerable people. million dwelling; passengers can’t board trains because ii) an independent benefit (as is they are full. The motion proposes more Motion legally possible now without electrification and more rolling stock to Current HO607 government approval), direct alleviate this problem. from a local authority’s General HO607. As an immediate response to Motion Fund and separate to Council Tax concerns about the fairness of Council regulations, paid direct to Council Current TR233 Tax, and to the growing housing crisis Tax accounts, to ensure that with (particularly in London and the South TR233 The Green Party will give high the above rise, the vast majority East), Greens support the following priority to introducing new rail services (those with the lowest value modifications to Council Tax/National and increasing the capacity of existing dwellings) will pay less than they Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) as a transi- services, by: did beforehand; tional move towards the introduction a. Adding more tracks and grade c) maximum Council Tax Reduction of Land Value Taxation: separated junctions to existing for all households to be 100%, a) no exemptions or reductions for lines. preventing charges for the poorest empty or underused properties households, whatever age; b. Reintroducing passengers to lines (including business premises and that at present are used only for d) all land holding bodies, public, second homes), with the exception freight. (see TR351) Housing Association or private, of the single person occupancy c. Major investment in new rail discount for pensioners; shall be made liable for the payment of Council Tax/NNDR for infrastructure, either along disused b) creation of new Council Tax bands all properties under their control lines where applicable, or by above H to ensure that as property (although this should not affect building new lines where these values get progressively higher so reliefs currently given to charities, would serve perceived demand. does the tax paid on them; non-profit making bodies and small d. Opening additional stations to give c) reform of the multiplier rates rural businesses); all communities reasonable access applied to the bands, to make the e) all Council Tax bills will be subject to the rail service. tax paid more proportionate to the to a basic minimum, regardless of Insert at end of TR 233 value of the house; location. e) Building more rolling stock to d) all land holding bodies, public, Amendment 1 relieve overcrowding and handle Housing Association or private, increasing demand. shall be made liable for the Brian Heatley, Alan Francis, Sam Riches, payment of Council Tax/NNDR for David Smith, Jonathan Essex. Current TR240 all properties under their control Delete TR240 Other rail infrastructure that (although this should not affect has suffered chronic under-investment ‘Delete current HO607 and replace reliefs currently given to charities, in the past, such as rails, signalling, etc,

33 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 will be given greater priority, to bring Changes to the legal system under legal aid, enable access to appropriate the level of the service back to a safe the Coalition have been a disaster legal advice and/or representation. provision. (see TR204) for workers, victims, those accused, Insert new RR413: youth & adult offenders, and ethnic Insert at end of TR240 minorities. The Green Party’s already RR413 The Green Party recognises the The programme of electrification of rail comprehensive policies on crime, importance of challenges to adminis- lines will be speeded up. justice and workers’ rights issues need trative decisions, and is committed minor updating to respond to changes to the provision of funding to enable proposed and introduced by the representation for disputes concerning C7. Enabling motion for an Coalition. housing, the police and in bringing Equality & Diversity policy benefits challenges. Motion chapter In Crime & Justice In Rights and Responsibilities (5765 points in the prioritisation ballot) Delete current CJ315 (ii), which reads Current RR410-412: Fiona Costello*, Samir A Jeraj, Andrea as follows: “A fully independent police Grainger, Deborah Fenney, Georgia RR410 The Green Party believes fair and complaints procedure” Elander, James Shipley, Jasmine equal access to Justice is essential to a Replace with new CJ315(ii) as follows: “A Heywood, Lewis Coyne, Lindsay Melia, civilized society. fully and comprehensively independent Lucas Armitage, Luke Ilott, Manishta RR411 The Green Party supports a right approach to investigations of police Sunnia, Matthew Genn, Mehreen to legal representation and advice. criminality and corruption, incorpo- Rahman, Sabrina Poole, Sahaya James, rating transparency in ensuring police Sam Coates, Sebastian Power, Shihab RR412 Where a person would otherwise are charged and investigated in the Basit, Sophie van der Ham, Thom not be able to access legal advice and same manner as all other citizens of French, Thomas Hathway, Thomas representation and is in need. The state the UK.” Pashby should, through a system of legal aid, enable accesses to legal advice and Add new section entitled ‘Prosecution Synopsis representation.” of Financial Sector Fraud’ at CJ700: This is an enabling motion to commit Rename the section RR 410-412, “Access “CJ700 The Green Party would legislate the party to introduce an Equality & to Justice” and: to provide for the proper and robust Diversity policy chapter. While Green prosecution of those who commit Party E&D policies are generally good, In RR410 move the “and between fair financial sector and banking fraud they are scattered among different and equal to follow equal and insert and participate in the mis-selling of chapters. Other aspects are still a comma between then, then insert financial products.” missing. This motion seeks to rectify “prompt” after the and so that it reads: these flaws to emphasise our commit- Workers’ Rights & Employment The Green Party believes fair, equal and ment to equality and diversity. prompt access to justice is essential to Current WR501 Motion a civilized society. WR501 Implementation of the new This conference instructs Policy At the end of RR411 insert “and would legislation will be in the hands of people Committee to initiate a policy develop- provide support for law centres and directly effected by those decisions. By ment process to bring a proposal for other institutions offering free legal creating a separate system of industrial an Equality & Diversity policy chapter advice” tribunals and labour courts, we will to a future Conference. The policy take employment law out of the hands So that it reads: development process will be carried of the existing judiciary. out by a working group, which should RR411 The Green Party supports a right Add additional wording to the end of seek the opinions and involvement of to legal representation and advice and WR501: members of the Party with an interest would provide support for law centres or expertise in this field, as well as and other institutions offering free Until such reforms can be implemented, the views of outside professional and legal advice. the Green Party will reduce employ- ment tribunal fees to an acceptable campaigning bodies. At the start of RR412 insert “Access to level to ensure such tribunals remain justice should not depend on a person’s accessible to all workers. financial situation.” Following the final C8. Crime & Justice, Workers “and” insert “/or”. Add new WR471: Rights & Employment, ECHR and Rights & Responsibilities So that it reads: WR471 The Green Party deplores the watering-down of key health and safety RR412 Access to justice should not (5505 points in the prioritisation ballot) protections effected by the passage of depend on a person’s financial situation. s.69 Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Charley Pattison*, Darren Hall, Rob Where a person would not otherwise Act 2013 and would reinstate the Telford, Robert Triggs, Stephen Clarke. be able to access it, the state should, protections previously afforded by s.47 Synopsis through a comprehensive system of

34 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 by tions and small businesses to their children at birth if a child cannot repealing s.69 ERRA 2013. ensure energy bills are brought be clearly assigned a gender, and for under control; passports to allow a third option of X ECH b) to ensure homes can be kept warm gender that individuals can chose as Add new RR402 as follows and affordably; their own. renumber current RR402-404 accord- c) to provide grants to improve the After RR509, Insert New Heading “Trans ingly: energy efficiency of fuel poor rights” WR402 Where domestic remedies households; Insert new RR520 are exhausted, the Green Party fully d) to subsidise where needed the supports the right of appeal to, and interest rates paid on energy The Green Party supports the removal the primacy of, the European Court of efficiency loans for owners of of the “spousal veto”, where trans Human Rights in Strasbourg. buildings; individuals require written permission from their partner for their marriage e) to support heat network develop- to continue if they obtain a gender ment; C9. A carbon tax and dividend recognition certificate. f) to help industry change to a low (5494 points in the prioritisation ballot) carbon economy.] Insert new RR521 Paul Jenkins*, Clive Lord, David Flint, The process of transitioning through Debbie Gallagher, Joel Moreland, Lee C10. Gender Rights the NHS should empower rather than Irving, Linda Whitebread demean trans people. Gender Identity Synopsis Composite Clinics should consult service users on (5483 points in the prioritisation ballot) how to better recognise trans people’s A carbon tax and dividend could own expertise and experience in service be implemented rapidly since the [SOC has composited two motions provision. structures for taxing mined and which both seek to amend the same imported carbon are already in place. It chapter of PfSS – the synopsis of Insert new RR522 would cost the country nothing, and yet both is included below. The full list of The NHS should better recognise the could result in significant reductions in proposers and the original text of the increasing need for Gender Identity emissions, incentives for green innova- whole motion is included in Appendix 2 Clinics and increase service provision, tion and a redistribution of wealth from of this agenda.] across the country rich to poor. Synopsis Insert new RR523 Motion Provision for genderless birth registra- The NHS should remove barriers to Insert new CC292 tion and an X gender on passports – accessing services for trans people, New RR421. CC292 In its first year a Green Govern- with thorough review of access to ment would put in place a revenue German law allows parents to choose services for Children and Young People neutral carbon tax and dividend. This not to nominate the gender of children and for those who have self prescribed would levy a tax on carbon at source at birth. This allows legal recognition or self funded gender treatment in the or as it comes into the country. The for intersex individuals, or children UK or abroad proceeds of this tax would be distrib- born without clearly determinable Insert new RR524 uted in equal dividends, paid monthly anatomical sex of male/female. (About to each adult resident of the UK. The 1 in 1,500 babies.) Australia has allowed The Green Party would push for carbon tax would be phased out once individuals to choose a third, undefined, root and branch efforts to address the system of tradable quotas is in X gender on passports transphobia in society, initiating public place. education programs both in schools Trans Rights – RR520 onwards. and wider society. Current anti-discrim- [Policy Committee Comment - This More work needs to be done to address ination legislation should be reviewed motion is conflicts with EN910, which transphobia within society. The party so as to provide protection to all trans proposes other ways to use carbon taxes: must adopt comprehensive policy on individuals. Current exemptions to EN910 In order to stimulate demand how to address societal discrimination, anti-discrimination legislation should reduction and efficiency, a Green and ease provision to health care, work be scrapped government will use revenues from and education for trans people. carbon quotas (see CC290), the carbon Motion floor price and other energy taxes to C11. Peace and Defence create a revolving energy efficiency After RR420, Insert new RR421 and Enabling Motion renumber subsequent paragraphs fund. Energy taxes are estimated to (5382 points in the prioritisation ballot) raise around £260 billion between RR241 The Green Party calls on the Chris Burdess *, Eddy Canfor-Dumas​, 2013-2027. This will be used: UK government to allow parents to Jacquetta Fewster, Jonathan Aylett, Paul choose not to nominate the gender of a) for homes, community organisa- Jenkins, Tony Cooper, Vickie Elcoate.

35 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Synopsis Motion either work through electing the whole council at once or by electing half the No synopsis supplied Insert new AR412 and renumber council at each election to enable accordingly: The Green Party will make Motion elections to take place more frequently. it illegal to import and/or sell foie gras Final decisions on these matters should We hereby propose a motion to review and any product that is the result of reflect local circumstances. The Consti- the Peace & Defence chapter of Green force-feeding. Party policy, to achieve the following tutional Commission will oversee the goals: establishment of AMS voting systems for local authorities across the country • Update the chapter to more C13. Democratic Reform Composite and work out the exact details. It will adequately reflect the current need to consider what proportion of state of national defence, including (5125 points in the prioritisation ballot) members should be elected from the realistic threats [SOC has composited two motions top-up list in order to achieve propor- • Provide a rationale of the ethical which both seek to amend the same tional outcomes. and environmental implications of chapter of PfSS – the synopsis of And replace with the modalities of defence and how both is included below. The full list of these would be managed under a PA305 The most appropriate system for proposers and the original text of the Green government elections to local Government is the whole motion is included in Appendix 2 Single Transferable Vote (STV). Electors • Remove any inflammatory wording of this agenda.] in order not to alienate those in the would have one ballot paper and rank defence and diplomatic communi- Synopsis their candidates in order of preference. ties Subsections 1,2,3 and 5. Multiple councillors would be elected for each ward. STV could either work • Ensure that all policies are These policy changes are mixed - the through electing the whole council rigorously evidence-based and first (changing from AMS to STV for at once or by electing half the council remove obsolete elements local elections only) puts us in line with at each election to enable elections The background to this review is other democratic reform organisations. to take place more frequently. Final summarised in the Peace & Defence Randomising ballot papers, lowering decisions on these matters should section of the policy discussion website. the bar for recall elections and use of reflect local circumstances. The Consti- the open space model are all to improve This review will also consider whether tutional Commission will oversee the our democratic offer. the following issues should become establishment of STV voting systems part of policy: Subsection 4 for local authorities across the country and work out the exact details. It will Amend provisions regarding recall building one or more hospital ships to need to consider whether wards should of Green Councillors so that they are provide worldwide humanitarian aid be subdivided between councillors in line with that of Green MPs, and and support to give better representation to local consistent levels of accountability to addressing the monopoly of BAE concerns. voters maintained. Systems Subsection 2: Motion other peacebuilding measures and Insert new PA309 into the Policies for a Subsection 1: changes to treaties Sustainable Society (PfSS): Remove current PA305: PA309 Ballot papers will be randomised. C12. Foie Gras PA305 The most appropriate system Candidates will appear in a randomly for elections to local Government is selected order, not by any alphabetical (2980 points in the prioritisation ballot) the Additional Member System (AMS). or political denominator. Ronald Lee*, Ben Samuel, Ged Hickman, Electors would vote on two ballots: one Subsection 3: Jake Welsh, Louise Ryan, Mark Dawes, for the party of their first choice and Peter Barnett, Samuel Gurney, Shihab the other for their ward councillor(s). In Current PA254: Basit, Suzie Baumgardt, Tim Turner, Councillors would be elected from wards PA254 Government at all levels should Vivien Pomfrey. as under first past the post, but each be accountable to electors between Synopsis party’s representation would be topped elections. Accordingly, necessary legisla- up on a council-wide basis to bring its Foie gras is produced by the cruel force- tive steps will be taken to provide for number of seats up to its proportion of feeding of ducks and geese in order to any representative’s electors to be able votes polled, provided that proportion enlarge their liver. The birds are then to petition for the recall of any elected was above a minimum qualifying level slaughtered and the livers ‘harvested’. person. Specifically, a petition signed by of 3% of votes polled. AMS would result Production of foie gras is already 40% of the registered electors within in more proportional outcomes than banned in Britain but its importation an MP’s constituency will trigger a STV and would enable smaller, more and sale are still permitted. recall by-election. Until this legislation localized wards to be used. AMS could is passed, Green MPs will voluntarily

36 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 resign and trigger a by-election, if they to do so (see PA254). The Green Party it reads: are presented with a valid recall petition recommends that all of its prospec- PA914 Individual Councillors will signed by 40% of the registered electors tive councillors at future elections make themselves available for recall within their constituency. In the event should voluntarily subject themselves when petitioned to do so (see PA254). of the elected representative having to recall. Where the prescribed The Green Party expects that all of been elected by the Additional Member percentage of 20% of any councillor’s its prospective councillors at future System, the recalled representative electors petition for recall the party elections should voluntarily subject would be replaced by the next person will (a) either organise a recall ballot themselves to recall. Where the on their party list not to have been of all the councillors’ electors, (which prescribed percentage of 40% of any elected. will be supervised by independent councillor’s electors petition for recall persons of known integrity), and then Replace all references to “40%” to “20%” the party will (a) either organise a encourage the councillors to comply so that it reads: recall ballot of all the councillors’ with the result of any such ballot, or (b) electors, (which will be supervised Proposed motion: PA254 Government urge its councillors to resign and fight a by independent persons of known at all levels should be accountable to by-election. integrity), the result of which council- electors between elections. Accord- Subsection 4: lors will comply with, or (b) its council- ingly, necessary legislative steps will lors will resign and fight a by-election. be taken to provide for any representa- Current PA913 tive’s electors to be able to petition Subsection 5: PA913 The council can facilitate and for the recall of any elected person. make itself accountable to referenda Current PA102 The highest form of Specifically, a petition signed by 20% and citizen’s initiatives. Where elected, democracy is direct participation. This of the registered electors within an Green councillors will urge their local is best achieved through the decentrali- MP’s constituency will trigger a recall authorities to themselves, in advance sation of society, so that decisions can by-election. Until this legislation is of any changes in the law, set up be made through face to face discus- passed, Green MPs will voluntarily the machinery for citizen referenda sion. All the major political decisions resign and trigger a by-election, if they and citizen initiative as described which affect our lives should ideally are presented with a valid recall petition in PA252-253above; to publicise this, be made with our active participation, signed by 20% of the registered electors to implement this and, subject to the which requires open and informed within their constituency. In the event existing law, to accept the results debate rather than simply voting of the elected representative having of such referenda and initiatives as without discussion. This requires that been elected by the Additional Member binding. In such cases the prescribed all economic and social activity should System, the recalled representative number of signatures required on a be carried out on a human scale; that would be replaced by the next person citizen petition for either a referendum is, in a way that allows individuals and on their party list not to have been or an initiative shall be 20% of the groups access to, and influence over, elected. electorate. such decisions. Direct democracy will encourage cross-party cooperation In the first sentence of PA913 by change and weaken the hold of ideologies and In current PA914 Individual Council- ‘can’ to ‘should’, so that it reads: factions. lors can make themselves available for PA913 The council should facilitate and recall when petitioned to do so (see Add at the end of PA102: The Green make itself accountable to referenda PA254). The Green Party recommends Party recommends use of the open and citizen’s initiatives. Where elected, that all of its prospective councillors space model for developing inclusive Green councillors will urge their local at future elections should voluntarily democratic decision-making in local authorities to themselves, in advance subject themselves to recall. Where communities. of any changes in the law, set up the prescribed percentage of 40% of the machinery for citizen referenda any councillor’s electors petition for and citizen initiative as described recall the party will (a) either organise C14. Regional Government in in PA252-253above; to publicise this, a recall ballot of all the councillors’ to implement this and, subject to the England electors, (which will be supervised existing law, to accept the results (4857 points in the prioritisation ballot) by independent persons of known of such referenda and initiatives as integrity), and then encourage the Matthew Townsend*, Andrew Gray, Ash binding. In such cases the prescribed councillors to comply with the result of Haynes, Larissa Hansford, Samir Jeraj. number of signatures required on a any such ballot, or (b) urge its council- citizen petition for either a referendum Synopsis lors to resign and fight a by-election. or an initiative shall be 20% of the Our policies contain references to a Replace reference to “40%” with “20%” electorate. number of institutions which have so that it reads: Current PA914 as in subsection 3 above. been abolished including the Regional Proposed motion: PA914 Individual Government Offices, Regional Develop- Replace “can” with “will”, and Councillors can make themselves ment Agencies and Regional Chambers. “recommends” with “expects” so that available for recall when petitioned This motion seeks to remove these

37 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 references while retaining the intention In PA411 replace: C16. Updating our of the policy to support regional devolu- “These regional assemblies would take co-operative policies tion in England. over the powers of the GRO, RDA, the (4776 points in the prioritisation ballot) Motion existing Regional Chamber and other Ed Jones*, Daniel Key, Dave Boyle, David existing QUANGOs” Original PA410: Walker, Kate Whittle, Martin Childs with PA410 Many Government functions are Synopsis already organised on a regional basis “These regional assemblies would take Greens are supportive of co-operatives through the Regional Government over the powers of region-wide non but our policies don’t always match Offices (GRO), the Regional Develop- governmental agencies” up to real, practical solutions to the ment Agencies (RDA), the Regional So that it reads: problems people face in converting Chambers (RCh) and numerous other and running co-ops. After a fringe regional QUANGOs. Public acceptance PA411 These regional assemblies would event on co-operatives and consulting of these agencies, and their subsequent take over the powers of region-wide many co-operative academics, practi- usefulness, varies from region to region, non governmental agencies, and adapt tioners and Green Party members, the depending on how closely the regions their existing bureaucracies to serve the following policies have been developed. correlate to natural and cultural areas new Assembly. Funding would, in the which people identify themselves as initial stages, come from diverting the [SOC Note, this motion contained 8 living within. Any such region should existing block grant regional funding additional sections marked “synopsis” be able to decide, via a referendum of allocated by central Government. the maximum length for a synopsis for the citizens living within it, to create a a motion is 50 words, and as such, these additional synopses have been cut for directly elected regional assembly as an C15. Constitutional Reform additional tier of government. being over the word limit.] (Enabling Motion) In PA410 Delete Motion (4816 points in the prioritisation ballot) “Many Government functions are Insert new section at the end of John Andrews*, Helen Thompson, John already organised on a regional basis Education Chapter: Youatt, Katharina Boettge, Lorraine through the Regional Government Andrews, Mike Shipley. Co-operative Education Offices (GRO), the Regional Develop- ment Agencies (RDA), the Regional Synopsis ED270 Learning about co-operation will be embedded in the curriculum. Schools Chambers (RCh) and numerous other The point of this proposal is to write a will provide co-operative education regional QUANGOs. Public acceptance draft constitution which would provide through academic and practical work. of these agencies, and their subsequent the means for the Greens to immedi- This will encourage children not only usefulness, varies from region to region, ately implement their policies once to learn the history and theory of depending on how closely the regions they were elected to government. co-operatives but also to practically correlate to natural and cultural areas As the public would have to vote for apply this knowledge, for example in which people identify themselves as such a government the draft constitu- the creation of small workers’ or multi- living within.” tion would therefore also have public stakeholder co-operatives. This will help support. and remove the word “such” from the build the skills, knowledge and experi- next sentence, leaving the rest of PA410 Motion ence of co-operative working to transi- intact. This enabling motion requests confer- tion to a more co-operative economy So that it reads: ence to approve a formal review of ED271 We will significantly increase the PA410 Any region should be able to the Party’s general position regarding learning about co-operatives in higher decide, via a referendum of the citizens a written constitution, and especially education. Business and manage- living within it, to create a directly policies PA200 and PA201. The review ment qualifications will give the same elected regional assembly as an would include the preparation by Party emphasis to co-operative and mutual additional tier of government. members of a draft constitution for the business models as to mainstream proper government of Britain written profit-making enterprises. Higher and Original PA411 in line with the policies and principles further education institutions will PA411 These regional assemblies would of the Green Party as laid down in the promote co-operative and mutual take over the powers of the GRO, RDA, Policies for a Sustainable Society. business models to students as part of the existing Regional Chamber and [Policy Committee Comment: This career discussions. Higher education other existing QUANGOs, and adapt motion contains conflicts/implications establishments will explore with their existing bureaucracies to serve the for publicly elected green representa- co-operatives the potential for intern- new Assembly. Funding would, in the tives who have been taking part in the ships, mentoring and other collabora- initial stages, come from diverting the campaign for the People’s Constitu- tions. existing block grant regional funding tional Convention.] ED272 The potential will be explored allocated by central Government.

38 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 for different types of schools, colleges funding the co-operative development We will introduce an optional asset lock and universities to adopt co-operative fund would be explored, for example for co-operative societies to provide a principles and values, integrating through small levies on co-operative statutory underpinning for indivisible co-operation into all aspects of profits and/or registration fees reserves. This reinvestment lock will be the educational institution. Multi- tax advantaged for small co-operatives [SOC Note – there was a section of this stakeholder governance of co-operative to help finance their own long term motion which related to the Health educational institutions could be growth. Chapter, this has been moved to encouraged where appropriate and become amendment 16 of the Section In current FR330 with sufficient safeguards. See also B fast Track review of the Health Policy.] ED079. FR330 Encourage the creation of In current EC656 community forests, owned, managed In Current EC657: and used by the local population, Demutualisation EC657 We would introduce a coopera- thereby enhancing local employment tive development fund operating EC656 We will repeal the laws that opportunities. Community forests mainly through local authorities to enable building societies and other are very common on the Continent, provide initial capital on a matched existing mutual organisations to be being managed by a local committee, funding basis for new cooperatives in changed into public limited companies. community association or local the financial and other sectors. Delete and replace with: authority. The local coordinator could seek the involvement of schools, local Delete from “on a matched funding EC656 We will strengthen common- clubs and institutes, voluntary groups, basis” and insert as below: ownership legislation and make naturalists etc. and publicise the work EC657 We would introduce a it harder for mutual organisatons, being done. co-operative development fund including building societies, to After “local employment opportunities” operating mainly through local author- demutualize, including providing insert the following: ities to provide initial capital, through optional asset locks for co-operatives. loans and/or grants, for new coopera- However, we recognise the fourth “Communities often feel a passionate tives in the financial and other sectors. co-operative principle of autonomy connection to their local woodlands This fund would work with co-operative and independence, and acknowledge and this can be further encouraged development agencies (WR635) to that co-operatives must maintain through support for community provide training and consultancy for democratic control by their members co-operative ownership or leasing of co-operative start-ups and conversions and their co-operative autonomy. local woodlands.” as well as to assist already established After current EC712 insert new: So that it reads: co-operatives to expand and develop. Loans would be offered at preferential EC713 Tax relief has been offered to FR330 Encourage the creation of rates – and grants given if necessary support many activities, and it has community forests, owned, managed – to ensure that new and expanding had the unhelpful effect of providing and used by the local population, co-operatives do not struggle to cover loopholes that are disproportionately thereby enhancing local employment interest repayments, undermining their employed by wealthier people and opportunities. Communities often feel sustainability, as well as to ensure that making the tax system overly complex. a passionate connection to their local co-operatives can build up reserves so We do note, however, the social benefit woodlands and this can be further they can further expand themselves. of gift aid; and of tax relief for invest- encouraged through support for Other ways to raise appropriate capital ment in early stage and small social, community co-operative ownership or would also be looked at, especially to co-operative and innovative enterprises leasing of local woodlands. Community ensure co-operative development in (for example, using community shares). forests are very common on the areas of high deprivation which might We will seek to target these more Continent, being managed by a local not otherwise be able to match funding, effectively on businesses that deliver committee, community association or such as community shares, loan stock, the strongest social and environmental local authority. The local coordinator preferential loans and direct grant benefits; and ensure that venture capital could seek the involvement of schools, provision where appropriate. Different tax relief is not more generous than gift local clubs and institutes, voluntary governance models of the co-operative aid, nor so strong an inducement as to groups, naturalists etc. and publicise development fund would be explored, significantly draw savings away from the work being done. community banks. Tax relief will be for example drawing on the Italian In current model, where some co-operative introduced on profits and/or incomes development funds are owned and reinvested to assist co-operative conver- FR331 Encourage the creation of local managed by local co-operatives to sions. Tax advantages will exist for marketing cooperatives and tree banks ensure local accountability, or they outgoing owners who sell their shares for small woodland growers. to a common pool or trust which will could be co-owned by local authorities After “marketing” insert “and coppicing” and co-operatives as multi-stakeholder gradually convert the enterprise into a co-operatives. Alternative methods of co-operative with indivisible ownership And the end add: of assets for the benefit of employees.

