Manifesto 2023

A fairer, greener future for Plymouth

Across England, communities are suffering. Cuts devastate local services, the cost of living crisis continues to deepen and corporate profit-seeking threatens the environment and our future. Healthcare waiting lists grow ever longer, library opening times shrink, vital green spaces are destroyed, potholes deepen and street lights dim. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

The local elections in May 2023 are a chance to take a stand, to unleash the power of community-focused thinking to make our lives better to vote Green.

In all 19 wards up for election on 4 May, Green Party candidates will be standing, committed to serving Plymouth, safeguarding our environment, addressing the local impacts of the climate emergency, and injecting much-needed creativity, fresh voices, perspective, and energy into Plymouth City Council.

In the face of the climate emergency and a crippling cost-of-living crisis, we pledge to shape a city where everyone can afford to live, work, and embrace the beauty of our Ocean City. Only the Green Party has the vision and determination to bring about the transformative change Plymouth desperately deserves.

Plymouth elected its first Green councillor in 2022, and since then, we have already witnessed the positive impact of their presence. Our achievements include demanding an independent review of the Armada Way fiasco, advancing our ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2030, and consistently delivering results for our constituents. The difference that Green councillors can make in a short span of time is undeniable. With even more elected representatives, we can create an even greater impact and pave the way for a fairer, greener future in Plymouth.

Change is possible in Plymouth — vote Green.

Our plan: your voice, your Plymouth

Shaped by conversations we’ve had with residents across the city, our ten-point plan reflects our shared ambitions for Plymouth and what you’ve told us you’d like Plymouth City Council to take urgent action on.

At the core of our plan is a move to embrace a more collaborative style of politics. We believe in the people of Plymouth and think that by giving you more say in how our city is run, we can prevent a disastrous situation like Armada Way from happening again.

With more Greens elected we will…

�� Lead on the Climate Crisis and create a nature-rich city

�� Unleash local power in local democracy

�� Connect our city with a sustainable transport network

�� Create cleaner, greener streets

✏ Create and strengthen policies that protect people and the planet

�� Secure warm, safe homes for all

�� Address the local healthcare crisis

�� Make Plymouth a welcoming, accessible and equal city

�� Improve our sport, leisure and culture provisions

�� Create a more equitable local education system

Plymouth Green Party Manifesto 2023

WewillleadontheClimateCrisisandcreatea nature-richcityby…

-HostingaPeople’sClimateAssembly,invitingacity-wideseriesofeventsand conversationsonhowwecancollectivelytackletheclimatecrisisasacity.

-Ensuringthatthecouncil’scommitmenttoa2030net-zerogoalismatchedby realaction,bystrengtheningthecity’s2030ClimateStrategy,investinginthe skillsandcapacityrequiredtodothis.

-DemandingthatPlymouthCityCouncildivestsentirelyfromfossilfuelsand switchestoanethicalbankingprovider.

-CreatingaGreenBusinessSupportFundtoencouragethedevelopmentofnew greenjobs.

-EstablishingadedicatedClimateCrisisandEnvironmentScrutinyCommitteeto directlytackletheclimatecrisis,aswellasaLowWasteWorkingGroup-both activelyencouragingpublicparticipation.

-EnsuringthattheindependentreviewintotheArmadaWayfiasco,whichGreen Councillorscalledfor,deliversatransparentprocessthatholdsthecouncilto account.Asaresult,wewillalsostrengthenandcreatepoliciestoprotectour treesandimproveourenvironmentalsafeguards.

-Workingtoincreasebiodiversityinthecityandmanagecouncillandinawaythat helpsthecityreduceclimateimpactswithmoretreeplanting,creationof meadowsandwetlands,andanendtotheuseofenergy-intensivechemicals

We will unleash local power in local democracy…

All too often local government decisions feel that they are made a long way away from the communities that will be affected by them. Decisions with huge consequences, such as the felling of trees in Armada Way, are made in closed rooms by a handful of people, with limited democratic accountability.

A vote for the Green Party in May is a vote for putting control over decisions that affect our communities firmly in the hands of democratically elected councillors, and the communities they represent. We know that the more democratic participation in our decision-making process there is, the better those decisions are for local communities.

We will achieve this by…

- Working to end the current cabinet system. This system gives too much power to a few politicians of one political party that make all the major decisions affecting an area - like the felling of the trees in Armada Way We will replace this system with the more democratic committee system, where strategic decisions are taken by councillors working together across party lines.

- Delivering more public participation in council policymaking and scrutiny processes so that council services are more transparent and match what people want to see.

- Giving community councils a stronger voice in planning and public service provision to hand the future of local neighbourhoods to the people who live in them.

- Continuing to keep our residents informed through regular newsletters and surgeries.

We will connect our city and create a sustainable transport network…

Plymouth should be a place where people are connected through walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport to essential services, community facilities and high quality green and blue spaces. Our public transport should be affordable and appealing because it's safe, easy and reliable. Our current transport system excludes many: disabled people, children and young people, and older people who too often find it difficult to get around our city, and many journeys by walking, wheeling and cycling are unappealing or unsafe because of road risks and hazards.

We will achieve this by…

- Creating a transport system which helps reduce in greenhouse gas emissions, improves public health and wellbeing.

- Actively promoting cycling by supporting the roll out of mobility hubs, secure dry storage and rider facilities, extending the cycle loan scheme and cycle training.

- Lobbying for more affordable bus fares, shelters, increased services and a move to an electrified fleet. We will also carry out an accessibility review of our transport network to improve accessibility

- Engaging in consultations for a default 20mph speed limit on residential streetswith the view of cutting congestion, pollution and reducing road casualties.

- Reviewing the process for blue badge applications to make it fully accessible for those who need it.

