Luton and Bedfordshire

Council backs Green Party Motion supporting renters in cold, damp homes

Philippa Fleming — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 16:02:40 +0000

At the Bedford Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, a Green Party motion highlighting unaffordable energy bills and cold, damp homes for private tenants was passed with cross party support. It called for pressure on the Government to restore the recently-scrapped requirement for landlords to ensure their properties’ Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) have a minimum 'C' rating by 2028.

The latest census showed that one in five households in Bedford Borough are in private rented accommodation. And Office of National Statistics data says that domestic energy is reponsible for about one quarter of UK carbon emissions. Meanwhile average energy bills for all households are still set to rise, as Ofgem has announced a new Energy Price Cap, with unit prices set to rise by about 5% from January.

Cllr Lucy Bywater (Castle & Newnham, Green Party) said, “At the core of our motion approved by the Council is that everybody has the right to a warm, dry home that they can afford to heat so that their home is not harming their health and wellbeing. Bedford has a lot of old, energy inefficient housing but tenants have limited power themselves to do much about this problem. We were shocked when Rishi Sunak, as part of a wider delaying and scrapping of net zero “pledges”, scrapped the requirement for EPC minimum rating of ‘C’ for rented properties. The effect of that decision will be fewer well-insulated rental homes, leading to even more unaffordable energy bills and more widespread harm to health for tenants, due to cold, damp living conditions and to mould.”

Lucy added that responsible landlords, before September's government U-turn, had been starting to make the necessary energy efficiency improvements. She said, “Good landlords know this work improves the value of their assets and makes properties more attractive to tenants, who will want to stay and will be less likely to fall into fuel poverty with bills that they just can’t afford on top of the rent. Retrofitting homes also creates local jobs. Improving energy efficiency is a win, win, win!"

Ends 340 words

Note:

The successful motion to Bedford Borough Council can be read here: Agenda Item 18 on p. 3-4:

https://councillorsupport.bedford.gov.uk/documents/g6185/Public%20reports%20pack%2029th-Nov-2023%2018.30%20Full%20Council.pdf?T=10

Imprint: Published & promoted by Adrian Spurrell, Bedford Green Party a subsidary group of Luton & Bedforshire Green Party, 1 Massey Gdns, Bedford, MK42 8JY

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Cade Sibley Mid Bedfordshire Parliamentary Candidate

Philippa Fleming — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:27:32 +0000

Luton and Bedfordshire Green Party Executive Committee are proud to announce Cade Sibley as the Green Party candidate for Mid Bedfordshire.

Cade joined the Green Party in 2021. The Party is delighted that as a fairly new member Cade was willing to jump in at the deep end and put himself forward for this role.

Cade has hit the ground running with an eloquent Newsnight appearance already under his belt.

You can find Cade on social media at the links below, so please post your questions and messages of support. If you want to catch up with him in person, he will be attending any hustings that have been organised and will answer your questions to the best of his ability.

Finally, do please support Cade's campaign with a donation to the Party Crowdfunder. As a small, grassroots party we don't have big corporate donors and rely on small donations like yours to field candidates and give you the chance to vote Green.

Cade's Crowdfunder

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/a-green-party-mp-for-mid-bedfordshire?link_id=3&can_id=b668907e01fd5478369f21fbda7d7f3d&source=email-support-the-green-party-in-the-mid-bedfordshire-by-election&email_referrer=email_2044690&email_subject=support-the-green-party-in-the-mid-bedfordshire-by-election

Cade's Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/CadeSibleygreen

Cade's Twitter

https://twitter.com/CSibleyGreens

Cade Says

Cade Sibley is a Care Worker who works for Central Bedfordshire Council

Born, raised and lives in Mid Bedfordshire, going to school at Harlington Upper and working in engineering, construction, retail and refuse collection.
.
Cade has been active in the local community organising litter picks and is a keen cyclist. He is concerned that not enough is being done to combat climate change, or protect the local environment and green spaces which are such an important feature of Mid Bedfordshire.

He knows what it's like to be an essential worker but like most he is struggling with the cost of living crisis. Despite this he knows it is important for the Government to take a more sustainable approach to the economy.

