Spring 2009 The green newspaper for the Norwich South constituency Green Party Green Jobs to Tackle Recession alf a million jobs could be “As well as investing directly in public created under Green Party transport, renewable energy and other Hproposals to tackle the areas where jobs could be created, we recession and save households money. need more Government attention on The proposals would help thousands of skills training for these areas. We also people back into work while tackling need measures to support local food climate change and reducing our production. This would include a dependency on oil imports. change in the law to make it easier for councils, hospitals and other public The ‘Green New Deal’ report, organisations to insist on using local authored by Green Party Leader products whenever they are available.” Caroline Lucas and several other green economists and campaigners, calls for One of the Green Party’s proposals governments across Europe to invest in is a free insulation scheme for homes across the country paid for by a tax on measures that will help the Green Party European Election Candidate Rupert Read (left) and Deputy Leader energy companies that continue to environment and create jobs. Adrian Ramsay are pressing for Government investment to create green jobs make huge profits. In England alone Adrian Ramsay, Green Party Deputy there are more than nine million Leader and Parliamentary Candidate for As well as creating jobs the Green “Here in Norwich we have one of the homes without insulation. Insulating Norwich South, said: “Many thousands proposals would: highest levels of unemployment in East these homes would reduce people’s more jobs could be created by insulating • slash people’s bills Anglia and we are feeling the effects of bills and bring huge cuts in homes, installing solar panels, recycling • cut carbon emissions the Government’s inaction. It is carbon emissions. and repairing goods, investing in public • lift thousands of people out of fuel shameful that the Government is transport and supporting local food poverty failing to grasp the opportunity to To find out more about Green production. Investing in these areas • provide secure local energy boost jobs and tackle climate change. Party policies on job creation and would create skilled manual jobs and The Government has talked about a the recession, please come to a • reduce our dependency on dwindling public meeting on 16th April the sustainable retail and office-based oil imports. Green New Deal but is not making jobs associated with them.” green jobs a priority. (details on back page). A recent report published by HSBC bank, entitled ‘A Climate for Recovery’, highlighted that Britain is falling a long way behind other European countries Norwich South Vote 2008 in measures to create green jobs. Votes cast Adrian Ramsay continued: “In the UK across your 33% I hate lycra! we are already lagging far behind other General BTCV’s Norwich Green Gym European countries in green jobs and Election 24% is different - and it’s FREE! technology. To give just two examples: constituency 21% 21% Get fitter and feel better by taking regular Portugal gets 40% of its energy from exercise at your own pace outdoors. We in the May do practical conservation work in local renewable sources, while the UK gets a 2008 local green spaces, so you can meet new meagre 5%. Germany has 250,000 jobs Liberal Democrat Conservative Labour people, learn new skills and discover elections Green some beautiful new places to enjoy. in renewable energy and more than 1.8 million jobs in environmental A similar voting pattern at the next General Election would see Call Mark on 01603 767 300 or Adrian Ramsay replace Charles Clarke as your MP for Norwich South. via [email protected] protection. The German Government Supported by NHS Norfolk and Pfizer UK Foundation Everyone receiving this newspaper will be in the Norwich South INSPIRING PEOPLE, IMPROVING PLACES recently announced plans to tackle the www.btcv.org/norfolk constituency at the next General Election. The Mousehold Street area BTCV 2006 • Registered Office Sedum House, recession by tripling the number of Mallard Way, Doncaster DN4 8DB • Registered Charity 261009 Norfolk is being moved from Norwich North to Norwich South. green jobs over the next ten years. Edited and produced by Stephen Little. Printed by Cambridge Newspapers Limited, www.norwichgreenparty.org Winship Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6PP. Promoted by Tom Dylan on behalf of Norwich and Eastern Region Green Parties, all c/o 27 Clarendon Road, Norwich, NR2 2PN. GreenView Profile Improving Lakenham Way Friends of Lakenham Way group as a haven for nature. Students from Speaking about the group’s first has been formed following City College have been among those meeting, Councillor Little said: “I feel so Aconcerns about