GREEN CANDIDATE FOR TUNBRIDGE WELLS EAST CONDEMNS HOUSING POLICY FAILURE

 

West Kent Green Party (1) is standing Dr Hazel Dawe in the Tunbridge Wells East by election. Dr Dawe was Green Party Candidate for Tunbridge Wells in the last General Election. She is Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party and a frequent contributor to local radio, TV and newspapers. Hazel Dawe says:

“Currently, the number of empty homes in the Tunbridge Wells area stands at about 1383. This is an absolutely extraordinary figure. It means that the issue of empty homes has been neglected by the Council for far too long. In making a submission to the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council consultation on empty homes (2), I drew attention to the need to make use of other empty properties for housing: long-term empty shops and offices, derelict buildings and sites in industrial estates. I would also like to see progressive re-zoning of all out of town retail park vacant sites for housing instead.

“In addition, Parish councils should be actively encouraged to identify empty properties and sites to meet rural housing demand; Housing Associations should be invited to consider empty properties as opportunities to help the Council meet the demand for social housing in the Borough.

“No one wants, and residents should not be obliged to accept, new home building on greenfield sites when large amounts of empty properties and sites are available within the Borough(3).”

Ends c237 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, on 01732 355185 or 079444 71083. Contact address as above. See Hazel’s blog at http://hazeldawe.blogspot.co.uk/

See also West Kent Green Party news and views at www.westkent.greenparty.org  Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1.       1. One of Kent Green Party’s 10 branches.

2.       2. http://www2.tunbridgewells.gov.uk/pdf/Empty%20Homes%20Policy%202012-2017%20consultation%20draft.pdf

3. Kent Green Party is very critical about the concerted policies of Kent County Council and the district councils in Kent concerning housing. See our submission on this topic Review of Kent Housing Group Report: at http://www.kentgreenparty.org/publications.php

GREENS FIELD CANDIDATE FOR WEST MALLING AND LEYBOURNE

 

West Kent Green Party (1) is standing Howard Porter in the West Malling and Leybourne  by election for Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Howard Porter has been a Green Party Candidate previously and is joint coordinator of the West Kent branch of Kent Green Party. Howard runs his own design business and is married with two daughters. Howard Porter  says:

“We are all living through hard times and government imposed austerity isn’t working. Greens think this approach is misguided and leads to perverse outcomes.

A good example is government plans to use the M20 to trial their proposals to increase speed limits to 80mph. This is going to lead to more deaths and injuries and is estimated to cost the economy an extra £1 billion per year, yet they justify it as necessary for economic “growth”.

“We haven’t heard a peep from Tonbridge and Malling councillors on this issue but then they are virtually all from Coalition parties. That is why we need an effective and constructive opposition locally.

“The Green Party is the only party that really understands that we need an environmentally sustainable economy that is fair for all. The economic crisis is hard, but the environmental crisis is harder. I’m worried about my children’s future and, basically, that is why I got involved in politics and am asking people to vote Green.”

Ends

c  233  words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Howard Porter on 01732 841539 Mobile: 07879 424501  Contact address as above. See also West Kent Green Party news and views at www.westkent.greenparty.org  Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Electon Agent Fran Long can be contacted at: flongs@btinternet.com Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1. One of Kent Green Party’s 10 branches.

GREENS TO PETITION IN DOVER AGAINST USE OF GREENFIELD SITES FOR HOUSING

Kent Green Party is opposed to the use of greenfield sites for housing. Such sites are essential for agriculture, allotments, amenity and biodiversity. Over-ambitious housing plans in the Dover area threaten the countryside. Steve Dawe explains how Kent Green Party is challenging this problem:

“Kent Green Party believes greenfield sites are essential for agriculture, allotments, amenity and biodiversity. Housing needs to be in urban centres and in already built-up areas to ensure minimum costs in terms of new infrastructure. The number of empty homes in the Dover district stands at about 872 (1). Despite the Dover District Council’s Empty Homes Strategy(2), empty homes and social housing needs are both increasing in Dover. But at the same time, Dover District Council has high targets for new homes, ignoring the massive potential of empty homes, derelict sites in industrial estates and long-term empty shops. There is a contradiction between Dover District Council supporting the No Use Empty initiative to get empty properties into use, and still favouring the expensive and environmentally damaging development of new homes on greenfield sites, as recently agreed for Whitfield.