If elected he would prioritise:

Taking the climate emergency seriously and investing in renewable energy
Insulating homes and maximising protections against fuel poverty
Supporting active travel; and clean, reliable and affordable public transport system
Pushing for the provision of high-quality and accessible mental health support for young adults
Providing more resources for social care and public health to reduce the strain on the NHS and fighting to keep the NHS free at point of service.

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Central Bedfordshire Green Party Election Candidates

Philippa Fleming — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 20:30:15 +0000

Central Bedfordshire Green Party would like to present the members and friends standing at the local elections for us on the 4 May. Maybe May the Forth will be with us this year.

Susan has lived in Ampthill for 17 years and has served as an Ampthill Town Councillor since 2019. She is a founder member of Ampthill Climate Change Group and Share: Flitwick and Ampthill (Library of Things) and is actively promoting community cohesion and inclusivity via Proud AF.

Her priorities are making sure that local government is responsive to residents’ needs and concerns, that sustainability is embedded in all local government actions, and that communities are helped to be resilient to climate change and ready to benefit from the low carbon transition.

She would work to protect local green spaces, retain and improve access to services and promote public transport and active travel choices.

Julia grew up in Maulden in Bedfordshire and went to school in Bedford.

She had a career in information management in both the private and public sector including at The British Library and The National Archives. She was Head of Information Management and Data Protection Officer at The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse and a facilitator on its Truth Project.

Like many people Julia is concerned about the damage to the environment and the loss of biodiversity. She decided therefore to join Ampthill Town Council in 2022. She is a member and supporter of the Ampthill Climate Change Group. Her concerns also include the loss of public transport, pedestrian safety and the loss of green spaces.

Julia is also a Humanist UK funeral celebrant and a volunteer non-religious support worker at Bedford Hospital.

Biggleswade East

Caddington

Clifton, Henlow and Langford

Cranfield & Marston Moretaine

Dunstable North

Dominic is a long term green activist, social entrepreneur and small business owner who is active within the Green Party in Central Bedfordshire.

As a professional consultant on the environmental impacts of transport, he is particularly interested in improving transport choices and reducing the impacts of cars and lorries in our towns and villages.

Flitwick

Sébastien Hine is a recent member of the Green Party.

He currently works as an education specialist, focusing on humanitarian contexts in low- and middle-income countries.

He has worked largely for NGOs, such as Save the Children, and the UN. He is increasingly keen to engage in more local issues.

Houghton Conquest & Haynes

Gillian has lived in Houghton Regis since 2015 and been a member of the Green Party for 20 years.

She is an Artist, pottery teacher and supports teenagers and young adults in further education.

Her young son attends a local primary school.

Catherine joined the Green Party in 2013 and has been a member of the executive committee for several years.

She works with the Friends of Windsor Drive Commiunity Open Space Committee and looks forward to working as a councillor for the area.

Rebecca has been working to help the Green Party grow for many years in Beds Herts and Bucks.

Now it’s time to build support closer to home.

A resident of Potton for 12 years, Rebecca is very involved in many local community projects.

Toddington

Westoning, Flitton & Greenfield Ward

Gareth has been a local Parish Councillor in Flitton & Greenfield since 2007 and was a District Councillor until 2009.

He has been actively involved in helping to develop the Neighbourhood Plan which helps to protect the character and countryside nature of our villages.

As Chair of the Highways committee he has secured funding for a number of road safety measures throughout Flitton and Greenfield and is keen to develop safer cycling and walking routes throughout the Ward.

Gareth has worked for the last 35 years in jobs applying energy efficiency and developing renewable energy, helping to combat climate change. If elected he would bring this knowledge and experience to bring sustainable change to Central Bedfordshire Council.

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Bedford Green Party Election Candidates

Philippa Fleming — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 16:20:37 +0000

Bedford Green Party would like to present the members and friends standing at the local elections for us on the 4 May. Maybe May the Forth will be with us this year.

Adrian has been talking to residents of Biddenham for over a year now and been chasing the Council,developers, bus companies and health commissioners about the issues they have raised. He runs his business and is a trustee of a number of charities.