39 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 “, and incentivise councils to provide hierarchical approach to work. We Synopsis forested land in their control over to also encourage co-operatives to have Education, training and experience such cooperatives, where appropriate strong links with the community and related to co-operatives can not be and with sufficient safeguards.” the people they trade with, and to taken for granted for most of us. encourage and enable high levels of So that it reads: Starting-up or buying a business is member participation. often not easy, a co-operative start up/ FR331 Encourage the creation of local In current WR633 delete the “non” buyout presents additional challenges marketing and coppicing coopera- before hierarchical and replace with without a supporting tradition. This tives as well as tree banks for small “less” so that it reads: motion expands on how to make worker woodland growers, and incentivise buy-outs practically work. councils to provide forested land in WR633 We support the formation their control over to such cooperatives, and growth of cooperatives as a way Motion where appropriate and with sufficient of encouraging a democratic and less Original WR610: safeguards. hierarchical approach to work. We also encourage co-operatives to have WR610 We will grant employees In current EC655 strong links with the community and the legal right to buy out their EC655 We favour the development the people they trade with, and to companies and turn them into workers of more cooperative and mutual encourage and enable high levels of co-operatives. Buy outs would be economic enterprises, whether worker member participation. funded by a Green National Invest- cooperatives owned and controlled by ment Bank and contingent on the Current FA443 their workers, or consumer coopera- co-ops following green and ethical tives, owned and controlled by their FA443 The Green Party will encourage policies. These co-operatives would customers, including mutual financial community supported agriculture, localise economic decision-making and institutions like building societies and including farm and community box give employees incentives for greater mutual insurers, and sporting clubs schemes, local farmers’ markets and productivity. owned by their supporters. other direct links between growers Delete WR610 and replace with: and local consumers. We will assist Add at the end: locally owned and controlled organic WR610 Financial support by a Green “or multi-stakeholder co-operatives marketing cooperatives. (See also Investment Bank and training by owned by different stakeholders. We CY521) co-operative development agencies recognise the multitude of different (WR635) will be introduced to promote Add at the end: “We will also develop co-operative models and the need and assist worker buyouts under certain the role of agricultural co-operatives to treat different types and sizes of circumstances to localise economic in supporting independent farmers to co-operatives with different policy decision-making and give employees be sustainable and viable through the instruments.” incentives for greater productivity. adoption of innovations in technology, The Green Party acknowledges that So that it reads: technique and commercial practice.” employee buyouts of businesses must EC655 We favour the development So that it reads: come from the workers themselves and of more cooperative and mutual cannot be imposed from above. Those FA443 The Green Party will encourage economic enterprises, whether worker circumstances include: when an owner community supported agriculture, cooperatives owned and controlled retires, if a sufficient majority of the including farm and community box by their workers, consumer coopera- relevant workers or customers agree schemes, local farmers’ markets and tives, owned and controlled by their (EC658), a business designated as too other direct links between growers customers, mutual financial institu- big to fail, a business needing special and local consumers. We will assist tions like building societies, credit powers that would not normally be locally owned and controlled organic unions and mutual insurers owned by granted i.e. a monopolistic position marketing cooperatives. (See also their savers, community cooperatives in the market. A Statutory Right to CY521) We will also develop the role of owned by the community, sporting Request employee ownership during agricultural co-operatives in supporting clubs owned by their supporters or business succession will be introduced, independent farmers to be sustainable multi-stakeholder co-operatives owned giving first right to the workforce and/ and viable through the adoption of by different stakeholders. We recognise or the community to buy it before innovations in technology, technique the multitude of different co-operative being sold privately. Pilot schemes and commercial practice. models and the need to treat different supporting employee buyouts will be types and sizes of co-operatives with introduced for firms facing uncertain different policy instruments. C17. Worker Buyout Motion or unfavourable business succession, Current WR633 or are at an early stage of risk around (4675 points in the prioritisation ballot) insolvency. Existing regulations for WR633 We support the formation and Ed Jones*, Daniel Key, Dave Boyle, Kate company reporting would be amended growth of cooperatives as a way of Whittle, Tom Chance. to improve the possibility of rescue encouraging a democratic and non- by employee buyout at an early stage

40 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 of risk of succession or insolvency. Edwards, Anne Gray, Caroline Allen, Rojava and negotiating with the Employees would be treated as key Emily Blyth, John Street, Les Levidow, Kurdish communities for a full and insider stakeholders and should be kept Peter Allen, Robert Price, Ronald Lee. just peace settlement. informed of the situation. Loans will be Synopsis 2 The Green Party of England and made available by the Green Invest- Wales supports the campaign This motion promotes solidarity with ment Bank to assist worker buyouts, to delist the PKK from the list of the Kurds in Rojava where they are which could be repaid through payroll European Union and UK terrorist promoting a self-governing ecological recovery and/or by the company as a organisations. whole. Workers receiving redundancy society, feminism and pluralism. Rojava 3 The Green Party of England and payments from a business closing is under attack by Islamic fundamental- Wales will promote greater down will also be able to convert ists and should be given solidarity. understanding and solidarity with them, tax free, into money to buy the Motion Rojava.” business. To assist worker buyouts tax relief would be given both to Add into RoPS workers buying out the company and “On Rojava and the Kurds C20. Mandatory Reporting employers/shareholders selling the Background of Child Abuse in Regulated company during business succession. Activities A process will be established which The Kurds of Syria created a values the businesses independently to self-governing territory in 2012, known (4417 points in the prioritisation ballot) ensure fair valuation. as Rojava (Western Kurdistan, Syria), David Holt*, David Stringer, Emma which includes three cantons, Kobane, Carter, Lindsay Melia. [Policy Committee Comment: This Afrin and Jazire. Rojava, while predomi- motion has significant implications for Synopsis nantly Kurdish contains communi- public spending.] ties self-identifying as Syriacs, Arabs, This is a motion to add Mandatory Armenians, Christians and other groups Reporting of Child Abuse in Regulated Activities to our list of national strate- C18. Removing out of date The largest political party in Rojava, the Peoples Democratic Union (PYD), is the gies for the prevention of child abuse. references from Migration sister Party of the Kurdistan Workers Motion Policy Party (PKK). Both political parties are (4578 points in the prioritisation ballot) inspired by the ideas of the social Insert after SW315: Benali Hamdache*, Anne Hamdache, ecologist Murray Bookchin and the SW316 The Green Party calls for Ernestas Jegorovas, Glen Jankowski, Jake writings of Abdullah Ocalan. Rojava Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Pentland, Deborah Fenney, Manishta is being governed with attention to in Regulated Activities to be made law. Sunnia principles shared with our Green Mandatory Reporting would make Party including grassroots democracy, it a legal duty for all staff working in Synopsis ecological economics and social regulated activity to report to the local MG403 refers to scrapping the primary justice. Rojava promotes secularism, authority and police known abuse or purpose rule - where migrants were not pluralism and feminism. Described reasonable suspicion of abuse. allowed to come to the UK for the sole by some as the Chiapas of the Middle SW317 All staff working in contact with basis of marrying their spouse. This rule East it is a beacon of hope not only in children who have to complete CRB was removed in 1997 by Labour. Our the region but globally Sadly relations forms to have training in recognising policy needs to be updated to reflect with neighbour Turkey are tense and the early signs of child abuse, and the that. Rojava has been assaulted by Islamic routes to reporting. fundamentalists belonging to the so Motion called Islamic State. SW318 Legislation to protect whistle- Current MG403 blowers who come in to contact with It is vital that the Green Party of children, to empower them to report MG403 We will abolish the ‘primary England and Wales shows solidarity incidents without fear of the impact on purpose’ rule under which partners are with Rojava, defends their revolution, their own position.” refused entry if it is thought that the supports its Charter and self-autonomy primary purpose of relationship is for based on pluralism, freedom of belief, them to gain entry to the UK. gender equality and democracy as a C21. Proposed addition model for all of Syria and learns more Delete MG403. about this rare example of an attempt to Workers’ Rights and to create a sustainable,self-governing Employment Policy; section C19. Rojava and the and feminist society. on International Action Kurds 1 The Green Party of England and (4292 points in the prioritisation ballot) Wales calls on Turkey to recognise (4483 points in the prioritisation ballot) Nicola Dodgson*, Chris Crook, Colin Kurdish aspirations for peace and Maunder, Susan Fenton. Derek Wall*, Adam Ramsay, Alcuin self-determination, recognising

41 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Synopsis Asia Floor Wage Alliance, and from the Insurance. This would encourage International Labour Organisation. This employment as against using Sets out aims to raise standards of public body should also have authority machinery, help small employers with treatment and pay for producers and to act on complaints (including from the minimum wage, improve equality manufacturers abroad through the use the workers covered by the legislation, and be consistent with a contributions of domestic legislation. This could be and auditors raising concerns), and independent welfare system. enacted before global labour standards conduct investigations and inspections are agreed, but later amended to reflect Motion which may serve as evidence in court. improvements achieved through Insert after EC271 and re-number international negotiation. WR687: Where the retailer is not the direct commissioner or purchaser of the EC272. We would also abolish Motion goods grown, produced or manufac- Employers’ National Insurance, perhaps Insert new heading at end of Workers’ tured abroad, it is the company who in stages. We would increase corpora- Rights & Employment “International directly purchases from the producers/ tion tax and other business taxes to Action” manufacturers- and therefore can compensate. Insert: directly affect the conditions of the [Policy Committee Comment, This workers- which would be subject to motion has significant implications for WR682: The Green Party will aim to this legislation when the goods are government finances.] take action domestically, in the form of eventually sold in the UK. Only where legislation, to offer greater protection to it can be demonstrated that the producers and manufacturers working purchasing company had no inclination C23. Industrial development abroad, prior to the establishment of that the retailer would be selling in the global agreements on pay and working and Environmental UK would the retailer be considered to Degradation conditions, and whilst the empower- have acted unlawfully. ment of the workers themselves is still (3965 points in the prioritisation ballot) to be achieved. This will involve placing WR688: If the provisions of such legisla- Philip Mitchell*, John Warnock, Julie responsibility for the workers’ pay and tion were to conflict with the terms of Daniels, Karen Merritt, Nicole Haydock. conditions on companies who wish to international trade agreements, the have their goods sold in the UK. Green Party would seek to renegotiate Synopsis those agreements in line with these No synopsis supplied. WR683: The legislation would provisions. require companies to show- through Motion independent, publically available WR689: This domestic legislation auditing- that people producing or may be superseded and appropriately Insert into RoPS: updated once global standards have manufacturing goods abroad which “Industrial development and Environ- been agreed regarding workers rights are to be sold in the UK have not been mental Degradation subjected to lower standards of rights and a global minimum wage (as per The Green party strongly affirms that & welfare at work than that set out in WR364), and the role of the public body natural resources, particularly water, law for UK workers, and that provisions established later updated to oversee fertile agricultural land, and habitats, are in place to protect them from this. these new standards. Whilst work on these goals progresses, domestic action are precious resources that must be WR684: Specifics of the legislation is a means by which progress can be preserved for future generations. New would include, but not be limited to, made in improving corporate legal industries such as fracking and GM working hours and overtime, child responsibility, and the lives of workers crops threaten these resources, whilst labour, health & safety standards directly affected by our purchases in in many areas existing industries are (including COSHH and the use of the UK. already having an undesirable impact banned chemicals), working conditions, upon them. discrimination and victimisation. To reverse this trend, and to promote WR685: It would also include an obliga- C22. Abolition of Employers’ the transition to a low-carbon economy, tion to ensure payment to workers of National Insurance the Green Party of England and Wales a wage which is determined a living (4404 points in the prioritisation ballot) will promote the novel concept of wage for the country in which the ‘Clean Enterprise Zones’ (ClenZes) Brian Heatley*, Anne Clements, David production, growth or manufacture of within which environmentally sensitive H Smith, George Graham, Julian Jones, goods takes place. industries (such as agriculture and Rupert Read, Tim Andrewes. WR686: The living wage for each country tourism), water resources, habitats, Synopsis should be calculated by a public body land and air quality are guaranteed established for the purpose, using as It is existing policy to combine National protection for future generations under a basis criteria and guidance from the Insurance with Income Tax. To abolish law. The boundaries of a ClenZ will be UK’s Living Wage Foundation and other National Insurance completely we also defined by environmental and public living wage campaigns such as the need to remove Employers’ National health criteria.

42 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Existing industries will be encour- Amendment 1 green spaces (including green belt aged to improve and diversify, whilst John Coyne, Sarah Jennings, Pam land if appropriate), and the origins of low-carbon industries of which there is Robinson, David Morgan. food, and enabling them to grow food substantive evidence of zero or benefi- at home, on allotments, or participate cial environmental or health impacts Delete the following text. in other community food-growing will be encouraged to locate to the area. “and together with plans for a Mersey- schemes. Biodiversity should be encouraged within the projects with Industries that directly threaten these side mayor are a distraction from the a variety of plant species so that the resources, for example by drilling need for an elected North West Regional non-human community also benefits. through aquifers, or by waste disposal Assembly with devolved powers. Those who take part in these growth would be specifically excluded on risk Slicing the region up into unaccount- projects should be able to share in the averse principles.” able city-states will not address the produce, and joining should be free to fundamental problems in the North enable the least well-off to participate. West. It will not provide the democratic C24. Coalition Government’s framework to address problems devolution plans for the across the whole of the Region such C26. Tidy up section about North West as transport, employment, planning, British nationality law energy and housing.” (3837 points in the prioritisation ballot) (3560 points in the prioritisation ballot) And add the following text at the end Matt Hanley*, Joe Ryan, Andrew Matthew Townsend*, Chris Burdess, Donnelly, Bernard Ekbery, Chris Loynes, “The Green Party believes that any Matthew Butcher, Peter Brookes. David Eatock, Howard Thorp, John future devolution to existing or new Synopsis Knight, Lindy Brett, Nicole Haydock, Viv local authorities should be consistent Preece. with regional devolution and that any The policy section about British nation- Synopsis changes to boundaries or aggregations ality law is currently confusingly of local authorities should be approved written. The aim is not to change the A workshop at a NWGP meeting in by referendums.” meaning of the policy but to make it November drafted a brief statement, easier to understand, and ultimately which formed the basis of this motion. It implement. Also, the Nationality section was felt that there is a need for a Green C25. Proposed addition to as a whole has not been reviewed in policy position to be developed on Food and Agriculture Policy; some time. George Osborne’s surprise November Localisation and Local Food ‘Devo Manc’ deal with the leaders of Motion section the Greater Manchester councils. Current NY511: (3798 points in the prioritisation ballot) Motion NY511 While recognising that the Nicola Dodgson*, Chris Crook, Colin Insert into RoPS: concept of nationality is inherently Maunder, Jonathan Essex, Susan Fenton. racially discriminatory, we will ensure We believe that the Coalition Govern- Synopsis that the system of conferring British ment’s devolution proposals for an nationality on those not in receipt This addition to existing policy aims to elected mayor of Greater Manchester of it at birth does not discriminate facilitate skill sharing, enabling people have no democratic mandate, and on grounds of race, colour, religion, to join in with producing local, seasonal together with plans for a Merseyside political belief, disability, sex or sexual and sustainable food, and reconnect mayor are a distraction from the need orientation between those who meet with food production. for an elected North West Regional one of the following conditions: Assembly with devolved powers. Motion a) Present or planned family relation- Slicing the region up into unaccount- After FA445, insert the following and ship (including extended family able city-states will not address the renumber subsequent sections as and non-married partnership) to an fundamental problems in the North appropriate: existing British national; West. It will not provide the democratic b) Asylum seekers. (see ‘Refugees and framework to address problems FA446: In order to provide skills and Asylum Seekers’ section). across the whole of the Region such land for localised food production, as transport, employment, planning, local authorities should be obliged Delete NY511 to guarantee funding to support, or energy and housing. Insert the following and renumber to organise, at least one community subsequent sections: In keeping with section PA410 of the skills and food sharing project in GPEW policy, the Green Party will each local authority area. The aims NY511 We will ensure that the system campaign for a referendum on an of such projects should be to provide of conferring British nationality does elected North West Regional Assembly, knowledge and skills for sustainable, not discriminate on grounds of race, with maximum devolution of powers organic, seasonal food growth to local colour, religion, political belief, disability, from Central Government. people, reconnecting them with nature, sex or sexual orientation.

43 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 NY512 We will ensure that British evenings, and structured learning will C29. Support for ILO169 nationality can be gained by those take place as it does in adult education, (3047 points in the prioritisation ballot) who are in a present or planned family including a wide variety of courses, life relationship (including extended family skills, practical and vocational training. Julia Lagoutte*, Diana Toynbee, Glen and non-married partnership) with an This will complement the Extended Jankowski, Heather Urquhart, Lewis existing British national. Schools programme which is primarily Coyne, William PinkneyBaird. for activities immediately after school. NY513 We will ensure that British Synopsis nationality can be gained by Asylum Delete ED030 and replace with: This is the only international law that seekers (see ‘Refugees and Asylum ED030 In addition to curricular recognises and protects the land rights Seekers’ section). education, a comprehensive and of indigenous people, whose existence Request that the Policy Committee inclusive youth service (Youth Provision) is intertwined from the preservation of review the Nationality policy as a will be provided for all between the natural habitats, and flora and fauna whole. ages of 11 and 20. This service will be conservation. Every country that signs staffed by fully trained youth workers it strengthens it. Amendment 1 and funded by County Councils as Motion Policy Committee a statutory service. It shall include Insert new IP227 into the Indigenous Rustam Majainah, Sam Riches, Brian but not be limited to: youth clubs, section of Green Party policy: Heatley, Alan Francis. youth councils, personal development courses, non-curricular education and IP227 The Green Party supports the UK Delete training. signing up to the International Labour “Request that the Policy Committee Organization Convention 169, the only Insert new ED031 review the Nationality policy as a international law that can secure tribal whole.” ED031 We would protect the funding people’s land rights of UK Youth Parliament and a yearly and replace with [SOC note, a section of this motion was debate in the House of Commons ruled out of order and can be found “Conference instructs Policy Committee chamber, to encourage participation in in the Out of Order Motions section to initiate a policy development process democracy from a young age. to bring a proposal for a Nationality towards the end of the agenda.] policy chapter to a future Conference. The policy development process will be C28. Remove out of date C30. Animal Liberation Policy carried out by a working group, which aviation paragraph should seek the opinions and involve- (3029 points in the prioritisation ballot) (3258 points in the prioritisation ballot) ment of members of the Party with an Andrea Grainger*, Emmanuel Blondel, Alan Francis*, Jay Ginn, Sam Riches, interest or expertise in this field, as well Ieuan King, Imogen Paternoster, Ronald Steve Dawe. as the views of outside professional Lee, Samuel Gurney. and campaigning bodies.”’ Synopsis Synopsis This paragraph of the aviation policy Better treatment of non-human is clearly dated and is proposed to be C27. ED030 Youth School life is a fundamental part of green removed. (3300 points in the prioritisation ballot) party philosophy. We have a number Motion of good policies addressing specific Dan Keen*, Chris Burdess, Hannah Clare, animal welfare abuses, and strong Hannah Graham, Jamie Jackson, Karen Current TR503 commitment to long-term review and Alexander, Lindsay Melia, Abigail Cutler, The air travel industry is growing improvement. However a commit- Aled Horler, Jaspreet Mahal, Justin rapidly. In Europe alone the growth rate ment to ‘better treatment’ is not, on its Cresswell, Tom Bolitho. as of 2000 is about 7 to 9% per year, own, sufficient. It is not enough that Synopsis while the air freight industry is growing [Excessive length, cut by SOC.] faster. At these rates, the increase in No synopsis supplied. Motion aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions by Motion 2012, the end of the first commitment Subsection one: period of the Kyoto Protocol on climate Current ED030 In Current AR200: change, is set to be more than double ED030 In addition to compulsory the reduction targeted by the Protocol. AR200 To eliminate the wholesale education there will be Youth Schools So aviation would more than reverse exploitation of other species, foster in every town as in other European the Kyoto reductions. understanding of our inter-relation- countries such as Denmark for young ship in the web of life and protect and Delete TR503 people to opt to attend from the age promote natural habitat. of 14. This will provide somewhere safe Insert at end: for young people to socialise in the

44 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 “To shift to a society where equal they are a direct threat to others . The to achieve it, it is not imposing another consideration is given to the needs of Green Party recognises that in cases set of wants or needs upon them. all life-forms including humans, taking where these animals are at risk of Motion proper account of the diversity and extinction, it may be necessary to put complexity of life.” an entire population of these animals Current ED151 in captivity for protection. The Green So that it reads: ED151 Too often parents exercise this Party supports this option only when choice as a result of negative experi- AR200: To eliminate the wholesale no other option is available. In cases ences such as children experiencing exploitation of other species, foster where these animals are believed to be bullying, feeling restricted by the understanding of our inter-relation- a threat, these animals have the same curriculum or intimidated by large ship in the web of life and protect and rights to ‘presumption of innocence’ as schools and class sizes. The Green promote natural habitat. To shift to humans; they cannot be held without Party’s reform of the education system a society where equal consideration adequate proof. would alleviate many of these issues. is given to the needs of all life-forms The murder, torture and the kidnapping including humans, taking proper Delete ED151 [a section of this motion of Cetaceans, Great Apes, and Elephants account of the diversity and complexity from here was ruled out of order by is to bear the same legal penalty as the of life. SOC and appears as an out of order relevant crimes committed against motion in section towards the end of Subsection Two: humans. the agenda.] Insert new AR429 and AR430 Subsection three: Current ED152 AR429: The Green Party believes (Insert into AR 430) ED152 Where parents still choose to that article #5 of the human rights Include ‘Canids’ alongside Cetaceans, educate their children at home this declaration should be extended to all Great Apes and Elephants would be supported by Local Authori- sentient life forms. We hold that that ties which would work to ensure that it is unethical, in any circumstance, Add another paragraph at end of all young people have a broad and to torture any sentient life form. We AR430; diverse education of a high quality. consider this right to be irrevocable by ‘The Green Party recognises that any state, for any reason. Delete from after “children” to the end domesticated dogs are unique in their and replace with: The Green Party believes that an attachment to humans and their place appropriate modification of article #25 in human life. The Green Party believes “in settings other than at school, parents of the human rights declaration should that there are significant problems with would be responsible for providing an be extended to all sentient life forms. the current system of dog-breeding, efficient, full time education that is All life forms, when they are kept in but with significant reform it would suitable to each individual child’s age, captivity, are entitled to a standard of be acceptable for humans to live with ability and aptitude, and suitable to any living adequate for their health and domestic dogs. Provided its other rights special needs of the child, as per the well-being. are protected, a domestic dog living Education Act 1996, section 7.” with humans is not to be considered The Green Party will push for recogni- And renumber, so that it reads: to be living in captivity. The unlawful tion of these rights by all national removal of a domesticated dog from ED151 Where parents choose to governments, and relevant interna- its human family is to be considered educate their children in settings tional bodies. kidnapping with the same legal ramifi- other than at school, parents would be AR430: The Green Party believes that cations as the kidnapping of other responsible for providing an efficient, Cetaceans, Great Apes, and Elephants Canids from their natural environ- full time education that is suitable to should be extended the human rights ments.’” each individual child’s age, ability and of life, and liberty. The Green Party will aptitude, and suitable to any special push for recognition of these rights by needs of the child, as per the Education all national governments, and relevant C31. Proposed Amendment to Act 1996, section 7. international bodies. Home Education Policy Insert new ED152 The Green Party does not believe (2953 points in the prioritisation ballot) ED152 The current Elective Home that there is any ethical means to kill Holly Lyne*, David Priestley, Julie Education Guidelines for Local Authori- Cetaceans, Great Apes and Elephants. Spriddle, Sonia King. ties will stand. Their killing is to be unlawful in any circumstance other than self-defence Synopsis https://www.gov.uk/government/ uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ and medically necessitated euthanasia. We propose a change to GP policy to data/file/288135/guidelines_for_las_ fall in line with primary legislation, and The Green Party believes that it is on_elective_home_educationsecon- to reinforce ED150’s claim to support unethical to hold in captivity any drevisev2_0.pdf Cetaceans, Great Apes, or Elephants, Home Education. Support is finding out except for their own security, or where what someone wants and helping them

45 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 C32. Review of Gambling aires, we would seek to make the C34. Additional Policy on Policy lottery more progressive by dividing Producer Responsibility prize money into smaller chunks. (2930 points in the prioritisation ballot) (2513 points in the prioritisation ballot) Benali Hamdache*, Shihab Basit, Anne Sue Mallender*, Katharina Boettge, Hamdache, Ben Samuel, Clare Phipps, C33. Forest Schools Margret Vince, Mike Shipley, Richard Craig Griffiths, Jake Pentland, Jaspreet (2891 points in the prioritisation ballot) Mallender. Mahal, Matthew Hawkins, Stuart Clementine Cope*, Sarah Cope, Caroline Synopsis Neyton. Russell, Chris Cope, Diana Korchien, Gina East Midlands Green Party has asked Synopsis Dowding, Anne Power, Gina Dowding, me to submit this additional policy Individuals should be free to gamble, Oxana Poberejnaia, Shan Oakes. to further the Green Party’s present but the Green Party would seek to Synopsis policy on avoiding unnecessary waste, protect the vulnerable and avoid exploi- encouraging efficient reuse, recycling Forest School is a specialised learning tation. In government we would make and composting or digestion of waste approach that offers all learners regular the lottery more progressive and seek and working towards a target of zero opportunities to develop confidence to curb the proliferation of Fixed Odds waste with particular reference to through hands-on learning experiences Betting Terminals and bookmakers disposable nappies in a woodland or natural environment across the high street. with trees. It supports the development Motion Motion of a relationship between the learner Current NR312 LP420: The Green Party would recatego- and the natural world. NR312 To introduce new priorities for rise betting shops in a new planning use Motion waste management: class, removing them from A2 financial After ED025 “All early years establish- services. The separate categorisation • t so tha unnecessary waste is ments must enable regular outdoor would be part of giving councils more avoided; access for children” powers to refuse planning permission • t so tha the efficient reuse, recycling to betting shops, and prevent clustering Add and composting or digestion of of such shops on high streets waste is maximised; according to the ‘Forest School’ princi- LP421: The Green Party would cap the ples. This means that all children have • to work towards a target of zero amount of money that could be placed regular opportunities to achieve and waste. The zero waste concept per bet on betting terminals in betting develop confidence and self-esteem encompasses producer responsi- shops through hands-on learning experiences bility, eco-design, waste reduction, in a woodland or natural environment reuse and recycling, all within a Insert into RoOS: with trees. single framework with the aim of Conference also instructs GPex to eliminating altogether waste sent After ED041, Point d The environ- arrange for the Green Party to be to landfill or incinerators. ment, through academic work and a signatory of the Stop the FOBT on a practical level, including children Insert additional bullet points as campaign. and young people’s understanding of follows: Insert heading National Lottery their own physical environment and • to avoid disposable nappy waste, Insert New enabling them to be actively involved currently accounting for up to 6% in improving their local environment. of residual household waste and CMS 460 The national lottery is degradation time frames of 500 Add point e (and re-labelled further currently run by a for profit organisa- years; tion, the Green Party would ensure points as appropriate): • to work towards zero waste that the lottery is run by a not for profit Schools would be encouraged to requiring producer responsibility organisation. employ the principles of Forest School, for product categories that create CMS461 The Green Party would move a specialised learning approach which excess waste to landfill or incinera- to increase the percentage of money sits within and compliments the wider tion, such as disposal nappies; context of outdoor and woodland raised via the lottery allocated to good • to reward producers through ‘differ- education. Select staff would be trained causes. We would also reform the ential corporation tax’ for reducing to be Forest School practitioners, or way such money is allocated, inviting waste impacts and incorporating schools would employ such practi- greater transparency and consultation ecological designs, such as reusable tioners. with those that play the lottery and the nappy products, and levy taxes on wider public. producers who impose high waste CMS462 The Green Party would reform products into the market, including how prize money is allocated. Rather disposal nappies than the lottery creating a few million- Insert additional EC763

