Britain’s first Green-run council has passed a significant milestone with approval of its first budget
Mid Suffolk Full Council met to debate budgets for the 2024/25 year Introducing the proposals, Councillor Rachel Eburne said: “This Green Administration wishes to provide quality services to residents and businesses, invest in the district for the future while exercising good financial management. In the long term, this means ensuring the finances are secure, despite […]
Beaver release in Suffolk
Green Party councillors were very pleased to be invited to see the release of beavers in Suffolk, for what is believed to be the first time in the County. Dr Dan Pratt, councillor, ecologist and parliamentary candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said: “We welcome the release as a contribution to both flood alleviation […]
Suffolk Green-led councillors Express Disgust at Rwanda Bill Victory
Members of Suffolk County Council’s Green, Lib Dem and Independent Group today expressed their disgust about the successful vote in Parliament yesterday to further the Conservative policy to deport asylum seekers in Rwanda. The bill, which will now be discussed in the House of Lords, proposes that Rwanda is a safe country to house the […]
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A letter from Green councillor Jen Overett in response to Ipswich’s Conservative MP Tom Hunt’s desires for a bypass to the north of the town
Above is a letter published in the Ipswich Star and Essex EADT on 21 December 2023, from our Green Party councillor Jen Overett, who was writing in response to Ipswich’s Conservative MP Tom Hunt’s opinion piece about wishing to have a bypass to the north of Ipswich. […]
New Year message from Suffolk’s Green council leaders
As Green Party Leaders of two of Suffolk’s district councils, we are writing to thank residents for the opportunity given to us in last May’s elections to lead Mid Suffolk and East Suffolk District Councils for a four-year term. Later in the new year, a third Suffolk council will also have a Green leader as […]
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Greens say Council-owned farms should aim for local food and biodiversity gain
Following the presentation of the Annual Property Report 2023, the Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent group at Suffolk County Council has questioned the commitment of the council to its County Farms policy. Suffolk County Council owns 4,960 hectares across the county which it lets to 127 farming and rural businesses. The income from the estate […]
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Green parliamentary candidates checking the bike route
As part of their preparations for the General Election, two of Suffolk Green Party’s parliamentary candidates have traversed their constituencies by bike. Starting at 10.15am from the Cornhill in Bury St Edmunds, Emma Buckmaster, the parliamentary candidate for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, followed the national cycle route 51 via Thurston, Drinkstone, Woolpit, Shelland, Harleston […]
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Green Party co-leader statement on floods in Suffolk and Norfolk
Green Party co-leader and MP candidate for the new Waveney Valley Constituency, Adrian Ramsay, spent this afternoon talking to people affected by the flooding in Eye, Suffolk. “The scenes and stories of flooding I’ve been seeing and hearing from Suffolk and Norfolk residents have been deeply shocking”, he said. “And I feel desperately sorry for […]
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Work has begun at Crown Street roundabout, Stowmarket
Work has finally begin at the Crown Street roundabout in Stowmarket to remove the uneven and dangerous paving, provide new footpaths and pedestrian islands and make the area usable again for Stowmarket residents. Green Party Councillor for Stowmarket North, Keith Welham, campaigned for his county council seat on a promise that he would deliver the […]
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Greens cut through the confusion about mowing public land
Green Party councillors are receiving more and more complaints about grass growing tall and not being cut. To reassure the public and set the story straight, they have published a very short guide to the basics, accompanied by a fuller explanation of meadow management and how it works. Roadside verges should be mown by the […]
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Concerns remain over local election nominations
Green Party councillors for Mid Suffolk remain very concerned that mistakes may remain in the published nominations for parish, town and possibly district elections on May 4th. This follows corrections to the District nominations published on April 5th . (EADT 6/4/23) Consultation with parish clerks and local councillors and investigation of the detail suggested that […]
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Local Green Party celebrates initial successes as nominations close
People and plans to improve the Mid Suffolk District Mid Suffolk Green Party members are delighted to see their 29 District candidates are more than any other party, and several are certain to be elected where 2 Greens face only 1 opponent in a two-member ward. In addition all four Stowmarket Town Council candidates have […]
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Greens call for end to all shareholder payouts until water companies sort their sewage out
Samples from River Waveney at Diss show toxic bacteria above levels for safe swimming. The Green Party has called for a halt to all further dividends to water company shareholders until the privatised monopolies end dumping sewage into the UK’s waterways and coasts. The call comes as tests show levels of E Coli contamination in […]
Positive responses from supporters and public as top Greens visit Suffolk
