Green MP says Government education plans will "make higher education an unaffordable luxury"

28 June 2011. Commenting on the proposals set out in the Government’s White Paper on Higher Education, Caroline Lucas, Brighton Pavilion’s Green MP, said:

“The Coalition’s reckless determination to marketise higher education and increase competition poses a serious risk to future generations of students hoping to attend our city’s universities. Just providing prospective students with more information about standards in universities will not change the fact that, for many, £9,000 per year in fees will make higher education an unaffordable luxury.

“And the idea that universities will be ranked according to graduate employment rates and salaries completely ignores the reality that many graduates take up worthwhile jobs which are either voluntary or low paid.”

Spanish Revolution protesters leave Old Steine camp, Brighton

9 June 2011. Protesters occupying the Old Steine in central Brighton agreed to quit their camp, according to Councillor Ben Duncan, Cabinet Member for Communities in Brighton and Hove City Council.

He said: "We respect the right to peaceful protest and will facilitate it where possible but we will take action where necessary to fulfil our duties as a council and these include ensuring public parks are protected for the whole community.

"The right to peaceful protest does not include the right to camp in public parks and we will uphold local bylaws to prevent this. We have accommodated the protesters' protest and allowed them to make their point and they have behaved well so far and we expect them to leave this Sunday. It's good news that they have promised to move on and I expect them to fulfil that promise."

The following pictures capture the spirit of the non-violent protest...

Click 'Read more' for more pics...

Call for decriminalisation of drugs from Police Chief and Green MP in Brighton and Hove

Collection of Ecstacy (MDMA) tablets

14 June 2011. A call for decriminalisation of personal drug use, and a health based approach to treatment, has been made Brighton's Green MP Caroline Lucas - and her call has been backed up by Brighton & Hove Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.

Caroline Lucas said an evidence-based approach is needed to tackle the UK's drug crisis, reduce the number of drug-related deaths, and make our communities safer. 

In a speech to NHS healthcare professionals in Brighton yesterday evening, Green Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas supported the findings of the Global Commission on Drug Policy, which earlier this month called for a major review of drugs policy.

Caroline said, "There is growing agreement across the scientific and political communities, in the police and the legal professions, that we need to move away from prohibition of use towards an evidence-based, public health approach to drug addiction.

"One of my top priorities as a local MP is to tackle Brighton and Hove's very sad reputation as the drugs death capital of the UK.

"In order to do that, we need to recognise the reality that the so-called ‘war on drugs' has failed - and start dealing with drugs differently.

"Here in this city, we understand more than most the consequences of a national drugs policy that has failed our citizens and our communities.

"Having seen the commitment locally to successful evidence-based treatment and support programmes, I think we are also well placed to start shaping an alternative approach - one that works."

Caroline, who is an active member of Parliament's All Party Group for Drug Policy Reform, is planning a high level roundtable in the city later this year, bringing together medical experts, and key local stakeholders, including the police and council representatives, to help develop an alternative approach.

Caroline believes that Brighton could set a positive example for other cities battling high levels of drug misuse by shaping a different approach which builds on successful initiatives that are already happening in the city, such as the highly successful RIOTT trial, which demonstrates that previously unresponsive patients can achieve major reductions in their use of street heroin.

In her calls for a potential decriminalisation of personal drug use and a health based approach to treatment, Caroline is joined by Brighton & Hove Chief Superintendent Graham Bartlett.

He commented, "My officers will continue to enforce the law as it stands. However, my personal view is that whilst production, supply and trafficking are and should remain crimes, the use of drugs is not well addressed through punitive measures.

"Providing people with treatment not only resolves their addiction - thereby minimising risk of overdose, drug related health issues, anti social behaviour and dependence on the state, for example - but cuts the cost to the community by reduced offending."

Caroline added, "We have some excellent practice in the city in dealing with drug addiction, both from the third section, and from interventions like Operation Reduction, run by the local police.

"Over the coming months, I want to work closely with key agencies, healthcare professionals and community groups to explore ways for us to make a change for the better. I want to hear from local people about whether the city's services are currently equipped to best reduce drug-related harms - and how they could be improved.