- Supporting the expansion of the “safer school streets” trial

We will create cleaner, greener streets…

Ensuring our streets are clean, green and welcoming is an essential part of building healthy, sustainable communities. From reducing litter and fly-tipping to improving recycling and reducing waste, there are many steps we can take to make our neighbourhoods cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

We will achieve this by…

- Taking robust action to improve local neighbourhoods through a fly-tipping action plan, extra environmental wardens and robust action to tackle litter, graffiti, dog fouling and other local issues, including supporting community clean-ups.

- Improving bin collections and recycling with a recycling action programme and urgently pushing forward to introduce household food waste collection.

- Addressing existing issues with garden waste collection and creating a circular community compost scheme, allowing local communities to manage, process and re-use the organic waste they produce.

- Exploring the introduction of public drinking water fountains in central Plymouth to reduce the consumption of bottled water

- Working with and supporting local retailers to explore ways they can tackle litter, reduce food waste, embrace sustainable packing and practices.

- Creating a planning system where local residents and communities are fully engaged in the decision-making process and which plays its part in tackling the climate and nature crises and ending poverty.

- Supporting policies that centre on community regeneration and oppose policies which extract wealth and resources from the poorest groups and communities.

- Reviewing planning policies on tree felling and tree planting, to ensure that trees are protected against removal wherever possible, and that new developments must contribute towards nature-based solutions that sequester carbon.

- Ensuring that the council takes an “infrastructure first” approach to developments, so they are designed and constructed with integrated and community shared low carbon heating, such as district heating networks.

- Exploring ways to ensure that derelict and neglected land is brought back into use, and support “meanwhile” uses such as temporary parks or green spaces.

- Introducing a local ban on fracking. Though unlikely in our area, we believe this establishes an important precedent to highlight public opposition to fracking.

- Strengthening protections for our waterways, ensuring that our vital blue spaces are clean and safe to enjoy

- Championing local businesses and looking to reduce rates on empty city centre premises for local small businesses, to support a flourishing local economy.

We will create and strengthen policies that protect people and the planet by…

We will secure warm, safe homes for all…

The current government has presided over the worst housing crisis in living memory At present house building is to meet market demand, not local need.

We will achieve this by…

- Introducing greater control and intervention in the rental market to strengthen tenant rights, crack down on bad landlords, improve standards, and lobby the government to bring forward the national EPC rating deadline for landlords.

- Lobbying the central government to fund the provision of new social housing.

Pushing forward on upskilling to ensure our local workforce are ready for green jobs of the future in retrofitting, tidal power, heating and beyond.

- Encourage the early adoption of the Future Homes Standard 2025 for properties being built in the city to reduce their carbon footprint from the outset.

- Utilising brownfield sites for new housing rather than our green spaces and ensuring that such sites are not left undeveloped for many years or developed into luxury flats and expensive student accommodation, which do not address the real local need.

- We will review the council’s planning enforcement processes to ensure that developers deliver on all conditions of their planning permission, and planning breaches are swiftly and effectively dealt with.

- We will push for Plymouth’s derelict buildings and shops to be brought back into use, including those above shops in the city centre.

We will address the healthcare crisis in Plymouth by…

- Working to urgently address the dental health crisis in Plymouth and work with partners to reduce waiting times across the city.

- Rigorously campaign to persuade the UK Government to match growth in local population sizes with greater NHS investment.

- Lobbying the UK Government to ensure that mental healthcare has parity with physical healthcare, and call on greater mental health provisions for our veterans.

- Establishing Plymouth as a Period Positive City and working to eradicate period poverty.

- Reducing the overall cost of healthcare by building a healthier society, tackling air pollution, reducing the stress and stigma of unemployment, reducing inequality and overcrowded housing and ensuring that everyone can have access to healthy, affordable food.

We will make Plymouth a welcoming, accessible and equal city by…

- Commissioning Plymouth’s first accessibility review to identify ways we can make the city function properly for all residents.

- Opening or refurbishing public toilets where they are most needed, and ensuring they are accessible to all.

- Supporting policies that empower marginalised groups, help local communities thrive, and protect our green spaces.

- Pushing for gender parity and access provisions to be front and centre in the planning process, ensuring that streets are well-lit, safe and accessible with good transport links and local services.

We will improve our sport, leisure and culture provisions by…

- Transforming Plymouth into a city where our cultural, leisure and sports facilities are accessible and affordable to all and represent the wealth of interests, talent, and experience that exists in our diverse city

- Secure protection for our libraries because libraries are more than books: they can be community hubs connecting people to the internet, providing space for community meetings and lifelong learning. Plymouth Green Party Manifesto

We will create a more equitable local education system…

Every child should have the right to a top-quality and supportive experience in our education system. We can only do this by listening and responding to their ideas so it is time to give them more of a voice in our decision-making.

We will achieve this by…

- Ensuring that school staff, parents, and pupils have a greater say in how schools are run and reduce the costs of the school day for families.

- Reviewing school travel plans and creating safe routes to school so that every child who lives within two miles of school is able to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle safely, including support for walking, buses and bikes.

- Creating a city-wide school uniform policy which addresses affordability, accessibility, the needs of neurodivergent pupils, stigma, and environmental impact. We will also support uniform banks and re-use or lease/hire services, so that everyone can access what they need. This will include access to jackets and outdoor clothing.

- Secure funding for the Council’s plan to retrofit the existing school estate.

- Ensure the council’s Education Committee includes pupil and parent representatives.

- Build a shadow youth council that will encourage young people to have a say in how the city is run.

Meet our Green Candidates…

Now that you know our policies and vision for Plymouth, meet our candidates…

Standing in all 19 wards up for election, our candidates offer a wealth of experience and the chance to do things differently, and better, in Plymouth.

Plymouth Green Party Manifesto 2023