If you want to know more – please check out his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/adrianspurrellGreen

Brickhill Ward Candidate Statement TBC

Kathryn has lived in Bromham almost all her life and has strong ties to the community.

With her many years of local knowledge, she would work hard to improve amenities and to support Bromham’s residents, businesses and community groups in a considerate and environmentally conscious way.

Her priorities include better access to recycling, protecting and promoting Bromham’s conservation areas, improved public transport links and facilitating sustainability for all of the community.

Castle & Newnham Candidate Statement TBC

Cauldwell Candidate Statement TBC

Clapham & Oakley Statement TBC

De’Parys Candidate Statement TBC

Philippa is passionate about restoring biodiversity and mitigating climate change through the use of growing the most useful plant on the planet HEMP.

She is co-coordinator of the Green Party Food and Agriculture Policy working Group and is currently in the process of setting up a sub committee of people that are wanting to help write policy from a multi group perspective on the subject of Hemp and it’s many uses.

Philippa is also passionate about disability not least because she has multiple disabilities but because this country treats us like we should be brushed under the carpet Philippa will shout from the rooftops, help to formulate policy and connect disabled people together not least because of the isolation that we so often face.

https://philippafleming.uk

Great Barford Candidate Statement TBC

Great Denham Candidate Statement TBC

Greyfriars Candidate Statement TBC

Harpur Candidate Statement TBC

Harrold Candidate Statement TBC

Kempston Central & East Candidate Statement TBC

Kempston North Candidate Statement TBC

Kempston South Candidate Statement TBC

Kempston West Candidate Statement TBC

Kingsbrook Candidate Statement TBC

Jenny has been a member of Bedford Green Party for a number of years and is passionate about the power of community, and believes that a flourishing local community is the key to improving our lives, our home and minimising our impact on the planet.

She is committed to working with local people to ensure we all feel safe and proud of our local environment.

If we all made small differences locally we would make a huge impact globally.

Queens Park Candidate Statement

Dr Joanne Hill has lived in Thurleigh with her family for 9 years.

She educates for social justice and equality at the University of Bedfordshire.

Her priorities are community, biodiversity, and supporting everyone, especially young people, to have a connection to nature.

Daniel has lived in Riverfield for 10 years. His three children all go to local schools.

Daniel is the founder and managing director of MyDocSafe.com, a company with a mission to save the trees by reducing the use of paper.

Daniel is from Poland but has made England his home for the past 20 years, and believes that the Green Party needs to have a bigger voice in Bedford council – to protect local environment, reduce energy use and improve community well-being.

Richard has lived in Bedford for 34 years. His four grown-up daughters all went to local state schools.

Richard works as a Human Resources Consultant and has been a member of the Green Party since 2015.

Richard believes that only the Green Party has the right policies for people and planet.

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Adrian Spurrell elected as Bedford Mayoral Candidate

Philippa Fleming — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 20:44:47 +0000

Adrian Spurrell has been elected to represent Bedford Green Party at the Bedford Borough Council mayoral elections for the second time.

He is so dedicated to the Green Party winning in public elections that he even goes out canvessing in the snow (as shown in the main picture).

Mayoral Candidate Adrain Spurrell.

Adrian Spurrell canvassing in Biddenham in the snow

Adrian is also standing as a council candidate in Biddenham which is why we have a few photos of him canvassing in Biddenham, Bedford.

Adrian Spurrell Council Candidate for Biddenham and Mayoral Candidate.

Adrian Spurrell in Biddenham, Bedford

We in the Green Party know only too well that many people are struggling with the cost of living crisis and understand that people are really struggling at the moment.

But we respectfully request that if you do have any spare funds then we would really appreciate it if you could donate to our crowdfunder. Thank you.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/green-mayor-for-bedford

Cllr Lucy Bywater and candidate Paul Edmonds canvassing in the new ward of Castle and Newnham.

This Crowdfunder will also be used to help fund our council candidates in both Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire campaigns. More announcements coming soon.

Cllr Ben Foley canvassing in Greyfriars, with help from James Long.

