County Cllr Sarah Lunnon’s (Green Stroud East) motion that GCC adopt an Ethical Care Charter, outlining minimum terms and conditions for home care workers providing contracted services for GCC failed to get council support on Wednesday 23^rd Jan. Cllr Lunnon said 'the complete lack of Conservative support while disappointing is not surprising - Tories have historically refused to back moves that provide protection for the vulnerable or decent working conditions for the low paid. Their failure to support the motion reflects the Conservative attacks nationally on the vulnerable and low paid”.

The Charter links with local Green’s support of the “Living Wage” campaign for low paid workers. Independent research indicates that adopting a “living wage” rather than the current statutory “minimum wage” is good for business, good for individuals and good for society.

The Green Party has selected its candidates for the forthcoming Stroud District Council elections.  Click on Elections above for details.

Defending our public National Health Service and County Libraries, opposing benefits cuts and mass burn incinerators is all part of the campaign for social and environmental justice.  Greens are proud to be part of the local campaigns that are doing that, joining with others to oppose the Coalition’s targeting of the most vulnerable and its privatisation agenda.

Stroud District Green Party has said public sector workers are right
to strike over pensions this Wednesday (30/11).

"The Government is complaining about a one-day strike, but we are
complaining about their stealing our pensions forever," said Stroud
Mayor John Marjoram, who is also a Green Party councillor for Trinity
Ward in the town.

Green County Councillor  Sarah Lunnon (Stroud East) writes to the local press:

On Wednesday 16th November 2011, His Honour Judge McKenna ruled that both Gloucestershire and Somerset County Councils had failed to take account of their equalities duties when pushing through the cuts to their library services, condemning both councils’ approach as “bad Government”, and that it was “important to the Rule of Law” that the decisions be quashed. 

Green Party District Councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward, Philip Booth, writes to the local press:

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are facing a growing and deeply shocking housing crisis of monstrous proportions. Despite the best efforts of Stroud District Council to support those who have a difficulty, central government are sleepwalking, no running, into a housing timebomb.

Britain may be building too many waste facilities as a report out today (October 28 2011) forecasts an oversupply of residual waste treatment infrastructure by 2020 - even as early as 2015 in certain areas. 

Following a visit to London, Stroud District Councillor Martin Whiteside (Green, Thrupp) has praised the Occupy The London Stock Exchange protesters camped outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, describing them as "inspirational".
"What really hits you is the the atmosphere of sharing and tolerance:
they are really trying to create a caring, tolerant community," Martin said.
"Food was being shared among those present, it really felt like the
loaves and fishes in action!
"The camp is incredibly well organised, with about 100 tiny tents and then larger ones for information, first aid, meditation, a library, canteen, recycling, portaloos; there are even lectures by lecturers from nearby universities.
"The protesters don't expect easy answers, but they are driven by a realisation that there is something very wrong in a society where the bankers, who have a significant responsibility for the crisis, take home millions in bonuses, while those least responsible may go cold and hungry this winter.
Martin questioned the decision by the cathedral authorities to close it to the public.
"I was not convinced by the need to close St Paul's on health and safety grounds.
"The protesters have done everything the fire service asked in terms of allowing safe access.
"St Paul's and our other churches have managed to stay open throughout history under very much more difficult circumstances; this seems a pretty sad excuse to me.
He urged others to go and visit the protesters for themselves. "If you want to make up your own mind, go and have a look for yourself, have a cup of tea in the tent and talk to those involved: I think you will be inspired."
Martin was echoing Green Party leader and MP Caroline Lucas who said last week: "The camp that has been set up a stone's throw from London Stock Exchange is an opportunity to explore a different kind of future to the one the mainstream political parties have constructed."
Occupations are continuing in various parts of the world including Bristol.

Over 71% of young people questioned in a recent online forum said inequality was mostly or partly to blame for this summer's riots, according to a press release from the Hansard Society.

On October 15^th 2011, with our local election candidate Nicola Hillary, we undertook a residents survey in The Stanleys.  We asked what residents thought of some of our policies and the results are shown below.

1. Reduce waste and recycle more, including food waste, rather than build a massive incinerator for the whole of Gloucestershire at Javelin Park, near Stonehouse
   Yes 79%          No 6%             Unsure 15%

 

2. Invest more in renewable energy, including off-shore wind and solar, rather than the  planned  large new nuclear power station at Oldbury 15 miles from the Stanleys
   Yes 61%          No 24%           Unsure 15%

 

3. Tackle the recession by investing in the economy of the future, including renewable energy and efficient public transport, creating new jobs rather than making public sector workers unemployed
   Yes 82%          No 6%             Unsure 12%

 

4. Reduce the deficit by raising taxes on banks and those earning over £100K, and reducing tax evasion rather than massive cuts to health, education, social services and libraries
   Yes 73%          No 18%           Unsure 9%

 

5. Tackle the housing crisis by investing in affordable housing on brownfield sites rather than removing planning controls and letting developers spoil our countryside.
   Yes 94%          No 3%             Unsure 3%

 

1. Give all children a right to a good local school and oppose the growth of a two-tier education system with some schools able to attract more funds and children from better-off homes?
   Yes 76%          No 12%           Unsure 12%

 

1. Keep the NHS public rather than handing the staff and services in Gloucestershire to a social enterprise that could be privatised at any time?
   Yes 70%          No 0%             Unsure 30%

 

1. All the above are Green Party Policies  - would you consider voting Green at the next local election in March 2012?
   Yes 27%          No 30%           Unsure 42%