Greens demand more protection for our energy innovators

The Wales Green Party are celebrating the success of Bethesda’s ‘Cyd Ynni -Ynni Lleol’ Energy Local Project. The UK first scheme enables residents to buy energy locally, at the time it’s being generated, for a significant discount. It is calculated that it will save consumers up to 30% on domestic energy bills whilst also providing a much needed boost for the generators, who have suffered a significant fall in revenue following the drastic cuts to the Feed-in-Tariff implemented by Westminster.

The Wales Green Party is calling for similar projects to be rolled out across Wales as soon as possible, creating local employment and helping households in fuel poverty.

However, alluding to the recent political interference that has undermined the renewable energy industry, the Wales Green Party state that innovative schemes like this must be given greater protection from statutory bodies before the lobbyists of the Big Energy companies stop further initiatives in their tracks.

Gwynfor Edwards, Wales Green Party Councillor for Deiniol said:

“It’s wonderful to see all the hard work come to fruition in my local area. I’ve seen a great deal of pessimism in the industry since the government started to undermine the green energy sector so this is a much-needed boost. Bethesda’s Energy Local project has shown that a mechanism exists, within the overly protectionist regulations, for a small supplier to sell energy locally so that everybody wins. The potential to boost employment, cut carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty in Wales is vast and I would want this scheme to be replicated at scale right across Wales.”

“But I am extremely fearful of the traditional Big Energy companies looking to stifle this new competition.  So I am making a clear statement to all levels of government and OFGEM: Our Welsh energy innovators must be protected, and any lobbying looking to change the regulations to force out these Welsh innovators must be resisted.”

Alice Hooker-Stroud to continue as the leader of the Wales Green Party whilst new deputy leaders Grenville Ham and Pippa Bartolotti announced.

Wales Green Party announced two new deputy spokespeople who will be working together to take the party forward.

Alice Hooker-Stroud said: “I'm really excited to be re-elected, and to start work with our new deputies. Right now, I think we need some straight-talking in politics, and forward-thinking solutions for Wales. I am confident our new team will deliver. Together, we will push for a climate-safe future. We'll stand up for refugees, migrants and the most disadvantaged in our society. We want Wales to be a great place to live for all.”

Grenville Ham is an expert on issues around energy, climate change and the environment. During his term as a deputy spokesperson, he will focus on promoting sustainable energy and climate change mitigation in Wales. He is also passionate about attracting fresh talent to the party. He said: “Wales needs and deserves a change. We have the potential to be a world leader in renewable energy and environmental science, which makes me very proud to be Welsh. I want to make sure we grasp all the opportunities we can whilst transitioning to a climate safe-future.”

Grenville Ham studied Geography at the University of Plymouth and was a post-graduate student at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes. He is the founder and Managing Director of a not-for-profit hydroelectric engineering company. He is also a co-founder of a social enterprise that helps community groups across Mid and South Wales reduce carbon and improve biodiversity.

Pippa Bartolotti, previous leader of the Wales Green Party, said:

“I’m thrilled to be invited once again to be part of the leadership team of Wales Green Party.  Many people are prepared to switch their vote to Green and I very much look forward to being part of the campaign where Green candidates will be elected to council seats in Wales next year.
 
“Local Councils haven’t done enough to prepare people for climate change. Our houses need to be better built, properly insulated, and free from rip-off fuel bills. Investment in renewable energy will provide long lasting jobs. We need a cap on public sector salaries, pollution free towns and cities, and safe active travel. Greens on your local council will bring good change, thoughtful change, and we will put people and planet before profit.”

The new team take up their roles on 1st January 2017.

Despite the G20 pledge in 2009 to collectively phase out fossil fuel subsidies, the UK has only increased its financial support to the industry ever since. On top of this, it has emerged that the decommissioning of the oil and gas fields in the North Sea bears a subsequent price tag, exceeding the remaining tax revenues. At present the cost of decommissioning falls to the British taxpayer to take care of. This is a new low in the successive Westminster governments’ stubborn and continuing support of the fossil fuel industry.

The Financial Times reports today that the UK faces a bill of £24 billion for shutting North Sea fields. FT reports that: “decommissioning costs are subsidised under rules allowing oil companies to claw back some of the £330bn of taxes paid since North Sea production began. The tax relief was designed to prevent clean-up liabilities deterring investment.”

