Green Party

The Green Party is saving services to the most vulnerable Norfolk people, valued at £2.7m in its County Council budget , released today ahead of Monday’s Council budget meeting. Meanwhile, Green Councillors warn that the level of cuts proposed by the Tories will kill off vital services, and that further cuts ‘by stealth’ keep emerging.

Councillor Andrew Boswell, leader of the Green Party County Councillors, said:

“The Conservative administration’s budget is the death knell to a range of essential services for the vulnerable- affecting both young and old, and worryingly we have seen the emergence of further cuts. Our budget will avoid the worst of these cuts, protecting those that are most in need, by saving vital services worth £2.7m. We have prioritised saving services for the most vulnerable people, such as those with learning difficulties and their often elderly carers”.

Controversial plans by the Conservatives to close day care centres for elderly people have been left out of the budget as the issue goes to consultation, but they are going ahead with £6.8m learning difficulties services cuts over two years. The Conservative County Council administration is planning to close four learning difficulties centres throughout Norfolk, which provide essential respite for carers, including the elderly, of people with learning difficulties.

Andrew Boswell said:

“The Tory administration at County Hall has failed to conduct a proper consultation before going ahead with proposals to close these centres. They claim that the closure of these centres will save £600,000 per annum, but they have not made clear how this would happen”.

The Green Party budget proposals also focus on maintaining support for the voluntary sector, ensuring a viable future for Norfolk’s school field centres, and a flagship Council run energy company to develop renewable energy for Council buildings and land. The plans drawn up with a carbon management consultant, would create £4.5m annual profits that could be used for council services whilst saving 11,000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

Andrew Boswell said:

“Our budget shows that even in financially difficult times, it is possible for the Council to work for a fairer and more caring Norfolk – and the Greens are showing how it can be done.”

The ruling Conservative administration of Norfolk County Council will propose its budget at a full County Council meeting at 10:00 on Monday. Green Party County Councillors and other Party Councillors, will be proposing amendments to the budget, on which Councillors will then vote.

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