46 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 EC763 Producers to be rewarded C36. Ending the commerciali- SECTION D through ‘differential corporation tax’ for sation of animal racing reducing waste impacts and incorpo- D1. Clear advice for Green rating ecologically-friendly designs, (1979 points in the prioritisation ballot) MPs regarding the formation such as reusable nappy products. Ronald Lee*, Andrea Grainger, Caroline of the next government Allen, Jake Welsh, Louise Ryan, Mark Current EC785 (3489 points in the prioritisation ballot) Dawes, Suzie Baumgardt, Tim Turner, EC785 As well as taxing the use of Vivien Pomfrey. Lewis Coyne*, Adam Van Coevorden, resources which are input into a Duncan Davis, Emmanuel Blondel, Fiona Synopsis production process, taxes will also Costello, Joel Kenyon, Manishta Sunnia, be levied on the outputs of those Thousands of horses and greyhounds Martin Dobson, Martyn Madeley, Mrs. processes, depending on their ecolog- are put to death each year and many J Erskine, Paul Kenyon, Peter Fother- ical impact. This will include taxes hundreds suffer serious injury because ingham, Rachael Blackman, Rob Telford, levied on the desired products of of the racing industries. Sabrina Poole, Samuel Murray, Stuart Neyton, Thom French. manufacture if they are considered to Motion be pollutants (e.g. pesticides or plastic Synopsis packaging products) as well as taxes Delete AR425 and Replace with: There is a strong possibility of a hung on waste products and emissions (e.g. The Green Party will put an end to parliament resulting from the 2015 toxic gases) which are discharged into the suffering and slaughter caused General Election. The Green Party the surrounding environment. by the animal racing industries by should have a clear position on how making it illegal to race or facilitate Insert at end: it would deal with that situation. This the racing of any non-human animal motion aims to set out clear guidance Taxes to be levied on producers who for commercial reasons. In order to to potential Green MPs from the impose high waste products into the minimise the risk of injury, the racing membership through conference. market, including disposal nappies of dogs for non-commercial purposes would only be allowed on linear tracks Motion and horseracing for non-commercial Conference resolves that: C35. To formally recognise purposes would only be permitted to and support the case for a take place on the flat, with the use of 1) In the event of a hung parliament Cornish Assembly in our PSS the whip being outlawed. resulting from the 2015 General Election, Green MPs should do all (2453 points in the prioritisation ballot) they can to remove the Conserva- Steven Haynes*, Martin Shepherd, tive Party from government. Richard Sedgley, Roger Creagh-Osborne, 2) In the event of a hung parliament Steve Angove, Steve Griffin. resulting from the 2015 General Synopsis Election, Green MPs should not join a formal coalition arrange- Our P.S.S. refers to the Scottish Parlia- ment with any party unless Green ment, the Welsh and Northern MPs make up the majority of that Ireland Assemblies (PA400 – 403), coalition. and Regional Government in England (PA410 – PA417). It omits recognition 3) If required, Green MPs should of a National Assembly for Cornwall. proceed with negotiations to This motion proposes an addition form some other arrangement, after PA403 that formally supports the such as Confidence and Supply, to establishment of a Cornish Assembly. remove the Conservative Party from government. Motion 4) Rejection of an austerity budget After PA403, add new PA404: would be a clear and objective ‘red PA404 The Green Party recognises line’ in any such negotiations. that Cornwall has a distinct histor- 5) Green MPs would not support an ical and geographical identity, and administration which included supports (and will actively campaign U KI P. for) the establishment of an Assembly for Cornwall, with similar powers to those of the Welsh Assembly, which D2. Supporting efforts to stop will be supported, in turn, by a new multinational tax-dodging local government structure promoting (3046 points in the prioritisation ballot) subsidiarity. Natalie Bennett*, Caroline Allen, Cllr

47 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Maya de Souza, Cathryn Symons, Motion current legal status of local and RoseMary Warrington. regional parties in more detail and The Green Party of England and Wales is the options available to ensure that Synopsis legally an unincorporated association. local and regional parties can maintain As each of the local and regional parties In light of the “Luxleaks” tax scandal, their independence and their collective have their own constitution they are and growing international interest in rights in respect of the national party, also likely to be considered (legally) the issue, this motion highlights our whilst potentially helping the local and unincorporated associations which determination to see multinational regional parties also to benefit from are separate from each other and the companies pay their fair share of tax. limited liability. national party. This structure allows for Motion the parties to operate independently of This motion is to establish whether Green Party Conference calls on the one another but poses problems over the Green Party would find it accept- national executive and, where possible, liability. able for a motion to be presented to Autumn Conference (ahead of the our elected members, to build on the Currently, insurance for the Party Governance Review recommendations) excellent proposals in Caroline Lucas’s covers the liability of our staff and to alter our constitution. It is intended 2011 Tax and Financial Transparency volunteers at the national office, and that any proposed changes would Bill (including particularly country-by- could be argued to cover activities of limited to those required to implement country reporting) by supporting the local parties. However, if a large claim a limited liability legal structure and campaign for a shake-up of interna- was made and the insurers would not not to presuppose the outcome of the tional tax laws that bar multinational cover the claim then those in an official Governance Review. companies from using intra-group capacity, such as committee members loans contrived for tax avoidance. of the local, regional or national parties, Further it calls on continuing promotion could be personally liable for those D4. Standing Orders for Party of the replacement of the ineffective claims. They could also be personally General Anti-Abuse Rule with a general liable for any debts of the organisation. Discipline anti-avoidance principle. (1558 points in the prioritisation ballot) The party wishes to proceed in Conference further notes the launch reviewing options for limiting this Mike Shone*, Carol Kambites, Mike of the Fair Tax Mark and encourages potential personal liability. There are Shipley, Kevin OBrien, Gillian Mills, Peter the promotion of this initiative by the three options which we may consider: Barnett, Vicky Duckworth. executive and members. Establish a company limited by Synopsis Conference additionally notes guarantee to replace the existing It is proposed that there shall be a increased pressure on professional unincorporated Green Party. This would Disciplinary Committee, elected to bodies in law, accountancy and related mean that each member of the national handle all complaints of a disciplinary fields to impose stricter ethical and Green Party would contribute £1 each if nature which have not been resolved practical duties on tax advisers in order claims could not be fulfilled by insurers at Regional or Local Party level. The to protect public funds from systematic and the national party was required to committee will comprise eleven predation.” wind up. members, one member from each Establish a co-operative company region, one from the Wales Green Party D3. The Green Party England limited by guarantee to replace the and a member [Excessive length, cut by SOC]. and Wales: Incorporation and existing unincorporated national Green restructure Party. Motion This would have the underlying legal (2334 points in the prioritisation ballot) It is proposed that the GPEW structure of a company limited by implements new Standing Orders for Richard Mallender*, Freda Davis, guarantee but it would have the princi- Party Discipline, as laid out in appendix Howard Thorp, Judy Maciejowska, ples of a co-operative entrenched 1, and replace the existing Disciplinary Martin Collins, Natalie Bennett, within its governing document. Tribunal Standing Orders. Romayne Phoenix, RoseMary Warrington, Sam Riches, Shan Oakes. Establish a co-operative society or Amendments to the constitution community benefit society to replace [GPEx Motion] the existing unincorporated national The following amendments to the Constitution of the Green Party are Synopsis Green Party proposed in order to implement the Motion to review limiting liability A co-operative society is not a company new system for Party discipline. of the Party; to discuss options for but is still an incorporated legal Delete Section 4 Parts viii, ix and x of limiting liability and to decide whether form and has limited liability status. the constitution a proposed constitutional change It is governed in accordance with may be made at Autumn conference co-operative principles. Current parts viii, ix and x: superseding the Governance Review. We would also like to consider the viii) Disciplinary cases may be brought

48 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 by a Local or Regional Party, a body Regional Council approve the first procedurally unfair to the member. of the Party at national level, or any Standing Orders for the Tribunal) xii The Disciplinary Committee and all member(s) with the agreement of replace with and renumber as appeals against it considered by the the Chairs of the Regional Council required: GPRC Appeals Subcommittee shall and Executive. viii There shall be a Disciplinary be governed by Standing Orders ix) Disciplinary cases shall be heard Committee, elected to handle all for Party Discipline, which can only without delay by a small Tribunal complaints of a disciplinary nature be amended by a simple majority of three members, with a right which have not been resolved at conference. of appeal to the next available Regional or Local Party level. The Amendments to the GPRC Standing meeting of the Regional Council committee will comprise eleven Orders against the Tribunal’s decision and members, one member from each The following amendment to the GPRC recommended action. Members region, one from the Wales Green Standing Orders is also proposed: of a Tribunal shall be drawn from Party and a member elected bienni- a panel created and maintained ally at the autumn conference. The Delete Section 5.0 Disciplinary Matters by Regional Council for this term of office will be two years. of the GPRC Standing orders purpose. Tribunal membership ix Complaints will be considered on will be selected according to their Current section 5 of the GPRC Standing the following grounds: sequence order on the panel. The Orders: sequence to be pre-determined a) that a member has contra- 5.0 Disciplinary Matters vened the Constitution of the by the drawing of lots when the 5.1 Disciplinary matters shall first be Party as interpreted by Standing panel is first established or its considered by a Tribunal (Consti- Orders Committee (SOC) membership significantly altered. tution 4vii) Defendants will have the right b) that a member has made a 5.2 When considering appeals, to disqualify up to one fifth of serious breach of one or more of Regional Council shall normally the whole membership of the the number of Standards in the hear arguments and evidence in panel, but will not be informed of Party’s Code of Conduct open session, and shall consider the panel order. Panel members c) that a member has brought the its decision in closed session. The selected for Tribunals must Party into disrepute following shall also be excluded disqualify themselves if they x Complaints may be dismissed from the closed session and have any prejudicial involvement by the collective agreement of decision: in the case or special relation- the Chair of GPEx, the Chair of a) members of the Tribunal ship with its defendant. Once the Disciplinary Committee and b) members involved in the they have served on a tribunal, the senior manager of the GPEW disciplinary matter panel members will go to the whose job description specifies the bottom of the order. Membership processing of complaints , if they c) any member who as Co-chair of the panel will be open to any fall outside the terms set out in of Regional Council or chair of the members in good standing, who, section 4 part ix above. Executive approved the bringing in the opinion of the Regional of the matter to a Tribunal. xi Members have the right to appeal Council, are suitably qualified and to the Green Party’s Regional 5.3 Clause 5.2 shall also apply if there experienced. The Leader, Deputy Council’s Appeals Subcommittee is disagreement on whether to Leader(s), and current members against decisions of the Discipli- approve the Tribunal’s recommen- of GPEX, Regional Council or SOC nary Committee on the following dations, even if there is no appeal. shall not be eligible to serve on the grounds: 5.4 Regional Council may not impose panel. In the event of it not being a harsher retribution than the possible to form a tribunal from a) That on the information before Tribunal, nor may it reinstate the panel, the Regional Council or the Disciplinary Committee it was a suspension that the Tribunal those empowered to act for it may unreasonable for the Disciplinary lifted. It shall not consider appoint members of the Regional Committee to find the ground of appeals from the plaintiff. Council to fill places on the Tribunal, the complaint to be established. but such shall be disqualified b) That there is relevant, reliable, 5.5 In hearing appeals, Regional from voting at the Council on the and significant information that Council shall seek to give equal Tribunal’s decision, recommenda- was not before the Disciplinary time to both sides. It shall hear tion and any appeal. Committee that would have first the grounds for the appeal from the defendant (eg error of x) The Tribunal shall be governed by been likely to cause the Discipli- fact, error of judgement, error Standing Orders, to be prepared by nary Committee to find that the of interpretation of the Party’s the Standing Orders Committee Ground of the complaint was not rules). Regional Council shall and approved by the Regional established. confine its consideration to these Council. (Provisions (a) to (c) above c) That the Disciplinary Committee’s grounds, and in other matters shall come into effect when the consideration of the complaint was

49 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 shall accept the position of the Coates. for delegate conference implemen- Tribunal. Synopsis tation (currently 50,000 members) 5.6 See, in addition to the above being reached. The DCWG should also The current Standing Orders for standing orders, 5.1 to 5.6, review this ‘trigger’, and set it to a more Delegate Conferences are unworkable standing orders for Disciplinary suitable number if they see fit. and must be changed before they are Tribunals as set out in a separate implemented in two years’ time. This Amendment 1 section. motion seeks to delay the implemen- Peter Allen*, Nicole Heydock, Howard and replace with tation of delegate conferences and Thorp, Dave Eatock, Mike Shipley, Sue 5. Disciplinary Appeals enable debate over whether we should Ledger. 5.1 The Green Party Regional Council have them at all. Delete subsection 2 and replace with: shall have a subcommittee acting Motion as an appeals body in cases of Conference instructs the Standing Party discipline , entitled the Subsection 1: Orders Committee, Conferences Committee and Policy Committee to GPRC Appeals Subcommittee. Delete from the Constitution Part 10 (i): form a Delegate Conferences Working 5.2. The GPRC Appeals Subcommittee “In the case of the membership of the Group with a view to bringing a number shall be elected at the GPRC AGM Party exceeding 25,000 continuously of different options for the possible each year and consist of five GPRC for a period of two years the Party reform of the policy making process of councillors , none of whom can will reinstate delegate conferences in the GPEW to Conference in 2016. be a GPRC Co-Chair. A Chair of the which case all voting will be solely by GPRC Appeals subcommittee will elected representatives of constituted be elected at the GPRC AGM by Local Parties and the reserve Standing D6. Allowing joint the GPRC membership. Orders for the Conduct of Delegate candidacies 5.3 The quorum for the GPRC Appeals Conferences shall take effect.” Subcommittee shall be three. (1900 points in the prioritisation ballot) Delete from the Standing Orders for 5.4 The GPRC Appeals Subcommittee Adam Ramsay*, Derek Wall, Ed Mason, the Conduct of Conference Appendix will operate in the manner laid John Knight, Paul Chaplin, Romayne B: Reserve Standing Orders for the down in the Standing Orders for Phoenix, Sam Hollick, Simon Duffy, Conduct of Delegate Conference and Party Discipline Stephen Reid, Will Duckworth, William relabel subsequent sections accord- PinkneyBaird. Amendment 1 Mediation ingly. Synopsis Derek Wall*, Emily Blyth, Tony Gair, Subsection 2: Charlotte Rouxel. On rare occasions, it may be a good idea Insert into the Constitution Part 10 to stand on a joint ticket with another Add the paragraph below before the new section (viii): party (eg the NHS Action Party, Mebyon proposed paragraph “(viii) In the case of the membership Kernow). This motion allows that, if the viii) beginning ‘Disciplinary cases....’ of the Party exceeding 50,000 continu- local party wants it and the national ‘As Green Party members we are ously for a period of two years, the Party party agrees. committed to attempting, wherever will reinstate delegate conferences and Motion possible, to resolve disagreement the reserve Standing Orders for the In section 4 of the constitution, delete through mutual respect and discus- Conduct of Delegate Conferences shall vi) sion. Expelling members of an organi- take effect.” sation is painful and should be avoided Conference instructs the Standing Current vi: wherever possible. A diversity of Orders Committee, Conferences vi) No member of the Party may be a opinions is likely to exist within any Committee and Policy Committee to candidate for any other party in organisation, and political difference form a Delegate Conferences Working an election for any level of govern- should not automatically be the basis Group with a view to bringing a set ment and no member of another for expulsion of a party member. (or multiple sets to enable debate) of party may be a candidate for The Mediation must be attempted on an reserve Standing Orders for the Conduct Green Party in any such election. informal basis before expulsion of a of Delegate Conferences to a future No member of the Party may be member is considered’ conference. The DCWG will be made up a candidate for the Green Party of at least one representative from all jointly with any other political three committees and whomever else party, and no member of another D5. Addressing Delegate Standing Orders Committee, Confer- political party may stand for Conferences ences Committee and Policy Committee that party jointly with the Green (1300 points in the prioritisation ballot) see fit, and will bring a motion to confer- Party. However, this should not ence after wider consultation with the exclude joint election campaigns Rustam Majainah*, Caroline Bowes, membership as soon as is practical, and nor joint election lists in propor- Charlotte Rouxel, John Street, Sam certainly within one year of the ‘trigger’ tional representation elections. No

50 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 member of the Party may stand as Add at end of new 4 Membership (vi): of Party Lists:-”should refer to 5(xiv). an independent candidate against ‘No member may campaign for any “referred to in clause 5(xiv) Party properly selected Green Party candidate standing against a properly Registration” should refer to 5(xx). candidate(s) selected Green Party candidate.’ “Referred to in clause 5 (xviii): Selection and replace with: for nomination to the House of Lords” vi) No member of the Party may be a D7. Tidying the constitution should refer to 5(xxii). candidate for any other party in (1831 points in the prioritisation ballot) an election for any level of govern- SOC to update the Standing Order for ment and no member of another Douglas Rouxel*, Matthew Clark, Moira the Conduct of Conference (SOCC) to fix party may be a candidate for The Dunworth, Ian McCulloch, Martin the following reference errors; Green Party in any such election Hemingway. Page 3, section A(7), reference to C(15) except in cases of joint candida- [Standing Orders Committee Motion] should be to E(2). cies. No member of the Party may Page 3, section B(5), reference to B(3) stand as an independent candidate Synopsis should be to B(4). against properly selected Green Standing Orders Committee should Party candidate(s). update the listed errors in numbering Page 3, section C(1), reference to D1, D2 and and references in the constitution and D5-D8 should include D3. and standing orders. SOC should do Page 3, section D(3), fourth paragraph. In section 5 of the constitution, delete this after every conference for the xiv) References to H1c) and F1c) are unclear new editions of the constitution and and SOC should attempt to ascertain Current xiv: standing orders. They must also bring what these were referencing and this list of corrections for ratification in xiv) Joint PR lists involving regional update these references accordingly if their report to conference. or national lists of candidates possible. that include both Green Party and Motion Page 4, section D(8).i references should non-Green Party members can Subsection 1: be to section 13(ii) of the Constitu- proceed only with the approval of tion of the Green Party (regarding the Standing Orders Committee (SOC) to GPRC. The selection of Green Party Philosophical Basis) and section 20(ii) update the Constitution of the Green candidates on those lists shall be of the Constitution of the Green Party Party to fix the following reference conducted under bye-laws prepared regarding the Constitution of the Green errors; by GPRC and agreed jointly with Party rather than 11(ii) or 17(ii) the relevant region in the case of a Page 3, section 4 part x, “Provisions (a) Page 6, section E(3).d reference to SO regional list. to (c)” should refer to section ix D1 should be to SO E(1). and replace with: Page 6 section 6, part xii, “suspending Page 6, section F(2), reference to SO xiv) Joint PR lists involving regional under Clause 7 (xi)” should be clause 6 D5(a) should be to SO D(10). or national lists of candidates (xi) that include both Green Party and Page 9, section F(8).a reference to Page 7 section 7, part iv, reference 7(i) non-Green Party members are section 16 should be to section 20, should be 7(ii) and 7(xiv) should be permitted unless prohibited by reference to section 10.ii should be to 7(xi). GPEx, from whom permission must 13(ii). be sought. The selection of Green Page 12 section 12 sections (iv) and the Page 9, section G(1), reference to Party candidates on those lists second section (iv), references to (ii) section E clauses 4 and 6 should be to shall be conducted under bye-laws should be to (iii). section F clauses 4 and 6. prepared by GPEx and agreed The second such section iv to be jointly with the relevant region Page 10, section H(1).e, reference to SO renumbered v, with subsequent in the case of a regional list. Joint E6 should be to SO F(6). sections adjusted accordingly, including candidacies between Green Parties changing references where appropriate Page 11, Appendix 1, section 3(a), and other parties are permitted in the current vi and vii. reference to C9 should be to D8. unless prohibited by GPEx from whom permission must be sought. Page 16 “referred to in Clause 5(xii): Page 12, Appendix 1, section 5(a), If GPEx prohibit joint lists or joint Selection of Candidates for the House reference to 5.1 is unclear and SOC candidacies, then local parties of Commons” should refer to 5(xvi). should attempt to ascertain what this was referencing and update this or regional parties can appeal to Page 18, “referred to in Clause 5(xii): reference accordingly if possible. GPRC. Selection of Candidates for the House of Amendment 1 Campaigning Commons”, part 11(i), point 12 should Page 12, Appendix 1, section 5(b), reference to SOCC C1 should be to Hazel Dawe*, Alison Williams, Steve be clearly separated into a separate SOCC D(1). Dawe, John Haywood, Sushila Dhall, point from this part. Dick Wolff. “referred to in Clause 5(xiii): Selection Page 12, Appendix 1, section 6(b),

51 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 reference to 6.2 is unclear and SOC to oppressive political environments. Synopsis should attempt to ascertain what It is vital that all feel safe within Green A recent report released by End this was referencing and update this Party spaces. Violence Against Women (EVAW) reference accordingly if possible. Motion revealed that all of the major political Page 13, Appendix 1, section 6(c), parties’ anti-harassment policies were Insert into section 5, new part xxiii of reference to SOCC C1 should be to ‘hopelessly inadequate’. The Green the constitution: SOCC D(1). Party currently has no anti-harassment The Green Party are committed to policy. This needs remedying before the Appendix B: Reserve Standing Orders providing an open and inclusive General Election. for the Conduct of Delegate Confer- environment for activism. As such all ences is not altered by this motion. Motion bodies shall follow the safe space policy. Subsection 2: We request that GPEX draft and Insert into RoOS implement a harassment and bullying In SOCC section I: Additional Duties, Safe space policy policy for GPEW to be in place one part 1 insert new subsection d) • The Green Party are committed month from the date of Spring Confer- d) Where errors arise within the to providing an environment ence. numbering, lettering and references free of racism, sexism, disablism, Point of information: A policy is within the Standing Orders for the homophobia, transphobia, religious currently being drafted by members in Conduct of Conference, Standing Orders discrimination or any other types of the party with legal expertise. Committee are permitted to correct oppression. Oppression is defined and republish them without recourse as the marginalization of one social to conference for prior approval. All group for the benefit of another D10. Child Protection Policy corrections made by Standing Orders more powerful group. Committee outside of conference will (1807 points in the prioritisation ballot) • The Green Party are committed to be reported to the next conference as Hannah Clare*, Fiona Costello, Laura providing an environment free of part of the Standing Orders Committee Shepherd, Lewis Coyne, Michael Holt, bullying, name-calling or any forms report. Siobhan MacMahon, Thom French. of abusive behaviour. Bullying In Section 20 of the constitution, insert is defined as behaviour which is Synopsis new part v: intended to hurt another physically The Green Party are committed to v) Where errors arise within the or emotionally. creating a culture which safeguards numbering, lettering and references • The Green party are committed to the welfare, and protects the rights, of within The Constitution, Standing challenging these types of oppres- all children and young people involved Orders Committee are permitted to sion whenever they occur in Green in our work. The Green Party believe correct and republish them without Party spaces. that children and young people should recourse to conference for prior • The Green Party are committed never experience any kind of abuse. The approval. All corrections made by to putting first the needs of those Green Party are committed to taking Standing Orders Committee outside whose safety is compromised. [excessive length, cut by SOC.] of conference will be reported to the • It is vital that everyone dealing with Motion next conference as part of the Standing safe space related disputes has had This to be inserted into RoOS Orders Committee report. training on intersectionality and oppression. The Green Party are committed to: D8. Safe Space policy The safe space policy can be amended • Ensuring that the welfare of at conference by a simple majority.” children or young people is (1808 points in the prioritisation ballot, paramount, as enshrined in the 34 first preferences.) Children Act 1989. Laura Shepherd*, Ieuan King, Clifford D9. Enabling Motion for • Ensuring that all children regard- Fleming, Deborah Fenney, Duncan Davis, Anti-harassment policy less of age, disability, gender, racial Emmanuel Blondel, Fiona Costello, (1808 points in the prioritisation ballot, heritage, religious belief or sexual Georgia Elander, Gwen Buck, James 4 first preferences) identity are protected from all Shipley, Jasmine Heywood, Luke Ilott, types of harm or abuse to the best Sarah E Cope*, Anne Power, Caroline Manishta Sunnia, Samir Jeraj, Siobhan of our capabilities. MacMahon, Stuart Maule, Stuart Russell, Chris Cope, Daniella Radice, • Valuing, respecting and listening to Neyton, Thomas Pashby. Lesley Hedges, Mrs. J Erskine, Oxana Poberejnaia, Rebecca Johnson, Diana children and young people. Synopsis Korchien, Susanna Rance, Tina Rothery, • Sharing concerns with agencies The Green Party believe that all in Sarrah Blyth, Shan Oakes. who need to know, and involving society are not currently able to equally parents and children appropriately. access politics and activism partly due • Complying with current statutory

52 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 requirements and guidance on the The proposals should also recognise the view was and how the workshop protection of children. need for head office to keep a propor- voted. Conference should treat A member of GPEX should be designated tion of money raised to cover costs and discussions beneath motions on to support staff and volunteers, lead on fund future development of the party the members’ site in the same way, the development of safeguards and including the ability to invest strategi- with someone reporting to the hall ensure this policy is implemented in cally in democratically chosen geogra- on what was said and how the vote consultation with the Young Greens. phies that may benefit from additional went. support. 2) Voting software should be installed This policy has been drawn up on the on the members’ website so that basis of laws and guidance that seek to Transition arrangements may be members can vote on each motion. protect children including: required during the period that the party moves to become less centralised This vote will not be binding • Children Act 1989 to ensure that staff are treated fairly upon Conference. It will merely • United Convention of the Rights of during these changes. be informative, like the vote of a the Child 1991 physical workshop. Amendment 1 • Sexual Offences Act 203 3) The members’ site shall have the Hazel Dawe*, Alison Williams, Steve • Children Act 2004 right to call any elected officer of Dawe, Ruthi Brandt. the party to answer questions on • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 After ‘Conference instructs GPEX and the site (about what they’ve been • Relevant government guidance on GPRC to work together to bring a doing, what they’ve got planned safeguarding children proposal to the next conference which etc.), a bit like a select committee should set out a new financial settle- does in Parliament. There will be D11. Fair financial settlement ment.’ a monthly ballot to decide which officer will appear the following between local parties and Add month. head office This review should consider the Irish (1769 points in the prioritisation ballot) Green Party system of one third of subscription income to local parties, D13. GPEW attendance at Matthew Townsend*, Adam Ramsay, European Green Party Council Clare Phipps, Jimmy Sayle, Larissa one third to regional parties and one Hansford, Matthew Hawkins. third to the national party as part of Meetings this process. (1187 points in the prioritisation ballot) Synopsis In the meantime capitations owing John Street*, Anna Clarke, Bill Rigby, The Green Party of England and Wales from 2014 will be paid promptly to Caroline Allen, David Newman, Jo should avoid being too London-based local parties. Steranka, Lucy Early, Richard Knight. and there needs to be a fair settle- ment between Head Office, the English Synopsis regions, Wales and all the local parties. D12. Recognition of the The GPEW sends delegates to two Motion members’ website EGP Council meetings each year. This motion instructs GPEX to make (1405 points in the prioritisation ballot) The current system of capitations is sufficient funds available so that by its nature too slow and should be Paul Jenkins*, Oliver Price, Chris delegates do not have to fund as much replaced. The current system of parties Burdess, Debbie Gallagher, Ian Norris, of their own expenses as is currently applying to head office for grants is not Joel Moreland, Keri Edmonds, Nicholas the case, thereby allowing members sufficiently open and transparent. Local Ewing, Paul Ashby, Tim Young. from varying financial backgrounds to and regional parties have growing Synopsis represent the Party financial commitments and need fair distribution of funds to be set in our The members’ site has the potential to Motion constitution. vastly improve communication within This conference wishes to affirm its this party, to get more of our members Conference instructs GPEx and GPRC commitment to the GPEW playing a active and to ensure we’re making to work together to bring a proposal to full part in the European Green Party the best possible use of our members’ the next conference which should set Council meetings that are held twice talents and experience. The site now out a new financial settlement. yearly and to working as part of the needs greater recognition and a greater Green family towards a more ecological This should include proposals to role. Europe. replace capitations and grants with a Motion new system which gives regional and Conference expects that sufficient local parties automatic and immediate 1) At Conference you have workshops Party resources will be made available entitlement to membership fees and that discuss each motion and then to enable GPEW to be represented by donations made by people living within in the conference hall someone delegates from a range of financial their boundaries. reports back on what the general backgrounds.