Hosts and visitors alike enjoyed a two-day visit to Suffolk on 9th and 10th February, by Caroline Lucas MP and Green Party Co-leader Adrian Ramsay. Starting with a packed meeting at the John Peel Centre on the Thursday evening, Adrian and Caroline tackled the urgent climate, biodiversity and cost of living issues of the day […]
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Green Party co-Leader Adrian Ramsay launches his campaign to become MP for the new Waveney Valley constituency
The Boundary Commission has proposed the new constituency which will bring together Diss and Harleston in Norfolk with Eye, Bungay and Halesworth in Suffolk. The constituency will be one of the top priority seats for the Green Party nationally. The party is already the main challenger to the Conservatives in the constituency in terms of […]
Councillors call for sharper focus to reduce sewage pollution
Mid Suffolk’s Green and Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed unanimous support for their motion calling for more information and a strong focus on how planning approvals affect sewage discharges into the district’s rivers. Group leader Andy Mellen said, “The public will be reassured to know that councillors and planning staff recognise and share the widespread […]
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Green Peer has fears for farming and wildlife
Baroness Natalie Bennett, Green Party member of the House of Lords, has been in Suffolk in support of the Mid Suffolk Green Party campaign for next year’s local elections. During the day she met members and councillors with a particular interest in agriculture and wildlife. The key focus for discussion was the future of the […]
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Suffolk Investment Zones – a recipe for undermining local businesses and riding over local democracy.
The proposal of Suffolk’s councils for investment zones will undermine existing local businesses, and bulldoze local decision making and environmental protection, says the Green-led opposition at Suffolk County council. Andrew Stringer, leader of the county’s Green, Lib Dem and Independent group said: “These zones will create tax free spots dotted around the county which will put […]
Mid Suffolk Green councillors call on local Tories to join them in disowning Government’s attack on nature
Mid Suffolk Green councillors call on local Tories to join them in disowning Government’s attack on nature. Mid Suffolk Green Party councillors have today written to all local Conservative councillors, calling on them to disown the Government’s ‘attack on nature’. In an open letter, the Greens have described plans to downgrade environmental protections as a […]
County’s official opposition responds to school transport withdrawal
Some Taxis have cancelled their contracts to take pupils to school. Green Party councillor responds Green Party Cllr Caroline Topping Suffolk GLI Spokesperson for Education and Child Protection, said: “It is crucial that this Council acts with the greatest level of urgency. The first few weeks in the new school year are highly important in […]
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‘Turning the Air Green’ – comedy and politics combine in Suffolk
TV’s ‘Mock The Week’ regular ANGELA BARNES headlines ‘Turning The Air Green’, a night of high class stand up comedy and satire at the Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds on Sunday 18th June 2023. Barnes will perform her brand new show ‘Hot Mess’ direct from a full run at the Edinburgh Fringe, in a special […]
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Top Greens visit Stowmarket
Senior members of the Green Party call for much more action on single-use plastics during a recent visit to Stowmarket. Green Party peer, Baroness Jenny Jones called for more urgent Government action to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics, still widely used for packaging and other purposes. Together with Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay she visited […]
Sizewell C development – response from Suffolk Green, Lib Dem & Independent (GLI) Group
Please see quotes from the Suffolk Green, Lib Dem & Independent (GLI) Group regarding the recent approval of the Sizewell C development: Cllr Andrew Stringer GLI Leader “We believe this is the wrong decision for Suffolk. It locks in ever more expensive ways to generate electricity that we believe will be economically unviable before it […]
Police won’t enforce 20mph safety zones
On 2nd December, Suffolk County Council passed opposition Green, Lib Dem, Independent (GLI) group motion recognising changes to the Highway Code, giving clarity that 20mph limits should not be exceeded. The motion was passed unanimously and included the following stipulation: “This Council will write to the PCC and ask for confirmation that the Suffolk Constabulary […]
Greens help polluted Suffolk rivers
Increased commitment to Suffolk rivers as Green, LibDem & Independent Group motion passes
All Suffolk rivers have been reported to have failed government standards. Suffolk GLI believes that our rivers in Suffolk should promote safe human activity, biodiversity, and important wildlife. Instead, Suffolk rivers are polluted with dangerous amounts of chemicals, destroying ecosystems with a rise in sewage discharge, storm overflow, as well as agricultural runoff. […]
Greens call for undersea electricity grid
As concern and opposition grow to National Grid proposals for huge new electricity pylons and cables from Norwich to Tilbury, the Green Party has proposed a radically different approach for getting power from wind turbines to the main areas of consumer demand. Some opponents to more and bigger pylons stretching across East Anglia have already […]
Council to fund electric rural bus provision with £820,000 over 2 years
