Green Party

The City Council budget agreed this evening could result in new lasting jobs being created in the city, say Green Party councillors.

Following lobbying by Green Party councillors, the Labour administration amended its budget at this evening's meeting to include three new initiatives, including £50,000 for sustainable economic development activity across the city. At the meeting, Green Party councillors argued that the money should be spent on supporting business and economic activity that will create new lasting jobs locally.

Claire Stephenson, Leader of the Green Party city councillors, said: "We hope a variety of new jobs will be created in the city, particularly in skilled manufacturing and in producing more of our food locally. The Green Party wants to promote innovative business in Norwich, such as renewable energy production, to provide residents with greater choice. We also think the council has a reponsibility to encourage businesses to be as energy efficient as possible, and these new measures could help provide that support."

The other two new initiatives in the amendment are:

1. £40,000 for participatory budgeting, which will mean £10,000 for projects in each of the four new neighbourhood areas of the city. Under participatory budgeting, residents can decide which projects should receive funding in their area. Recent participatory budgeting pilots in Lakenham and Thorpe Hamlet have resulted in money being awarded to community initiatives such as Lakenham Primary School Dance and Drama Club, and IT facilities for the Silver Rooms day centre.
2. £23,500 for energy efficiency intiatives in the city. Green Party Councillors will be pressing for this money to be spent on helping householders save money by reducing their fuel bills.

Councillor Stephenson concluded: "I'm pleased the Green Party councillors have persuaded the council to adopt a more forward-looking budget. Residents will have more say on how public money is spent, more local jobs can be created and energy efficiency in the city will be improved."

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