Thomas Bridge 14 April 2015

Green Party pledges to ‘revive local democracy’ with new council powers

The Green Party has vowed to launch new council tax bands for larger properties and remove caps on rises for local authorities.

With the Conservatives and Labour both outlining their policies this week, the Green’s General Election Manifesto has pledged to ‘fund local government properly’ with a £10bn yearly rise in town hall budgets for ‘restoring’ services and creating over 200,000 jobs.

Councils would be allowed to launch new local levies – such as a tourist or empty homes tax – and keep all of locally collected sums from income tax and VAT if the Greens take power in May.

Town halls would also be freed from undertaking a council tax referendum on any rises ‘provided they are more progressive’.

Measures outlined by the party include abolishing the City of London Corporation and creating an Assembly for Cornwall with similar powers to Wales.

The party has committed to go about ‘reviving local democracy’ and see that ‘nothing should be decided at a central level that can be decided at a local level’.

The manifesto also pledges to restrict the ability of the communities secretary to call in planning applications, scrap the National Planning Policy Framework and its presumption in favour of economic development and restrict the rights of residents to appeal planning decisions.

It also outlines how the party would force local authorities to set out a local carbon plan that details how a region will meet greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Launching the document in east London, Green Party leader Natalie Bennett also outlined plans to end national austerity and tackle climate change.

‘Austerity has failed and we need a peaceful political revolution to get rid of it,’ Bennett said.

‘Our manifesto is an unashamedly bold plan to create a more equal, more democratic society while healing the planet from the effects of an unstable, unsustainable economy.

‘This manifesto presents the Green Party’s genuine alternative to our tired, business-as-usual politics. We desperately need a more equal society and the policies we announce today pave the way towards a brighter, fairer future for all.’

Banning urban pesticide use image

Banning urban pesticide use

RSPB and PAN are working on a letter from local councillors calling on the Government to introduce a national ban on urban pesticide use. Find out more below.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

West Northamptonshire Council
£36,734 to £39,278
We are looking for Social Workers who enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and who are passionate about promoting independence and who share the vision of ‘Home First’ and reablement, to ensure people have choice and control over their own lives Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Head of Transport Strategy & Road Safety

Warwickshire County Council
£76,594 - £84,443 per annum
We have a unique opportunity for you to shape, influence and create a better future for Warwickshire Warwickshire
Recuriter: Warwickshire County Council

Development Engineer

London Borough of Bexley
£34,476 - £39,777 per annum
The team requires someone who can inspect, measure and monitor highway works Bexley (London Borough), London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Bexley

Highway Asset and Development Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N Scp 50 £59,031 to Scp 53 £62,076, plus car allowance
To be responsible for leading, developing and delivering an effective, efficient and safe Highway Asset Management Service Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Bridge Engineer

Somerset Council
£34,834 to £39,186
We welcome applications from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enrich our team. Taunton
Recuriter: Somerset Council
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.