MANIFESTO 2016

Stockport

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Campaign against austerity. Your local councillors have eitheragreed with carrying out the governments spending cuts, or notvoted consistently against them, and as a result have not stood upfor the poorest in our community.

Support the Citizens’ Income. The Green Party wants more thanjust the living wage, and would introduce the Citizens’ Income. Wewould ensure that locally the council would support this in its paystructures and encourage local organisations to do the same.

Campaign against the bedroom tax. The Green Party believes thisto be deeply unfair and penalises those who can least afford it andmost need it. We would ensure that nobody is evicted as a result ofnon-payment of bedroom tax, utilising discretionary council powers- this is what Thanet Council currently do.

Social Justice is a big priority focus for the Green Party. We believethat no matter where you come from or who you are, everybodydeserves the same opportunities in life and there is no excuse foranybody to experience poverty in this day and age.

Social Justice

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Introduce a town-wide 20mph speed limit in ALL residentialareas. This will save lives and improve air quality by reducingemissions, similar to what is happening in Edinburgh.

Support cheaper and cleaner public transport in Stockport.Currently the only free town centre bus only covers a route from thetrain station to Tesco's. The Green Party would ensure new routesthat also cover the Old Town, and look to introduce cleaner bustechnology - this is happening now in London.

Prioritise sustainable local production for local needs. Ratherthan giving financial incentives to big companies to relocate here,we shall seek to promote and expand local producers' streetmarkets, co-operatives, skills workshops, and directories of localbusinesses similar to what is taking place in the Green Party-ledcouncil in Lancaster.

Support cycling initiatives. We want to ensure that any transportplans incorporate improved and safer cycling routes to ensure thateverybody can cycle safely in Stockport.

Transport & Economy

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Oppose any attempt to turn our state-funded schools intoacademies. We will also support all schools through high qualitylocal services.

Oppose reductions to mental health provision in Stockport.Mental health services have borne the brunt of savage fundingcuts. The Green Party campaigns for improved mental healthsupport provision and if voted to the council would focus onimproving funding for this poorly resourced area.

Promote improved support and care for people in their ownhomes. This will impact positively on the quality of lives for many,reduce ‘bed blocking’ and free up essential services within theNHS in Stockport.

Taking back our health service is a priority for the Green Party. OurNHS is the most effective public service that our country has evercreated, but competition has poisoned it and privatisation is erodingit bit by bit. We also believe in providing secure, affordable housingfor everyone. We back support for schools being returned to the localcommunities which they serve, and will ensure the maintenance ofhigh quality support services for all schools.

Housing, Education& Wellbeing

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Support housing associations instead of selling off housingstock. There is a desperate shortage of affordable social rentedhousing nationally and locally. The Green Party would resist thesell off and campaign for additional resources to build moreaffordable rented housing.

The Green Party would redirect council funding to improvehome insulation. We would also encourage the installation ofdomestic solar panels, making it cheaper to run homes.

Support carbon-neutral house building. We would achieve thisby using ‘Passive House’ techniques to provide good-quality,energy-efficient social housing, as is happening now in Dublin andFife.

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Encourage the development of community energy initiatives.Schemes such as Torrs Hydro, Stockport Hydro and alsothe RePower Balcombe initiative have already shown what can beachieved locally. We will encourage similar projects with the aimof reducing carbon emissions and also contributing to cutting thecost of energy in Stockport.

Introduce energy efficient street lights. This will help to reducecosts and provide better service across the community.

Oppose fracking. We will oppose any proposals to introducefracking schemes within the Borough, or to any reduction of theGreen belt or any of our cherished green spaces within Stockport.

Continue to oppose the Manchester Airport Relief Roadconstruction. That and its extension along the Goyt Valley willhave a significant impact on the local environment.

The Green Party support the transition to fossil-free, sustainable andaffordable energy sources. We believe a rapid transition to a zero-carbon sustainable economy will create millions of jobs and securea safe climate for our children and grandchildren.

Community & Environment

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Recognise the importance of Stockport’s local heritage andproud history. We would look to protect the historic market andOld Town from unnecessary development, and protect andsupport local businesses over large corporate interests.

Promote and support Stockport’s community food growingprojects. Such projects have been shown to lower crime rates,provide a source of pride and motivation for younger generationsand improve social cohesion across different cultures and ages,as well as promote healthy eating.

Oppose any allotment rent increases. We want to keepmembership numbers buoyant and local food productionfinancially viable. We would also oppose any council proposals tosell off allotment land, regardless of relocation promises.

Stockport