Green Party

Proposed cuts to some key City Council services were stopped by a Green Party budget amendment at last night's Council meeting. The Labour administration’s spending proposals for the next financial year originally included:
• reducing the number of litter bins in streets, parks and open spaces;
• cutting the budget for maintaining play spaces;
• reducing the amount spent on initiatives for promoting cycling; and
• stopping the grant to Norfolk railway lines.

The proposed cuts in these areas were all stopped when the Green Councillors’ amendment to the budget was accepted.

Marcus Hemsley, Green Party Campaigner in Wensum Ward, said: “I’m delighted these amendments were accepted. I was particularly concerned
about the proposal to cut maintenance of play space equipment because it would have resulted in play facilities being removed in some areas.
In North Earlham, there are already some play areas where damaged equipment has not been properly repaired. The play apparatus that is
functioning is well used. Residents have in this area told me how important it is to them to have play areas that are within walking distance
for their children to use.”

Adrian Ramsay, Leader of the Green Party City Councillors, added: “The Greens are now the main opposition at City Hall but we continue to engage in
constructive discussion with the other parties to get the best outcome we can. We can’t get all our initiatives through because we don’t run the
Council but I’m pleased our amendment has helped improve the Labour budget. It’s important that the City Council does all it can to create a
clean and healthy local environment. The proposed cuts to litter bins, cycling initiatives and railway lines grants would have been a step backwards.”

The budget proposals from the two smaller opposition parties on the City Council, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives, were not passed.

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