The Norwich Green

Greens Improve City Council Budget

The City Council has recently agreed its budget for the next financial year. Green Councillors succeeded in amending the proposals of the LibDem Executive to avoid some of the worst cuts proposed and to increase funding for some key environmental initiatives. Among the improvements to the budget made by the Greens were:

• Continued support for the Bittern, Wherry and East-West rail partnerships
• Funding for an additional two or three plastic bottle recycling banks
• Prevention of a proposed cut in 'handy tip' visits (for disposal of bulky items)
• An increase in the tree-planting budget
• Money for the development of a strategy to help tackle climate change

Councillor Adrian Ramsay, Co-ordinator of the Green Party Group on Norwich City Council, said: "Because the Green Councillors hold the balance of power at City Hall we were able to influence some of the budget decisions. There are many aspects of the final budget that we are unhappy with, such as cuts to the community grant budget, certain staffing cuts and a reduction in funding for street cleaning. However, I am pleased that we engaged constructively in improving the budget proposals put forward by the LibDem Executive."

Fellow Nelson Green Councillor Jessica Goldfinch added: "The LibDem Executive proposed cuts in Council services and departments in order to help plug the £2m overspend in the City Council budget for the 2005/06 financial year. Since the LibDems announced this overspend last month the Green Councillors have been asking questions about how it arose. It seems that the LibDem Executive has not been keeping a close enough eye on the implementation of the Council budget. We are lobbying for more accountable and transparent financial management practices at City Hall."

Claire Stephenson, Green Candidate for Nelson (pictured left), said: "I am pleased the Green Councillors obtained funding for more plastic bottle banks in Norwich. We are still a long way from having a truly comprehensive recycling scheme locally but this is the latest improvement for which the Greens have successfully lobbied. We would welcome suggestions on where the new plastic bottle banks should be sited."

Greens Secure Support for Small Shops and B&Bs

Councillor Bob Gledhill writes...

At the City Council budget meeting last month the LibDem Executive proposed cuts to the City Council's Economic Development budget. The Green Councillors proposed an amendment that the Council should guarantee to continue its support for promoting alliances of independent and local businesses in the city. The amendment was agreed. The Green Party believes that small businesses benefit the local economy and provide a distinctive character to our city.

Among the groups the Council will be supporting are the 'Norwich Lanes' (independent businesses in the Upper Goat Lane area) and the new consortium of independent guesthouses and B&Bs in the city. The consortium is hoping to reverse the decline in trade that some B&Bs have suffered following the recent opening of new hotels in Norwich. If you are a guesthouse or B&B owner and would like to join the consortium please phone Gordon Betts on 624891 or 07796 231701.

Local and Organic School Meals Update

At the County Council elections last year, a key part of the Green Party manifesto was a commitment to healthier school meals. The Green County Councillors have been lobbying for school meals to include more fresh, locally produced and organic products.

Andrew Boswell, Green Party County Councillor for Nelson ward, said: "There have been some improvements, such as an increased amount of fresh fruit and vegetables on the menus and a reduction in the use of processed foods. However, further improvements are still needed. I have been meeting with key advisors on the sourcing of local and organic food and using their knowledge to lobby the people in charge of school meals in Norfolk. We hope that more fresh, local and organic food will be used in future – for the benefit of school children and the environment."

Unthank Tesco Public Meeting

The Residents Against Unthank Tesco (RAUT) group has organised a public meeting for Wednesday 5th April, 7:30pm at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Cambridge Street. The meeting is being held in advance of the Public Inquiry into the original application for a Tesco store on Unthank Road by Trinity Street, which will start on 9th May. Residents will have the opportunity on 5th April to discuss the preparation of the case against the application with RAUT committee members.