If the Council has its way, and obtains 14,000 new homes by 2026(3), then its current policies would mean urbanizing Dover’s countryside. Kent Green Party believes it is essential that refurbishment of existing buildings be the main route to new homes in the Dover district. It is also essential, given declining household incomes and costly mortgages, that half of all additional homes be social housing – not the 30% ‘affordable’ the Council proposes. In consequence, Kent Greens will be petitioning against building on greenfield sites in Dover town centre on Saturday 2nd June from 12.15.”

ends

FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe, Press Officer of Kent Green Party, on 01732 355185 or 07747 036192. Contact address as above. Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1. 1. http://www.elphicke.com/serving-dover/empty-properties-in-dover/343

2. 2. http://www.dover.gov.uk/housing/private_sector_housing-1/empty_homes/empty_homes_strategy.aspx

3. 3. http://www.dover.gov.uk/pdf/Affordable%20Housing%20DeliveryPlan.pdf

END THE YEAR OF FAILURE IN KENT'S EDUCATION POLICIES

West Kent Green Party is standing Dr Hazel Dawe in the Tunbridge Wells East County by election(1). The Party is appalled by Kent County Council’s education record. Hazel Dawe says:

“The Green Party is not surprised that Kent County Council has to find 10,700 primary school places and two new secondary schools in the next four years. Forward planning has never been a strong point at the County Council. For example: 800 children in Kent could not get a place at one of their three preferred primary schools, including in the Tunbridge Wells area, this April(2). Coupled with fundamental inefficiencies in children’s services (3) and declining youth services, the overall picture for children and young people is one of neglect.

“There has been maladministration in the provision of grammar school places, in Tunbridge Wells (4). It is also disturbing that four out of every ten head teachers say their school buildings are unfit for purpose nationwide(5). The Government is adamant that academy schools do not have to keep to current healthy school food standards, undoing years of progress(6).

“Kent Green Party will be discussing practical measures to meet the school places shortfall with speaker Becky Matthews from STEP, the campaign against selective education in Kent, at its June meeting in Wye, near Ashford.” Hazel Dawe adds:

“The Green Party is committed to maintaining services whilst paying off the deficit through introducing a fair tax system(7). Our children and their parents should not receive less from Kent County Council.”

ends

C259words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Green Party Candidate for Tunbridge Wells East which is Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, on 01732 355185 or 079444 71083. Contact address as above. See Hazel’s blog at http://hazeldawe.blogspot.co.uk/

See also West Kent Green Party news and views at www.westkent.greenparty.org Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1. 1. West Kent Green Party is one of Kent Green Party’s 10 branches. Dr Dawe was Green Party Candidate for Tunbridge Wells in the last General Election. Dr Dawe is Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party and a frequent contributor to local radio, TV and newspapers. She is also currently Head of Law Programmes at the Greenwich School of Management after careers in banking and as a University Lecturer in Law.

2. 2. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-17704744

3. 3.See requirements placed upon KCC for improvements: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1869311.pdf

4. 4. According to the Local Government Ombudsman: http://www.lgo.org.uk/complaint-outcomes/education/education-archive-2011-12/kent-county-council-amp-tunbridge-wells-girls-gram/ and see also: http://www.kentnews.co.uk/news/education_chiefs_vow_to_avoid_a_repeat_of_serious_flaws_in_tunbridge_wells_1_1381500

5. 5.Jessica Shepherd – English schools too dilapidated to teach in: poll The Observer, 20th May 2012.

6. 6. Toby Helm and Denis Campbell – Academy junk food loophole must be closed, Jamie tells MPs The Observer, 20th May 2012.

7. 7. Specifically, the Green Party supports far higher cigarette and alcohol taxation, additional council tax bands at the top of the current scale, raising Air Passenger Duty and increasing the higher rates of tax for the highest paid. We can pay off the Deficit and maintain public services, by putting an end to self-defeating austerity policies.

