Make a positive choice for change

Introduction to the policies of the Forest of Dean Green Party

How National Green Party policies apply to the Forest of Dean

The Forest of Dean is becoming a dormitory district with 14,000 people commuting out of the Forest every working day. Greens would address the urgent need to create local jobs through:

Green New Deal, a programme of investment to improve the energy-efficiency of homes and businesses and create local jobs in renewable energy.

A support scheme for small and medium sized businesses to set up and grow in the Forest.

Local alternatives to the big banks: Credit Unions,

area, working for us.

Running local services from local offices reclaim the jobs and decision-making that have leaked away to Gloucester and beyond. Local employment and purchasing will keep

economy.

A WORKING FOREST

These policies are inspired by the Green Partys ideas on the economy, equity & social

justice, decentralisation and devolution, and by the Green Partys plans for industry read

about these at http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ec.html and at http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/

in.html. Also see how the Green Party will protect and enhance our Forests at http://

policy.greenparty.org.uk/fr.html.

Greens will:

Fight for much better public transport, enabling mobility for everyone, not just vehicle owners.

Create better cycling facilities.

Combat out-of-town retail parks and instead breathe life back into existing village and town centres in tune with the way people are now choosing to shop.

Ensure new housing is energy efficient, healthy and cheap to run.

Resist speculative housing without associated new jobs.

PLANNING & TRANSPORT Using what we have more effectively

Please also see http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/lp.html and http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/

tr.html for detailed national policies and exactly how they will be achieved theres so much

that can be done to improve our country and our lives!

Forest of Dean District Councillors would:

Cut council energy use and ensure that the energy it

possible.

Generate renewable energy on publicly owned land and buildings

Oppose fracking and the proposed nuclear power plant at Oldbury.

Promote community-owned generation schemes.

re-charging networks and change local government

vehicles to electric.

ENERGY Securing our future by local action

Please refer to http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ey.html to see how our world can be transformed by well-researched and practical policies.

Photo left: Community-owned Great Dunkilns wind

turbine at St Briavels

About 80p in the 1 spent at a supermarket leaves the Forest forever, whereas, at local shops and markets, about 80p in the 1 is re-circulated within the Forest economy.

Greens will:

Support initiatives bringing reduced food miles and fresher, healthier and more seasonal food.

Encourage greater community ownership of food.

farming & growing.

BRINGING FOOD AND PROSPERITY BACK HOME

Please see http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/fa.html to understand the background to these policies.

We will: Make full use of our Empty Homes powers. Fight for the provision of new housing to be based on

commercially attractive sites. Incentivise Green Housing Developments. Maximise the use of local tradesmen and materials in all public developments including the use of local timber. Ensure that Forest of Dean tenants are not penalised by the bedroom tax. Promote Land Share to match land that owners cant manage to growers who want more space. Enable Self-Build and co-housing.

HOUSING

Weve selected these as priorities but see http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/ho.html to find out more about Green Party policies on housing.

natural inheritance is fundamental to the Forest of Dean Green Party. As District Councillors we will:

Demand implementation of the Independent Forestry Report recommendations and continue to support

to bring lasting protection for Dean.

natural heritage, that biodiversity and habitat surveys

approved and make sure that planning conditions are met to retain sites and settings important for wildlife.

Support initiatives that help the Forestry Commission manage the Public Forest Estate in the Dean for its ecology and its people before private profit.

improve conditions for wildlife to thrive.

Interest and Special Areas of conservation to realise their optimum potential.

OUR NATURAL HERITAGE

To find out how the Green Party proposes to reconcile the many conflicting demands found within the countryside see: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/cy.html

Green Party candidates for the 2015 District Council Elections

PARTICIPATIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE FOREST OF DEAN

The Green Party have lots of exciting proposals to change local, regional and central government check them out at http://policy.greenparty.org.uk/pa.html. We would love to hear your views.

private sector and we have been reduced to being consumers.

Local government has been hit hardest by Central Governments cuts, and

government services such as meals on wheels and childrens centres.

We believe that our public services should be local, and should multiply the benefits by helping citizens to help themselves. Research shows that this would save money and meet peoples needs betterso if we do

programme, just a lot less bureaucracy.

Green Party Forest of Dean District Councillors will:

Push for a Unitary Forest of Dean, which would bring back control from Gloucester to the Forest.

Bring planning into local communities by setting up local committees, where parish councils have a say.

Why not visit our website: http://forestofdean.greenparty.org.uk You will find there the full Forest of Dean Green

Party manifesto, details of how you can join the

Green Party and much more.

Also, why not follow us on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/ForestofDeanGreenParty and Twitter: @GreenPartyFOD The links provided throughout this document are only for selected pages of the Green Party policy. For full details on Green Party policies and principles see: http://policy.greenparty.org.uk .

A NICER PLACE TO LIVE

The Forest is a great place to live - we have strong communities, unpolluted natural surroundings and great opportunities to share public resources.

assets, and ensure everyone can enjoy the real value that they bring to our everyday lives.

Promoted by Sid Phelps on behalf of the Forest of Dean Green Party at 52 Buckshaft Road, Cinderford, GL14 3DU