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The Norwich Green
Newsletter of the Norwich Green Party

WENSUM
EDITION

JUNE
2005

Greens win first two County Council seats
Norfolk County Council election results
General Election results
High Green attendance
Green Party road safety proposals blocked
(Lets) make poverty history
Surgery Times
Contacting Wensum Greens

GREENS WIN FIRST TWO COUNTY COUNCIL SEATS

Andrew Boswell was elected as the first Green County Councillor in the elections on 5 May. He secured 45% of the vote in Nelson ward. In a by-election for Town Close ward on 26 May, Chris Hull became the second Green to be elected to County Hall.

Councillor Andrew Boswell commented: "Securing a strong Green voice at County Hall was a crucial achievement. Our objectives will include campaigning for fresh food in school meals, ethical investment of pension funds and significant funding for public transport and cycle routes as top spending priorities."

In Wensum ward, Green candidate Tom Llewellyn finished second.

Tom commented: "I would like to thank everyone who voted Green. Over 1,000 votes and a second place is a strong result against a popular sitting councillor.

"The Green Party will continue to actively campaign in Wensum ward throughout the year, visiting residents, taking up local issues and informing people of our work on the City and County Councils."

The Conservatives continue to control the County Council (although they did not win any County Council seats for the Norwich area). There were no City Council elections this year. The City Council remains in no overall control, with the five Green Councillors holding the balance of power.

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Norfolk County Council election results

  • Wensum results in full

    Harriet Panting
    Tom Llewellyn
    Philip Bazley
    Christopher Taylor

    Labour
    Green
    LibDem
    Conservative

    Turnout

    1449
    1045
    994
    547

    4035

    35.9
    25.9
    24.6
    13.6

    56

    Elected


  • Political makeup of Norfolk County Council

    2005

    Labour
    LibDem
    Green
    Total

    46
    22
    14
    2
    84

    2001

    Conservative
    Labour
    LibDem

    Total

    47
    26
    11

    84


  • Political makeup of the Norwich wards of Norfolk County Council

    2005

    Labour
    LibDem
    Green
    Total

    9
    2
    2
    13

    2001

    Labour
    LibDem

    Total

    11
    5

    16

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    General Election result

    In the General Election of 5 May, the Green Party more than doubled its share of the vote in the Norwich South constituency since last time round. Candidate Adrian Ramsay obtained 3,101 votes, which was one of the strongest Green votes in the country. He would like to thank everyone who supported him.

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    High Green attendance

    New City Council figures show a strong attendance record for Green Councillors. The five Green Councillors have a 91% average for attending full council and committee meetings over the last year.

    Councillor Adrian Ramsay said: "Council meeting are only a small part of the work of a Councillor, but a good attendance record is important."

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    Green Party road safety proposals blocked

    The City Council has agreed its spending plans for the next four years. Among the measures approved by all three parties were a new skateboard park, improvements to community centres and a feasibility study into reintroducing trams to Norwich. The Theatre Royal had requested £3m to put towards refurbishment work - by far the biggest sum in the budget proposals. Green Councillors suggested reducing this figure to £2m and spending £1m on road safety schemes, but LibDem and Labour Councillors blocked this move.

    Councillor Adrian Holmes commented: "£1m would have provided resources for some new cycle tracks and for new crossings and flashing speed limit signs in numerous busy and dangerous locations. Councillors of all parties are frequently approached by residents who need safety measures to be installed to lower the risk of accidents and make it easier to cross the road. It is wrong that these people are forced to compete for limited amounts of money. The only way to get round this is to encrease the budget for pedestrian safety measures. We will continue to campaign for this."

    The Greens did obtain a commitment that some of the Theatre money should go towards energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in the building.

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    (Lets) make poverty history

    Several local Green Party members and Councillors will be joining the march in Edinburgh on 2 July in support of the Make Poverty History campaign. The march takes place as the leaders of the world's richest countries gather in Scotland for the G8 summit. The Green Party supports the demands of Make Poverty History: for complete cancellation of debt that developing countries 'owe' to Western countries; for more aid; to ensure aid goes to local people rather than Western contractors; to reform global trade rules and ensure a fair deal for developing world producers.

    For more details about the Make Poverty History campaign and the march on 2 July, please visit
    www.makepovertyhistory.org.

    Green Councillor Andrew Boswell has set up a website to promote a CD made by school children to raise money for the cause:
    www.letsmakepovertyhistory.org.uk

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    Surgery Times

    Your Green Party Councillors hold the following surgeries:

    • Second Monday of each month
      Belvedere Community Centre
      Belvoir Street
      6-7pm
    • Third Wednesday of each month
      St Alban's Church Hall
      Grove Walk
      7-8pm
    • Last Friday of each month
      Cadge Road Community Centre
      10-11am

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    Contacting Wensum Greens

    Your Green Party Councillors continue to take up local issues of concern with the Council. If you have anything you would like us to investigate or any questions please contact us:

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    We would be pleased to hear from you

    The Norwich Green is published by Adrian Ramsay, 98 George Borrow Road, Norwich, NR4 7HU
    on behalf of Norwich Green Party, 15 Connaught Road, Norwich, NR2 3BP.