"One area I should like to explore is extending the provision of naloxone, used to counter the effects of heroin or morphine overdose, to all prisoners leaving prison with a history of addiction.

"Pilot programmes in Scotland and Wales are already showing positive results in terms of lives saved."

She has also called for an urgent review of the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Act, together with a cost benefit analysis to compare its effectiveness in reducing the societal, economic and health costs of drug misuse with an alternative approach based on treating drug addiction as a health issue, not a criminal one.

"In this age of austerity, when we are told that every penny of public spending must be justified, nobody is checking whether the war on drugs is value for money or money and effort wasted", Lucas will say.

"I don't think it will be easy.

"A new approach, based on treating drug addiction as a health issue not a criminal one, will represent a significant shift in thinking - and any changes should be brought in slowly and carefully.

"But in the long term, a more evidence-based drugs policy will help us to prevent crime, and protect our communities from the worst effects of drug abuse."

Green Cabinet Member Ben Duncan meets "peaceful" protesters occupying the Old Steine

Spanish Revolution camp on the Old Steine 26 May 2011

26 May 2011. Green Cabinet member Ben Duncan talked to protesters who have occupied the traffic island known as the Old Steine in central Brighton and Hove.

The protesters, calling themselves the "Spanish Revolution", say they will deliver "real democracy" and a demonstration to "take over the streets" on 4 June. They say they are a gathering of private individuals who have orgainised an "Assembly" and hold meetings daily at their camp on the Old Steine. Other activities include theatre, yoga, belly dancing and capoeira.

Councillor Ben Duncan, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Protection, said: “I have spoken with members of the group and received assurances that any activity associated with their protest will be peaceful, lawful and transparent.

“The Old Steine isn’t just a public space in the city centre it’s the heart of a residential area so I am glad the protestors have liaised with the police and asked all supporters to recognise the need to respect the neighbourhood in which their encampment falls.

“In these respects the encampment is a model of the kind of engaged, peaceful protest the council and police are committed to facilitating, but of course we will be watching closely to see if this changes in the future.”

Spanish Revolution website says: "We are individuals who have come together freely and voluntarily. Each of us has decided, after the concentrations on Sunday, May 15, that we are determined to continue fighting for dignity and political and social awareness."

Valley Garden Project
Background information: The Old Steine is a series of large grassy traffic islands surrounded by dual carriageway traffic in the center of Brighton. Until recent times, this area was a social centre of the town, but road developments cut the parks off from the town and surrounded them by hectic traffic. In 2000, the city made plans to reverse this domination by the car. The Core Strategy included plan to redirect traffic, and make a big park connecting the traffic islands and the Pavilion/N Laine areas. This Valley Gardens Park Project was going to create a park in the city center, reclaiming it from cars in favour of people, but these plans were squashed by Tory admin last year. The local Green Party has made it part of their manifesto to revive a city centre park project.

(update 9 June: protesters agree to quit camp)

Spanish Revolution
http://spanishrevolutionbrighton.wordpress.com/

Brighton and Hove Green manifesto at
http://www.brightonhovegreens.org/

Green Cabinet Member Pete West calls for investigation after Mound Community Garden is trashed

26 May 2011. Councillor Pete West, the council’s cabinet member for the environment has promised an investigation of reports that the community garden at the Mound on Church Street in central Brighton has been trashed by the site's developers.

According to a report in Brighton and Hove News blog, the "community gardeners" complained that the developer who owns the site - Hargreaves of Little Hampton - has demolished vegetable beds, seed nurseries and a wildlife conservation area including a pond containing tadpoles and newts. despite a notice by the pond which explained that there were newts - a protected species - in the pond. "The sign was deliberately smashed up by the clearance gang.”

The land was a derelict eyesore before the community gardeners decided to brighten it up. The developers recently obtained a court judgement to develop the community gardeners from the land.

Cllr Pete West said: “If these reports are true it’s an outrage. I’ll be asking officers about whether there was any legal protection on wildlife there, whether any laws have been broken and if so whether anyone can be prosecuted.

“Even if no action can now be taken, the whole city will want to signal its disgust at such vandalism. In any case the developers will now be punished by a PR disaster of their own making.”