INSULATION FOR HOMES, NOT PAYING SUBSIDIES TO ENERGY COMPANIES

Kent Green Party recently investigated fuel poverty policies of local councils in Kent and Medway, critical for protecting the poor from rising energy bills. Unfortunately, the Government’s new Energy Bill (1) promises higher energy prices for consumers to help subsidise nuclear power in particular. Stuart Jeffery, Chair of Kent Green Party, explains:

“Kent Green Party has campaigned for the relief of fuel poverty for many years. Our recent survey of local council policies in Kent and Medway is one small part of that effort(2). We very much regret that the Government’s new Energy Bill will push up energy prices for consumers when wages, pensions and benefits are declining for many households throughout our County. Over the next 20 years, energy prices may double if these proposals go through (3) A massive negative reaction from campaigning groups and charities and from the Renewable Energy industry is already evident (4).

“In Kent and Medway, our collective response must be to insulate all buildings as soon as it is practical and introduce safe energy technologies such as solar panels and solar water heating systems to cut energy bills significantly for all energy users. If this is not done, households, hospitals, schools and businesses will find more money being leached away by energy bills each year, especially for nuclear subsidies(5).

ENDS c226 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Stuart Jeffery, Chair, KENT GREEN PARTY 07970 436029 or 01622 808370. Contact address as above. http://www.stuartjeffery.net KENT GREEN NEWS, free monthly ezine, is available at www.kentgreenparty.org Published by Kent Green Party and promoted by H.Dawe, both at 27, Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF.

Notes:

1. Draft Energy Bill: http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm83/8362/8362.pdf and see: Government announces biggest energy reforms in 20 years http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/may/22/government-announces-energy-reforms

2. 2. SEE press release on this topic: www.kentgreenparty.org

3. 3. The Times 23rd May 2012 http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/business/industries/utilities/article3422190.ece

4. 4. For example: Caroline Lucas MP: http://www.carolinelucas.com/cl/media/governments-biased-energy-plans-ignore-potential-of-efficiency-and-community-ownership.html Also, there seems to be a consensus, particularly among environmental groups, that the bill will largely favour the nuclear and gas industries. Guardian 22nd May 2012 http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2012/may/22/energy-bill-gas-carbon-targets?intcmp=122#block-16 AND the bill faced criticism from some environmental groups which wanted different support mechanisms for renewables, rather than a catch-all scheme for all low-carbon technologies. "As it is, it looks like the process has been rigged for nuclear," said Nick Molho, head of energy policy at conservation groupWWF-UK. FT 23rd May 2012 http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cc4e9d54-a3ee-11e1-8878-00144feabdc0.html

5. 5. Subsidies to nuclear power, an energy source only built previously by the State in the UK, are denied by the Coalition Government despite the evidence. See for example: Energy Fair on Nuclear subsidies: http://b37c3a15-a-62cb3a1a-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/nonukesorguk/actions/ec-complaint/nuclear_subsidies_feb_2011.pdf?attachauth=ANoY7copVOPxP9OMg-rw3dN9WEkBdv8mMAThk5mfqVitooLDS8P1raXMMyq8mmIhEVXdWqktGHBfz4B-VhCZRo6eMWypmHcWX1b3nl_gtzQfY8E8VsoK1OHs2f1Y4mEq_UlNWBEkokQSqOG34mgq-axPx3VZRkWeIO64C0BJ7d6IiY3QvF5Ic0IJ2HiOZd3G4dswyro15XA7kYvWL5tr_pCa9J6RXHvWq9nkiZR2wsbJXjFZOS78WWZ1srgHc4hRRpYbRkE2sVCGmdJBXI-204SskC0LsbC1Xg%3D%3D&attredirects=0 AND Tom Burke and colleagues: http://www.no2nuclearpower.org.uk/reports/Nuclear_power_subsidies_MPsbrief.pdf By comparison, Government support to all renewables has only cost energy consumers about £24 per household so far.

