Seeking selection as the Green Party ppc for Bristol South

I have put my name forward to be selected as ppc for the GP in Bristol South. We have a process which I hope will be complete by mid-December. Anyway, I have supplied 300 words to go with my candidacy - which I attach below.



I have put my name forward to stand to be parliamentary candidate for the Green party in Bristol South.

I was candidate in the last election, and became the first Green candidate in Bristol to save a deposit. I subsequently was elected as the first, and so far, only Green councillor on Bristol City council.

If selected, I will continue to campaign for more consistent and rapid action to prevent climate change, and to promote a more sustainable local economy. I would continue to campaign for some key local issues – preservation of the greenbelt, in favour of an ITA, to support the poorer more deprived elements of the community (eg by defending resident caretakers, and fighting cuts. I also believe the impending arrival of nuclear power stations in the region to be a major issue.

I am pragmatic at heart, and see each Green vote gained as a tool to pressurise other parties to stay on track with improving environmental policies. For example, Liberal Democrats rightly talk of preserving the greenbelt, but then support developments on it. The council supports 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions across Bristol by 2020, but supports a world cup bid which will attract a massive influx of people flying here. We need to challenge the bad, and encourage the good.

It is unrealistic to expect victory, but I hope our vote will continue to increase.

In reality, the benefit of being a candidate is to make use of the media to best push forward our message. I have significant experience of this over the last few years, and would intend to exploit it to the full.

Please support my candidacy.


Charlie Bolton
Southville

Off to World cup bid scrutiny meeting later....

...might get to sit on the committee, or will get to speak to statement.

Curious things I've noticed

...something about a 1km perimeter
and the requirement for the council to give priveliged access to the stadium for teams (road closures/controls).

I wonder what this means locally eg Winterstoke Road, Ashton Vale, the A370/A38 on the days for traffic, for locals, for shops etc?

Brown lentils and the ITA

Before I was elected the Green Party staged a one-day conference in Southville, part of which included an award ceremony - the Lentils. (Green for environmental excellence, Red for promoting social justice, Brown for messing it up).

Well, following the rejection of an ITA by the Tory Executive member's for South Glos, North Somerset and BANES, thereby condemning us to congestion for years to come - I award them a brown lentil.

I remember the Green Party campaigning for an ITA before any of the other parties, certainly before the council in Bristol universally endorsed it (which was good news). It seems to have got stuck since then, despite a load of work from the Transport for Greater Bristol campaign, until this latest blow.

You have to wonder, despite the Cameron blue/green whatever it was he says, if the Tories really get it.

Another inicnerator

Jane has just been telling me of a planning application for an incinerator at Avonmouth.

Here we go again.....

World cup bid submission

I'll put in a submission to Fridays OSM meeting re the world cup bid. The issues I'd like to raise are:

1. Climate change

What will be the environmental impact of a successful world cup bid?

The bid talks of thousands or tens of thousands of additional overseas visitors, who one presumes will predominately fly here. What will their carbon footprint be? Do you intend to take it into account? How do you reconcile this with the recently unanimously supported motion to full council to cut emissions by 40% by 2020?

2. Economics

The bid talks of £17 million in costs, and suggest it be raised through a business rate, and possibly council tax increases.

The pressures the council will face in coming years (and we have been told of the need to find 10% to cover some unavoidable cost increases in the next few years, and also face the likely need to face a minimum further 10% cuts, at least, whoever wins the next election) are considerable.

In view of this, is it appropriate to spend public money on this bid rather than on other key services?

Also - has anyone collected information on the council's record on estimated costs v actual costs. How reliable are the estimates? (Does the council have form?)

3. Economic policy

Ultimately, if one accepts the figures, this is a big, three or four week party, which generates some cash.

What does it really do for the longer-term sustainability (in financial terms) of Bristol businesses?

JR and the 20mph thing

As a sometimes student of politics in action, I thought Jon Rogers did his 20mph politics particularly well.

I went to the Tobacco Factory market on Sunday (spiced garlic pickle, great in curries, not so great to be near the day after). George was there and happened to mention Jon, and how well he did to overrule his officers. (I muttered something about him being alright for a LibDem). I've seen other references too to people praising him for doing it.

Of course, the inclusion of virtually all streets is to be welcomed. But JR managed to get into a situation where he got people to support him in overruling his officers, and upping the number of streets by a few in several hundred.

He could, I presume, have overruled them anyway. (I guess predecessors would have done this, on occasion!). But Jon did it in the public domain. Possibly aided by Chris Hutt.

I'm not smelling conspiracy here. (Frankly, I normally think people are too crap to run conspiracies). I'm sure it was a combination of events. And I'm not criticising (honest).