Scheme is ‘green’ in more ways than one Green & Liberal Democrat proposal for Mid Suffolk to buy two electric buses to provide scheduled services to rural villages lacking provision has been included in the Mid Suffolk DC Budget for 2022/23 While the buses are being sourced, practical details will be worked out, probably with […]
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Thurston by-election triumph
On 17th February the Green Party won the Thurston Ward District by-election by a massive margin. Our candidate, Austin Davies, won the by-election with 845 votes, more than double the Conservatives’ 399 votes, with Labour and the LibDems trailing far behind. The by-election was triggered by our previous councillor, Wendy Turner, moving away from the […]
Green candidate fears over pesticide danger to bees
Government go-ahead as PM expresses “concern for biodiversity” at global conference The UK Government have authorised neonicotinoid to treat sugar beet seed. Mid-Suffolk Green Party Councillor Andy Mellen responded, “I am disappointed by the DEFRA decision to allow neonicotinoid seed treatment on sugar beet – though I welcome the strict limits imposed on its use. […]
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Green Party selects co-leader Adrian Ramsay as MP candidate in North Suffolk
Green Party selects co-leader Adrian Ramsay as MP candidate in North Suffolk Replacing the Blue Wall with a Green Hedge. Party to target North Suffolk after recent election results make Greens the main challenger to Conservatives Announcement comes as party support continues to rise Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay has been selected to be the […]
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Tory council erodes democracy by cancelling Mid Suffolk District Council Meeting
The full Council meeting of Mid Suffolk District Council due for Thursday 25th November has been cancelled; the Green and Liberal Democrat Group strongly disagrees with this decision, which erodes democracy and accountability, with fewer council meetings held per year. Councillor Andy Mellen, group leader, said “full Council meetings are very important for councillors across the […]
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Green councillors and public all oppose stop-gap school expansion in Elmswell
Green councillors condemn short-sighted schooling decision and poor education planning Mid Suffolk’s conservative cabinet fund extra classrooms squeezed onto Elmswell school site despite opposition from local people and their elected representatives. Sarah Mansel, Green Party councillor for Elmswell and Woolpit, said: “I have never supported the proposal to expand the Primary School on its current […]
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Conservative run County council failing to object to Sizewell C are selling Suffolk short, according to Green councillors
The Green, Liberal Democrat, and Independent Group express extreme concern over today’s announcement by Suffolk County Council administration regarding their change in position on Sizewell C. The Group believe there has been a significant political underestimation of this project, and that the people of Suffolk are being sold short by the Administration’s inability to face […]
Cycling – Tories won’t commit
Opposition group calls on Suffolk County Council’s Conservative administration to commit £20m to spend on cycle network upgrades it pledged in election manifesto https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ipswich/news/group-calls-on-councils-administration-to-commit-to-20m-it-9215220/ Calls have been made for Suffolk County Council’s Conservative administration to commit to spending £20million of identified cycle network upgrades pledged in its manifesto and outline a timetable for work. The […]
Electric Taxi initiative blocked by Conservative chair casting vote
Green and Lib Dem councillors voted against Mid Suffolk’s policy on taxis at the Licensing and Regulatory Committee, because the policy fails to support operators to transition to low and zero carbon taxi services. Councillor Daniel Pratt, Licensing Committee member, said “Our council has unanimously declared a climate emergency and has agreed we must do […]
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Gateway 14 needs a day and a committee of 16
A decision on the roads, infrastructure and outline of a major commercial development on the edge of Stowmarket is listed as the first of 8 agenda items for decision by Mid Suffolk’s planning committee A on Wednesday 18th August. The opposition Green and Liberal Democrat group has called for the decision to be taken […]
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Green oasis set to strengthen Mid Suffolk’s biodiversity
Green Party councillors have welcomed the Council’s success in buying a parcel of riverside land which had changed hands twice this year as speculators considered development. Ward representative Councillor John Matthissen persuaded officers and cabinet member for environment, Councillor Jessica Fleming, that the land formed a key part of the biodiversity corridor along the River […]
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Urgent call for more health provision
The Mid Suffolk Green Party is calling for a third health centre to be provided to serve the growing town of Stowmarket. They suggest that land is allocated within the Diaper Farm planning application which is currently under consideration but consists only of housing and recreation. County Councillor Keith Welham, who represents Cedars Park and […]
New Opposition Leader at Mid Suffolk Council
The Green and Liberal Democrat group of councillors at Mid Suffolk have chosen a new leader following the decision of Rachel Eburne to step back from the role while continuing as a councillor. Andy Mellen, who represents the Bacton ward, will with immediate effect take on the leadership of 12 Greens and 5 Liberal Democrats […]