GREENS FIELD FORMER GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS EAST

West Kent Green Party (1) is standing Dr Hazel Dawe in the Tunbridge Wells East by election. Dr Dawe was Green Party Candidate for Tunbridge Wells in the last General Election. Dr Dawe is Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party and a frequent contributor to local radio, TV and newspapers. She is currently Head of Law Programmes at the Greenwich School of Management after careers in banking and as a University Lecturer in Law. Hazel Dawe says:

“The Green Party is the only party standing in this by election that supports properly-funded health care for the people of West Kent. Pembury Hospital is too small and is plagued by queues and a shortage of skilled staff. Only a fair taxation system will provide the health care we need (2). We can maintain services and pay off the Deficit through introducing a fair tax system.

“Other parties standing in this election would have people believe that widening the A21 at a cost of up to £120 million will improve transport in our area(3). But improved bus and rail services, better Green Travel Plans by employers and increased cycle routes are more cost effective. Why? Because a widened A21 will fill up quickly like all previous additions to road capacity in Kent since our population continues to rise rapidly. When we cannot seem to repair potholes and pavements in Kent, how can road widening or road building be a priority anywhere in our County(4)?”

ends

C252words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, on 01732 355185 or 079444 71083. Contact address as above. See Hazel’s blog at http://hazeldawe.blogspot.co.uk/

See also West Kent Green Party news and views at www.westkent.greenparty.org Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1. 1. One of Kent Green Party’s 10 branches.

2. 2. Specifically, the Green Party supports far higher cigarette and alcohol taxation, additional council tax bands at the top of the current scale, raising Air Passenger Duty and increasing the higher rates of tax for the highest paid. We can pay off the Deficit and maintain public services, by putting an end to self-defeating austerity policies.

3. 3. Or the madness of spending at least £1 billion on a new Dartford Crossing, supported by the Conservatives of Kent County Council.

4. 4. Comprehensive Green Party policies on transport in Kent can be found in the Kent manifesto and other submissions amongst publications at www.kentgreenparty.org

CAROLINE LUCAS TO STAND DOWN AS GREEN PARTY LEADER

In September 2012, Caroline Lucas MP, formerly Green Party Member of the European Parliament for the South East, will reach the end of her second term as national Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, and it has been announced that she will not be seeking re-election for another two-year term, in order to broaden opportunities for the range of talent in the Party and to raise the profiles of others aspiring to election.

Caroline Lucas said:
"I'm hugely honoured to have served as the first Leader of the Green Party and I'm proud that during the four years of my term, we've moved Green politics forward to a higher level, with the Party by far the most influential it has ever been. We've seen significant breakthroughs in winning our first seat at Westminster and gaining our first ever local council in Brighton and Hove. These were followed by further breakthroughs onto new Councils in the recent local elections, which were among the most successful we've ever had, as well as establishing ourselves as the third party, ahead of the LibDems, in the elections for London Mayor. I look forward to continuing to do all I can in my very demanding role as the MP for Brighton Pavilion."

Nominations for leadership candidates are now open within the Party and will close towards the end of June. The new Leader (or Co-leaders) will take up the two year post in early September.

Stuart Jeffery, Chair of Kent Green Party said:
"Kent Greens commend the hugely valuable leadership effort provided by Caroline Lucas going back to her election as a Member of the European Parliament for our region in 1999. Her incomparable energy will be missed at national level, but she has already done great service for the Party and politics in the UK."

ENDS

FURTHER INFORMATION: Stuart Jeffery, Chair, KENT GREEN PARTY
07970 436029. Contact address as above. http://www.stuartjeffery.net . Please leave message if necessary on this number and we will try to get back to you shortly. KENT GREEN NEWS, free monthly ezine, is available at www.kentgreenparty.org Published by Kent Green Party and promoted by H.Dawe, both at 27, Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF.

NOTES
The roles of Leader and Deputy Leader were established by the Green Party in 2008 to provide a public face and a strong voice for Green politics and policies. Both roles have a term of two years and Caroline Lucas MP, the Party's first Leader, will have served for two consecutive terms.