I was just thinking how - say - Mark Bradshaw might have approached the same issue (kept it in-house?) - or me - I would have thought that getting most streets in was an improvement on where we are now - a massive improvement, and don't know how I would have regarded the few remaining (although in our ward, one of the streets ran by a school - and it seemed pretty absurd to leave it out).

But old JR - well, he got stuck in, and got the plaudits.

Thinking about it, I remember him winning 'I'm a councillor, get me out of here' successively) - which was purely done on-line, and he obviously won the Ashley election.

So he clearly has some skill at communication which engages people.

Funny thing, communication. In council meetings, Peter Abraham is clearly the best orator on the council - its the way he says it, rather than what he says. There are others who have developed an effective style (Jocular John Bees - always has a joke for the troops at the LibDems exepnse), Gary - always has the knife with him, if not out. Down to the inarticulate buffoons (well, ok, that's just me).

JR doesn't fit any of these categories, but whatever it is he does, it seems to work. I wonder why? And for how long....(and am I suffering eloquence envy)?

Calling all cyclists....

This is an email from t'council about 'Griptop high friction utility covers'. Are they popular with cyclists?



The introduction of Griptop high friction utility covers in the new roads associated with the Cabot Circus development has proven popular with both motorcyclists and cyclists. These covers are a recent technological innovation offering improved traction for two wheeled vehicles than standard iron covers, particularly in the wet.

Following their satisfactory introduction at Cabot Circus, we are about to introduce a further 16 covers at 8 sites around the city as an accident prevention initiative pilot programme and, as far as we are aware, they have not yet been introduced into the existing highway network anywhere else in the country.

The Griptop covers will replace standard Wessex Water covers at sites chosen following accident investigation by the Road Safety Engineering team coupled with recommendations from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) - a national motorcycling organisation.

Our work in this area is regarded nationally as leading the way in helping to develop and improve standards of best practice.

The locations are:
St Annes's Road - roundabout approach
A4 Brislington Hill/Church Hill - junction
Lawfords Gate - junction
St Mary Redcliffe Church - roundabout
Whitehouse Street - bend
Ravenhill Road/St John's Lane - roundabout
M32, junction 2 - roundabout

The programme of works is due to commence on Monday 16th November and be completed within about 2 weeks.

Call ins, world cup bids and the like

I, among others, got a slightly strange email form the chief solicitor saying there was going to be some sort of suspension of the councils standing orders or at least normal way of doing things to suspend the ability to call in a council policy.

Call in is a sort of belated 'Think again' opportunity for the Executive. 2 or more cllrs can sign call in papers for a given adopted policy and there is a process to be followed to see what, if anything, happens to it.

The ability to call in will be for the councils world cup bid document.

I don't really understand why they are bothering. Such is the support for the world cup within the council, that I can't actually see who is going to do it. I can't (only one of me). The other parties are all signed up for it.

The flip side of this is that the council will sign up to the bid at the next cabinet meeting, and it is to be scrutinised at a meeting of OSM on the 20th November. (Thats next week). The papers aren't available yet - I asked to see them on Friday, and I have heard they will be available next week (see here)

It seems to me there are two issues here.

One is the bid itself and any sort of scrutiny of it. If it is published on Monday for a meeting on Friday, well that's a bit crap - for something which may cost millions and have significant ramifications for the city.

The other is the suspension of the call in process. This is the first time I have heard of this being done in the three and a half years I have been a councillor. It allows me to accuse the Liberal Democrats of being liberal in fiddling with democracy for their own ends. But it seems to me to be another precedent set by our ruling executive.

Green infrastructure in LDF (I think this is what JR referred to -see previous post)

Does it help? Will read later....


Green Infrastructure


4.9.1 This policy aims to protect, provide, enhance and expand the green infrastructure
assets which contribute to the quality of life within and around Bristol. In protecting
important open space it acknowledges that not all open land can be left unchanged and so
sets a strategic framework the choices to be made.
4.9.2 The policy will make a significant contribution to the achievement of objectives 1, 2,
5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 of the Core Strategy and responds to issues 5, 8, 10, 11 and 12.
Context
4.9.3 Green infrastructure is the term used to describe the network of green assets that
can work together to support sustainability and quality of life within and around Bristol.

These networks bring many social, economic and environmental benefits, including:
• Improved townscape and landscape quality and visual amenity:
Parks and gardens, open spaces, landscapes, trees and many other elements of green
infrastructure contribute to Bristol’s townscape and landscape quality. By providing
relief to the built environment and enhancing overall visual amenity, green
infrastructure makes a vital contribution to the quality of Bristol as a place to live, work,
visit and invest in.

