The Norwich Green

Largest Group Of Green Councillors In The Country!

Norwich City Council now has the largest group of Green Councillors in the country following the local elections on 4th May. The Greens made four gains in the City Council elections, giving them a total of nine seats. The City Council remains in no overall control, with the Greens now holding greater influence in policy and budget negotiations between the parties. See overleaf for news of policy commitments obtained by Green Councillors since the election.

The City Council election results have led several local and national 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).

Election Results

Political Make-Up of Norwich City Council:

No overall control

Thorpe Hamlet Ward Result in Full:

Strong Green Vote in Thorpe Hamlet

Thorpe Hamlet residents James Conway and Penny Lawrence stood as your local Green Party candidates in the City Council elections on 4th May. They obtained the highest ever Green vote in Thorpe Hamlet.

James Conway said: "We would like to thank everyone who voted Green. We won 4 of Norwich's 13 wards this time, including neighbouring Mancroft ward. Having obtained nearly 500 votes this year I am confident that the Green Party can win in Thorpe Hamlet".

Early Green Policy Success

Councillor Adrian Ramsay, Co-ordinator of the Green Party Group on Norwich City Council, 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.

Local and Organic School Meals

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

Green Party County Councillor Chris Hull 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 changes are needed. I have been meeting with key advisors on sourcing local and organic food and using their knowledge to lobby the people in charge of Norfolk school meals. We hope that more fresh, local and organic food will be used in future – for the benefit of school children and the environment."