The community gardeners fear that the site will remain an eyesore for years to come. They said: “Since opening in January, The Mound had shown gardening films, had seed-bomb workshops, held free soup kitchens and been a mecca for locals and visitors to Brighton of a weekend. During this time there had been only positive feedback and the space had been 100 per cent trouble-free.”

BBC 2 Daily Politics show trivialises Green Policies

18 May 2011. BBC 2 Daily Politics show profiled the new Green administration in Brighton and Hove. But it distorted and trivialised the party's manifesto by focusing on the campaign to introduce Meat Free Mondays in the council canteen. It also featured an embarrassing interview with with a young Green voter who could not remember any Green manifesto pledges or policies. Although interviews with Caroline Lucas and Amy Kennedy balanced this representation of Greens policies as trivial, the programme's prejudice was apparent.

The show can be viewed on this link.
The Brighton & Hove piece is from 15 min 30 seconds onwards.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011fwqv/The_Daily_Politics_19_05_2011/

Agenda paper for first Green council meeting

18 May 2011: Here is the agenda paper for the first Green council meeting in Brighton and Hove, at 4.30pm today:

http://present.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=3023&Ver=4

Cabinet posts announced in UK's first Green Council administration - in Brighton and Hove

From the Green Group of Councillors, Brighton & Hove City Council - For immediate release: 12 May 2011

BRIGHTON GREENS UNVEIL THE COUNTRY’S FIRST GREEN COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

Today Brighton & Hove’s Green Group of councillors have unveiled their team to lead the council, after winning the largest number of seats in last week’s local elections. Among the posts announced today include their proposed Leader, Cabinet Members and other roles for the 23-strong group. Bill Randall, Convenor of the Green Group and proposed Council Leader commented:

“Last week’s election results were huge vote of confidence in the Greens As a result we have assembled a team of many talents to take the city forward at a challenging time.”

ENDS
Notes for Editors

*These appointments are subject to approval by Full Council, due to take place at the Annual Council meeting on Thursday 19th May.

*Listed below are the members with Leader and Cabinet roles. Biographies are available online on the Brighton and hove Green Party website here: http://www.brightonhovegreens.org/localsites/bh/elections/Candidate-teams.html. More information is available on request.

Cllr Bill Randall - Leader of the Council

Cllr Amy Kennedy - Deputy Leader of the Council (Executive), Cabinet Member for Planning, Economic Development and Regeneration

Cllr Ian Davey - Deputy Leader of the Council (Non-Executive), Cabinet Member for Transport and Public Realm

Cllr Jason Kitcat - Cabinet Member for Finance and Central Services

Cllr Liz Wakefield - Cabinet Member for Housing

Cllr Pete West - Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability

Cllr Rob Jarrett - Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

Cllr Sue Shanks - Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

Cllr Geoffrey Bowden - Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism

Cllr Ben Duncan - Cabinet Member for Communities and Community Safety

Greens ask Labour to join them in reviewing the Brighton and Hove 2011/2012 budget

10 May 2011. Green councillors have asked Labour councillors, the unions and the voluntary sector to join them in reviewing the Tory’s 2011/2012 budget, which has cut spending on local services by £23 million.

In a message to Labour councillors, Green Group Convenor Bill Randall said: ‘Will you support us in reviewing the 2011/12 budget to see if we can stop some of the cuts that will harm front line services in Brighton and Hove?’

ENDS

Greens win most seats in Brighton and Hove local election

Greens are now the largest party on Brighton & Hove City Council after election results today. This is the first time a local council in the UK has elected the Greens as the largest party.

People voted Green across Brighton & Hove. Greens held all their seats and gained 10 more for a total of 23 Green councillors, making them the largest group of on the council, and the largest Green group  of councillors in the country.

It’s a huge vote of confidence in the Greens. Green convenor Bill Randall said, “The the city has listened to the Greens and we have listened to the city. Greens will now sit down and plan how to take the city forward in these difficult times."

Bill Randall said: “The next step is for us to talk to other parties about how we will work with them and implement our manifesto pledges at a very challenging time for local government budgets."