• Protected and enhanced biodiversity:
Green infrastructure provides space for nature, allows community interaction with
nature, encourages presence and diversity of species and links habitats and spaces
throughout the city and beyond to strategic nature areas, allowing adaptation to
changes in the built and natural environment.

• Provision of green active travel routes:
Green infrastructure can include walking and cycle routes, public rights of way,
accessible river corridors and green streets that create pleasant surroundings and links
for physical activity as part of everyday life. The strategic green infrastructure network
protects and enhances connections between elements of green infrastructure in the city
and allows improved connectivity for people and wildlife.

• Improved mental and physical health of local communities:
Green infrastructure ensures access to good quality recreational places and spaces,
encourages active travel along cycle and walking routes, provides space for community
activities and interaction, reduces noise and water pollution, improves air quality and
also allows access to natural areas of space and wildlife.

• Space for local food production within the city:
Allotments, grazing land and informal areas of green space create potential for local
food production and community use. These types of green infrastructure improve local
landscaping, visual amenity and are also important sites for nature and biodiversity.

• Mitigation of and adaptation to climate change:
Provision of green infrastructure in the correct locations can reduce water run off and
provide flood storage capacity. Certain types of green infrastructure also have a role in
absorbing carbon, reducing the effect of ‘urban heat islands’ and link species and habitat
areas allowing continued wildlife adaptation. Through providing linked accessible green
infrastructure in a strategic network, a reduction in car dependency to access green
infrastructure is also possible.

4.9.4 A number of open spaces, waterways, biological sites, corridors within the wildlife
network, landscape features and countryside form the strategic green infrastructure
network, which is important at a citywide scale. It serves large sections of Bristol’s
population providing linkages to green infrastructure across the city and connecting to the
wider sub‐regional network of green infrastructure. Bristol also has land within its boundary
which is designated as Green Belt. This makes up an important part of the strategic green
infrastructure network and is afforded protection through national policy. Diagram 4.9.1
illustrates the strategic green infrastructure network in Bristol and shows how this strategic
network links with the surroundings areas.
4.9.5 The strategic green infrastructure network is complemented by further elements of
green infrastructure, such as less strategic open space, school grounds, green roofs, local
biological sites, private gardens, allotments, grazing land, city farms, cemeteries, pedestrian
paths, streets trees and landscaped areas. These elements of green infrastructure have an
equally important role in contributing to the sustainability and quality of life within the city
and are of particular benefit to local communities.
Policy BCS9
The integrity and connectivity of the strategic green infrastructure network will be
maintained, protected and enhanced. Opportunities to extend the coverage and
connectivity of the existing strategic green infrastructure network should be taken.
Individual green assets should be retained wherever possible and integrated into new
development. Where loss of green infrastructure is unavoidable in order to secure
appropriate development, appropriate mitigation of the lost assets will be required.
Development should incorporate new and / or enhanced green infrastructure of an
appropriate type, standard and size. Where on‐site provision of green infrastructure is not
possible, contributions will be sought to make appropriate provision for green
infrastructure off site.

Open Space

Open spaces which are important for recreation, leisure and community use, townscape
and landscape quality and visual amenity will be protected.
Some areas of open space may be released for appropriate development where:
• They are no longer important for recreation, leisure and community use, townscape
and landscape quality and visual amenity;
• Development of all or part of an open space would result in improved urban form or
an enhancement to existing open space areas.
New development should incorporate, or contribute towards, the provision of an
appropriate level and quality of open space.
Biological and Geological Conservation
Internationally important nature conservation sites are subject to statutory protection.
National and local sites of biological and geological conservation importance will be
protected having regard to the hierarchy of designations and the potential for appropriate
mitigation. The extent to which a development would contribute to the achievement of
wider objectives of the Core Strategy will be carefully considered when assessing their
impact on biological and geological conservation.
‐ 59 ‐
Where development is proposed on land within the Bristol Wildlife Network it should
ensure that the integrity of the network is maintained or strengthened.

Policy BCS9

The integrity and connectivity of the strategic green infrastructure network will be
maintained, protected and enhanced. Opportunities to extend the coverage and
connectivity of the existing strategic green infrastructure network should be taken.
Individual green assets should be retained wherever possible and integrated into new
development. Where loss of green infrastructure is unavoidable in order to secure
appropriate development, appropriate mitigation of the lost assets will be required.
Development should incorporate new and / or enhanced green infrastructure of an
appropriate type, standard and size. Where on‐site provision of green infrastructure is not
possible, contributions will be sought to make appropriate provision for green
infrastructure off site.