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County Council Official Opposition – Green Party councillor sets out stall
Cllr Andrew Stringer, Leader of the Green, Liberal Democrat & Independent Group, gave the following speech today at the County Council AGM: “How great it is to be with all of you today. I would like to start by thanking all Officers & Councillors, whether County District or Parish, for continuing to deliver local Government […]
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Suffolk Greens celebrate ‘treble, treble’ election success
The Green Party’s Suffolk County Council representation increased from three to nine councillors in the elections last week, making the Green Party the second largest political group. Mid Suffolk Green Party increased their representation from one to three and were delighted that this achievement was matched by both Babergh Green Party and Waveney Green Party. […]
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Queen’s Speech misses opportunities
Queen’s Speech has nothing to improve social and environmental inequalities say local Green councillors In the midst of a climate and biodiversity emergency, the Government’s Queen’s Speech missed so many opportunities today. The Climate and Ecological Emergency bill, introduced by Caroline Lucas last year with cross-party support, won’t find parliamentary time. Instead, the parliamentary schedule […]
Record Green Party slate for Suffolk County council elections
As nominations close the Green Party has announced 55 candidates for the County elections as well as more for Ipswich Borough, various district by-elections and the police commissioner ballot. Across the county the greens are fielding members with a wide age-range and diverse skills, professions and experience. Andrew Stringer, seeking re-election for his Upper Gipping […]
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Green Party welcome for solar carports but not for obsolete gas generation at Eye
Mid Suffolk District Council has approved funding for solar car ports at the Stowmarket Leisure Centre. This will enable the council to produce energy through solar panels to help run the leisure centres, as well as provide battery storage, and a number of electric vehicle charging points. Councillor Dan Pratt shadow environment portfolio said: “Green […]
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Suffolk has less to spend on potholes say Greens
Cuts to government funding for road maintenance in Suffolk make it impossible for the county council to make long-term plans to repair roads across the area, opposition councillors have warned. Green councillor Andrew Stringer said his political group – which also includes Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors – was worried that many urgent schemes would […]
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Mid Suffolk council commits £4m for Covid recovery projects in 2021 budget
Jason Noble Local Democracy Reporter Plans to increase council tax in Mid Suffolk from April have been narrowly approved – while an extra £4million has been committed to helping with the Covid-19 recovery in 2021. Mid Suffolk District Council’s 2021/22 budget was approved by 17 votes to 16, with one abstention on Thursday night, meaning […]
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Walnut tree walk loses its eponymous trees
Mixed messages given to dismayed residents after felling of much-loved trees Shocked residents have been asking Mid Suffolk District Council why the walnut trees along Walnut Tree Walk have recently been felled, but to date have received a series of contradictory explanations in response. The Council initially issued a statement saying there was permission to […]
Council property company buy business centre in Coventry
Property company Cifco, owned by Babergh and Mid Suffolk councils, has bought yet another faraway building. Green & Liberal Democrat Shadow portfolio for investments Councillor John Matthissen said: ” I am sure the people of Coventry will welcome this investment in their local economy. I know however from many comments from constituents and others locally […]
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Laptop computers for home schooling
Government preparations for on-line home learning not good enough Green Party councillor Wendy Turner, for Mid Suffolk, added: “I’m glad schools are now beginning to help all families that are struggling with the lack of computer devices as it must be near impossible to work from a phone screen. “Forward planning is missing from central […]
Councillor Andy Mellen calls for action on flooding
Green Councillor Andy Mellen is calling for action by Suffolk County Council to alleviate persistent road flooding affecting several villages in his area. Councillor Mellen, who represents Bacton ward on Mid-Suffolk District Council, has been inundated with calls and e-mails from local residents frustrated at a seeming lack of response from the Highways and flood […]
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Gardening has helped me deal with waiting for lockdown to end
Green Councillor Wendy Turner, 58, from Thurston, embarked on a project to ‘rewild’ her front garden, which also became very social as it was a conversation starter with passers-by. She said: “I think it has helped as I always feel better if I’m outside, whatever the weather, and it has given me a long-term aim […]
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Peel Centre Go-ahead
Mid Suffolk District Council have agreed a long lease of 11 Market Place, the former Stowmarket NatWest bank, enabling the John Peel Centre for Creative Arts to expand and link to the Market Place. Green Party councillors, backers of the Centre from its inception, have welcomed the decision: Shadow Portfolio for Investment in the Green […]