Key Green wins included:
• Goldsmid returned three Greens, winning one seat each from Labour and Conservatives. Alex Phillips, Ruth Buckley and Rob Jarret were elected.
• Brunswick & Adelaide returned two Greens. It was previously LibDem stronghold
• Queens Park returned three Greens, despite determined efforts by Labour to win back the three seats they lost in 2007.
• Regency returned two Greens - up by one.
• Hollindean And Stanmer had three labour councillors - now they have one.  The other two seats were taken by Green candidates Sven Rufus and  Christina Summers.
• Conservatives lost another seat to Greens in Central Hove.

• Safe Green Wards St Peters & N Laine, and Preston Park returned three Greens each.

I spent an exciting day at Hove Town Hall watching the vote being counted. Here is my video of council leader Bill Randall after the results were announced.


Click Read More below for full results:

Hanover and Elm Grove campaigns for safer crossings, co-housing and more trees

Green campaigns in Hanover & Elm Grove - March 2011

Fairer water charges for pensioners 
Hanover and Elm Grove Green councillors are campaigning for a fairer deal on water charges for sheltered housing tenants. Says Cllr Bill Randall: “On a recent visit to Sidney Tidy House in Queen’s Park Road, I discovered pensioners living in identical one- bedroom flats paying different amounts for their water. Some are paying as much as £30 a month, more than £5 a month more than their neighbours. I have taken their case up with Southern Water.”

Safer crossing at Elm Grove School 
Green councillors handed in a petition to the March council meeting signed by more than 150 parents and other residents and calling for a Puffin crossing to replace the outdated Pelican crossing outside Elm Grove School.

Community land grab on the Queen’s Park Estate 
Green councillors are campaigning with Queen’s Park Estate residents for the community takeover of wasteland behind Plumpton Road. Local residents will decide the way the space is used. First proposals include a community garden, a children’s play area and a food-growing project. “Three years ago we persuaded the Guinness Trust to give the association a rent-free community base, christened The Haven by residents, in its Pankhurst Avenue scheme,” said Cllr Bill Randall.
“It has been a huge success, thanks to the work of residents, their former Chair Margaret Lucas and Amy Allinson and other Trust for Developing Communities workers. More than 70 local young people have used the Haven. Other activities provided have included a mother and toddler group, cookery classes, a sewing circle, a women’s book club and an estate-based choir.”

The Hanover & Elm Grove Local Action Team (LAT)
The LAT, chaired by retiring councillor Georgia Wrighton, has groups on transport and parking, and students in the community and wants your views on these hot topics in the ward.
“The transport and parking group, which is chaired by my colleague Bill Randall, was set up to capture some of the good ideas raised during last year’s parking debate. It has met twice and heard views and ideas across a wide spectrum, and will hold one more meeting in April before publishing its findings and seeking the public’s views on any proposals.”
The Students in the Community Group begins its work next month and will look at issues raised by student housing and the halls of residence in the ward. First flagged up by Green councillors five years ago, the issues were dismissed as not being a problem by the Labour-controlled council.
“The transport and parking group, which is chaired by my colleague Bill Randall, was set up to capture some of the good ideas raised during last year’s parking debate. It has met twice and heard views and ideas across a wide spectrum, and will hold one more meeting in April before publishing its findings and seeking the public’s views on any proposals.”
Problems with untidy or obstructive Binvelopes are frequently reported at the Hanover and Elm Grove LAT. Some Binvelopes are left out permanently by residents and fill up with litter, recycling and Councillor Georgia Wrighton, Chair of the LAT, responded by joining a local resident and council officers on a walkabout to look at the worst examples of untidy Binvelopes. Officers agreed to follow up be kept in a neat and tidy condition and must not be obstructive. The letter will warn residents their Binvelope will be removed, if they are neglected. Binvelopes are a great way of keeping Hanover streets clean and Local Action Team wants your views on local hot topics Cherish your Binvelope – or you may lose it...
The next LAT meeting is on Thursday 9 June 6.45pm-8.45pm (venue to be confirmed). For more information on the sub-groups, please contact Cllr Georgia Wrighton.