53 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Conference believes that self-funding D14 Conference Fringes and PSS and neither changes nor adds by delegates should not be a require- Panels to the text of the PSS. ment of attendance. Add (1154 points in the prioritisation ballot) Conference instructs GPEX to provide 3) the motion does not exceed 200 Howard Thorp*, Alex Rendall, Andy sufficient resources to cover the words in length. Chyba, Andy Law, Charlie Kiss, Clifford following items of expenditure, if Fleming, Jay Stewart, Joseph Swift, Livio required, by individual delegates: Pavone, Martin Francis, Peter Allen, • Registration fee for the Council William Quick. meeting Synopsis • Travel to and from the location (within reason) The Green Party is a member led party, members should be able to select and • 3 nights accommodation prioritise fringes and panels at Party Conference instructs GPEX to include conferences in the same way they can provision for this in its planning for prioritise conference motions. 2016 onwards. Motion Amendment 1 Insert into the Record of Organisational Derek Wall*, Emily Blyth, Tony Gair, Statements Charlotte Rouxel. Conference committee and SOC Add ‘socially just’ between ‘more’ and shall put in place a system whereby ‘ecological’ and after ‘Europe.’ add members can submit ideas for confer- ‘Currently delegates are provided with ence fringes and panels, and the fringes £250.’ and panels can be selected and priori- Amendment 2 tised by members by means of an online prioritisation process on the Derek Wall*, Emily Blyth, Tony Gair, members’ website. Charlotte Rouxel. Delete from “Conference instructs GPEX to provide D15 Word limit for sufficient resources” through to “3 Emergency Motions nights accommodation” (1078 points in the prioritisation ballot) and replace with Alan Francis*, Jay Ginn, Sam Riches, Brian Heatley. Conference instructs GPEX to promote diversity in delegate selection and to Synopsis encourage more low income party At recent conferences there have been members to represent the Party. several very long Emergency Motions Delegates with low incomes should (EMs). This takes up a lot of time be provided with 40% more than the because EMs have to be read out in standard sum which is currently £250. plenary session at conference. An EM Inflation and increases in the EGP should be a short and pithy statement. registration fees should be considered The motion proposes a 200 word limit in providing delegate expenses. for EMs. Amendment 3 Motion Derek Wall*, Emily Blyth, Tony Gair, In Standing Orders for the Conduct of Charlotte Rouxel. Conference Section H: Suspension of Add at end Standing Orders 1 (b) Conference instructs GPEX to submit Current H 1 (b) a proposal for the election of EGP b) Emergency motions shall only be delegates via a national ballot of party accepted provided: members, to the Autumn 2015 Party Conference. 1) The issue has arisen, or has substantially changed, since the deadline for motions; 2) the motion is consistent with the

54 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 SECTION E Perhaps the single most important council is unable or unwilling to find cause of our current housing and them a proper home quickly enough. planning problems is the shorttermist­ They are forced to move home every Planning and Housing Policy gimmickry of governments over past six or twelve months because tenancy Chapters Draft Voting Papers decades. They have promoted policies protections are so weak. They suffer which have benefited or harmed chronic ill health because they have certain groups at the expense of a no money to refurbish their home to a Background to Housing and Planning cohesive society in which people’s basic decent standard. physiological and psychological needs Draft Voting Paper How we got here are met. They have also promoted Tom Chance*, Peter Allen, Darren policies that have damaged the This crisis has unfolded over decades ­ Johnson, Ed Jones, Andrew Dobson, Ceri diversity, interdependence and health relative to other prices, house prices Jones, Samir A Jeraj, Vicki Bailey. of the natural world of which we are an have gone up five­fold since 1955. In less Synopsis integral part. We want to reverse this than 20 years the price of houses has We propose two proposed new chapters trend. doubled relative to incomes (Cheshire, 2013). on planning and housing policy to Reducing housing demand produce a coherent, up-to-date policy The problem really spiralled out of The most talked­about aspect of housing framework. These are the result of a control in the last fifteen years. House policy today is the affordability crisis. two year process and are submitted for price inflation averaged 11 per cent The most familiar way to describe this further debate. between 1997 and 2007 (ONS, 2014), crisis is to reel off long lists of statistics. and prices have never fallen back to an Background papers and Draft Voting Here are a few that show the depth and affordable level relative to incomes in Papers range of problems we face: spite of the recession. Our policy priorities • The average home costs seven As a consequence, home ownership times the average salary, and in The two draft chapters cover a wide levels have been falling in absolute London that rises to sixteen times range of housing and planning issues. terms since 2005 (DCLG, 2012). The fall (National Housing Federation, We have aimed to produce a policy in ownership among younger people 2014). To be affordable, this figure framework that is comprehensive but goes back much further, to the early should be no higher than four or not exhaustive and complete. That is 1990s, something that was disguised by five. to say, it describes at a high level an the longer­living baby boomers keeping approach to all of the key questions, • Gross inequalities exist, for the numbers of homeowners high. without trying to provide detailed example private renters spend 40% policies for every single housing and of their income on rent, compared While some will argue we should be planning issue. to home owners who spend an relaxed about moving to a society average of 20% on paying their where more people rent, there are two There are some policies or ideas that mortgage (National Housing problems. The first is that this changing are particularly timely and important, Federation, 2014). pattern of home ownership has led to which we want to pick out in this paper. a growing inequality of wealth, concen- • Unaffordable housing is creating a These address the biggest issues of the trated in London and the south east growing drain on the public purse, day and propose innovative and/or and in the hands of older people. The with housing benefit payments radical changes in policy. They are: second is that our rental market is having risen 150% in real terms much more expensive and much less Reducing housing demand (p.2) (adjusted for inflation) in the last secure than in countries like Germany. Reforming the private rented sector 21 years (National Housing Federa- (p.6) tion, 2014). The average income of firsttime­ buyers • Fewer than one per cent of homes has almost doubled since the early Giving a much higher priority to are in the top two bands for energy 1980s (National Housing Federation, ecology/biodiversity (p.11) efficiency, required to eradicate 2014). In London, where these statistics Giving councils a proactive approach to fuel poverty and contribute to our are always more extreme, 80 per cent planning and land assembly (p.14) carbon emission reduction targets, of the new build sales market is afford- able to only 20 per cent of working Making the building industry more with the worst homes being households, and the average first time diverse and decentralised (p.17) owner­occupied (DCLG, 2014a) buyer is now in the top 20 per cent of Our newspapers are also full of stories All of these should be read as different London’s household income distribu- of the more immediate human cost of threads in a holistic framework, which tion (GLA, 2014). this crisis. Families are forced to move “seeks a balance between a number of away from their local school, family One cause - excess demand different processes which contribute to and support network due to cuts to human well­being, rather than stressing The causes of this deterioration housing benefit. They are left living one at the expense of all others”, as our in the affordability of housing are in B&Bs for months because their Philosophical Basis puts it. complex, but at the most basic level

55 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 it is a mismatch between supply and makes this problem more acute by and the City of London (Evening demand. further driving up prices in high value Standard, 2014). While this flood of areas (the “Surrey banker belt”, and so money is highly concentrated, mostly The main driver of demand is usually on), and by worsening the inequality to flowing into prime central London, it cited as the lack of new housing to access of homes and space. has a ripple effect on neighbouring keep up with household formation. This housing markets that contributes to growth in need has arisen both from The ability of some to buy up more wider price inflation. The banker who population growth, and a reduction space and more homes has created might have bought a home in Chelsea in the average household size as more some particular local distortions, such looks in Fulham, so the barrister looks people (such as divorcees and young as the holiday homes problem. Popular to Battersea, and the senior manager professionals) choose to live alone. seaside destinations in places like looks to Balham, and so on. Cornwall have house prices and rents But need and demand are two different as high as parts of London, complete- One recent study suggested that two economic concepts. The demand for lyout of kilter with local (relatively low) thirds of new homes built in London housing isn’t just driven by the needs incomes. This is not only pricing local are now bought by investors (GLA, of the population, there is also “excess people out of housing, it also has a 2012). It can be little coincidence demand” which arises from the way damaging and distorting effect on the that prices in the capital have risen a our economy works, and which drives local economy. staggering 68% in the last five years, up prices. in spite of the recession. Investors are The rising incomes of potential and One well­known problem with our also responsible for a concentration of existing homeowners coincided in the housing market is that prices are empty newly built homes in northern past fifteen years with an ever­cheaper extremely high in London and the south cities like Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool credit supply. For the same monthly east (and in pockets elsewhere). This is and Sheffield, with some evidence of outgoing they were able to make partly a result of an internal migration the same phenomenon in Bristol and ever­higher bids for house prices. within England and Wales, from the Newcastle (Cobbold). This was fine for those “climbing the north and the midlands to London and ladder”, but as prices rose so dramati- All of these features of excess demand ­ the south east. Those internal migrants cally, deposits became an impossible income inequality, regional imbalance, also tend to carry more earning power barrier for first­time buyers, and the gap cheap credit, second homes, investment ­ in their new jobs. If we could rebalance between a starter home and a family are features of our housing market and the British economy away from London home became harder and harder for wider economy, not the underlying and the south east, we could rebalance secondmovers­ to bridge. need of the population. demand and prices. There is also an aside on supply that arises from this regional Demand has also grown as housing has Why do we care about reducing imbalance ­ a pattern of more empty become an increasingly important and demand? homes in weaker local economies. popular investment. With the deregula- None of the other parties put much While there were an estimated 233,000 tion of the private rental sector in the emphasis on demand. Locked in homes left empty for more than six 1988 Housing Act, the introduction of their growthist “predict and provide” months last year, these are much more the buy­to­let mortgage in 1996, and mindset, they focus almost exclusively prevalent in areas like the North West. changes in the law to make reposses- on increasing supply to meet whatever The highest rate of longterm­ empty sion easier in 1997, buying one or demand exists in the market. They homes is in Burnley (3.3 per cent of the more properties to let out became a propose some policies here and there housing stock), compared to just 0.1 per popular investment choice for people to tackle certain excesses, but it is far cent in Crawley., and make better use who were increasingly sceptical about from a central plank of their housing of our empty homes. Getting all local private pension funds and other more policy. authorities down to a level of only 0.5 conventional forms of investment. By per cent of homes empty for more than 2009, there were 1.2 million buy­tolet­ So why do we give this issue such six months (as in policy HO406) would mortgages with an aggregate balance prominence? Because the supply of bring an extra 120,000 homes into use of £145.3bn, and in that year buy­tolet­ housing has very considerable ecolog- (Empty Homes, 2013). mortgages contributed 65% of total ical consequences. net mortgage lending (CML, 2014). Perhaps a more powerful driver of One estimate of London’s greenhouse demand than population has been You could say that home ownership is gas emissions arising from consumption rising incomes. As people get richer, now an investment, not a tenure. put the cost of housing infrastructure they are able to buy more space and at 5% of the capital’s total emissions, Other forms of investment are also more homes (Cheshire, 2009). We now and the wider built infrastructure of important drivers of demand in certain have more rooms per person than a the city at another 9% (BioRegional, markets. In the last year, foreign invest- century ago, though we still have far 2009). The same report suggested that ment in London’s property market less space per household than other reducing London’s consumption­based reached almost £30 billion and foreign European countries (Niemietz, 2014). emissions by 80% would require a investors bought one in five homes in The growing inequality of incomes reduction in the level of house building, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, even after accounting for lower impact

56 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 materials and construction methods. niche choice. about a serious repair or condition issue. New homes will also almost inevitably The sector had declined to this point be built at the expense of other species’ for a variety of reasons including: rent Because of this, one third of private habitats. There is considerable scope control and rent regulation making it renting households move each to avoid the need for new land, for a poor investment, ‘slum clearances’ year, eleven times the proportion of example by building new storeys on demolishing a lot of the stock, mortgaged homeowners who moved in existing buildings (in policy LP505. We homeownership becoming possible for the same period (Shelter, 2012). While can also make urban development many more people, and a large effort it is possible for tenants to negotiate much more biodiverse ­and indeed our by most councils to buy up poor­quality a longer tenancy agreement with cities are more biodiverse than much private rented housing and let it as their landlord, and many are able to of our monocrop farmland ­but the net council housing, at the same time that stay in their homes for years on end, impact of housing supply is still likely to they were building around half of new fixed­length tenancy agreements are be a loss of habitat. homes (House of Commons Library, the norm in higher­demand markets 2013). and even among large professional This shouldn’t lead us to oppose every landlords. development. New housing can help Following the introduction of that Act to increase a community’s density, the sector grew very moderately. But This insecurity makes it difficult for making buses more financially viable. from the late 1990s, with the introduc- parents to keep their children in the As Jonathan Porritt wrote in Seeing tion of buy­to­let and the declining same local school, and near their Green in 1984, it is no good if our rural affordability of homeownership for children’s’ friends. It is the main reason communities become lifeless depopu- first­time buyers, the sector grew very why only 56 per cent of private tenants lated villages, so some new housing can rapidly. are registered to vote, compared to 87 help to revive them. per cent of homeowners and 78 per Today nine million people are private cent of social renters (DCLG, 2014). But we should do what we can to reduce tenants, twenty per cent of households, It can lead to rapidly rising rents in the total amount of new housing that and it is the default choice for most high­demand markets, as tenants can is required across the country. young people and families. be moved on and rents increased by any Solutions The problems faced by private tenants amount every 6 or 12 months. Finally, it today can be divided into three types: The draft Housing policy chapter sets is now the leading cause of homeless- security, affordability and quality. out policies that would reduce this ness in England and Wales. excess demand. They are brought Security Affordability together in one list, for emphasis, under The Housing Act 1988 introduced The cost of renting privately varies policy HO401. Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST), considerably across the country, as with Given the role of much bigger forces which were designed to support a more house prices. at play in our economy, such as income flexible and mobile workforce. But with In some parts of the country, particu- inequality, our approach to reducing more than one million families now larly in low value areas of the north housing demand should also been seen living in the sector, stability should be east, north west and Wales, private in the context of other areas of policy an equally important consideration. rents are not very much higher than such as the living wage and pay ratios. Private tenants suffer some of the most social rents. Even here, these rent levels We don’t have the technical skills to insecure tenancy terms in Europe. can still be quite high relative to the model the impact of all of these policies Currently tenancies can be ended at any incomes of poorer households. But on the housing market. It would be an point after six months into an Assured in Southwark ­ used for example as a incredibly complex and errorpr­one Shorthold Tenancy in three ways: relatively poor borough in inner London ­ exercise, which wouldn’t command Landlord serving a section 21 notice the median private rent is more than much respect among housing and with two months’ notice (no fault three times as high as a social rent. The planning professionals. So we cannot eviction) median rent on new lettings in London quantify the impact on demand and has been rising at three times the rate prices. But HO401 sets out a target for Landlord serving a section 8 notice of pay increases in recent years. government ­ house price stability ­ and (where there are grounds for eviction Research by Shelter suggests that provides a non­exhaustive list of policies including arrears, breaking the tenancy private rents are unaffordable for that national, regional and local govern- agreement, or the landlord wanting to average households in more than half ment and the Bank of England could move in etc). of local authorities across England use to try and hit that target. Tenant giving Notice to Quit (BBC, 2011). Reforming the Private Rented Sector Section 21 notices can’t be served if the High rents are a growing cause of Our current private rented sector model tenancy deposit hasn’t been protected, poverty, and are the principal reason for dates back to the 1988 Housing Act, at and it’s likely this will soon be extended the rapid growth in the housing benefit a time when the tenure had become a to where tenants have complained bill in the past decade. The bill hasn’t

57 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 risen because landlords are milking the tougher enforcement against rogue or taken by Caroline Lucas MP and Darren system, but because rising rents and slum landlords (HO523). These have Johnson AM (see London Assembly flat wages have meant more and more proved uncontroversial. 2013 for the latter). This research has households need to claim benefits covered extensive analysis of current But how to address the problems of to cover their rent ­ whether they issues with the sector, past experience insecurity and unaffordability are more are retired, out of work, or working. in the UK, international examples, the controversial. Given this, we set out Government research found that this business models of landlords and the three options in this paper. Each should increased caseload was responsible for needs and demands of tenants. be read in the context of other policies 70 per cent of the rise in the housing that would diminish the importance The policy as outlined could be benefit bill (Darren Johnson, 2012). of the sector ­ we do not envisage this introduced immediately, and would Quality model becoming the default tenure for offer all private tenants more stability a growing proportion of the popula- and predictability. Tenants would be The intention behind the 1988 Housing tion; it should revert to being a niche, able to stay in their home for as long or Act was that deregulations would useful for students, people who want short a period of time as they like, with encourage a greater supply of homes, flexibility, and so on. two caveats: they can be evicted if they and the higher rents would enable breach the terms of the agreement, landlords to reinvest the profits in It is envisaged that other reforms to tax and at five­year intervals they can be improving the aging stock (PSI, 1990). buy ­to­let and property wealth would evicted if the landlord sells the property slow or even reverse the growth in But poor conditions remain a serious or moves in. Rents at the start of the investment into the sector; increased problem, particularly in markets where tenancy would be set by negotiation building of social housing would demand significant outstrips supply. between tenant and landlord (in effect gradually replace the need for much of Landlords in these markets have little according to the market) and annual the private rented sector; the expansion incentive, except for human decency, increases would be capped to prevent of cooperative housing would offer to pay for repairs, maintenance and very substantial rent hikes. Tenants people more alternatives; and policies refurbishment. could leave at any point with two to reduce house price inflation would months notice. Here are some indicators of the contin- make conventional home ownership uing problems with quality: more affordable to more people. The policy is similar to that unveiled by Labour, but it goes much further • Energy efficiency ­ one third of So our choice of model for the private on security of tenure by making the private rented homes fall into the rented sector is our offer in the medium default length of a tenancy 5 years, worst three energy efficiency term while reforms gradually make and giving tenants the right to stay put bands, compared to one tenth of homeownership and social and cooper- each time it is renewed. social rented homes (DCLG, 2014) ative housing available to many more • Health and safety ­ more than six people. This option is a moderate reform, and in ten tenants have experienced at would give us comparable regula- 1. No detail least one of the following problems tions to those in place across most in the past 12 months: electrical One response to the complexity of this of continental Europe ­the rent hazards, damp, mould, leaking roofs area could be to avoid setting out any mechanism for example would be or windows, animal infestation and detail on the regulations we would similar to Germany, though they enjoy gas leaks, and a third of private introduce, and instead to set out some slightly greater security of tenure. rented homes are thought to have highlevel­ objectives. 3. Alternative indexes for the same dangerous electrical faults (Shelter, This would avoid committing ourselves policy 2014) to any particular option, but it would There are four proposed amendments Policy options also leave elected Greens and manifesto in the Draft Voting Paper. Two offer without much of a steer, and tell the There are many different ways to alternatives to the index policy electorate little about our thinking on regulate the private rented sector. For proposed in HO519. good reviews of past British experience this very important policy area. The proposer of the amendments and international comparisons, see 2. Draft Voting Paper option House of Commons Library (2013) and believes that, by listing four factors to Scanlon and Kochan (2011). Policy HO519 outlines a replacement be considered but no principle it makes for Assured Shorthold Tenancies that the result unpredictable. It would The Draft Voting Paper sets out a can be summarised as continental­style allow Tory councils to raise rents above number of policies to address the issue regulation. inflation and Labour councils to go of quality, including housing condition below. surveys (HO411), links with our new This option is based on the work of energy policies for a comprehensive Shelter (2012) and Generation Rent Amendment 2 would replace those retrofit of the stock (HO412), repairs (2014), two lobby groups that have factors with the simple and cheap­to­ and improvements grants and tax done the most work in this area, and implement option of the retail price allowances for landlords (HO521) and on the work of and existing positions index. Amendment 3 opts for a local

58 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 wage index, which is most expensive in Sweden in the most attractive Bad law but would address affordability and cities In any legal business the citizen pays localization. Under this proposal • can lead to landlords subdividing income tax on his NET income; income landlords would share in the economic homes and squeezing more people less expenses. (The same principle ups and downs of the community. into smaller spaces to game the applies to corporation tax.) For a 4. Controlled rents system (has happened in New landlord expenses typically include Jersey) agent’s fees and repairs and may A third option would be to directly • complex forms such as the 1977 include mortgage payments, service control rents with caps, returning to the Rent Act can introduce a lot of charges, insurance, utilities and council approach tried in the UK up to 1988. bureaucracy, and the unpredict- tax. There are different ways to do this, but ability of the output from the here are a few examples: I can’t see a moral basis for treating formula can make it difficult for these expenses in a uniquely unfavour- Cap rents at a maximum using a landlords to plan ahead for repairs able way. I can think of no other legal formula based on ‘fair’ local rents, etc. the condition of property, and trade that is treated this way. I note Some of these can be mitigated. For supply of housing (basically the that prostitutes, practicing a trade example, repairs costs could be included 1977 Rent Act) that is on the edge of illegality, are in any rent caps, and capital allowances entitled to deduct their expenses (see Cap rents are a proportion of the (tax breaks) can be introduced to help http://www.taxrelief4escorts.co.uk/ value/cost of the home, which landlords pay for them. taxbasics/quick­ guide/­ ). effectively sets a maximum rate of profit (used in countries like We should also remember that And singling out landlords in this way Venezuela, India, Taiwan and Germany has some of the strongest would be bound to create anomalies others) regulations in Europe, and one of the and create uncertainty and more work largest and most successful private Freeze rents for a period of time, for accountants and lawyers. rented sectors. This has not only made similar to Labour’s energy price free With one exception: I would treat the renting privately a popular choice for (used by the British government in interest and capital repayments parts many, but it has also provided greater the Second World War) of a mortgage differently. The interest is certainty and professionalism among clearly the cost of owning the property. • Cap rents as a proportion of landlords. However, their rental market The capital repayment, however, is a local incomes, enforcing afford- operates in a very different wider speculative investment, a bet on the ability without regard to the costs housing market, in which house prices property market, and no more deserves incurred by the landlord (not sure fell in real terms for decades and the favourable tax treatment than any of any precedents) housebuilding market is fundamen- other investment, eg buying gold or The arguments against these forms of tally different to that in the UK. They shares. It should not be tax­ deductible. rent control are varied, though most also came to this position following the come from a neo­classical economics Second World War, when they needed Unlikely to be effective tradition. Critics argue that rent a radical response to the massive Landlords will respond to this change controls: upheavals created by the war. in tax law by making changes in their • reduce the incentive to build new We might therefore advocate these businesses to minimize the extra costs. rental homes, thus reducing supply type of rent controls as a long­term Specifically: and ­ without other measures ­ aspiration, as our other policies begin • If landlords are unable to claim making the rents problem even to change the wider housing and certain expenses against tax they worse; planning landscape, and if we want to will transfer those expenses to • discourage landlords from promote the idea that renting should their tenants if they can. This will maintaining and repairing the be preferable to homeownership. This generally be possible for insurance, homes, particularly where the would be brave for two reasons: first, utilities and council tax but not for profit level is very low or even because the overwhelming majority of repairs, agents’ fees and mortgage negative (this was the experience in British people aspire to homeowner- payments. Britain which led councils to try and ship, and second because it is a position • Therefore landlords with several buy up poor quality stock) opposed by most major housing groups properties will probably put their like Shelter. • encourage discrimination against properties into specially formed tenants likely to stay for a long Amendments on buy-to-let property companies which will period of time (like families) and There are four proposed amendments be able to offset the expenses. It those more likely to get into arrears in the Draft Voting Paper. Two seek to may be possible to address this by (has been reported in Sweden) amend HO401 and HO521 on buy­tolet­ changes to company tax law but, • encourage back­hander deals to try tax allowances. What follows are the frankly, I’d back the accountants and secure the best homes, again argument from the proposer for those and lawyers against the Inland something that has been reported amendments. Revenue on this.