Susan Clinch Council Candidate for Ampthill

Julia Mary Jones Council Candidate for Ampthill

Bedford Green Party announces 2023 mayoral candidate

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Bedford Borough Council – Fair Tax

jenny — Tue, 29 Nov 2022 15:46:29 +0000

GREEN COUNCILLORS HELP BEDFORD BECOME 'FAIR TAX' COUNCIL IN THE UK

In October Bedford Borough Council joined 33 other local authorities across the UK, including Peterborough and Norwich in the East of England in becoming a Fair Tax Council.

The Councils for Fair Tax Declaration commits cities, towns and districts to do the right thing in their own tax affairs, requiring greater transparency from suppliers and joining calls for rules to change so that they can do more to tackle tax avoidance when buying goods and services from supplier businesses.

Green Party Councillor Cllr Lucy Bywater who brought the motion before Full Council on Wednesday said: As Greens, we believe there’s a need to embed tax justice locally. We want to see the council take a lead by backing responsible businesses that pay their fair share of tax. Fair Tax Mark principles are about transparency and fairness, helping create a level playing field for businesses large and small. Paying tax responsibly and transparently should be celebrated, and any race to the bottom resisted. Right now, with the economic situation looking so precarious, tax receipts are especially vital to fund our struggling public services as well as to assist recovery from the pandemic and build a local low-carbon economy.

Polling* commissioned from ICM by the Fair Tax Foundation found that two-thirds (66%) of the public agree that the Government and local councils should consider a company’s ethics and how they pay their tax as well as value for money and quality of service provided when undertaking procurement.

The UK as a whole is estimated to lose around £17bn in corporation tax receipts every year as a result of multinational profit shifting alone. Aggressive tax avoidance negatively distorts national and local economies and reduces contributions that support vital public services on which we all rely.

Mary Patel, Networks Manager at the Fair Tax Foundation said:

“We’re delighted to see Bedford Borough Council standing up for responsible tax conduct by supporting the Councils for Fair Tax Declaration.

“Together with our Fair Tax Councils, we are calling on the UK Government to change the rules so local councils and other public bodies can reward supplier businesses that pay tax fairly and transparently. Alongside this, it’s vital that Government presses ahead with planned reforms to the UK’s corporate registration service, to drive down fraud and dirty money and enable a more trusted and efficient business marketplace to evolve.”

You can find more information on Councils for Fair Tax here: Councils for Fair Tax Declaration - Fair Tax Foundation

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Lyn Bliss featured in the Media

Philippa Fleming — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:11:12 +0000

Lyn Bliss a long standing Green Party member, activist and councillor candidate was interviewed on BBC 3 Counties radio this week and was also a feature in the Green Party press office morning briefings. Which was reported as follows. Thank you to the press office for making the job of local party officers easier.

Luton and Bedfordshire Green Party member, Lyn Bliss, tells Three Counties Radio (14:20) that the Conservative Party has failed over 12 years to insulate homes and invest in renewable energy and is now blaming others for the cost-of-living crisis while backing “frightening” nuclear options.

Luton and Bedfordshire falls under the jurisdiction of the Eastern Region Green Party so another feature in the briefing today is Caroline Lucas's reaction to Sizewell C.

Reacting to the government’s decision to spend £30 billion of public money on Sizewell C nuclear power station, Caroline Lucas said:

“There are hundreds of energy-saving options and clean, cheap and home-grown renewable projects ready to go – yet solar farms are being refused at their highest rate for five years, the Government has utterly failed to adopt a retrofit revolution to slash energy bills, and now Tory leadership candidates are vowing to block onshore wind power which could be operational within days. Rubber stamping Sizewell C is simply Boris Johnson’s woeful final attempt at making his Prime Ministerial mark – it’s befitting of him that this vanity project is the wrong answer at the wrong time.”

Caroline’s statement is quoted on BBC News: Sizewell C is "massively costly, achingly slow, and carries huge unnecessary risks". She adds that the "enormous upfront cost" would be passed on to consumers. The quote was also picked up on Sky News.

Green Party Cost of Living News

The pound slid about 5 per cent against the US dollar in August. The last time the pound fell so much against the dollar was in October 2016, in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

Ovo Energy, the country’s third largest energy supplier, urged government to allow energy firms to borrow from a state-backed fund, and then use the money to subsidise bills. Everyone would get some assistance, but higher earners would see the amount of money received reduce, the more energy they used, the company said.