Greens pledge support for co-housing groups and housing co-ops 
Green candidates Matt Follett and Liz Wakefield met Julian Howell (centre) of the Brighton Cohousing Group at a recent meeting at the Hanover Centre attended by about 40 people who want to set up cohousing projects. “It was very inspiring meeting that clearly demonstrated an unmet housing need for people who want to combine shared living with their own private space,” said Liz.
“Greens support the work of cohousing groups and housing and co-ops, which reflect the spirit of Brighton and Hove and could make an important contribution to solving the city’s housing crisis,” added Matt.

Matt Follett and Liz Wakefield with Julian Howell (centre) of the Brighton Cohousing group

13 new trees for Hartington Road 
Hartington Road resident Grant Fischer (centre left) was concerned about the loss of mature trees in his road and asked Cllr Georgia Wrighton (left) for her help in getting them replaced. The result is 13 new trees recently planted in the street and more to come. Cllrs Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett and Bill Randall joined them to mark the tree planting. For more information, call the Arboriculture Team on 01273 292929.

Off-licence victory! 
Cllr Bill Randall campaigned with residents recently to scupper plans by a Queen’s Park Road off licence to stay open until 3am every morning. Following their representations to the council’s licensing committee, closing time was fixed at 11.30pm.Greens pledge support for cohousing groups and housing co-ops.

Greens condemn plans to cut front line services while spending £1.1m on cycle closure.

Ian Davey leads protesters

This early PR for the Save Hove Cycle Lane campaign was not officially released - it was quickly overtaken by news of the plans to demolish the lane were abandoned.

Greens condemn plans to cut front line services while spending £1.1m on cycle closure.

21 Feb 2010. Cyclists braved rainy weather over the weekend to protest against the planned scrapping of the award winning cycle freeway along The Drive in Hove. Two Green councillors were at the event.

The plans to scrap the cycle lane, at a cost of £1.1m, were revealed in Brighton and Hove City Council’s budget proposals, made public last week. The plans have provoked protests from across the country, including from Sustrans, the charity that promotes sustainable travel in the UK.

The cycle freeway is segregated from traffic. It runs through Goldsmid, whose councillor, Alex Phillips, won the ward for the Green Party at a by-election in 2009. She said: “At a time of cuts to frontline services, leaving vulnerable people to fend for themselves, it’s not right that money is used to get rid of this important and well-used cycle lane.”

She added: “We launched a petition a few days ago, aiming to get a full council debate on the subject. Already we have 1,200 signatures, many online. Brighton’s status as a city of sustainable transport is of national interest”

Councillor Davey, Green Party spokesman for Transport said: “I’m so pleased so many people came out in the rain at such short notice. This is just the start of this protest. The Conservative administration led by Councillor Mary Mears will have to withdraw this proposal if they want get their budget passed by the council. We have every hope that Labour will vote with the Greens to overturn this budget when it comes before council for approval on 3 March.”

The cycle freeway was built with funding from Cycling England after Brighton and Hove was granted Cycle Demonstration Town status in 2005. When council’s transport team picked up the Transport Authority of the Year award last year. It was commended for cycling improvements that saw cycling in the city increase by 27% since 2006.

Councillor Davey said: “If they go ahead with spending a million pounds scrapping this cycle lane it will be the transport laughing stock of the year and it will be bottom of the class for cycling.”

The 2011 budget proposals were released on 11 February. They revealed plans to remove the cycle lanes. The reason cited was to “improve the visual impact and traffic flow along this important north – south corridor including access to the A27/A23 from the A259/Shoreham Harbour".

Councillor Davey said: “I wonder if Councillor Mears has consulted local residents about whether they will welcome this road becoming an artery for heavy vehicles on their way to Shoreham Harbour.”

Councillors Davey and Phillips asked those who support the campaign to sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43064.html .

Council hears residents’ appeal to make Hollingdean Dip safe

Official PR from Brighton and Hove Green Party

28 March 2011. Green Party council candidates for Hollingdean & Stanmer Ward have submitted a resident-led petition calling on Brighton and Hove City Council to make the roads that converge on Hollingdean Dip safer for pedestrians.

The petition – signed by 835 residents in and around the Dip – was presented at Thursday’s Full Council meeting by candidate Christina Summers.