59 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 The proposals will have little effect on How well is ecology protected? The ecological value of greenfield landlords who do not have mortgages. When any new development is The other side of this is the value of Likely to produce perverse results proposed, there is rightly great concern undeveloped land. If landlords transfer costs to tenants about the impact of this on other Another 13 per cent of land is taken up they should reduce their rents to species’ habitats. But our planning by the Green Belt. Bird species are more compensate. To the degree that they system could do a much better job abundant and growing in the Green don’t tenants will have to pay more. of taking an eco­centric approach to Belt than in unprotected urban fringes, this question. Currently we place too If the costs of any repairs or improve- and there is some positive news about much emphasis on whether a site ments cannot be claimed landlords will butterflies in some parts of the Green is in the Green Belt or on previously be less likely to make those repairs or Belt. But much of the green belt is undeveloped ‘greenfield’ land, and improvements or will make them more under intensive agriculture, or features actively encourage the development of cheaply and thus at lower quality. Or poorly managed habitats. brownfield sites. they may make false claims. Those unprotected urban fringes, the About 11 per cent of land in England Landlords will generally resent this greenfield land we so often defend and 4 per cent in Wales is covered by unfavourable tax treatment and some against development, is often of quite urban and rural settlements, roads may make false tax returns. This may poor quality for other species. It may and other human infrastructure. But lead to a loss of tax revenue. have other value for recreation, food around half of the land in rural and production and the containment of Where landlords create property urban settlements is actually taken up sprawl, of course. companies this will create extra work by gardens, parks, allotments, sports for accountants and lawyers and thus pitches and other potentially green Natural England have for a number increase costs in the sector. Neither spaces (BBC, 2012). of years talked about “greening the consequence seems desirable. Green Belt”, a policy supported by the The ecological value of urban s Campaign for the Protection of Rural Giving a much higher priority to ettlement England (Natural England, 2010). ecology/biodiversity A study in London found that vegetated The ecological value of brownfield Human development and domination cover in gardens covers about 14 per of our landscape has caused appalling cent of the capital, providing valuable Brownfield land has been the target damage to our ecology in England and species for a range of wild plants and of most development, enthusiastically Wales. animals including birds, mammals, supported by greens. We have long supported the principle of ‘brownfield A recent stock take involving 25 major amphibia and a huge variety of first’, where all brownfield sites should wildlife organisations found that 60 invertebrates. Notable species include be developed before greenfield sites are per cent of species have declined over hedgehog, house sparrow, common built on. recent decades, and that more than one frog, and stag beetle. Gardens are in ten are under threat of disappearing becoming an important resource for We have other good reasons for from our islands altogether (RSPB, conserving some of these species. wanting to build on brownfield sites­ 2013). Similar work led by the Zoolog- But this is being eroded each year to for example to support urban regener- ical Society of London suggests that, development on back gardens, decking, ation, and the plan for compact rather across the world, the total stock of driveways and other kinds of hard than sprawling settlements. living forms on our planet has declined surfacing (London Wildlife Trust, 2010). But brownfield land is home to many by half since 1970 (WWF, 2014). There is also much more potential to very valuable and threatened species, The causes of this damage and decline provide and enhance habitats in urban particularly plants and insects. A survey are complex. A system based on environments, whether through small of the derelict sites in the Inner Forth inequality and exploitation manifests measures like green roofs, bird and bat area found 231 species of invertebrates itself most destructively in intensive boxes and ‘bug hotels’, or a strategic and 143 species of plants (Buglife, management of habitats for human approach to enhancing and joining up 2013a). A study of brownfield sites ends, especially in agriculture and the bioregions like the All London Green in the Thames Gateway found that extraction of raw materials.Pollution on Grid, a policy introduced thanks to over six years, more than half of the land, in the air and in our water courses the Green Party London Assembly important sites for insects had been continues to damage habitats. Our Members. lost, damaged or were under immediate changing climate is putting ever­greater So human settlement needn’t always be threat. This study also found that the pressure on native species. Urbanisa- a sterile environment for other species, planning system was failing to provide tion and development of housing is but planning and housing policy needs safeguards for brownfield habitats and part of this picture, but also has mixed to encourage an ecological approach invertebrates of conservation concern impacts, and compared to the other to development at every point ­from (Buglife, 2013b). processes mentioned above the impact individual buildings to bioregions and Our proposal - ecology first is relatively minor. the nation. Policy LP509 makes explicit this shift

60 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 in emphasis. We don’t propose to To give some coherence to their are sufficient and serious material abandon protections for greenfield decisions, the local authority develops considerations that vary from local sites, but would require an ecology a set of local planning policies, called and national policy, and developers survey of brownfield sites and the the Local Development Framework. can often simply overturn local removal of valuable habitats from local This implements the National Planning decisions by appealing to the plans. Policy Framework, and sets out: relatively unaccountable national planning inspectorate We also give ecology and other aspects • a vision, spatial strategy and core of sustainable development a greater policies for the development of the e) What we can learn from other priority in the green belt, setting out area countries our overarching priorities in LP406 and • allocated sites for development f) England and Wales are interna- requiring local authorities to review • a proposals map showing those tional rarities in having such a their green belt in LP510. These reviews allocated sites for development and permission­based system. In many should be an opportunity to ‘green other important land issues such other rich nations, local authorities the greenbelt’, a phrase promoted by as floodplains, protected habitats are far more proactive. They aren’t Natural England (2010). We leave open etc. all oases of Green planning, but different ways of configuring the green we can learn from some of their • more detailed area action plans for belt ­ whether as a band surrounding approaches to provide local author- specific areas settlements as at present, or reconfig- ities in England and Wales with the ured into ‘green fingers’ or other • a whole host of other accompa- tools to lead on genuinely sustain- models. nying policies on areas like housing, able development. town centres, etc. But once all The key difference is simply that local This is supported by a hierarchy of this policy is set out, councils authorities in other countries tend to of policies which should minimise sit back and wait for the private be much more proactive. Here are some encroachment on other species: and third sectors to apply for examples from a very useful review by • Provide capacity for development permission for proposed develop- the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2013. through intensifying existing uses ments. This leads to some familiar first (LP505) problems: In Germany, where there are areas • Reduce the requirement for new • If a landowner doesn’t want to that could be developed but which urbanised land through demand bring a site forward for develop- suffer from many fragmented plots reduction and the optimisation of ment, they can sit on it indefi- owned by different people/companies, densities (LP506) nitely. Planning permissions may the local authority exercises compul- sory purchase powers to assemble • Make the best use of small sites expire, but the site can remain a it into one site. The local authority and dense infill developments wasted resource. also puts in any necessary infrastruc- (LP507) • Anyone wanting to apply for ture. It then deducts its costs from permission has to assemble a • Give strong protections to land the now­higher value for the land and large team to produce huge stacks that should never be developed, shares this proportionately among the of complex evidence covering e.g. National Parks, important and original landowners. This overcomes design, building codes, sustainable irreplaceable habitats, and so on the problems of land hoarding and transport, housing affordability, (LP405, LP406) disjointed development, and can viability assessments, ecology, and • Design developments in such a improve the standards of infrastruc- much more besides, which is a way as to avoid impact wherever ture, for example by ensuring a district considerable barrier. possible, and reduce it through heating system is put in, and connected design, the translocation of species • Developers take the lead on the with neighbouring schemes where or the repair of damaged habitats plans, and while Local Develop- appropriate. on the site (LP508) ment Frameworks can guide them to quite a fine degree in how the In the Netherlands local authorities • Finally, offset any unavoidable plans are designed, they are still in perform a similar role, buying land residual loss of replaceable habitat control of much of the design of at existing use value, providing the to ensure no net loss for biodiver- the site, buildings, and so on. infrastructure and then selling it to sity developers at a price that at least • Local residents are able, if they Giving councils a proactive approach recovers costs. The ‘custom build’ model have the time and skills (which to planning and land assembly is also more common in this country, need to be very considerable) to where the local authority, sometimes At present, our planning system puts influence their Local Development on its own and sometimes with private local planning authorities in a largely Framework, but can only then partners, undertakes all of the spatial reactive role when it comes to land campaign against developments planning for the site, laying out the supply and development. Their role is that don’t seem suitable. streets and infrastructure and setting to give or deny permission to change • Local authorities are only able to out standard designs for homes that the land’s use, and to develop it. deny planning permission if there can be built out by a panel of builders.

61 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 It then sells individual plots or bundles concept called ‘Lifetime Neighbour- a smaller number of very large of plots on to buyers, who can choose hoods’ (LP504). companies find their cash flows between the standard designs and work and balance sheets in crisis, which Finally, to ensure that local decisions with the builders to further customise means more half­developed sites, aren’t overturned so easily, we propose and then build out the home. This can untended land banks, and so on to reform the various call­in powers lead to a significantly higher quality and appeals processes (LP407). The • The tendency to build very large of spatial planning and building; it principle behind this policy is that, once sites, and to eke out the homes can give local people more control and local authorities have adopted a sound over many years to avoid putting accountability over the plans; and it can local plan, they should be in control of so many homes on to the market enable more small builders to enter the their planning decisions. that it pushes prices down (in other market without having to become part words they are unwilling to build of large consortiums with the range of This package may not sound that enough homes to reduce prices) skills needed for major developments radical, but it would impose a signifi- • Little innovation in construction in the UK. cant financial burden on local authori- techniques and the types of homes ties. The Smith Institute (2014) has These more proactive systems also offered, with too many identikit highlighted the damage that the lack underpin means of capturing the ‘rabbit hutch’ homes of resources and further cutbacks are increase in land values and taxation having on our planning system. At a The lack of innovation is particu- revenues from development, time when planning departments are larly troubling for the Green Party. something we ultimately want to do suffering severe cuts, it is essential We really need lots of innovation to through a comprehensive system of that we reaffirm the requirement for make new homes more energy and land value taxation. For example, in a properly resourced, professional local water efficient, and more resilient to Switzerland the cantons retain the tax planning system if we are to provide climate change. We need even more revenues that accrue to new develop- the homes and workspaces we need in innovation to retrofit these features to ment and since this is their main source a sustainable way. existing homes. All these techniques of revenue it acts as an incentive for and technologies exist, but most of Making the building industry more further development. the house building industry has to be diverse and decentralised It is worth reading the JRF paper in full dragged kicking and screaming towards if you are interested in this subject. One of the less well known trends in any improved standards. housing in the past fifty years is the Our proposed role for local authorities We need a totally different culture, consolidation of our building industry. a diverse industry that competes on We don’t propose to completely rethink In the 1960s, the top ten builders had innovation and high standards. There the planning system. Instead, we give 8 to 9 per cent of the market share, but are many reasons for this consolida- local authorities more power and by 2002 that had increased to 47 per tion, some to do with wider trends encouragement to be proactive at the cent (IPPR, 2011). In London, a snapshot in our economy as big beasts merge various key stages in our system. study in 2012 found that in that year with and acquire smaller companies, We give local authorities an active role 70 per cent of starts on site were being and exercise their grip over the policy in land assembly with better compul- built by just 23 firms, and the only new successive governments. But the most sory purchase powers (LP514) and a entrant to the market was Tesco! (GLA, relevant for housing and planning requirement to tackle land hoarding 2012) policy identified by the IPPR (2011) are: (LP516), and in the detailed plans As with the rise of supermarkets and • the difficulty of acquiring land ­ and provision of infrastructure for other big businesses, this has seriously finding out who owns the plot and individual development sites that can distorted the market, contributing how to contact them, who bought then be subdivided­ into plots for sale to many of the problems covered a plot of land and what they paid, (LP515). elsewhere in this background paper. and the exorbitant cost of land for By putting control over the process of Some of the problems laid at the feet builders without a lot of equity to land supply and spatial planning into of this uncompetitive industry include: put down the hands of local authorities, we also • A lack of capacity to build the • the complexity of the planning help to democratise the process. number of homes we need, though process, which puts so much To further democratise the system, as we contest the total number onus on the builders to produce ensuring local control, we require needed this may be less of a hundreds or thousands of pages first of all much more effective and concern for us of supporting documentation covering a very wide range of meaningful consultation and local • Long­term decline in house building, technical issues involvement with the development as the sector seems to reduce its of Local Development Frameworks output in each downturn and fail to • significant commercial risks (LP502). We also strongly support the increase the the pre­downturn level involved with development and concept of Neighbourhood Planning, at the next peak the sale of homes (if they are being sold), especially on larger sites particularly as a means to promote a • Poor resilience to downturns, as

62 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 • extra risks introduced by the burden of the planning process off Darren Johnson (2012), Ten myths volatility of the land and housing the shoulders of new entrants and about housing reforms in London markets Community and coopera- smaller builders. They would still http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/ tive builders also struggle to break have to pay for the same work, but default/files/archives/10_myths_ into the market, or to hold onto they wouldn’t need to have the housing_benefit_Sept_201 2.pdf their position. Those causes of expertise in­house or buy in contrac- consolidation above are particu- tors to provide it. Encouraging DCLG (2014), English housing survey larly relevant to communities the ‘custom build’ model would 2012 and coops, who are often best also open up big opportunities for https://www.gov.uk/govern- placed to develop in a way that is smaller builders to come along and ment/statistics/englishhousing­ ­ innovative and locally sensitive, just build out homes, without even survey2012­ ­energyefficiency­ ­of and that can provide genuinely being involved in the acquisition english­ ­housingreport­ affordable housing. Community­led of land or the sale of the building regeneration expert Chris Brown plots and homes. Finally, we would Empty Homes (2013), Empty homes (2014) suggests that to fix this, work with financial bodies listed statistics 2013 government “should be focussed in HO606 to improve access to http://www.emptyhomes. on the pre construction period development finance for small and com/statistics2/empty­ ­homes­ (how to speed up land assembly, medium sized developers. statistice201112/­ site investigation, funding and References planning) and the post construc- Evening Standard (18 Sept 2014), tion sales period (how to speed BBC (2011), Private rents in England Foreign buyers own 20% of homes in up occupancy rates)”. That is unaffordable, says Shelter top boroughs GLA (2012), Barriers to Housing Delivery more or less where we start. Our http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ solutions The Green Party would uk­15284892 BBC (2012), The great http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/ act to diversify the industry. Our myth of urban Britain, http://www. default/files/Barriers%20to%20 general view on the problem and a bbc.co.uk/news/uk18623096­ Housing%20Delivery.pdf short summary of our key policies Generation Rent (2014), The Renters’ is provided in HO607. To make BioRegional (2009), Capital Manifesto: A blueprint for building a it easier for new entrants and consumption new sector in 2015 smaller builders to find and acquire http://www.bioregional.com/files/ land, we propose to introduce far publications/capitalconsumption.pdf­ https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront. more transparency into the land net/npto/pages/723/attachments/ Brown (2014), Barriers to Innovation in market (LP516). This includes public original/1403006644/ Renters_ the Built Environment authorities disposing of land in an Manifesto_web.pdf?1403006644 http://chrisbrown.regen. open, transparent way, because GLA (2012), Barriers to Housing net/2014/10/13/barriersto­ ­innovation­ through councils, police authori- Delivery ties, the NHS and so on we have a in­the­built­environment/ http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/ real opportunity to break open the Buglife (2013a), Identifying Open default/files/Barriers%20to%20 market. We also therefore propose Mosaic Habitat on vacant and derelict Housing%20Delivery.pdf that public authorities should land in the Inner Forth Area consider parcelling their land into GLA (2014), Homes for London: The https://www.buglife.org.uk/sites/ smaller plots, rather than selling London Housing Strategy Draft for default/files/Final%20Identifying%20 them as giant projects that only Consultation big established companies can open%20mosaic%20h abitat%20 take on (LP514). To better support on%20vacant%20and%20derelict%20 http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/ publicly owned and community/ land%20in%20the%20Inner%20 default/files/Draft%20London%20 cooperative builders, we would Forth%20 area_0.pdf Housing%20Strategy%20 April%20 2014_0.pdf ensure that public land remains in Buglife (2013b), The state of the ownership of the public sector brownfields in the Thames Gateway House of Commons Library (2013), The or a community land trust (HO514). historical context of rent control in the https://www.buglife.org.uk/sites/ This would not only support coops private rented sector at the first hurdle, it would also default/files/The%20State%20 http://www.parliament.uk/briefing­ place considerable assets in the of%20Brownfields%20in%20 papers/SN06747.pdf hand of coops which they could use the%20Thames%20Gateway_0_0.pdf to support further development Cobbold, What is the Extent of Buy to IPPR (2011), We must fix it: Delivering of new or existing homes. Once Leave Empty in England? Reform of the Building Sector to they have the land, our upheaval Meet the UK’s Housing and Economic http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/ of the planning system described Challenges REP/Buy_to_Leave_Empty.pdf above would take a lot of the http://www.ippr.org/assets/media/

63 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 images/media/files/publica- http://www.psi.org.uk/publications/ HO102 Some areas of the UK suffer tion/2012/02/wemust­ ­fixit_De­ archivepdfs/Changing%20role/HOUS2. from severe housing shortages, while c2011_8421.pdf pdf large quantities of housing lay vacant in others. Under­occupation of housing Joseph Rowntree Foundation (2013), Scanlon and Kochan (2011), Towards a sits side by side with overcrowding. International review of land supply and sustainable private rented sector Severe problems such as rough sleeping planning systems https://www.lse.ac.uk/geography- are highly concentrated in a minority of http://www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/ AndEnvironment/research/london/ local authorities, for reasons broader landsupply­ ­planningfull.pdf­ events/HEIF/HEIF4b_1 0­11%20 than local housing policy. For these newlondonenv/prslaunch/Book.pdf­ London Assembly (2013), Rent Reform: reasons, housing policy cannot meet Making London’s Private Rented Sector Shelter (2012), A better deal ­ towards local housing needs in isolation, and Fit for Purpose more stable private renting must be fully integrated with other social, economic and environmental http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/ http://england.shelter.org.uk/__data/ policies. default/files/Rent%20Reforms%20 assets/pdf_file/0009/587178/A_ %20Making%20the%20­ Private%20 better_deal_report.pdf HO103 Much of our housing stock is Rented%20Sector%20Fit%20for%20 very inefficient in terms of energy and Shelter (2014), Home Improvement: Purpose%20Final.pdf water usage, making our homes a major Tackling poor electrical safety in the source of greenhouse gas emissions London Wildlife Trust (2010), London: a private rented sector which cause climate change. This also garden city? http://www.electricalsafetyfirst. causes high levels of fuel poverty. http://www.wildlondon.org.uk/ org.uk/mediafile/100174804/ Improving the energy efficiency of all sites/default/files/files/London%20 HomeImprovement­ ­Tacklingp­ homes is a priority. Garden%20City%20%20f­ oor­electrical­safety­in­the­PRS.pdf Aims ull%20report.pdf Smith Institute (2014), housing and HO200 To ensure everyone is provided National Housing Federation (2014), planning: what makes the difference? with housing appropriate to their Home truths: Broken market, broken http://smithinstitutethinktank.files. needs that is affordable, secure and dreams wordpress.com/2014/09/housingand­ ­ comfortable. http://www.housing.org.uk/publica- planningwhat­ ­mak es­adifference.pdf­ HO201 To minimise the impact of tions/browse/hometruths­ ­2014/ WWF (2014), Living Planet Report 2014 housing on other species and the Natural England (2010), Green Belts: a natural environment. HO202 To give http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_ greener future local communities a stronger voice in earth/all_publications/living_planet_ local housing policy. http://www.cpre.org.uk/resources/ report/ housingand­ ­planning/greenbelts/­ HO203 To break the stranglehold that a item/1956green­ ­belts ­ agreener­ ­future small number of large developers have Draft Voting Paper ­ Housing chapter over housing provision. Niemitz (2014), Danny Dorling’s ‘All that is solid’: The worst book on the Background Principles housing crisis so far HO100 Affordable, secure and comfort- HO300 The Green Party recognises a http://www.iea.org.uk/blog/ able accommodation is a basic human universal human right to shelter which danny­dorling%E2%80%99s­ need. Those without accommoda- is affordable, secure and to a standard %E2%80%98allthat­ ­issolid%E2­ tion and those forced through lack of adequate for the health and well­being %80%99the­ ­worstbook­ ­on­the­housing­c choice into inadequate or unaffordable of the household. risisso­ ­far housing may lead diminished lives and HO301 This right will be met by a can be excluded from playing their full ONS (2014), House Price Index July balanced mix of tenures and providers, part in society. 2014 varying according to people’s circum- HO101 The inadequate and inequi- stances and preferences. http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/hpi/ table provision of housing in this houseprice­ ­index/july2014/rft­ ­annual­ HO302 Housing policy will be fully country today is the result of inequali- july2014.xls­ integrated with other policies to build ties in access to resources, particularly more sustainable, self­reliant communi- RSPB (2013), State of Nature land, the inability of the free market ties. The provision of housing should to meet diverse housing needs, and a http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/ be coordinated with developments lack of investment in public housing. stateofnature_tcm9345839.pdf­ to provide work, leisure, education, Government policy has encouraged transport and health care. PSI (1990), Changing Role of Local the treatment of housing as a form of Housing Authorities: An interim speculative investment, rather than a Housing strategies assessment basic requirement for individual and HO400 National government, devolved social well­being.

