7 April 2011
The Green Party has issued a Ten Point Pledge for the May 5th Local Elections (1) centred on supporting local communities and protecting the environment.
The Greens are standing a record number of candidates for May 5th - including 22 District candidates, compared to just 8 for the Lib Dems.
Voters will have a Green choice on their ballot papers in every ward in Witham at both Town and District level, every ward in Braintree at District level and across most of the southern and central parts of the district.
The Greens will be aiming to increase their number of council seats. Currently they hold 2 District seats in Bradwell, Silver End and Rivenhall ward and 3 Town Council seats in (one in each) Witham North, West and South wards.
The Green Party Ten Point Pledge
Green Councillors will:
Work to increase the recycling rate to at least 70% by 2020 and continue to oppose plans for a waste incinerator at Rivenhall Airfield
Support improvements in safety and public transport, especially the rail service, cycleways and re-instating "lollipop" school crossing patrols being cut by the Conservatives
Work to help secure a 24 hour community clinic for Witham
Press for the re-instatement of the Local Committees and their support for local groups, especially those that help young people
Continue to strongly oppose excessive development on greenfield sites around Witham and in Rivenhall
Promote more investment in clean renewable energy and energy efficiency
Promote the town centres and encourage local shops in the villages and local food growing
Oppose Conservative/Lib Dem cuts to local services, especially any further threats to community halls
Protect the Witham River Walk and other greenspaces from development or damage
Work first and foremost for local people, with cross-party agreement when possible
Cllr. James Abbott, Leader of the Greens on Braintree District Council said
"We believe that our Ten Point Pledge is in line with what the majority of local people want - because when we attend meetings, knock on doors or receive e-mails and telephone calls from residents, these are the messages we are hearing.
The outgoing administration at BDC has had its good points, such as supporting investment in recycling, but on many issues involving public consultation, they have simply not listened and have preferred to carry on regardless, no matter how many people have objected or put reasoned points of view. The same can be said over many issues regarding their Conservative colleages at Essex County Council.
The Conservatives have told us it is now all about the "Big Society and Localism", but their actions have been all too often the opposite of their rhetoric.
We have seen the same pattern repeated - over the huge greenfield housing allocations around Witham and in Rivenhall, the year-long wrangle over Silver End village hall, the County Council support for the Rivenhall Airfield waste incinerator and more recently over the Braintree Town Centre consultation.
We believe that as Green Councillors we are here to represent the local community first and foremost. That does not mean we can do everything they ask, especially because of the deep cuts in local government funding being imposed by the Coalition Government, but it does mean that all councillors should listen to residents - and when there is a clear public view on an issue, work with local people".
Notes (1) In Braintree District there are all out elections for seats on Braintree District Council, Witham Town Council and where contested, parish councils.
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