Open Space

Open spaces which are important for recreation, leisure and community use, townscape
and landscape quality and visual amenity will be protected.
Some areas of open space may be released for appropriate development where:
• They are no longer important for recreation, leisure and community use, townscape
and landscape quality and visual amenity;
• Development of all or part of an open space would result in improved urban form or
an enhancement to existing open space areas.
New development should incorporate, or contribute towards, the provision of an
appropriate level and quality of open space.
Biological and Geological Conservation
Internationally important nature conservation sites are subject to statutory protection.
National and local sites of biological and geological conservation importance will be
protected having regard to the hierarchy of designations and the potential for appropriate
mitigation. The extent to which a development would contribute to the achievement of
wider objectives of the Core Strategy will be carefully considered when assessing their
impact on biological and geological conservation.

Where development is proposed on land within the Bristol Wildlife Network it should
ensure that the integrity of the network is maintained or strengthened.

Explanation

4.9.6 Green infrastructure assets include open spaces, recreation areas, parks and
gardens, allotments, biological and geological conservation sites, landscape features, rivers,waterways and watercourses, woodlands, street trees and planting, green roofs and walls,cycle routes, pedestrian walkways and public rights of way, green corridors and open countryside. This policy addresses green infrastructure assets as a whole and also sets out
the approach to two specific forms of green asset, open space and biological and geological
conservation sites.

4.9.7 Diagram 4.9.1 illustrates the strategic green infrastructure network in Bristol and
shows how this strategic network links with the surrounding areas. The diagram is indicative
and broadly shows the strategic network. It is not intended that the diagram is a precise
guide or that it formally designates land to be kept free from development. However, it does
give a broad indication the strategic green areas and links which are important at a city scale
and in that respect can be used as a guide to decision making.
Loss of open space
4.9.8 Whilst the Core Strategy aims to retain the vast majority of green open space within
the city, not all such land is important for recreation, leisure and community use, townscape
and landscape quality and visual amenity. Existing open spaces may also offer opportunities
to contribute to the delivery of necessary development, improvements to urban form or
enhancements to existing open space areas. In determining whether open space should be
released community involvement will be central to decision making. Account will also be
taken of open space standards, levels of provision in the locality and the importance of the
open space for recreation, leisure and community use, its contribution to townscape and
land use quality and its visual amenity.
Biological and Geological Conservation
4.9.9 As explained in PPS9 ‘Biodiversity and Geological Conservation’ the level of
protection afforded to biological and geological conservation sites is dependent on whether
they are of international, national or local importance, those of international and national
importance being afforded more protection than those of local importance. In Bristol, Sites
of Nature Conservation Interest are designated through the Development Plan process as
local sites. These are accompanied by Local Nature Reserves and Regionally Important
Geological Sites which are local sites designated through separate processes.



Charlie

The railway path and the local development framework

Another snippet from yesterdays meeting was about the Bristol-Bath railway path

When I started looking at the document, it occured to me that, under a vague section talking of cycle paths and walkways, that wouldn't it have been a good opportunity to mention the Bristol-bath railway path, and giving it some protection under the local development framework.

I toyed with doing an amendment (wouldn't have been popular with a document which has been years in the making), but contacted Jon Rogers to see if anything an be done. I also contacted an officer - who suggested the sites allocation document - would be a good place to do this.

Both Jon and Neil Harrison mentioned that the green infrastructure section (I think) of the document offers protection to the path (although a quick look saw no specific mention of it).

I'd like to get bit of clarity from them over what they mean't and how it helps. I'm not point scoring with this (well, not yet), but think it would be useful to know.

I'll send 'em an email (or hope they read this post and respond....)

Yesterdays council meeting....

....well, it went on for hours. I hoped but didn't get to speak on the motion (from labour) about 4 yearly elections.

In the end, I voted against the LibDem spoiling amendment because the original motion - leaving aside the politicking - included a will to consult people outside of the council, an holidng a special meeting. The motion was actually enabling rather than anything else.

It was never going to work, because the LDs were never going to have it. Their amendment said stuff about 2 yearly elections (one councillor per ward) and having PR. As was pointed out, neither of these are on offer.

4 yearly elections probably wont work for smaller political parties. Greens would struggle to find 35 candidates (1 per ward) let alone 70 - which would deny people the opportunity to vote Green should they choose to do so.

However, there is no doubt that the current system of elections is confusing (2 years of elections in Southville, then none for two years) and there is an argument about running the council for a full 4 year term, rather than being on permanent election watch.

I was a bit irritated by Labour calling for a named vote on the final amended motion. They had scored their points by having a named vote on the amendment, and this seemed to serve no purpose, except to waste some time.

Bristol-Bath railway path photo competition

http://www.greentracks.org.uk/

Entries here