64 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 administrations, the Greater London homes (non permanent residences) community. Authority and local authorities, should so that planning permission must be HO404 The provision of housing should publish housing strategies, setting out sought if homes are built or bought for include the construction of new homes, policies to improve the affordability that purpose, enabling local authorities conversion of existing buildings to and quality of local housing, end fuel to control their proliferation; homes and the refurbishment of empty poverty, reduce environmental impacts d) introduce a new duty for the Bank buildings. Priority will be given to the and end severe problems such as of England to constrain house price maintenance and improvement of temporary accommodation and rough growth through its monetary and existing properties where they can be sleeping. financial policy levers, aiming for house improved in line with the local energy HO401 A key plank of the Green Party’s price stability while balancing this with plan (see EN112123)­ and to adequate national housing strategy would be other objectives; levels of energy and water efficiency to improve affordability by stabilising (see HO408 (c) and (d)). In the short e) to reduce the pressure on overheated house prices and rents so that there is term we would seek to remove VAT housing markets such as London no further real terms growth in housing from repair and refurbishment to and the South East, we would make costs. In the least affordable markets remove the disincentive for this option, stimulating economic development in we would seek to effect a gradual and and in the long term replace VAT with other regions, particularly those with managed real­terms decline in house a new system of resource taxes (see large numbers of long term empty prices until average prices are below EC771). homes, and the reduction of income four times average incomes. A major inequalities, key priorities in our HO405 Demolition will be discouraged, contributor to high and rapidly rising housing and economic strategy (see for particularly where it would lead to the costs has been excessive demand, in example IN302­304 and IN410­414); loss of social or co­operative housing, addition to rising incomes and, in some unless it can be shown to be necessary. housing markets, a growing population. f) use forms of housing provision A study covering the social, economic Reducing excessive demand requires where affordability can be guaran- and environmental impacts of demoli- a range of policies covering taxation, teed irrespective of the wider tion and refurbishment should first the money supply, regional economic market conditions, such as social and be undertaken, with reference to the development, and housing provision: cooperative­ housing. local energy plan (see EN112­123) a) gradually introduce a Land Value Housing provision and housing standards (see HO408). Tax (see LD400) to reduce profits from HO402 Housing strategies should set Wherever possible, the evidence should speculation on existing homes and out targets for the provision of housing be co­produced with residents. Where development sites, and in the short , which shall be sufficient to meet demolition is the preferred option of term increase the amount of land the needs of the current and future the provider, residents would be given held by Community Land Trusts (see population, taking account of current a right to an indicative ballot. HO513514);­ levels of homelessness, overcrowding, HO406 Local authorities should aim b) deter speculative investors by concealed households, affordability, for no more than 0.5% of homes to introducing rent controls and more inadequate or unsuitable housing, be empty for more than six months, secure tenancy agreements (see and households unable to meet their and should draw up registers of empty HO519), abolishing national and local housing needs without some form property in their areas. They should tax breaks for Buy­to­Let investors and of assistance, and taking account of also make much more proactive use of landlords except where they relate to the need to protect land for habitats, Empty Dwelling Management Orders the condition and energy efficiency of industrial and commercial uses, and and working with self­ elp co­operatives the property (see HO521), and allowing recreation. Targets shall take account to bring homes into use. The Green local authorities to control overseas of the current population, and forecast Party would review and amend the investment in housing through a new changes to the population’s size and EDMO legislation to make EDMOs more planning use class; composition. Our chapter on popula- effective and easier for local authorities tion sets out related policies to reduce to use. Amendment 1 In HO401 (b), delete population growth, while emphasising “abolishing national and local tax HO407 Strategies should link with local in PP111 that housing must be provided breaks for Buy­to­Let investors and planning policies, to ensure that there in such a way that respects the rights of landlords except where they relate to are sufficient buildings and land identi- new and existing residents. the condition and energy efficiency of fied to meet targets, while ensuring the property (see HO521)” and substi- HO403 Housing provision targets that planning policy encourages tute “reducing tax breaks for Buy­to­Let should be based upon housing needs sustainable patterns of development investors and landlords (see HO521)”. surveys produced or commissioned by (see LP400­406 and LP505­513). local authorities; commercial house c) require council tax premiums on Standards builders and their representatives second homes and long­term empty shall not be involved in the process of HO408 Too much new housing is homes (see HO603), and introduce identifying potential sites or assessing of a poor quality, for example with a new planning use class for second housing needs on behalf of the local inadequate space and light, or poor

65 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 energy performance. This is not only recycling bins and cycle parking. secure tenure it affords is an essential a problem for the occupants, it also HO409 The Green Party would ensure form of social housing provision. increases opposition to new provision. that local planning authorities and National Government must ensure The Green Party would therefore building control devote sufficient adequate and good quality council review existing building regulations resources to enforce standards after housing stock is retained and provided and codes and introduce new regula- construction. In particular, building by every local authority. It should tions to require: control officers should be involved also ensure that sufficient funding is a) Minimum space standards based throughout the construction of new available to councils for the provision on the ‘Parker Morris’ standards, to homes to ensure energy efficiency of effective repairs and maintenance improve residents’ quality of life, standards are met. Standards will services. ensure that homes are accessible, be based on measured performance HO501 The burden of historic council and are built to the Lifetime Homes through an accreditation scheme (see housing debt should be removed from standard so that they are able to EN811). local authorities by central govern- accommodate changing personal HO410 Housing strategies should ment, thus freeing up much needed circumstances and growing include a housing condition survey, new resources for repairs, renovation families. assessing the existing stock against and new build of council homes. Local b) Comfort standards addressing the standards set out in HO409, with authorities should be able to borrow at ergonomics, sound, privacy and options for raising the quality of homes prudential limits without interference light, so that homes are places of that fail to meet the standards. from central government. retreat. HO411 Raising all existing homes HO502 Local authorities should be c) Energy efficiency and greenhouse to adequate standards of water and encouraged to build or buy homes gas emissions in line with policies energy efficiency is a national priority. where there is a need for social housing in EN122, and design to avoid So housing strategies should set out as a principal means of meeting their overheating during summer how intensive retrofit programmes obligations to homeless people and months without reliance on energy outlined in EN121 will be delivered, people in housing need. intensive mechanical cooling aligned with the local energy plan (see HO503 Each local authority should systems, taking account of projec- EN112). decide which, if any, of its proper- tions for our changing climate. ties should be offered for sale, while d) Water sensitive design, with a per HO412 At the point when homes are bought or relet­ , and where planning remaining mindful of the need for person consumption target of 100 social housing in their local area. Local litres per day, the use of rainwater permission is sought for major changes, there will be a requirement authorities will retain receipts from the and grey water recycling where sale of housing, and will be encouraged appropriate, increases (or at least for the owner to raise these standards to a reasonable degree, including safety to reinvest the money in the improve- no net loss) in permeable surfaces ment of local housing provision. The to reduce flooding (see also LP512) checks on electrical and gas systems, sufficient energy efficiency standards Right to Buy, the Right to Acquire and and care to ensure that plants such any other policies for the largescale­ as trees are given adequately sized to meet local greenhouse gas reduction targets, and the provision of renewable sell­off of social housing will be pits to increase their resilience to abolished, as will discounts for tenants. climate change. energy generation and green roofs where appropriate. HO504 The Green Party opposes e) Use of low­impact materials, the transfer of ownership and/or especially reused and recycled Consultation and community management of social housing to materials, to minimise the lifecycle involvement non ­democratic bodies. This includes embodied greenhouse gases, HO413 Consultation by national the transfer of council housing to energy, water and other resources government, devolved administrations, Arms ­Length Management Organisa- used in the construction of the Greater London Authority and tions and most Housing Associations. buildings and over the lifecycle of local authorities on strategies should The Green Party recognises the undesir- the materials. be proactive, to discover what the able nature of ALMOs, and the difficul- f) Consideration of the importance community needs, in line with policies ties of ensuring adequate representa- of the built environment for other on consultation for local plans set out tion for tenants due to the restrictions species such as lichens, birds, bats in LP502. of board members under company law. and insects, avoiding impacts Housing tenures Local authority where possible and enhancing the HO505 We support initiatives encour- housing local ecology as part of the local aging tenants to take greater control planning policy (see LP514). HO500 The Green Party believes in of their homes and communities by becoming involved in cooper­ atives, g) Provision of facilities to make the value of public ownership under tenant management organisations and sustainable lifestyle choices the the control of elected representatives estate management boards, so long as easiest choice for occupants, as part of mixed provision for social these don’t provide a first step towards for example in the provision of housing. Council housing and the

66 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 privatisation. In those areas where an agreements should offer tenants Ownership. We would also require the Arms ­Length Management Organisa- genuine affordability and security. The Bank of England’s regulatory bodies to tion exists, tenants should be given Green Party would reform the target enshrine the International Co­operative opportunities for genuine participa- rent formula to give greater priority to Alliance’s Cooperative Principles in tion, and if possible the ALMO should genuine affordability for those on low their policies and practices, for example transfer the homes to a cooper­ ative or incomes, and would end central govern- to better tackle demutualisation. back to the council. ment interference through policies HO514 Where public land is used for such as rent convergence. Housing Housing associations the provision of housing, it should associations should work with local either remain in public ownership or be HO506 Housing associations (or authorities to meet the needs of all transferred to a Community Land Trust registered social providers) are those in the local community excluded to preserve it as a community­owned potentially effective providers of by private market housing. Rents asset. Where any public land or homes housing to rent, and can serve partic- should not be increased above afford- that are transferred to a cooper­ ative, ular needs, for example for people able levels in order to finance construc- a legally binding non­demutualisation with mental health or learning disabili- tion, maintenance or the core costs of clause should be written into the ties, with substance misuse problems, the association, and rents should never contract to ensure as far as possible that the formerly homeless, ex­offenders subsidise commercial activities such they aren’t subsequently privatised. and people fleeing domestic violence. as market housing development. The They have also been responsible for default tenancy agreements should be HO515 Community Banks will provide considerable innovation in the housing a secure, lifetime tenancies. credit ­rated tradable housing invest- sector, for example in in championing ment bonds to increase institutional Cooperative­ housing refurbishment rather than redevelop- and individual investment in housing ment and supporting further tenant HO511 Co­operative forms of home co ­operatives. (see EC668) involvement. and land ownership and management HO516 In the medium­to­long term, would be supported and prioritised in HO507 However, there are serious co ­operative ownership models will housing strategies where they improve flaws in their current form. They must supplant existing shared ownership access to secure, long­term affordable be democratised, with a fundamental models to prevent affordable house homes. They can engender increased shift of power in favour of tenants and prices from rising faster than average satisfaction, pride in the community, increased accountability to the local incomes, complementing policies on enhanced training and employment community, aided by a reduction in Land Value Taxation that suppress opportunities, and a greater degree of size and the mandatory representation housing market price rises (see EC791). enfranchisement for tenants. of tenants on their boards. The Green Co ­operative ownership models offer Party would give tenants and local HO512 To support and promote greater flexibility, security and control councillors greater representation on housing cooper­ atives, the Green Party than shared ownership. their boards. would set­up Co­operative Housing HO517 Mutual retirement housing and Agencies at the regional or county level, HO508 In view of their public role, specialist retirement co­housing would as appropriate. These would provide and the substantial amount of public be promoted. Like housing associa- technical support in areas such as funding they receive, housing associ- tions, the potential for cooper­ atives to legislation, business planning, govern- ations will be made public bodies serve particular needs would be also ance, accounting, land acquisition and susceptible to such checks on the recognised, for example for people with development, and provide seedcorn exercise of their functions as judicial mental health or learning disabilities, funding to communities wishing to review, the Human Rights and the with substance misuse problems, the establish a new co­operative. These will Freedom of Information Act, and shall formerly homeless, ex­offenders and be run according to co­operative princi- be required to publish open data on women fleeing domestic violence. ples with membership drawn from their finances and operations that will Co ­operatives have significant potential existing co­operatives. assist their tenants, councillors and to enable such people to keep control other stakeholders in effectively scruti- HO513 Housing co­operatives will be of their lives and create communities nising their operations. assisted by a reduction of the cost of where mutual aid enables people to registration, provision of easier access retain their independence. HO509 In the short term, government to sources of finance and simplification financial support to housing associa- Private rented housing of the conveyancing process and other tions should be increased, and provided regulations. The Green Party would HO518 The private rented sector has a over terms long enough to allow undertake a comprehensive review of role in meeting housing need, particu- appropriate planning to meet housing legislation such as the 1976 Industrial larly in the short term while social and need. This support will favour smaller Common­Ownership Act to provide co ­operative housing remains a minority associations and will be negotiated satisfactory statutory definitions of tenure. But the Green Party believes the and agreed with local authorities and co ­operative models such as Community the sector is failing to provide secure, community groups. Land Trusts and Mutual Home affordable and high standard homes. HO510 Rent levels and tenancy

67 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 HO519 Assured Shorthold Tenancies relations will become a statutory duty immigration status of tenants. should be phased out, and replaced for local authorities. Owner-occupied­ housing with a new Stable Rental Tenancy, HO521 The Green Party would which would recognise the principle HO525 The Green Party recognises the re ­introduce repairs and improvement that the property is the home of the benefits and risks of citizens owning grants, and review the tax treatment tenant first, and an asset of the landlord their own homes, but we would not of private landlords to incentivise second. This will include the following provide subsidies such as mortgage repairs, improvements, better manage- provisions: relief to owner occupiers or buy­to­let ment and longer tenancies. Tax landlords. a) A minimum fixed term of five years, allowances on buy­to­let mortgages, during which time the tenant can letting agency fees insurance, council HO526 Support for ‘low cost home end the tenancy with two months’ tax and utility bills would be abolished. ownership’ schemes such as Shared notice. Ownership would be phased out. These Amendment 4 In HO521, delete “Tax often represent poor value for money, b) Automatic renewal of the tenancy allowances on buy­to­let mortgages, tie occupants into uncompetitive when it expires, at which point letting agency fees insurance, council mortgages and can be difficult to sell. the rent can be renegotiated by tax and utility bills would be abolished.” They would be replaced by co­operative the landlord and tenant, and the and replace with “We would also home ownership models (see HO516) abolition of section 21 “no fault abolish letting relief and reduce private and in the long term made unneces- eviction” powers for landlords, so residence relief on the sale of buy­tolet­ sary by policies to bring down prices it is the choice of good tenants properties.” whether they wish to remain in the such as Land Value Taxation. Existing property. The landlord may only end HO522 The Green Party would bring shared ownership leaseholders who are the tenancy at this time in order lettings agents under the definition of evicted shall be entitled to their share to sell the property (with proof of an estate agency and give the Office of of the market value of the property. Fair Trading the ability to ban agents purchase), to move in or where HO527 Residential leasehold would who act improperly. It would be illegal there has been a serious breach of be phased out, and all new develop- for lettings agents to charge potential the contract. ments would be freehold, common- and current tenants any fees. Local c) Rents may only be increased hold or co­operatively owned. Existing authorities would be encouraged to annually for the duration of the leaseholders would be given the right establish ethical, or social, lettings tenancy in line with an inflationary to buy their freehold at a fair price. agencies, with the aim of helping people index, calculated by local authori- Leaseholders under the same freehold find affordable and suitable accommo- ties to take account of changes in will also be able to transfer to common- dation, linking with local authority, local wages and housing market hold on a simple majority vote and housing association and co­operative conditions, in order to strike a without paying the unfair marriage landlords where applicable. balance between affordability and value penalty. Leaseholders would gain predictability for tenants, and the HO523 To tackle rogue and slum stronger protection against forfeit of landlords’ need to invest in their landlords, the Green Party would lease if they get into a small debt or homes and make a reasonable simplify and toughen up the Housing other breach of lease. profit. Health and Safety Rating System HO528 Residential management (HHSRS), ensure local authorities Amendment 2 In HO519 (c) delete “an agents would come under statutory dedicate adequate resources to inflationary index, calculated by local regulation, similar to lettings agents proactively enforce it, and introduce a authorities to take account of changes and estate agents, to protect tenants national landlord licensing scheme, with in local wages and housing market from rogue operators. conditions”, and replace with “the retail the enforcement of licenses operated by HO529 The Green Party would help price index”. local authorities and punitive penalties for landlords who fail to gain a license people at risk of repossession keep their Amendment 3 In HO519 (c) delete or meet the HHSRS requirements. We homes via a Right to Rent scheme. This “an inflationary index, calculated by would also tackle landlords converting would enable them to sell their home local authorities to take account of homes into unsuitable dwellings and to their local authority at a fair market changes in local wages and housing then obtaining a Lawful Development rate, and rent it back under the terms market conditions”, and replace with Certificate by giving local authorities available to council tenants, meaning “a local wages index calculated by an 10 years to take enforcement action, they could stay in their home until they independent body such as the Audit rather than 4 years as at present. wanted to move or buy it back from the Commission or ONS.” local authority. HO524 Discrimination within the HO520 Local authorities shall establish private rented sector is a significant HO530 The Green Party would increase Private Residential Tenancy Boards, problem. The Green Party would make the tax­free amount on the ‘Rent a providing an informal, cheap and it illegal to discriminate against tenants Room’ scheme to a level sufficient to speedy forum for resolving disputes who receive housing benefit, and scrap reduce repossessions, provide more before they reach a tribunal. Tenancy requirements for landlords to check the affordable housing and make better

68 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 use of the existing housing stock, and modifications to Council Tax/National housing where it is needed, but is also would increase the level thereafter Non­Domestic Rates (NNDR) as a transi- undermines democracy by giving too by inflation each year. Local authori- tional move towards the introduction much power over the location and ties should give advice and support to of Land Value Taxation: design of homes to a small number of owner occupiers considering taking on a) introduction of mandatory companies. The Green Party would act a lodger, and to lodgers, and consider premiums on long­term empty to diversify the industry. This would setting up a brokerage service to properties (left empty for more be achieved in large part through encourage lodging. To give greater than six months) or underused the parcelling of land into smaller protection and certainty over rent properties, including business plots (LP515), bringing transpar- levels to lodgers, we would extend the premises and second homes, the ency to the land market (LP517), and rent controls proposed in HO519 (but level of which to be determined retaining public land in public or local not security of tenure) for the duration by the local authority, with the community hands rather than selling of the agreement. exception of the single person it to big developers (HO514). We would also work with financial bodies listed in Housing finance occupancy discount for pensioners; HO606 to improve access to develop- b) creation of new Council Tax bands Benefits ment finance for small and medium above H to ensure that as property sized developers. HO600 In the long term the Citizens’ values get progressively higher so Income (see EC730 and subsequently) does the tax paid on them; Homelessness and rough sleeping will be sufficient to cover basic housing c) reform of the multiplier rates HO700 The Green Party believes that costs, which will be lower as a result applied to the bands, to make the nobody should be left homeless, and of other policies in this chapter. Other tax paid more proportionate to the nobody should sleep rough on the benefits and tax reliefs will be gradually value of the house; streets, in the 21st century. Too many phased out. d) all land holding bodies, public, live in insecure, unsafe places. We HO601 In the short term the Citizens’ Housing Association or private, would aim to end rough sleeping, Income (see EC730 and subsequently) shall be made liable for the defined as sleeping rough for more will provide for a proportion of housing payment of Council Tax/NNDR for than one night, within our first term of costs. To allow for regional variations, all properties under their control office. this will be supplemented by a specific (although this should not affect HO701 The existing homeless persons housing benefit. Housing benefit will reliefs currently given to charities, legislation would be amended to give be payable to all tenants in rented non ­profit making bodies and small local authorities the same duties with accommodation, with payable rates set rural businesses). regard to single people and childless annually at actual rent levels for social Financing new housing couples as to families, we would abolish tenants and at the median local market priority need criteria, and we would rent for private tenants. Benefit levels HO604 A Green government would ensure provision for the ‘intention- should support people on low incomes, ensure sufficient capital funding for ally homeless’. Local authorities will the unemployed, retirees, those unable social housing to meet needs and be given a duty to provide sufficient to work and carers to stay in and provide for the backlog of social housing social rented and co­operative housing contribute to their local communi- within ten years. In the long­term, this to meet local needs, and the power ties. There shall be no discrimination would be repaid by the reductions in to discharge this duty into the private or variation of housing benefits, such housing benefit payments. rented sector will be abolished, which as on the basis of age or employment HO605 The primary source of funding in many local areas will require a huge status, and no withdrawal of benefits for social housing should be central increase in the stock of social rented through sanctions or other means. government grant, with grant levels and co­operative housing. HO602 Though it represents a small sufficient to provide high standard, low HO702 The use of inappropriate short part of the social security budget, we rent properties. term accommodation (including hostels currently pay too much in housing HO606 The Green Party will also work and bed and breakfast accommoda- benefit to private landlords. The Green with the Public Works Loan Board, tion) as a way of complying with the Party would seek to bring down the public and private pension funds, and duty to the homeless will be ended as benefit bill by building more social community banks to ensure that local policies for social housing increase its housing, and by reducing market rents, authorities, housing associations and availability to local authorities. rather than by cutting benefits. housing co­operatives are able to access HO703 Local authorities should review Council tax affordable finance. their registers of empty property HO603 As an immediate response to HO607 The house building industry (see HO406) for opportunities to concerns about the fairness of Council is currently too concentrated and help homeless households, funding Tax, and to the growing housing crisis uncompetitive, dominated by a small local organisations such as self­elp (particularly in London and the South number of large developers. This co ­operatives to bring them back East), Greens support the following not only restricts the provision of into use as shortlif­ e and permanent

69 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 dwellings. Building societies will be withdrawal of social security benefit. In buyers, and would lead to unsustain- permitted to make loans to such the short term the Green Party would able patterns of development. This has groups without such loans having to be equalise benefits such as Jobseekers been recognised since the establish- secured against the property. Allowance, Universal Credit and ment of the first green belt in 1935, Housing Benefit to people aged 16­25 and the introduction of the Town and HO704 Every local authority should to the same level to which those over Country Planning Act 1947. work with partners to ensure a well 25 years old are entitled. In the long promoted, effective and welcoming LP101 However, the half century term the Citizens’ Income Scheme Housing Options and Advice Service following the introduction of the Town is designed to eradicate poverty is provided for all who need it, along and Country Planning Act 1947 has seen throughout society. with effective counselling, mental three policy failures. First, unsustain- health and support services for those HO802 Educational institutions will able patterns of development have who have suffered abuse, short­term have a greater responsibility for housing prevailed, though less than if there were support services for people leaving provision for their students. This may no planning controls at all. Of partic- care, hospital, prison or the armed take the form of flexible arrange- ular concern has been the development services, and tailored skills and employ- ments with local authorities and other of prime agricultural farmland and ment assistance for those out of work. housing providers in their areas. Extra important natural habitats, low density funding will allow more provision suburban sprawl that makes sustain- HO705 Homelessness rarely respects of student housing on campus sites able lifestyles difficult, and energy­ local government boundaries, so where appropriate or in purposebuilt­ inefficient buildings. Second, in some national government, devolved or refurbished accommodation. Rents parts of the country the permitted use administrations and the Greater would be set by rent officers to ensure of land for housing has not kept up London Authority need to ensure that that prospective students are not with the growing population, contrib- there is joinedup­ provision of services, deterred from study by high housing uting to rising housing costs, and in and that this extends to related services costs. turn to more overcrowding, a greater such as the NHS, immigration services reliance on housing benefit, and fewer and the Armed Services, so that people HO803 Despite existing statutory households being able to live near their aren’t discharged into homelessness. duties, too many local authorities have place of work or their family. Third, Commissioning of services by local failed to provide adequate residential and partly as a consequence of flawed authority partnerships or regional and transit sites for gypsies and travel- national economic and industrial bodies will be encouraged. lers. Policies to ensure this injustice policies, in some parts of the country is remedied are set out in policies HO706 We recognise that European the permitted use of land for diverse RR700703.­ Union citizens make a significant contri- and sustainable employment uses has bution to the economy of the UK and HO804 The Green Party supports the been eroded by conversions to other are much less likely to claim benefits provision of CoHousing as a means of uses. that their UK counterparts. The Green fostering a greater sense of community LP102 While planning policy has failed Party will bring greater equity to the and mutual support, with its mixture to grapple with these national policy tax and benefit system by ensuring of public and private space. Those challenges, it is also often too remote that when they fall into difficulties such who might particularly benefit from from local communities. Decisions are as homelessness or rough sleeping they this include lone parents and older not always taken at the most local are entitled to the help as UK citizens people. Suitable sheltered accommoda- practical level, consultation processes such as local authority advice and basic tion, where possible with these design are too often tick­box exercises rather levels of Social Security support. It is principles in mind, will be provided by than an opportunity for genuine unacceptable that people who came local authorities in association with dialogue, and local decisions on local to the UK to work are left to die on the housing associations, health authori- matters are overturned at a national streets. ties, charitable and community organi- level. sations for the housing of more vulner- Special needs able members of society, in particular Long-term­ aims HO800 The Green Party would women and others threatened with LP200 To achieve patterns of develop- immediate restore a comprehensive violence, the older people and infirm, ment that enable all people to realise set of emergency grants and loans to those with learning difficulties and their potential and improve the quality local authorities and to households and persons recovering from drug or alcohol of life in ways which simultaneously individuals who have special housing­ abuse (see SW501 and DU411). protect and enhance the earth’s life related needs. These should cover Draft Voting Paper ­ Planning Chapter support systems. housing costs, and associated costs such as moving and furnishing their Background LP201 To provide housing that is home. suitable for and affordable by local LP100 There will always be competing people as well as the land, infrastruc- HO801 Poverty and homelessness demands for the finite resource of land. ture and facilities for work, social and among young people has been exacer- A free market in land would give undue cultural activities as required by the bated by unemployment and the power to wealthy land owners and rich

70 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 community. LP402 While the Green Party aims to settlements,to encourage urban reduce the need for growth in the regeneration and compact towns and LP202 To protect land providing other economy and the population, there cities, and to complement the ecolog- human uses that are essential to the will inevitably be requirements for new ical and cultural value of other designa- national and local community, such infrastructure, housing stock, industrial tions listed in LP405. The Green Party as floodplains, farmland and national and commercial land, and social facili- would put a greater emphasis on the parks. ties in many local communities. Good green belt’s use for wider sustain- LP203 To minimise the impact of human planning and design are essential to able development considerations such development on other species, and to resolve potential conflicts between as flooding, biodiversity, agriculture, nurture a network of resilient habitats social, economic and environmental energy production and sustainable to reverse declining biodiversity. concerns. transport. The local authority role in reviewing and protecting their green Short­-term aims LP403 Sustainable development will be belt is set out in LP510. LP300 To improve spatial patterns of achieved through planning by creating development to meet sustainable places that facilitate a sustainable low LP407 The Green Party believes that transport and energy objectives. carbon, and eventually zero carbon, the call­in powers of the Secretary circular economy, with actions to of State and the Mayor of London, LP301 To improve the permitted use mitigate and adapt to climate change, and the appeals system operated by of land to meet local needs such as to reduce our ecological footprint to a the National Planning Inspectorate, housing without prejudicing long­term ‘one planet’ level, and to address more undermine local democracy and aims. localised problems such as flooding. confidence in the planning system. We LP302 To re­introduce conservation Local plans should integrate with would therefore: practices in the design and construc- energy plans (see EN112). • bind the call­in powers of the tion and use of buildings. This should LP404 Achieving this requires a recogni- Secretary of State so that he or result in buildings which are durable, tion that policies addressing all aspects she cannot override decisions in energy efficient, and adaptable for of planning, including construction, compliance with an up to date and more than one specific purpose. housing, energy, transport, food, approved local plan, except where LP303 To enable a greater degree of waste, water, health, the economy and the decision relates to national self­sufficiency to be achieved within natural habitats, are interconnected. strategic infrastructure projects. the living areas than at present. More detailed policies in these areas • abolish the Mayor of London’s are set out in other chapters. Local power to call in and approve LP304 To strengthen and protect local plans and neighbourhood plans (see planning applications that have decision making, and empower local LP504) should seek to foster Lifetime been refused by the local authority, communities to be genuinely involved Neighbourhoods, which offer everyone or where the local authority has not in the development of local planning the best possible chance of health, yet made a decision. policy. well­being and social, economic and • restrict the role of the National Policies civic engagement regardless of age. Planning Inspectorate to examining Ensuring this means that communities Sustainable development local plans for compliance with are empowered, and that local shops, national policy, abolishing its LP400 National, regional and local social and community facilities, streets, appeals process; planning policy should articulate a parks and open spaces, local services, • introduce a right of appeal for vision of sustainable development decent homes and public transport are applicants and third parties, which enables all people to realise their affordable and accessible to everyone to be handled by a new body potential and improve the quality of life now and for future generations. in ways which simultaneously protect overseen by the Local Government LP405 The Green Party strongly and enhance the earth’s life support Ombudsman, and only where there supports land designations which systems and other species’ habitats. has been an error in the planning prevent inappropriate development on This principle would lie at the heart process, a variance from the local National Parks, the Broads and Areas of of a revised National Policy Planning plan or national policy, or an Outstanding Natural Beauty, natural Framework, which should be brought infringement of civil rights. habitats of local, regional, national forward at the earliest opportunity. Local plans or international importance, sites of LP401 In practice, given the current special scientific or archaeological LP500 Local authorities should bring unequal distribution of land, property interest, and ancient woodlands. forward Local Plans, setting out a clear and power, achieving LP400 will spatial vision which gives form to the LP406 The Green Party strongly inevitably mean that some with principles set out in LP401406;­ which supports the provision of green belts excessive wealth and power will lose complies with national policy; which is to contain urban sprawl, to maintain out. Planning policy should seek to aspirational but realistic; and which is the separation of settlements, to resolve these conflicts in the interests based on an understanding of the signif- protect prime agricultural land around of greater equality. icance of place ­what the community