anti-social offering to form regular working parties. encouraged by the interest and behaviour along the route. Stephen enthusiasm residents have shown for Little, Green Councillor for the area, is this important site and would like to heading up moves to regenerate the thank all who attended.” Among the Way and secure arrangements for its long term ideas for the site are an long term management. outdoor leisure area, more CCTV coverage and its designation as a park Local Police Officers, voluntary or local nature reserve. groups and residents are supporting the work to improve safety and the If you are interested in joining or local environment. The former railway helping Friends of Lakenham Way route is a major pedestrian and cycle or if you have ideas for the area track from Lakenham to the city centre then please contact Councillor upert Read, 42, is a Green and a popular destination for dog Stephen Little on 01603 617888 Party City Councillor for walkers and ramblers. or [email protected] RWensum Ward. He also The Friends group was formed teaches at the University of East following leafleting and canvassing of Watts by Ryan Photography Anglia. He is the party's lead local residents. It aims to attract further Green Party Campaigners Lee Cozens News in Brief candidate for the European funding and involve the local community (Lakenham Ward Candidate, left), Green Party County Councillors Elections on 4th June. in such work as litter picks and cutting Councillor Stephen Little (Town Close have put forward proposals for Around 10% of the vote in the back vegetation to improve visibility. Ward, centre) and Councillor fighting the recession and Eastern Region would be enough Conservation work is also planned to Adrian Ramsay (Parliamentary improving public transport as part for Rupert to take one of the help realise the full potential of the area Candidate) on Lakenham Way of their alternative budget for the region's seven seats in the Council. The Green proposals European Parliament, where he include establishing a ‘Resilience would join a strong existing group Greens Press for Independent Task Force’ to help create green of Green Euro-MPs. jobs, reduce carbon emissions and create more local credit unions. What do you like about living in Inquiry on Greyhound Opening A Norfolk Bank would also be Norwich? n December it was revealed in Christine Way, Green Party established to enable people and • This city is small enough to get The Times newspaper that the Campaigner for Bowthorpe Ward, local businesses to save and borrow around comfortably by bike. I like IHead of Housing at City Hall was commented: “The City Council’s in a more reliable and ethical way. visiting London but Norwich is a living in a council property in internal investigations have answered The Greens also called for a city built on a more human scale. Greyhound Opening. some questions but other important review of how County Hall’s I particularly like the distinctive In March 2007 the ruling Labour questions remain unanswered. For transport department spends its small shops in Norwich. Executive at City Hall decided that the example, it is unclear whether the budget. Andrew Boswell, Green • The incredible natural beauty of homes at Greyhound Opening should Labour Councillor in charge of housing Party County Councillor for Nelson this fine county of Norfolk. be demolished and replaced with new at the time took part in the decision to Ward, commented: “The County allow any member of staff to apply to • The university: it adds hugely to affordable housing. The elderly tenants Council should be bidding for live there. She says she didn’t but a the cultural life and economic were asked to move out. Later in 2007 government money that is available Council Director from that time says vitality of Norwich. senior officers in the housing for improving sustainable transport. she did. department decided that council officers This requires more staff time being Which of your political should be given the opportunity to “On an important issue like this there spent on developing cycle routes, achievements are you most rent the homes in the period between should be a full independent inquiry into pedestrian safety and public proud of? residents moving out and demolition. what went wrong and how the Council transport proposals rather than I am very pleased to have played This decision went against Council policy. can ensure it does not happen again.” focusing on road building. Norfolk a key role in securing the pilot has a long way to go in improving scheme for 20mph speed limits bus services and cycle routes.” across residential areas of the city. It won’t stop everyone driving too New Boilers: Warmer Homes Green Party City Councillor fast but if it reduces accidents esidents of Winchester Tower, off Stephen Little has launched a then it will be totally worthwhile.