A GREEN AND SOCIALLY JUST FUTURE FOR HALTON 

This space describes some of our aims for Halton at this crucial time. Obviously some of the developments we propose might have to be limited in relation to the economic circumstances we find ourselves in. But locally we consider such proposals as important to further our aims for a more ‘green’ and socially just Halton. Please visit our national website for a wider view. (www.greenparty.org.uk)

We would like to see the council providing more effective scrutiny regarding planning proposals that impact on the area socially and environmentally than has seemed to be the case over the past couple of years. There is also a need for the council to be more sensitive to the ordinary residents perceptions concerning issues like the environment and how it might affect health.

The Green Party is opposed to the current national coalition’s economic policy. The divide between 80% public cuts and 20% taxation is socially unjust and could lead to a double dip recession. A fairer policy would be a greater increase in taxation and less severe cuts in the public sector.

With a cap on council tax spending unfortunately cuts will have to be made. Halton Greens in this situation consider that it is important that essential local authority services are protected. Also it would hope that the council ensure that schemes that are beneficial to certain vulnerable groups of residents will continue. For example better home insulation for pensioners, young families and other vulnerable groups. This will ease the financial burdens affecting such groups and also act as a stimulus for the local economy.

As a 2008 report suggest (Halton Economic Review 2008) the borough suffers from low employment skills levels and this has a knock on effect in terms of relative poverty and social disadvantage in the area. The Green Party would wish to see inroads made in tackling this important issue.

At the same time it has to be recognised that improving the well-being of people isn’t just simply about providing skills training but ensuring that individuals are equipped to enjoy cultural experiences which go towards making the whole person.

Linked to this is the opposition the party has in relation to the proposed second Mersey crossing.
This might be of marginal benefit to the region, at a high environmental and economic cost, but will not provide significant social and economic gains to the people who need it most in the local area.   

Because of climate change (which has not gone away) it is more and more urgent to attract a change of behaviour so that cars are used much less. Given a relaxing of council spending cuts hopefully in the near future we would look at innovative ways of improving public transport, increasing demand for cycling and tackling the challenge of high rates of vehicle usage at peak times during the day. This would have the double effect of decreasing pollution and improving health.

The borough should develop a climate change plan to reduce Halton's carbon footprint by at least 80% by 2050. The council should make cuts in emissions of at least 6% every year. New build housing should be zero carbon. We need a development plan that does not just try to catch up with more prosperous areas.

Related to this we would also like to see developments such as the increase in local solar energy production in the area. Green councillors in Huddersfield have enabled residents to obtain special loans to provide domestic solar energy. As a result, over 5% of Britain’s solar energy is now produced in Huddersfield. This would have several positive effects including saving energy, saving money, a decrease in carbon emissions and also stimulate the local economy.

This too of course depends on the state of local public financing. But solar energy production in the future will be a much larger growth area than at present and the earlier the council becomes involved the better. 

Recent research indicates that traffic accidents involving children continue be high particularly in more socially disadvantaged areas. The Green Party proposes a borough-wide default speed limit of 20mph for residential streets and roads. 30mph would be set for main traffic routes. Thus we make our streets more liveable and remove the biggest single danger to our children and vulnerable people.

We would like to extend the Lorry Watch Scheme run by local residents and supported by Halton Borough Council to make some impact into reducing the numbers of HGV's on Halton's roads.

We would like to see Halton designated a fair trade borough.

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