71 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 values about it and how they would like develop their plans, ensuring they align of land for development to follow it to change in the future. Plans should with the strategic needs and priorities the mitigation hierarchy of ‘avoid, be accompanied by a delivery strategy, of the wider local area, national policy mitigate and compensate’. The impact setting out the scale and location of and legal requirements. Neighbour- on other natural habitats should be anticipated change, the likely sequence hood plans, therefore, must be in avoided wherever possible and where of development, and wider changes general conformity with the strategic damage cannot be avoided it should required to meet the objectives. policies of the Local Plan, and local be mitigated (e.g. via housing or authorities should therefore have a infrastructure design, translocation of LP501 Both the Local Plan and its delivery duty to assist communities in engaging species or repair of damaged habitat). strategy should be underpinned by in a deliberative process similar to Finally, any unavoidable residual loss of a rigorous evidence base. This would that used in consulting on the Local replaceable habitat should be compen- include assessment such as the availa- Plan. Neighbourhood plans and local sated through offsetting to ensure no bility of land, the requirements for plans should seek to identify deficien- net loss for biodiversity in and around housing (see HO401­407) and employ- cies in the components of a lifetime the location of the development. ment, the local ecology and ecosystems neighbourhood, for example areas with Irreplaceable land uses as outlined services, the historic environment, the little access to open space and nature, in LP405 would not be subject to this landscape, and our changing climate. and develop plans to address these. offsetting policy. Developers should LP502 Consultation on local Plans also look to understand and compen- Identifying land for development should begin early, and provide opportu- sate for the social or amenity value of nities for local stakeholders to engage LP505 Local planning authorities lost green space to local communities. in a deliberative process to understand would be given a duty to bring forward The offset should be based on a robust, the evidence base and the challenges sufficient capacity for new housing, the independently verified set of metrics. the local area faces; to identify the local economy and infrastructure. This Links between housing, planning objectives and priorities for the plan; can include land for development, and and environment strategies should and to sketch the outline plans for each the potential to intensify existing uses, be identified so that any offsetting location. Without this genuine dialogue for example adding further storeys to contributes towards broader local and and copr­ oduction, plans are unlikely a block of flats. This provision should regional objectives. to arrive at the best solutions and are meet the need identified in housing LP509 While the policy of ‘brownfield more likely to meet with opposition strategies (see HO401­407). first’ is supposed to consider the from those excluded from the process. LP506 As far as possible, the demand for environmental value of brownfield The Green Party would ensure that new urban land should be minimised sites, too many valuable habitats for planning departments are adequately through a combination of demand­ other species are identified for develop- resourced for this task. reduction policies (see for example ment. The Green Party would give LP503 Where planning issues cross HO401) and through optimising wildlife­rich brownfield land greater administrative boundaries, local densities. Land value taxation would protection following the approach set authorities should face a duty to create incentives to bring forward out in LP508, and require local authori- cooperate, which should take the form empty sites for development, and local ties to review their local plans to of a continuous process of engage- authorities would be given stronger remove high­value sites. ment from initial thinking through powers to tackle remaining land LP510 Local authorities should review to implementation. Where coopera- hoarding (see LP516) . Any develop- their green belt on a periodic basis tion fails, an independent inspector ment of present settlements should be where they are failing to achieve will advise based on the process and confined within the existing bounda- sustainable development, for example outcomes. Where this still fails to ries where possible, and where a loss where they are causing sprawl and achieve a common set of objectives and of countryside is deemed necessary commuting beyond their bounds, and an implementation plan, the Secretary it should go on the least sensitive where there is scope for more sustain- of State will make a ruling based on land that is most accessible by public able development on existing green the inspector’s advice which will form transport, cycling and walking to belt sites, for example near transport a binding national policy on those local existing economic and social facilities. hubs. Reviews should seek to achieve authorities. LP507 Local authorities should make the policies set out in LP406, ensure LP504 The Green Party supports more use of small sites, which are no net loss in the quantity and quality Neighbourhood Planning. Each local often overlooked or undervalued in the of green belt land, and should aim to community should be able to express current land availability assessments. ‘green the greenbelt’. their own vision of a ‘lifetime neighbour- Dense infill developments could signifi- LP511 The effects of climate change will hood’, defined as one where the social cantly offset the need to build on larger mean that it will no longer be practical and physical conditions support a brownfield and greenfield sites that for the continued use of some sites, strong and vibrant community. Local provide natural habitats. including many homes, which are now planning authorities should seek to LP508 To protect wildlife, the Green liable to regular flooding. Such derelict empower and support communities to Party would require any release land should be re­landscaped rather

72 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 than re­developed, and the practice new model, local authorities should Other land needs of developing reclaimed marshland be able to use streamlined compulsory LP518 In some parts of the country should be ended. Central govern- purchase powers to assemble areas there is a shortage of provision for ment should also help those who are with fragmented ownership, and to burials. At the same time there is most affected. Government insurance buy the land at existing use value. The an interest in woodland burial and schemes should be available to offer Green Party would explore how the other environmentally­friendly forms cover for those refused flooding cover Land Bank and Community Land Trust of burial. Local councils shall review by commercial companies, and there models developed in the USA could be the future need for burial space, to should financial assistance to help with used to maximise the benefits from include provision for woodland and relocation for those whose properties land and property acquisition. Land other environmentally­friendly forms of have become uninhabitable or prohibi- should be chosen based on its potential burial. tively expensive to insure. to achieve the principles of sustainable development set out in LP400­406. Local independent retailing LP512 Flooding in urban and rural settlements is a fact of life, and is set LP515 Local authorities should then LP601 A wide range of local shops and to get worse as our climate changes. develop detailed plans for each develop- services within walking distance is Local plans should aim to reduce flood ment, and provide the social, environ- essential to a sustainable community. risks arising from rivers, tidal surges, mental and transport infrastructure. Yet local shops are closing or being sewers, groundwater and rainfall, They would then sell the land in small replaced with chain­store ‘clones’ and beginning with an assessment of the parcels for development by private, formula retailers every day, and just area of permeable surfaces and targets cooperative, charitable or publicly a few supermarkets dominate the to increase it. Individual developments owned companies at a price that at market for groceries. Current govern- should minimise the loss of permeable least recovers their costs. Where this ment and local government policies are surface, enhance it where possible, and isn’t possible, the local authority and not protecting local shops and markets. where unavoidable loss occurs local national government should assess LP602 Retailing is a highly visible part authorities should replace it by creating the social and environmental case for of the business sector with a huge new permeable surfaces elsewhere. subsidising development. influence on society, local communi- Loss of permeable surfaces in existing LP516 Where owners of land designated ties and employment. Almost half of developments such as front and back for development in the local plan fail to UK shops are owned and managed gardens should be avoided. New green bring it forward for development in a by a sole trader, and many more have and blue infrastructure is not only cost timely manner, local authorities should fewer than five employees. Retail also effective, but also often good for air exercise compulsory purchase orders provides routes to self employment quality, biodiversity and health. Local in the public interest, to prevent land for groups such as migrants to the UK plans should also identify opportuni- hoarding. and ethnic minorities, who are propor- ties for new flood defences. tionately more likely to start their own LP517 To improve transparency and LP513 Overheating in urban areas is a businesses. In rural areas, retailing is efficiency in the land market, making problem that is also set to get worse now the single largest employer. it easier for small, community and with our changing climate. Local plans self­uilders to acquire land, the Land LP603 Many of the Green Party’s should identify areas subject to a signif- Registry (which should be publicly policies on localisation and small icant urban heat island effect, and set owned) would be required to collect enterprises will help local, independent targets for urban greening to cool the and publish an open registry on land retailers, such as the abolition of VAT air such that a changing climate makes ownership, and open data on land (see EC771) and combining National the heat island effect no worse than it prices by site and hectare. Local author- Insurance with Income Tax (see EC721), is today. ities would also be required to publish and some of our policies already seek to Bringing development land forward open data on planning permissions control parking in new developments with some details of the plans. All other (see TR035). However, some specific LP514 Local authorities should have public authorities that collect data on planning policies to preserve the an active role in assembling land, transactions and options agreements viability of local shops and the services providing infrastructure and drawing would also be required to publish this provided by these enterprises are also up the spatial plans for development. in an open format. All public authori- necessary. Currently they are left in a largely ties considering disposal of land assets reactive role, giving permission based LP604 We will revise the National would be required to do so transpar- upon local development frameworks, Planning Policy Framework and its ently, publishing its intention to do which has led to a shortage of available guidance so that local and regional so, publishing key financial informa- land and too many poor quality authorities can protect and encourage tion after the land has been sold, and developments. The Green Party would local, independent retailers. This exploring options for other public or move towards the ‘custom build’ model guidance would: community bodies to purchase the more common in countries like the land (see also HO514). a) enable the introduction of ‘business Netherlands and Austria. Under this conservation areas’ that empower

73 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 local communities to retain the markets, where there is community OUT OF ORDER character and amenity of their high demand. streets, and bar formula retailers LP606 We will empower local authori- MOTIONS from certain areas, ties to bring in rent controls for small b) ensure basic facilities (food shops, shop premises, to prevent landlords banks, pharmacies and post offices) OoO1 Social Cleansing and from driving up rents and driving out Poor Doors are located within all residential independent retailers. areas of a certain size, and within [This was ruled out of order on the The built environment 15 minutes’ walk in all urban and basis of Section C Part 1 of the Standing suburban areas, by empowering LP700 Our built environment should Orders for the Conduct of Conference local authorities to use the create a sense of place and community which state: “In order to be included in planning process to influence the life. Buildings should not obscure or the First Agenda, motions for sections retail mix in their areas, and to unduly disrupt popular viewpoints from B, C and D of the Agenda must first be offer subsidies or other incentives if local amenities such as parks or hills, submitted online by the appropriate necessary, and should be broadly consistent with deadline for inclusion in a pre-agenda.” c) prohibit new out­of­town retail parks the height of existing buildings in the This motion, or an earlier version of and car­based superstores, local environment. Specific buildings it, did not appear on the pre-agenda d) insist that 50% of retail floor providing a distinctive feature to the forums set up specifically for this space in all new developments is locality can be an exception to this. purpose.] affordable space for local small LP701 Buildings of special historic Adrian Cruden, Charlie Kiss, Lesley businesses, interest need to be preserved for Hedges, Livio Pavone, Romayne Phoenix, e) reduce local authority dependence future generations. The present regula- Simon Cope, William Quick. (no on financial incentives (‘planning tions and guidance for conservation main proposer identified). gain’) from large developers areas and listed buildings should be Synopsis and companies, which are used maintained and improved to provide New housing developments are increas- to secure planning permission incentives for the retention of listed ingly tending to move social housing for developments that would structures, and to protect or enhance tenants out to make way for private otherwise be rejected, the special historical character of conservation areas. Local authorities tenants and/or buyers; even when such f) include clear policies on sustain- developments allow social housing, ability to enable planning authori- would be given a statutory duty to provide historic environment records. its tenants are being segregated from ties to favour local businesses on other occupants. ecological grounds, rather than LP702 Legal sanctions must be stiffened bigger firms with less sustainable against those who demolish listed Motion practices, buildings, or who allow them to fall The Green Party agrees to actively g) prohibit new retail parking in large into a state of disrepair. The relevant campaign against, and support developments, apart from disabled bodies must make proper use of legisla- community groups actively parking, tion enabling them to do this and must campaigning against: earmark sufficient resources, financial h) encourage the pedestrianisation of a) Social cleansing via redevelopments and staff, to operate it effectively. shopping areas within cities, towns which oust social housing tenants Interim protections would also be and villages, to provide a safe and in favour of wealthier private introduced to prevent the demolition of pleasant shopping environment. buyers or damage to buildings that are being Where possible, delivery access b) Housing redevelopments that considered for heritage designation. should be provided outside of the institute an form of social pedestrianised area or should be LP703 The Green Party would increase apartheid by having separate facili- restricted to times which are not local authorities’ powers to take action ties for private and social housing peak shopping times. in response to heritage at risk, including occupants improvements to urgent works and LP605 We will require local authori- c) extortionate rents which contribute streamlined compulsory purchase ties to adopt a retail strategy, a retail to and are caused by a &b regeneration plan and local competi- powers that reduce the risk to the local The Green Party notes that these bad tion policies to prevent high streets authority and increase the likelihood concurrences flow from the application from being dominated by formula that the property would be saved and of neo-liberal economic policies and businesses, and to ensure fair market reusable. often also the failure of Labour local access for small, independent retailers. authorities to resist these policies and We would require these strategies to will continue to campaign for building include policies to support and retain more council housing and/or housing street markets and farmers markets, with truly affordable rents. and encourage the introduction of new

74 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 OoO2 One Million Climate protects the land rights of indigenous Synopsis people. Only 20 countries have ratified Jobs The motion proposes a tax on luxury it so far. The Green Party should pledge items, outlining some of the reasons [SOC Ruled this motion out of order to push for the UK to ratify this law, as that would be desirable and how it on the basis that it was trivial, as per every country that signs it strengthens would operate in practice. Section D, part 8 clause e. The PfSS it and pressures others to do the same, already has support for the Green New even if they don’t actually have indige- Motion Deal, this does not add anything to the nous people in their country (Spain already existing policy.] Insert new EC794 and EC795 after and the Netherlands have signed it). EC793 Howard Thorp*, John Knight, Livio Signing it will also encourage British Pavone, Martin Francis, Mike Shipley, companies working overseas to consult EC794 The purpose of taxation is Nicole Haydock, Peter Allen, William and be more respectful of indigenous not only to curtail certain kinds of Quick. peoples’ rights. Protecting tribal people socially undesirable consumption (e.g. polluting), but to raise revenue for Synopsis is absolutely key to protecting the rainforest and other natural sites, as social expenditure, thereby enabling We are facing a climate emergency and indigenous people are the world’s best improvements in the quality of life of an economic crisis. Global warming conservationists. The Liberal Democrats those worse off in society. It is therefore is accelerating and millions are either pledged to sign it in 2009, which important that fair sources of taxation unemployed or underemployed. We garnered them some good publicity are identified and that the greater need a policy, which an incoming Green from indigenous charities. burden of taxation falls on those government can adopt to get people most capable of bearing it; moreover, back into work doing meaningful jobs The current policy on indigenous in a world in which there is depriva- earning at least living wage and fighting people is good, and explains that the tion and an urgent need for invest- climate change the same time. green party supports tribal people ment in response to climate change, keeping their land, and getting repara- it is important that those with an Motion tions for past damages. This would just abundance of resources make their fair Insert into RoPS: add a bit saying that we support the contribution to solving these problems. signing of the ILO169 by the govern- The Green Party believes that urgent ment. Please support this motion. It is virtually tautologous that through action is required to combat climate luxury taxation revenue would accrue change and tackle a crisis of unemploy- from the non-essential consumption ment and underemployment. We OoO4 Luxury Tax of wealthier individuals and it would will aim to create one million climate [This motion has been ruled out of therefore be a suitable way of raising jobs in through a Green New Deal. order on the basis that it is vague and tax revenue. In addition to this, a luxury trivial, as per Section D, part 8 clauses tax would play a role in reshaping OoO3 Last two paragraphs of d and e. Whilst it proposes a new markets so that they function more C 19 text to be included in the PfSS, it fails in the interests of society as a whole, to propose any actual policy. Whilst whilst partially redressing social [SOC Ruled the below section of this the synopsis states that the motion inequalities. motion out of order on the basis that proposes a tax on luxury items, the EC795 Taxes on luxury items are a legiti- it was vague, as per Section D, part 8 actual motion merely explains why mate means of raising revenue. A single clause d. of Standing Orders for the this might be a good idea. This motion ad valorem tax levied as a fixed propor- Conduct of Conference, with regards contravenes the general requirements tion of the price of items determined what policy framework it was actually for policy motions (set out in Appendix as premium goods would most likely outlining beyond that contained in the A, section 2 part b of the Standing ease potential administrative burdens. first paragraph (not included here). Orders for the Conduct of Conference.) Items would be identified as luxuries in This section contravenes the general which states that “Proposed additions accordance with the following criteria- requirements for policy motions (set or amendments to PSS […] shall not [..] they meet the standard economic out in Appendix A, section 2 part b of contain factual information or rhetoric definition of a ‹luxury good›; their the Standing Orders for the Conduct except insofar as these are necessary price is above a certain proportion of of Conference.) which states that to make PSS accessible to the general median income; their primary funciton “Proposed additions or amendments reader.” This motion is largely rhetoric could only reasonably be construed to PSS […] shall not [..]contain factual in support of the principle expressed in as maximising quality, expense or information or rhetoric except insofar the synopsis, not a “clear, precise and comfort greatly beyond necessity, or as these are necessary to make PSS comprehensive framework from which signalling social status. Neverthe- accessible to the general reader.” Which manifestos and other statements of less, a certain degree of governmental these two paragraphs, in particular the policy can be elaborated”] discretion would be required in the last one, currently does.] Samuel Gurney*, Ieuan King, Jeffrey designation of items to which the tax The International Labour Organisation Wakeham, Megan Gurney, Tim is applicable; periodic reviews would 169 the only law that recognises and Hodgson. be necessary to reassess and modify

75 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 these designations and to ensure that OoO6 Fragment of C33 Home to be used in one form or another. revenues exceed administrative costs. Education The extent to which people use drugs This would be aided by the flexibility depends not only on the availability in determining both the threshold [This section of motion has been ruled of such substances but also on social, at which items become luxuries and out of order on the basis that it is trivial, economic and environmental factors. the proportion of their price taxed. as per Section D, part 8 clauses e. This Some drug use - whether experi- section of the motion does not seek to mental, recreational or dependent - can make any changes to the PfSS and falls OoO5 Electricity price have a damaging effect not only on outside of the general requirements for the user but also on the user›s family reduction, for Green powered policy motions (set out in Appendix and friends. However evidence shows communities A, section 2 part b of the Standing that at least 90% of drug use is not Orders for the Conduct of Confer- [SOC Ruled this motion out of order harmful to the individual or society. The ence.) which states that “Proposed on the basis that it was ambiguous, blanket term ‘drugs’ can often serve to additions or amendments to PSS […] as per Section D, part 8 clause c. It is prevent mature debate of drugs policy, shall not [..]contain factual information unclear who the options outlined at giving the impression that all ‘drugs’ or rhetoric except insofar as these are the end of the motion are intended are equally harmful, when in fact necessary to make PSS accessible to the for. Are they both to be included as some illegal ‘drugs’ such as MDMA are general reader.” This is clearly rhetoric policy, or is conference to choose one. less harmful than legal ones such as designed to encourage people to vote The audience for them as options is tobacco and alcohol but are neverthe- for the motion, the place for this is the entirely ambiguous and greater clarity less classified in the same category as synopsis or speech to conference, not is needed before this can be considered highly addictive substances such as the agenda.] by conference.] heroin and crack cocaine. Victoria Pearson*, Fabio Tartarini, Jamie “We propose removing ED151 as this DU101 Prohibition is having an increas- Jackson, Norman Haigh. statement is often perceived as arrogant ingly harmful effect on society at large. and ill-informed of parents› reasons for Synopsis Powerful criminal organisations are elective home and community based involved in the drugs market and a Green energy supporters bonus for education.” significant proportion of acquisitive residents who live within 5 mile radius OoO7 Revision of Drugs Policy crime is committed by dependent drug of Wind/Solar farm, in the form of an Section of PSS users to fund their use. Profits from electricity bill subsidy. Communities the illegal drugs market cross subsidise [SOC Ruled this motion out of order on could then campaign for Green Energy other activities by criminal gangs and the basis that it is substantially changing Farms to be brought to their communi- increase the burdens placed on law policy areas or having complex implica- ties and give direct savings to them, as enforcement agencies. One effect of tions for other areas, without having well as boost the local economy. prohibition is to encourage the creation passed through the agreed process Motion and use of more potent drugs or of consultation, as per Section D, part concentrated drug preparations, which 8 clause g of the Standing Orders for Any person living in owned/rented/ are more profitable per unit weight. As the Conduct of Conference. In order council property within a 5 miles radius the illegal drugs economy is untaxed, to amend whole chapters of the PfSS, of a wind/solar farm, will be eligible for the public purse does not benefit from an enabling motion is required to be a reduction in their electricity bill. the potential taxation generated in a passed first.] This will count for existing solar/wind legalised, regulated drugs economy farms as well as new ones that pass Davy Jones*, Carlie Goldsmith, Steve such as with alcohol and tobacco. Peake, Julyan Levy. planning. DU102 In recent years, the `drugs Community groups can campaign for Synopsis problem› has been largely equated with solar/wind farms to come into their A complete re-write of the now out the use of illegal drugs. This has had the area, to receive these benefits. of date Drugs Policy section of PSS effect of diverting attention away from the dire social and health consequences Suggestion A is for a 20% energy bill to bring party policy up to date with of legal drugs, principally alcohol, reduction (no matter your energy recent developments in progressive tobacco, inappropriately prescribed company, each energy company will drugs policy and learning from decrimi- tranquillisers and anti-depressants. have to comply) nalisation and legalisation initiatives in other jurisdictions. Between them, these cause the loss of Suggestion B is for a £30 energy bill thousands of lives every year and much reduction per month (no matter your Motion pain and disability for both users and energy company, each energy company Delete the Druge Use chapter of PfSS non-users of these drugs. will have to comply) and replace with: DU103 The legal drugs, principally DU100 Throughout history, psycho- tobacco, alcohol and pharmaceu- active substances have been used by tical drugs, are widely promoted all societies and are likely to continue through advertising, sponsorship and

76 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 corporate pressure. As a result their user, the community and society than of taxation than at present. The tax use is generally accepted by society the drug use it seeks to eliminate. levied on alcohol products would be in and efforts to control usage largely rely proportion to the amount of alcohol in DU202 Social custom, convention and on a mixture of taxation, education, the finished product. ritual play a vital part in the moderate licensing of sale and use to adults or at and responsible use of all drugs. The DU402 To facilitate the responsible certain places and voluntary restraint.= development and perpetuation of drinking of alcohol by both adults and DU104 Under prohibition, due to the these customs are inhibited and eroded young people, the Green Party would lack of regulation in the criminal drugs by prohibition and to some extent, by encourage the option of serving alcohol economy, the harms associated with all interventions by government or in smaller measures and require the supply and use of illegal drugs are state agencies. suppliers to provide accurate informa- increased, not reduced. The presence of tion about the unit alcohol content. DU203 The Green Party therefore impurities damages the health of users regards health and education solutions DU403 The Green Party supports the and uncertainty about the purity and as significantly more cost effective lowering of permissible blood-alcohol strength of substances is a major cause methods of both reducing drug-use levels in drink-driving offences and of overdose related death. The criminal and minimising harm from drug use penalties for driving whilst under justice system is a wasteful and ineffi- than the criminal justice system. the influence of other drugs likely to cient instrument to reduce drug related adversely affect the ability to drive. harm in contrast with health and Objectives DU 404 The Green Party recognizes education solutions. Scarce resources DU300 In keeping with the Green that drugs policy is an area plagued that are wasted on criminalizing Party›s health promotion policies, the by controversy, prejudice and fear that non-problematic use should instead be Green Party seeks to reduce the amount invariably leads to policy not being spent on treating problematic users. of problematic and harmful drug use, based on evidence and science. As a DU105 Nightclubs and festivals are whether legal or illegal. result, it has to be recognized that a setting in which various drugs are DU301 At the same time, we recognise change will be difficult for some and consumed by many tens of thousands that drug use will never be entirely that new approaches will need to be of young people across the country and eliminated. Our policies aim therefore phased in gradually over time to allow recreational illegal drug use amongst to minimise the social, psychological for the critical appraisal and evaluation younger generations has become and physical harm to those who use of new approaches. increasingly normalised, As young drugs and to society at large. people realize that illegal recreational DU405 In the short term, the Green drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy are DU302 A Green Drugs Policy requires a Party supports the immediate decrimi- less harmful than alcohol and tobacco, more pragmatic approach to the issue nalization of all drugs and the redirec- prohibitionist policies can be seen as of recreational and cultural use and tion of resources currently spent on denying the fundamental human right should highlight the broader socio- ineffective criminal justice solutions to the individual altering their own economic forces which drive people to drug related harm to health and consciousness as enshrined in Article towards escapist use. education solutions. 9 of the Human Rights Act which Policy DU406 In the medium term, the Green enshrines the right to freedom of belief, DU400 The Green Party supports the Party supports the full legalisation of sometimes referred to as ‘cognitive all drugs so as to restore the control, liberty’. introduction of a complete ban on the promotion of tobacco and alcohol regulation and taxation of the dugs Principles products, including sponsorship, economy. A complete overhaul of the catergorisation of the various drugs DU200 Government responses to the advertising (direct or indirect) and using scientific evidence supplied by issue of drug use are inconsistent: product placement. This ban would the Advisory Council on the Misuse of neither the legal status of different also apply to any currently illegal drugs Drugs and other independent Drugs substances nor the targeting of when a policy of legalisation comes Policy bodies is required. government expenditure on informa- into effect. tion / education is commensurate with DU401 The effect on consumption of DU407 It is proposed that a new the harm different drugs do to the taxation on the sale of tobacco and system of classification of drugs will be individual or society. alcohol would be subject to continued gradually introduced. The new system will allow for the supply of currently DU201 Prohibition does not prevent review and, where appropriate, these illegal drugs through a number of drug use by adults or children and legal drugs would be taxed at a higher regulated outlets, including on prescrip- leads to the creation of an illicit market, rate than at present. In addition, both tion, through pharmacies or licensed an increase in consumption due to the net profits of tobacco companies premises and venues, using members pyramid selling and the criminalisation and companies producing alcohol for only clubs to reduce drugs tourism and marginalisation of those who use consumption, and the dividends paid when necessary. drugs. Prohibition is counter-produc- to shareholders of these companies tive; it is more damaging to the drug would attract a significantly higher rate DU408 As part of the gradual process

77 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 of legalization, the Green Party longer available can be replaced.] At the last conference one motion was proposes that Cannabis be the first Philip Mitchell*, John Warnock, Julie really 7 unrelated motions rolled in to drug to be legalised. The supply of Daniels, Nicole Haydock. one motion. Standing Orders only allow cannabis will be permitted by licensed each member to sign 4 motions. This dispensaries managed by not-for-profit Synopsis mechanism of rolling lots of motions bodies licensed by local authorities Motion into one is a way of getting round the using the existing licensing regula- 4 motion limit. This motion closes that Replace current RoPS on «Agencies, tory frameworks, with strict conditions loophole. Trusts and Quangos» attached to Public imposed relating to no-advertising, Adminstration PSS, and insert the Motion proximity to schools and other socially following into RoPS: sensitive institutions and the sale to In Standing Orders for the Conduct of minors. A further condition of licence The GP believes that agencies, trusts, Conference Section D Part 8: will be the payment of an annual and quangos responsible for public «Motions or amendments to motions licensing fee calculated on the basis services should be accountable to shall be ruled out of order on grounds of annual turnover and the alloca- regulators, and that their governing of being one or more of:» tion of all profits to charitable projects bodies and the regulators should be in the caring economy, including subject to democratic control, including Add the treatment and rehabilitation of where appropriate, of local authorities, (k) seeks to amend more than one problematic drugs users. In order to whereas many are under the direct chapter of PSS where issues unrelated discourage drug tourism, such dispen- control of ministers. to the main issue are addressed in saries could adopt a membership The Green Party also believes that different chapters. model, similar to the recent emergence Government advisory bodies should of ‘Cannabis Social Clubs’. have a duty to promote social and DU409 Resources freed up from the environmental justice, rather than OoO10 Amendment to C4, legalization of drugs will be redirected promote the Government’s own Reconciling our Industry and into health and education solutions to agenda. Energy Policy tackling drug related harm, including In many cases, groups and organisa- [SOC have ruled this out of order on an additional health service budget tions have been, or will be formed the basis that the motion as amended to fund an increase in the range and to represent social or environmental would then be seeking to significantly number of facilities, both residential issues, both locally and nationally. amend the principles passed in a policy and non-residential, for people with The Green Party believes that these motion or Voting Paper less than one drug-related problems. Such facili- groups and organisations should be year and nine months previously, and ties would be available on the NHS to represented on these agencies, trusts, as such is out of order on the basis all who needed them. Local govern- quangos and advisory bodies, where of Section D, part 8 Clause h of the ment support for individually-inspired the groups request it, and where there Standing Orders for the Conduct of enterprises such as self-help groups is clear evidence democratic consent. Conference.] would be encouraged. Evidence of democratic consent for an Brian Heatley**, David Smith, Stuart DU410 In particular, each Local organisation to be represented may be Jeffery, Jonathon Essex, Peter Barton. Health Authority would be provided local, where there is a local concern, In with sufficient resources to establish and may inter alia be demonstrated by appropriate drug-use clinics and needle ‘Delete from EN420 “and electricity a petition. exchanges. transmission and distribution”’

Before the words ‘and electricity’ OoO 9 Policy motions to be OoO8 Agencies, Trusts, on one topic or one section of Add the words Quangos and Democracy PSS only ‘EN420 A Green government will diversify the ownership of energy [SOC Ruled this motion out of order [This motion has been ruled out of generation and ensure democratic on the basis that it was vague, as per order on the basis that it is ambiguous, control. We will purchase large- Section D, part 8 clause d of the Standing as per Section D, part 8 clause c. The scale renewable plant in order to secure Orders for the Conduct of Conference. crux of the motion is based on the public sector energy provision at best It is unclear what is required following notion of a “main issue”. What this value and increase wider competition this motion passing. The entry in RoPS main issue is, is not clear from the in energy supply. However we would to which this refers was passed in proposed amendments to the Standing expect new large-scale generation 1995, but is no longer available on the Orders for the Conduct of Conference.] policy website, there is a reference to it plant (off-shore wind, concentrated appearing on the members website, but Alan Francis*, Brian Heatley, Caroline solar power, sustainable biomass, wave it does not appear to be on there either. Bowes, Jay Ginn. and tidal)’ It is unclear how something which is no Synopsis and after the word ‹distribution’

78 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 add the words ‘to continue to be built and owned by private companies’. Delete ‘Delete from IN604 “and the gas and electricity supply industries (with the exception of small-scale renewable energy initiatives)” and replace with “and the gas and electricity transmission and distribution networks”’

OoO11 Retitle D4 [SOC ruled this out of order on the basis that it is a trivial change, the titles of motions are only used in the agenda setting process and the agenda and do not appear anywhere after this. As such, a change to the title from the conference floor is a trivial one. As per Section D, part 8 clause e.] Derek Wall*, Emily Blyth, Tony Gair, Charlotte Rouxel. Retitle ‘D4 Standing Orders for Party Discipline› ‘D4 Standing Orders for Dispute Resolu- tion›.

