The Norwich Green

Greens Win Mancroft!

Green Party Candidates Howard Jago and Steven Altman were elected as your City Councillors for Mancroft ward in the local elections on 4th May. Councillor Jago commented: "We would like to thank everyone who voted Green. We are already enjoying taking up issues in the ward on behalf of Mancroft residents and working with the other Green Councillors to lobby for stronger social and environmental policies for the City Council."

In total the Green Party made four gains in Norwich on 4th May. That means that there are now nine Green Councillors at City Hall – the largest group of Green Councillors in the country! The City Council remains in no overall control, with the Greens now holding greater influence in policy and budget negotiations between the parties. See below for news of policy commitments obtained by Green Councillors since the election.

The local election results have led several journalists to state that the Green Party is in an increasingly strong position to win the Norwich South constituency at the next General Election. An EDP reporter stated: "With such a strong voter base in Norwich, there is every chance that the first Green MP could come from Norfolk." (Eastern Daily Press, 6th May 2006)

Can You Help or Donate to Norwich Green Party?

Are you able to make a donation to Norwich Green Party or to help with leafleting, paperwork or research at this exciting and critical time? More help and donations from supporters will enable us to continue to grow. Please contact us on 623223 / 621980 for details.

Election Results

Political Make-Up of Norwich City Council:

No overall control

Mancroft Ward Result in Full:

Early Green Policy Success

Green Party City Councillor Adrian Ramsay writes...

With the City Council in no overall control, the political parties have spent time since the election negotiating policy priorities and discussing who will form the new administration. The Green Councillors suggested an all-party administration to reflect the mixed nature of the council but neither Labour nor the LibDems wanted to participate in this. Labour, as the biggest party, put in a bid to form a minority administration and this was agreed. Before agreeing to not oppose this, the Green Councillors used our position to gain the following commitments for the City Council:

• Any increases in the funding for community wardens (Labour's key policy priority) to be at least matched with increased funding for recycling facilities.
• A 30% renewable energy requirement for new developments over 2,000 square metres (much stronger than the previous plan of 10% in developments over 10,000 square metres).
• Requiring an affordable housing quota in developments over 4 houses (rather than over 24).

These and other policies on environmental protection and social justice still need to be taken further by the Council. On some issues (such as our opposition to incineration of waste) Labour Councillors felt unable to agree with us – and we will continue to lobby on this. However, I am pleased that the larger group of Green Councillors has made an early mark on Council policies.

Norwich Eye

Norwich City Council rejected the application for a 'Norwich Eye' giant wheel to operate outside the Forum during the summer months. Green Councillors argued against putting the wheel in this designated public space. Several councillors and organisations have made alternative suggestions for where a wheel could be situated but no new planning application has been submitted. We will inform residents if this changes.

Local Traffic News in Mancroft Ward

Green Councillors and residents are lobbying for a solution to the problem of long buses and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) using the narrow Little Bethel Street. Council officers will consult on proposals for HGVs to be banned from the road and for Bethel Street to be turned into a two-way bus route so buses can avoid Little Bethel Street. The Councils have also decided to make the closure of Orchard Street to traffic permanent.

Do You Belong to a Residents' Association or Community Group?

If your group or association is not already in contact with the new Green Councillors for Mancroft then please do feel free to get in touch (details below). Your Green Councillors are keen to talk to representatives of such groups or to attend meetings if you think this would be helpful – either to discuss key issues or just to make contact.