She said: “This petition asks the council to take a proper overview of all the problems with the road layout in the Dip rather than look at just one part.

“Residents have identified several issues that contribute to their general feeling of vulnerability and concern when moving around the Dip: drivers’ speeds, parking on corners and double yellow lines, the bus stop location and layout, amongst others.”

Christina added, “The Council’s ‘Pedestrian Crossing Assessment Methodology’ highlights the importance of public perception of dangerous roads and the impact of crossings on “community cohesion”.

“Yet this isn't scored in their assessment, nor are the near miss collisions or the ‘predictable risk increasing dynamic situations’ (such as cars overtaking buses at build-outs every ten minutes), or the need to take into account the number of children under ten who use the street or how well vehicles adhere to speed limits.

“So how will the city council ensure that the safety of pedestrians who need to use the Hollingdean Dip will be incorporated into the council’s road safety assessment?”

Steve Hare, a resident of Hollingdean Terrace, will quiz councillors at next Thursday’s (31 March) Environment Cabinet Member meeting.

He will urge the Council to include residents’ daily experience as pedestrians in Hollingdean Dip in any decision on whether to build a pedestrian crossing.

Mr Hare said: “As well as near misses, the number of cars speeding to overtake buses at the Dip bus stop don’t currently appear to be taken into account. This can’t be right and, especially in areas like the Dip with high numbers of under-10s crossing the road, means people are at risk."

Christina Summers added: “A fatality is waiting to happen and the many near misses are a clarion call for the council to do something before it’s too late.”

END

Note to editors

Full text of the ‘Make Hollingdean Dip Safe’ petition:

“We the undersigned petition the council to take urgent steps to make the Hollingdean Dip safer to cross by reviewing the traffic calming measures in the area and taking steps to improve road safety such as installing a zebra crossing.

“The current arrangement is wholly unsatisfactory for such a busy junction that provides a cut-through for road traffic from all directions and a major pedestrian route particularly to and from Hertford Infants School, and the “pinch points” installed on Hollingbury Crescent 10 years ago to slow down vehicles have had no effect as they race one another to squeeze through first.

“We feel strongly that providing better traffic management will transform the level of personal safety, particularly for school children, and significantly ease access to shops on both sides.”

Hollingdean & Stanmer’s Green candidates with Steve Hare outside Brighton Town Hall just before the Full Council meeting at which they presented the petition.

Order in the photo: Cllr Sven Rufus, Steve Hare, candidates Christina Summers and Luke Walter.

Green campaign to sustain independent traders comes to George St. in Hove on Saturday 2 April

George Street looking South (Google)

Brighton and Hove Green Party Press Release of last night

Green campaign to sustain independent traders comes to George St. in Hove.

31 March 2011. Greens will bring their campaign to sustain independent traders to George Street, Brighton and Hove, on Saturday 2nd April. A stall will be set up where members of the public can discuss this and other issues with Green candidates in forthcoming local elections. Caroline Lucas is expected to attend the stall around noon.

Greens want to protect the independent traders who help give Brighton and Hove its unique character. Recent times have seen these shops closing to be replaced by chain stores, a trend nowhere more evident than in Hove’s George Street, a pedestrianised area that provides a community focus for Central Hove, Goldsmid, and Wish Park.

Ruth Buckley, Green candidate for Goldsmid, said: “Many high streets now are indistinguishable from one another and have lost their local character, the very essence for which they were once known. Seven Dials has retained its character due to the prevalence of mainly independent traders. Unfortunately, George Street seems to be losing this battle as week by week a shop closes to be taken over by either a charity shop or a chain store.“

Green Councillor for Goldsmid, Alex Phillips, said: “Small businesses in Hove are under pressure. I talked with shop owners along Church Road who say rates for small businesses are too high.

“Greens have had success stemming the march of the superstores in the East of our city, most recently convincing Tesco to drop plans for a mega store at Preston circus and to withdraw from the Lewes Road community garden site, a campaign I was involved with, alongside other Green councillors and Caroline Lucas.