RMT members at Network Rail and 14 train companies will strike again on 15 and 17 September. The first day of these strikes over pay coincides with a walkout by train drivers at 12 rail companies.

Climate and Environment

The International Monetary Fund says that UK households face higher energy prices and greater inequality than any other country in western Europe because of the government’s reliance on gas.

England had its joint hottest summer on record, the Met Office says. This year's summer tied with 2018 for the warmest, according to records stretching back to 1884.

Health News

The Green Party reports the staggerring number of vacant posts within the NHS.

Almost one in 10 posts across the NHS in England are vacant - a “staggering” record high of 132,139 posts unfilled.

Thank you for engaging with our media. If you find all of this quite frankly bad news appalling and would like to help the Green Party then you can join the local party for free before commiting to a full membership.

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Good News for Windsor Drive Open Space, Houghton Regis.

Philippa Fleming — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 20:33:03 +0000

On 16 August The Friends of Windsor Drive Open Space committee received a letter from Julie Ogley, Director of Social Care, Health and Housing for Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC), advising that ‘Central Bedfordshire Council will not be progressing any further works on the proposed development of affordable housing on Windsor Drive at this time’.

The Friends of Windsor Drive can certainly celebrate the decision to postpone and be very proud of the energy and drive with which they have all fought for the open space. There is no doubt that the involvement of the friends and supporters of Windsor Drive Open Space has been a huge part of CBC's decision.

However whilst “the decision to pause this proposal” sounds great, it is felt that the reality is it is just that, a pause, which they believe means they will come back round again as they have done several times over the past 25 years.

The group have stated that the decision to postpone is just not good enough, and it is their intention to continue until the open space on Windsor Drive is returned to the people of Houghton Regis and there is a commitment for it to be kept as leisure land in perpetuity and not designated as an allocated site for any development on the Local Plan.
The group welcomes any support to make the above happen, and believe in the strength in coming together in coming together as a community.

You can get involved in this campaign and stay up to date with developments by joining the Friends of Windsor Drive Open Space Facebook Page.

Link to 'Luton Today' report 18.8.22

Here is the link to our original post

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‘Bedford Greens highlight useful sources of help in the cost of living/low wage crisis’

Philippa Fleming — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:47:14 +0000

We are in the midst of an ever-deepening cost of living crisis. Many of us will be feeling overwhelmed by the spiralling prices of many of life's essentials. This is coupled with a scandalous lack of action or direction from central government. Energy prices in particular are set to wreak havoc throughout the public and local businesses.

Some councils around the UK are even looking into WarmBanks where people unable to keep the heating on can go to keep warm. These could be libraries, churches or community centres.

Paul Edmonds, Green Party volunteer, said, "Having served vulnerable people in Bedford it is deeply upsetting to think that more members of our community could be driven towards more desperate situations."

The Green Party share your concerns and so we have compiled a list of organisations who may be able to offer help. Of course if you are struggling we have Citizens Advice on 01234 867944 and our very own Bedford Council. Those with particular needs should seek support from MenCap, AgeUK and Shelter. And there is always a wealth of information at MoneySavingExpert.

Additional specific assistance can be sought from the following organisations:

Financial Support:

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/

https://www.lightningreach.org/

Debt Support

https://www.stepchange.org

Fuel Poverty Support:

https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/

Paul added, "If you are having problems, I hope some of this information will help you obtain the assistance you need to keep you and your families safe over the months ahead. And please, talk to and help advise neighbours where needed. Times as testing as these will demand a cohesive caring community response."

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Education Policy Working Group Recruitment Drive

Philippa Fleming — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 20:45:57 +0000

The Green Party Education Policy Working Group is meeting this Thursday 11 August 2022 at 5.45 pm on Zoom.

If you are a Green Party member then you can find the link to the meeting on the Green Spaces Group which you log into with your membership login details and go to the following link.

https://spaces.greenparty.org.uk/s/1-new-green-spaces/

You do not have to have any experience of policy writing just a willingness to learn. Once you have joined a meeting we can get you set up on the other communication channels.

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