Our local manifesto for 2022
Care and Support Networks
Good care and support networks for the vulnerable are vital, whether provided by the council, private companies, charities, families, friends or volunteers. Green councillors will continue to fight to protect and improve services both to those who need care or support, and to those who provide it. We called for a Living Wage for care workers and progress is being made towards that. We will aim for local improvements in care within the community or in institutions. People needing care should not have to move out of an area they know to where friends and relatives can’t visit them. We will continue to support a public NHS, publicly funded and publicly run to benefit all. Green councillors will also focus on preventative and public health measures such as combatting fuel poverty and preventing air pollution.
Connected Communities
Connected communities means having strong rural and urban neighbourhoods with good civic services, a clear sense of indentity and heritage, and a thriving local economy. It means having indoor public community spaces and hubs where people can meet, such as libraries, schools, religious buildings or community centres and local pubs. It means having open spaces where people can meet and keep healthy for free, such as parks, squares, public paths and community sports fields. It means having communities that are connected by good public transport and safe routes for walking and cycling as well as for driving, and by modern technology that everyone can access. Communities that have jobs for those that need them, that are low on crime, and are neighbourly rather than hostile. Green councillors will work towards Connected Communities.
Sustainable Homes for All
Much more needs to be done to end homelessness. We will promote creation of affordable homes to buy or rent, including self-build and conversions, and measures that reduce the maintenance backlog on existing housing and bring unused space back into use. We will support sustainable housing features that reduce energy demand, community energy schemes and housing co-operatives. We will oppose new housing that destroys wildlife habitat, and support grants to existing or new housing to provide additional habitat such as green roofs and hedges. Homes must go hand in hand with a thriving local economy and strong neighbourhoods, so that people can remain rooted rather than having to move frequently to access jobs or schools. Green councillors will work towards creating sustainable homes for all.
Confident children
Every child deserves to have a good start in life and to feel able to face up to life’s challenges. We want to see Children Centre provision and support for struggling families. We will aim to improve the life chances of children who are cared for by the council. We will oppose rural school closures, work towards reduced class sizes, support creativity and confidence-building in the school curriculum, promote outdoor learning and Forest Schools, support alternative provision if mainstream provision isn’t working. There needs to be better support for children with additional needs and a greater focus on children’s mental and physical health. The decline in sports provision and rise of obesity needs to be stemmed. We support council control over schools and oppose academisation which has not been shown as giving value for money. Councils have a key role to play in tackling child poverty, and in helping parents avoid and deal with crisis. They can tackle inequality, and help to prevent children’s future opportunities being reduced due to their class, race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief. Green councillors will work towards confident children.
Council democracy
The north-south divide is increasing. Yorkshire has a population and economy larger than that of Wales and about the same size as that of Scotland. We should have a devolved Yorkshire regional assembly, not a single mayor for North Yorkshire, which we oppose. Green councillors will fight for a fairer system of property taxation than Council Tax. Encourage more participatory budgeting that gives people plenty of input to council budgets; and oppose central government freezes on local taxation. We believe the government should give a large chunk of tobacco and alcohol tax proceeds to councils to enable them to deal with beer can and fag-end litter. We will seek to divest councils from investments in fossil fuels, weapons and addictive substances. We will encourage the voices of young people to be heard especially on issues such as education, inclusivity, climate change, green spaces and community amenities – their future is being affected by decisions taken every day by councils.