Chris Hawtree, Green Candidate for Hove Central, planned the stall on George Street as a talking shop for community issues. He said: "Local independent shops, such as Fine Records, are very much a place where people meet and talk. Such shops create the essence of a place."

Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas has been campaigning to get government to act on the next step of the Sustainable Communities Act – consultation with local communities. It will help local people protect their services and have a say in improving their communities. On 29 March, she organised a debate in Parliament, to discuss the Government’s stalling. It was confirmed that the consultation needed to allow local people to make future proposals under the Act will start immediately.

Caroline Lucas said: “Thankfully, in Brighton Pavilion there is still a thriving local economy, with traders and businesses fighting off incursions onto the high street by the big chain stores and supermarkets.

“But there are many battles ahead, and we need more powers to restrict the number of large chain stores that pose a threat to the unique character of Brighton. I hope that the new phase of this Act will bring about regulations to help local people stop aggressive supermarket expansion – given that we already have about 56 stores.”

Ruth Buckley added: “There is a place in our community for good stores that bring a choice of commodities to our high streets at attractive prices. But there has to be a balance, or we’ll end up with soul-less high streets dominated by similar stores with no local roots, and no commitment to the well being of local communities.”

“With stores that are part of a national group, the money fed into the shop is not redistributed within the local community, but is fed to shareholders and its board, mostly in another city. Local shops help support local jobs and local businesses. A vote for the Green Party in May is a vote to protect your local community.”

A problem for Brighton and Hove is that in 2006 the then-Labour-led council adopted a consultant’s ‘retail study’ that argued the city needed new supermarkets and shops with a total size equivalent to nine Churchill square shopping centres. The document is still used by supermarkets to justify and support their ever-expanding presence in the city.

Caroline Lucas added: “In the past decade, Britain has lost a quarter of all its post offices, a quarter of all its independent newsagents and a fifth of all its bank branches – with unsustainable consequences for local communities.

“Local people want to be engaged and to get involved, but they often feel that they can’t change anything. The Prime Minister talks about the Big Society, but without adequate resources it is unreasonable to expect that people will have the capacity and skills to either plug the gap left by cuts to public services or provide the input required for genuine community development.

“This is what the Sustainable Communities Act is about – long term, community controlled sustainable engagement allowing local people to decide the solutions to problems in their communities.”

The Green Party 2010 Manifesto promised to amend planning laws to appropriate small businesses and ensure that all large retail developments included spaces for small local businesses, introduce a network of local community banks, and reduce corporation tax for small firms to 20%.

Notes to editors

1) Caroline Lucas’ speech to the Adjournment Debate: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110328/debtext/110328-0004.htm#11032843000002

2) The Sustainable Communities Act became law in 2007 as a result of a long and widespread grass-roots mobilisation campaign organised by Local Works, a coalition of more than 120 national organisations. The campaign inspired tens of thousands of citizens to urge their MPs to back the Sustainable Communities Bill.

3) The Green Party was the first political party to back the Bill formally, and the campaign continued to call for cross-party support. That was eventually achieved and the Act became law in 2007 with the support of all parties across the House. In October 2008, the Government launched the first invitation for proposals under the 2007 Act. Local Works held many more public meetings across the country, where communities lobbied their councillors to resolve to use the Act. A hundred local authorities responded.

4) The people of Brighton and Hove successfully urged the council to opt into the Act, and then many got involved in coming up with the proposals that would help the area become a more sustainable place. Of those proposals, eight were shortlisted by the LGA. Examples include allowing food grown in allotments to be sold locally, introducing feed-in tariffs for local renewable energy and empowering councils to have more flexible business rates to encourage local trade and jobs.

5) In early 2010, Local Works successfully campaigned for the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 (Amendment) Act 2010. The 2010 Act ensured that the process would be ongoing, and allowed parish and town councils to submit proposals to central Government directly.

Contact:
Contact Brighton and Hove Green Party Press Office for interviews with Candidates and Counsellors.
bhgp.news@googlemail.com

Office of Caroline Lucas
Melissa Freeman, Senior Parliamentary Press Officer
Tel: 020 7219 0870 (no answer phone)
Mob: 07590 050565
Email: melissa.freeman@parliament.uk