SCHOOL DINNER QUALITY IS ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH

Kent Green Party has already drawn attention this year to a decline in Health services throughout Kent Now our children’s health is under attack from negligent Government policies on school dinners. Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, explains:

“Chef and food campaigner Jamie Oliver, who has attacked Education Secretary Michael Gove over food standards in academy schools(2), would find support in the Green Party’s policies on school dinners. Mr Gove has suggested academy schools need not keep to the food standards of other secondary schools, for no apparent reason. Greens would ensure that all schools have their own kitchens, producing fresh, tasty and nutritious lunches every day. They would also require all schools to provide an area for children to learn how to grow food and include food and farming in the curriculum.

“It should be noted that the recently re-elected Green Party London Assembly members have scored real successes on healthy food in London, setting up London Food, which has gone on to train almost 2,000 school and hospital catering staff to provide healthy food. Why should we not see similar progress in Kent and Medway? After all, Green food policies are just what the doctor ordered. The importance of promoting children’s health is widely recognised. Obesity and ill health caused by diet place large future burdens on the health service. It is extraordinary that Gove could be so short sighted (3).”  

Ends c243 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, on 01732 355185 or 079444 71083. Contact address as above. Promoted by H.Dawe and published by Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. Monthly free ezine KENT GREEN NEWS available for subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1.      Press Release: 5^th January 2012 – www.kentgreenparty.org

2.     2.  Jamie Oliver said in the Observer Food Monthly "This mantra that we are not going to tell (academy) schools what to do just isn't good enough in the midst of the biggest obesity epidemic ever. The public health of five million children should not be left to luck or chance." Oliver also accused academies of making money from vending machines packed with sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks. Greens would not only remove junk food and drinks vending machines but reduce fast food outlets near all schools by requiring boroughs to create exclusion zones around schools where fast food shops aren’t allowed

3. For Green Party Food and Agriculture Policy go to http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/fa#FA230

CAMPAIGN TO END FUEL POVERTY

Kent Green Party is supporting a new campaign(1) to reduce the number of households in fuel poverty(2). Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer of Kent Green Party, explains:

“Kent Green Party recently conducted a survey of Kent’s councils which showed a general willingness to assist families in fuel poverty, but no evidence that the funds available would be sufficient to meet the needs of all(3). Families are suffering huge financial hardship because of misdirected cuts, and today one in four households can’t afford to heat their homes. This number is predicted to rise to one in three households by 2016. Kent Green Party is calling upon people to support a new campaign. The Energy Bill Revolution alliance is calling on the Government to use the money it gets from carbon taxes to make our homes super-energy efficient. This is the only way to drive down energy bills permanently and end fuel poverty. It would be enough to bring 9 out of 10 homes out of fuel poverty, generate up to 200,000 jobs and save four times more carbon emissions than the Government’s new energy efficiency policies.

“Kent Green Party asks that members of the public please sign the petition at www.energybillrevolution.org and publicise this campaign to others.”

Ends c194 words

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer, KENT GREEN PARTY, on 01732 355185 or 07747 036192. Contact address as above. Promoted by H.Dawe for Kent Green Party, both at 27 Audley Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1XF. KENT GREEN NEWS, free ezine, is available by subscription at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:

1.    1.   For full details of the campaign and coalition of groups supporting it, see: http://www.energybillrevolution.org/

2.    2.   Fuel Poverty means a household has to spend more than 10% of its income on energy.

3.   3.    The full replies from local councils and some analysis can be found as ‘Fuel Poverty Survey’ at http://www.kentgreenparty.org/publications.php

4.      This is significant as a contribution to Climate Change in the UK as an example of the UK’s general inefficiency in the use of energy in buildings. SEE: Cold Weather Drives UK Emissions Up 3.1 Percent In 2010: http://planetark.org/wen/64641 AND Fuel Poverty: More than 5.5 million households are suffering under fuel poverty, many being forced to choose between heating or eating. Meanwhile the Big Six energy suppliers increased their profit margins by 733 per cent in just three months last year. Enough is enough. The Independent supports a campaign to force energy companies to share their profits with the needy. The aim is simple: to make essential home energy affordable to all. Independent 10th Feb 2012 http://www.independent.co.uk/money/spend-save/end-energy-profiteering-the-rich-get-richer-the-poor-get-colder-6699873.html Consumer Focus: One in four households now suffer from fuel poverty: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/8930847/One-in-four-households-suffer-from-fuel-poverty.html