79 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 PROPOSERS Abul Siddiky Julia Lagoutte [email protected] [email protected] CONTACT DETAILS Adam Ramsay Laura Shepherd [email protected] [email protected] Alan Francis Lewis Coyne [email protected] [email protected] Andrea Grainger Matt Hanley [email protected] [email protected] Benali Hamdache Matthew Townsend [email protected] [email protected] Brian Heatley Mike Shone [email protected] [email protected] Charley Pattison Natalie Bennett [email protected] [email protected] Chris Burdess Nicola Dodgson [email protected] [email protected] Claire Allen Paul Jenkins [email protected] [email protected] Clementine Cope Philip Mitchell [email protected] [email protected] Dan Keen Richard Mallender [email protected] [email protected] David Walker Rob Telford [email protected] [email protected] Davy Jones Ronald Lee [email protected] [email protected] Derek N Wall Rustam Majainah [email protected] [email protected] Ed Jones Sam Riches [email protected] [email protected] Emma Carter Samuel Gurney [email protected] [email protected] Fiona Costello Sarah Cope [email protected] [email protected] Geoff Collard Sarrah Blyth [email protected] [email protected] Hannah Clare Steven Haynes [email protected] [email protected] Holly Lyne Stuart Jeffery [email protected] [email protected] Howard Thorp Sue Mallender [email protected] [email protected] John Andrews Tom Chance [email protected] [email protected] John Street Victoria Pearson [email protected] [email protected]

80 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 APPENDIX 1 – 3. Complaints Procedure ii) 3.1 The Committee shall consider a) In the case of ground 3.3 i), the PROPOSED complaints presented to it by the clause of the Constitution that DISCIPLINARY senior manager whose job description the member is alleged to have specifies the processing of complaints* breached or contravened and the STANDING ORDERS (hereinafter referred to as the manner and circumstances in Complaints Manager). which s/he is alleged to have done so; Standing Orders for Party Discipline for 3.2 On receipt of a complaint made b) In the case of ground 3.3 ii), the the Green Party of England and Wales in writing, the member concerned clause(s) of the Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the 1. The Green Party of England and that the member is alleged to Defendant) must be forwarded the Wales (GPEW) Disciplinary Committee have breached and the manner complaint made against him/her and and circumstances in which s/he is 1.1 The GPEW shall have a Disciplinary a copy of these Standing Orders which alleged to have done so; Committee known hereinafter as (the contain the complaints procedure will “Committee”). be sent to him/her by the Complaints c) In the case of ground 3.3 iii), the manner and circumstances in 1.2 The Committee will handle all Manager. If the complaint is made which s/he is alleged to have done complaints of a disciplinary nature verbally, the Complaints Manager will so. which have not been resolved at request that the complainant puts his/ Regional or Branch level. her complaint in writing. 3.6 The Committee shall not consider a complaint that lacks the minimum 2. Composition and Meetings of the 3.3 A complaint presented from the specifications detailed in 3.5. Committee Complaints Manager to the Committee must contain a proposal that the 3.7 Where the complaint is submitted 2.1. The Committee shall consist of Committee should consider disciplinary by a GPEW region, branch or another eleven members of the Party who are measures against the Defendant on officially recognised GPEW constituent neither members of the Green Party one or more of the following grounds: body, it will be expected that it will be Executive (GPEx) nor of the Green Party accompanied by a case file. The case file Regional Council (GPRC). i) that the Defendant has contra- vened the Constitution of the Party should include as a minimum: 2.2 The members of the Committee are as interpreted by the Standing 1. a summary of the case against the elected to serve for a two year period. Orders Committee (SOC); Defendant(s) i) Each GPEW region shall be entitled ii) that the Defendant has committed 2. the date(s) of alleged breaches to elect one member to the a serious breach of one or more 3. the name(s) and local party(s) of Committee. of the number of Standards in the the Defendant(s) ii) Annual Conference shall be entitled Party›s Code of Conduct; 4. names and contact details of to elect one member to the iii) that the Defendant has brought the Witnesses Committee biennially. Party into disrepute. 4. Investigation of Complaints iii) If fewer than eleven members are 3.4 The Complaints Manager, in consul- appointed by the regions and the tation with and in agreement with the 4.1 Where a complaint is not dismissed Annual Conference then GPEx shall Chairs of GPEx and the Committee, under 3.6, the Committee shall consider appoint the remaining members. shall be entitled to dismiss complaints whether there is a need to appoint 2.3 The Chairperson of the Committee with insufficient grounds as detailed in investigators. shall be elected by the members of the 3.3. Where complaints are dismissed, 4.2 The Committee shall appoint Committee. the Complaints Manager shall write to at least two investigators from its 2.4 The Committee shall meet as often the parties involved detailing why the membership (hereinafter referred to as as required to ensure that all complaints complaint fails to be valid in terms of the Investigators) to compile a report presented to the Committee under the requirements of 3.3. containing the evidence and circum- stances behind the complaint. The Standing Order 3 can be considered no 3.5 Complaints submitted by the later than two calendar months after Complaints Manager will be notified of Complaints Manager must be their appointment. being presented. presented in a written format to the i) The Chairperson shall ensure that Committee Chairperson and must at a 4.3 The Complainant and the Defendant meetings are minuted. minimum specify: will be notified in writing by the Complaints Manager of the decision to ii) In the absence of the Chairperson, i) The ground on which s/he investigate. the Committee shall appoint a proposes that the Committee Deputy Chairperson to act as should consider taking disciplinary 4.4 The two Investigators must make Chairperson. measures: themselves known to both parties and directly and make arrangements – if necessary - to meet them or talk to

81 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 them at a mutually convenient time iii) whether or not s/he submits a 6.7 If the Committee finds the ground and place. written response, s/he may attend of the complaint to be not established in person on the date and the place it shall dismiss the complaint. 4.5 As far as practicable, the investiga- where the Committee will meet tion report should be completed within 6.8 If the Committee finds the ground to consider the complaint made one month of the Committee’s decision of the complaint to be established it against him/her and if s/he does so to investigate. The report and copies of shall, taking reasonable account of attend, s/he will be heard in person any evidence and documents gathered all the circumstances, impose one of by the Committee as part of the in the course of the investigation will the three disciplinary measures of: consideration of the complaint. be sent to the Complaints Manager. (a) censure, (b) suspension for a fixed iv) s/he may be accompanied by period, or (c) expulsion. In circum- 4.6 The Complaints Manager will another Party member to assist stances where the Committee does not simultaneously send a copy of that him/her in explaining his/her consider it would be fair to impose any report to members of the Committee position to the Committee. disciplinary measure it may discharge and to the Defendant and Complainant, the complaint. together with copies of the written 5.4 The Complaints Manager must complaint and copies of the original provide a copy of the notification to the 6.9 The Committee’s decision as case file and of all the other evidence Chair of the Committee. regards any disciplinary measure shall /documents gathered in the course of 6. Processing of a complaint by the have immediate effect (subject to any the investigation. Committee deferral direction in the case of suspen- sion) and be final and binding subject 4.7 This investigation report shall then 6.1 The quorum for Committee only to the Defendant’s right of appeal be presented by the Investigators at the meetings is four excluding the Investi- to GPRC. Committee’s hearing of the complaint. gators. The Investigators will not be 6.10 The Committee Chair shall report 4.8 Any response received from the allowed to take part in the deliberation. the decision to the Complaints Manager Defendant shall be presented at the 6.2 The Committee must take into and to the Defendant. In a case where Committee’s hearing of the complaint. account any response submitted in the decision is one of censure, suspen- good time by the Defendant. 5. Date, Time and Place and Notifica- sion or expulsion the Committee tion of a meeting of the Committee to 6.3 If the Defendant attends the Chair’s report to the Defendant shall consider a complaint Committee, the Committee will hear advise him/her that s/he has the right 5.1 The Complaints Manager must her/him in person as part of the of appeal to the GPRC Appeals Subcom- liaise with the Committee Chair to consideration of the complaint and if mittee and that s/he may exercise that arrange the date, time and place for the the Defendant has brought another right by informing his/her intention Committee to convene to consider the member of the Party to assist him/ to do so to the Complaints Manager complaint. her in presenting his/her case to the within twenty-one working days. Committee that other member will be 6.11 Any decision of suspension or 5.2 The date should be no later than permitted to assist (see 5.3 iv). two calendar months from the receipt expulsion of the member shall have the of the complaint by the Complaints 6.4 If the Committee so wishes, the effect of suspending his/her member- Manager. The selection of the date Complaints Manager may be asked ship of or expelling him/her from any should allow the Complaints Manager to be present in an advisory capacity. Party group at any level of government to send at least fourteen working days’ However s/he will not take part in the of which s/he is a member and it is prior notification of the date, time and deliberations at the hearing of the Complaints Manager responsibility to place of the meeting to the Defendant. complaint. inform the Secretary of the relevant group of the decision to suspend or 6.5 Where the complaint brought by 5.3 The Defendant will also be notified expel and its effect. by the Complaints Manager that: the Complaints Manager has originated in information being brought to his/ 6.12 The Complaints Manager shall i) s/he will be given at least fourteen her attention by another member report all decisions of censure, suspen- working days’ notice of the date, (the Complainant), the Chair of the sion and expulsion to the next meeting time and place for the Committee Committee may invite the Complainant of GPRC and to the next National to convene to consider the to also attend the meeting at which Conference. complaint the complaint is considered and give 7. Appeals ii) s/he is invited to submit a written evidence to that meeting. response to the report to the 7.1 The GPRC shall have a subcommittee 6.6 The Committee will normally reach Committee Chair at GPEW HQ by acting as the appeals body, entitled the its decisions by consensus through 5pm three working days before GPRC Appeals Subcommittee. debating the evidence. However, in the the date on which the Committee event of failure to arrive at consensus 7.2 The GPRC Appeals Subcommittee meets to consider the complaint. majority voting shall apply. The shall be elected at the GPRC AGM each This written response can be in Chairperson has a casting vote. year and shall consist of five GPRC email form. councillors, none of whom can be a

82 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 GPRC Co-Chair. The Chair of the GPRC determination as regards to whether 7.15 It shall be the responsibility of Appeals Subcommittee will be elected the appeal statement constitutes a the Complaints Manager to formally at the GPRC AGM by the GPRC member- valid appeal. report the appeal decision to the next ship. National Conference. 7.9 Thereafter the Chair of the GPRC 7.3 The quorum for the GPRC Appeals Appeals Subcommittee shall communi- *Currently the Director of Administra- Subcommittee shall be three. cate with the Defendant through the tion and Fundraising Complaints Manager as regards the 7.4 The Defendant shall have a right arrangements for the GPRC Appeals of appeal against a decision of the Subcommittee meeting at which the Committee. A Complainant has no appeal will be heard and for the prior right of appeal. exchanging of documents and lists 7.5 A member who has been of witnesses intended to be brought censured, suspended or expelled to the meeting. The Defendant if s/ by the Committee has the right to he wishes, shall be entitled to bring appeal to the GPRC Appeals Subcom- another member of the Party to the mittee and may exercise that right by meeting to assist him/her in the appeal placing that intention in writing to the and shall be advised of that right in Complaints Manager within twenty- the communications with him/her one working days of the submission regarding the arrangements for the of the Committee Chair›s report of the meeting. results of the hearing of the case to the 7.10 The Chair of the GPRC Appeals Complaints Manager . Subcommittee will convene a meeting 7.6 Appeals may only be pursued on of the GPRC Appeals Subcommittee to one or more of the following grounds: consider the appeal. This is subject to i) That from the information both the Defendant and the Complaints presented before the Committee Manager receiving at least fourteen it was unreasonable for the working days’ notice of the date, time Committee to find the ground of and place of the meeting and of the the complaint to be established. Defendant’s right to attend and bring relevant documents and witnesses. ii) That there is relevant, reliable, and significant information that was 7.11 If no ground of appeal is upheld not been presented before the by the GPRC Appeals Subcommittee, it Committee and which would have shall be dismissed. been likely to cause the Committee 7.12 If the appeal is upheld by the to find that the ground of the GPRC Appeals Subcommittee, then complaint was not established. the Committee’s decision to impose iii) That the Committee’s consideration a disciplinary measure will either be of the complaint was procedurally over-ruled and the original complaint unfair to the Defendant. dismissed or a lesser disciplinary 7.7 The Complaints Manager must measure imposed. acknowledge a Defendant›s intention 7.13 The GPRC Appeals Subcommittee to appeal and advise him/her of the Chair shall arrange for the decision to three grounds on which an appeal may be reported to the Defendant and to the be sought and invite the Defendant to Complaints Manager The GPRC Appeals give written notification (the appeal Subcommittee appeal decision shall be statement) to the Complaints Manager final and binding and not subject to within twenty-one working days of the further appeal. one or more grounds on which s/he wishes to appeal and, in the cases of 7ii) 7.14 A GPRC Appeals Subcommittee and iii) respectively, of the information decision that itself imposes suspen- referred to and/or the respects in which sion on a member shall have the effect the member considers the Committee›s of suspending his/her membership consideration to have been procedur- from any Party group at any level of ally unfair. government of which s/he is a member and it is the Complaints Manager 7.8. On receipt of the appeal statement responsibility to inform the Secretary the Complaints Manager shall refer it of the relevant groups of a decision to to the GPRC Appeals Subcommittee for suspend or expel and its effect.

83 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 APPENDIX 2 – Insert new RR524 Randomising ballot papers, lowering the bar for recall elections and use of The Green Party would push for the open space model are all to improve COMPOSITED root and branch efforts to address our democratic offer. MOTIONS transphobia in society, initiating public education programs both in schools Motion and wider society. Current anti-discrim- Subsection 1: Original Motions included in the ination legislation should be reviewed Gender Rights Composite so as to provide protection to all trans Remove current PA305: Trans Rights individuals. Current exemptions to PA305 The most appropriate system anti-discrimination legislation should Benali Hamdache*, Alex Rendall, Andy for elections to local Government is be scrapped. Law, Charlie Kiss, Clifford Fleming, Craig the Additional Member System (AMS). Griffiths, Jake Pentland, Jaspreet Mahal, Electors would vote on two ballots: one Jeffrey Wakeham, Joseph Swift, Lisa for the party of their first choice and Provision for genderless birth the other for their ward councillor(s). Murray, Sabrina Poole, Sahra Taylor, registration and an X gender Siobhan MacMahon, Stuart Maule, Councillors would be elected from William PinkneyBaird. on passports wards as under first past the post, but Natalie Bennett*, Alex Rendall, Andy each party›s representation would Synopsis Law, Charlie Kiss, Craig Griffiths, be topped up on a council-wide basis More work needs to be done to address RoseMary Warrington. to bring its number of seats up to its transphobia within society. The party proportion of votes polled, provided Synopsis must adopt comprehensive policy on that proportion was above a minimum how to address societal discrimination, German law allows parents to choose qualifying level of 3% of votes polled. and ease provision to health care, work not to nominate the gender of children AMS would result in more propor- and education for trans people. at birth. This allows legal recognition tional outcomes than STV and would for intersex individuals, or children enable smaller, more localized wards Motion born without clearly determinable to be used. AMS could either work Insert New Heading “Trans rights” anatomical sex of male/female. (About through electing the whole council 1 in 1,500 babies.) Australia has allowed Insert new RR520 at once or by electing half the council individuals to choose a third, undefined, at each election to enable elections The Green Party supports the removal X gender on passports to take place more frequently. Final of the “spousal veto”, where trans Motion decisions on these matters should individuals require written permission reflect local circumstances. The Consti- from their partner for their marriage After RR420, Insert new RR421 and tutional Commission will oversee the to continue if they obtain a gender renumber subsequent paragraphs establishment of AMS voting systems recognition certificate. RR241 The Green Party calls on the for local authorities across the country Insert new RR521 UK government to allow parents to and work out the exact details. It will choose not to nominate the gender of need to consider what proportion of The process of transitioning through their children at birth if a child cannot members should be elected from the the NHS should empower rather than be clearly assigned a gender, and for top-up list in order to achieve propor- demean trans people. Gender Identity passports to allow a third option of X tional outcomes. Clinics should consult service users on gender that individuals can chose as how to better recognise trans people›s And replace with their own. own expertise and experience in service PA305 The most appropriate system for provision. elections to local Government is the Insert new RR522 Original Motions included in the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Electors Electoral Reform Composite would have one ballot paper and rank The NHS should better recognise the their candidates in order of preference. increasing need for Gender Identity Updating our democratic Multiple councillors would be elected Clinics and increase service provision, reform policy for each ward. STV could either work across the country Rob Telford*, Anna McMullen, Carla through electing the whole council Insert new RR523 Denyer, Charley Pattison, Daniella at once or by electing half the council at each election to enable elections The NHS should remove barriers to Radice, Kat Wall, Kester Ratcliff, to take place more frequently. Final accessing services for trans people, Matthew Genn. decisions on these matters should with thorough review of access to Synopsis reflect local circumstances. The Consti- services for Children and Young People These policy changes are mixed - the tutional Commission will oversee the and for those who have self prescribed first (changing from AMS to STV for establishment of STV voting systems or self funded gender treatment in the local elections only) puts us in line with for local authorities across the country UK or abroad other democratic reform organisations. and work out the exact details. It will

84 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 need to consider whether wards should on their party list not to have been and weaken the hold of ideologies and be subdivided between councillors elected. factions. to give better representation to local In current PA914 Individual Council- Add at the end of PA102: The Green concerns. lors can make themselves available for Party recommends use of the open Subsection 2: recall when petitioned to do so (see space model for developing inclusive PA254). The Green Party recommends democratic decision-making in local Insert new PA309 into the Policies for a that all of its prospective councillors communities. Sustainable Society (PfSS): at future elections should voluntarily Councillor Recall PA309 Ballot papers will be randomised. subject themselves to recall. Where Candidates will appear in a randomly the prescribed percentage of 40% of Nicola Dodgson*, Chris Crook, Colin selected order, not by any alphabetical any councillor›s electors petition for Maunder, Jonathan Essex, Susan Fenton. or political denominator. recall the party will (a) either organise Synopsis a recall ballot of all the councillors› Subsection 3: Amend provisions regarding recall electors, (which will be supervised of Green Councillors so that they are In Current PA254: by independent persons of known in line with that of Green MPs, and integrity), and then encourage the PA254 Government at all levels should consistent levels of accountability to councillors to comply with the result of be accountable to electors between voters maintained. elections. Accordingly, necessary legisla- any such ballot, or (b) urge its council- tive steps will be taken to provide for lors to resign and fight a by-election. Motion any representative›s electors to be able Replace reference to “40%” with “20%” Current PA913 to petition for the recall of any elected so that it reads: PA913 The council can facilitate and person. Specifically, a petition signed by make itself accountable to referenda 40% of the registered electors within Proposed motion: PA914 Individual and citizen›s initiatives. Where elected, an MP›s constituency will trigger a Councillors can make themselves Green councillors will urge their local recall by-election. Until this legislation available for recall when petitioned authorities to themselves, in advance is passed, Green MPs will voluntarily to do so (see PA254). The Green Party of any changes in the law, set up resign and trigger a by-election, if they recommends that all of its prospec- the machinery for citizen referenda are presented with a valid recall petition tive councillors at future elections and citizen initiative as described signed by 40% of the registered electors should voluntarily subject themselves in PA252-253above; to publicise this, within their constituency. In the event to recall. Where the prescribed to implement this and, subject to the of the elected representative having percentage of 20% of any councillor›s existing law, to accept the results been elected by the Additional Member electors petition for recall the party of such referenda and initiatives as System, the recalled representative will (a) either organise a recall ballot binding. In such cases the prescribed would be replaced by the next person of all the councillors› electors, (which number of signatures required on a on their party list not to have been will be supervised by independent citizen petition for either a referendum elected. persons of known integrity), and then encourage the councillors to comply or an initiative shall be 20% of the Replace all references to “40%” to with the result of any such ballot, or (b) electorate. “20%” so that it reads: urge its councillors to resign and fight a In the first sentence of PA913 by change Proposed motion: PA254 Govern- by-election. ‹can› to ‹should›, so that it reads: ment at all levels should be account- Subsection 4: PA913 The council should facilitate and able to electors between elections. make itself accountable to referenda Accordingly, necessary legislative Current PA102 The highest form of and citizen›s initiatives. Where elected, steps will be taken to provide for any democracy is direct participation. This Green councillors will urge their local representative›s electors to be able to is best achieved through the decentrali- authorities to themselves, in advance petition for the recall of any elected sation of society, so that decisions can of any changes in the law, set up person. Specifically, a petition signed by be made through face to face discus- the machinery for citizen referenda 20% of the registered electors within sion. All the major political decisions and citizen initiative as described an MP›s constituency will trigger a which affect our lives should ideally in PA252-253above; to publicise this, recall by-election. Until this legislation be made with our active participation, to implement this and, subject to the is passed, Green MPs will voluntarily which requires open and informed existing law, to accept the results resign and trigger a by-election, if they debate rather than simply voting of such referenda and initiatives as are presented with a valid recall petition without discussion. This requires that binding. In such cases the prescribed signed by 20% of the registered electors all economic and social activity should number of signatures required on a within their constituency. In the event be carried out on a human scale; that citizen petition for either a referendum of the elected representative having is, in a way that allows individuals and or an initiative shall be 20% of the been elected by the Additional Member groups access to, and influence over, electorate. System, the recalled representative such decisions. Direct democracy will would be replaced by the next person encourage cross-party cooperation

85 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Current PA914 PA914 Individual Councillors can make themselves available for recall when petitioned to do so (see PA254). The Green Party recommends that all of its prospective councillors at future elections should voluntarily subject themselves to recall. Where the prescribed percentage of 40% of any councillor›s electors petition for recall the party will (a) either organise a recall ballot of all the councillors› electors, (which will be supervised by independent persons of known integrity), and then encourage the councillors to comply with the result of any such ballot, or (b) urge its council- lors to resign and fight a by-election. Replace “can” with “will”, and “recommends” with “expects” so that it reads: PA914 Individual Councillors will make themselves available for recall when petitioned to do so (see PA254). The Green Party expects that all of its prospective councillors at future elections should voluntarily subject themselves to recall. Where the prescribed percentage of 40% of any councillor›s electors petition for recall the party will (a) either organise a recall ballot of all the councillors› electors, (which will be supervised by independent persons of known integrity), the result of which council- lors will comply with, or (b) its council- lors will resign and fight a by-election.

86 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015 Spring Conference 2015 Final Agenda

Published 31 January 2015

87 Green Party of England & Wales Agenda Spring Conference 2015