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Green Party launches election manifesto online

From the archive, first published Monday 12th Mar 2007.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS in York are practising what they preach - by publishing a paperless election manifesto.

The local Green Party has launched its policy proposals online, ahead of the forthcoming City of York Council elections.

They say they will only print copies of their manifesto on request, for residents who have no internet access.

Among their proposals, the Greens say they would look into providing an electric light rail service through York.

The party currently has two councillors in York, but they could help determine the balance of power, if no party were to win an outright majority on May 3.

The Greens are campaigning under the banner Keeping York Special. Policies include retaining a swimming pool in York city centre, supporting local independent shops ahead of city-centre retail expansion, and opposing green belt development.

Party leader Andy D'Agorne said: "Greens support sustainable developments that protect the environment and the future of the planet.

"We must reduce the need to travel and ensure that new houses and buildings for the future provide their own renewable energy / maximum insulation.

"We put these points forcefully to the inspector alongside objections to the proposed locations.

"York is a small friendly city with a character much valued by visitors and residents alike - keeping York special is about getting the balance right in all decisions that the council makes."

Couns D'Agorne and Mark Hill were elected in Fishergate ward in 2003, and are optimistic that they will increase the party's representation in May.

The Greens' policies include:

* Introduce a retail philosophy that "small is beautiful"

* Improve the appearance and maintenance of shopping centres

* Provide strong protection for wildlife and green spaces in the city

* Promote the development of more local nature reserves

* Campaign for a fully-funded NHS to meet current needs and no rationing of health care

* Campaign for a total reform of NHS dentistry to meet demand

* Prevent any further privatisation of schools and the selling off of playing fields

* Higher levels of community policing

* Treat services providing support to people addicted to drugs and alcohol as a funding priority

* Make high-quality sporting facilities, including a swimming pool in the centre and east of the city, a funding priority

* Seek funding for a city centre youth facility

* Support initiatives to get the homeless into housing and work

* Oppose further extension of social services charges or any plans to close any council-run care homes

* Progressively introduce a 20mph limit for residential streets across the city

* Investigate an electric powered light rail systems, without an overhead power supply and practically pollution free

* Instigate studies into possible congestion charging schemes

* Guarantee that no incineration will be used for dealing with York's municipal waste

* Pioneer the recording of council meetings to be put on the internet as podcasts