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party, issued a statement in response to the figures. She said:

“Tax breaks and subsidies to the fossil fuel industry are almost a taboo subject, yet they amount to several billions of pounds. The North Sea oil and gas companies have made huge profits over the course of the past four decades. They should be the ones picking up the bill for the mess they have made and are now threatening to leave behind.”

“The true costs of extracting fossil fuels – such as to the environment and our health – are not accounted for by the government making these sizeable pay-outs. In the current situation, the hapless taxpayer is being forced to foot the bill for a £24bn clean-up operation, when this money should have been costed into the operation from day one.”

The Wales Green Party is calling for subsidies on all fossil fuels to be removed. Fossil fuel subsidies are the main obstacle to the growth of renewable energy.

Pippa Bartolotti, deputy spokesperson of the Wales Green Party, said: “We need to switch these subsidies away from fossil fuels and into developing truly sustainable systems of energy storage and generation. This is the only way we will be able to control both pollution and temperatures. By holding onto these huge fossil fuel subsidies at the cost of renewable energy development, the UK risks not being able to keep up the pace with progress.”

“In Wales there are huge opportunities for renewable energy generation, yet the government in Westminster has time and again hesitated to invest in and promote them. Swansea tidal lagoon is an apt example. Westminster’s cited lack of funds in the face of the budget deficit does not seem to be a problem when it comes to subsiding oil and gas yet it is halting the possibilities to develop renewable energy in this country.”

More than 20 industrial companies employing more than 42,500 people are pressing the government to back tidal lagoon technology in Swansea.

Ministers in Westminster are expected to make a decision this Thursday 12th January. The Hendry review will be published later this week and could make or break the fledgling Tidal Power Industry. It will determine whether the UK will go down a route of domestic energy security, reduced carbon emissions and huge employment opportunities from a homegrown industry, or will illustrate yet again that the UK Government is only willing to see tax breaks and subsidies go towards fossil fuel companies and foreign investors.

Pippa Bartolotti, Deputy Leader of the Wales Green Party said, “Industry is emphatically pressing for the Swansea Bay Tidal lagoon, and it would be folly if the government does not give the green light on this proposal this week. Greens applaud industry in recognizing that this technology is in the front line of opening massive employment and regeneration possibilities. When built, the Lagoon will put Swansea, and Wales, firmly on the map at the sharp end of tidal power generation. There will be tremendous opportunities for eco- tourism and a much needed morale boost for the whole of Wales."

Grenville Ham, Deputy Spokesperson of the Wales Green Party, and recipient of a royal honour for his ‘Services to the Renewable Energy Industry in Wales’, said: “Tidal lagoons can quickly become a central pillar of the UK energy mix. Tidal power is predictable, never-ending, and crucially, will form part of a homegrown energy industry that can lead the world.”

Speaking about project investment Grenville went on to say “ A bold vision from our leaders will create thousands of jobs, make Wales a world leader in the energy industry and drive down our carbon emissions. This first prototype of a tidal lagoon, as in the case of all prototypes, will not necessarily be the most cost effective version, and government has to realize that this investment is firmly for the well-being of future generations. Indeed, there should be nothing stopping the UK or Welsh Governments investing themselves in order to bring down the required subsidy level and still provide a decent return for tax payers.

”Shortly after the EU referendum, the government committed to cutting carbon emissions by 57% by 2030 on 1990 levels, but has so far failed to spell out how it will support renewable energy beyond 2020. With the huge cuts to renewable energy support and fossil fuel companies continuing to receive eye-watering tax breaks and subsidies, the Government has a poor record in supporting homegrown technologies, carbon reduction and local job creation.

Bartolotti added, “We need to take the long term view of such an important investment and help create the green supply chain which will contribute to the long term prosperity of Wales. This country is well placed to build genuine income from renewable energy. The case against the Lagoon is a case against investing in Wales. Let’s not delay the Swansea Tidal Lagoon any more. For too long we have muddled along with polluting old industries, the Swansea Lagoon will be quite literally a breath of fresh air”

Tidal lagoons are predictable, generate no carbon emissions and could provide as much as 12 per cent of Britain’s electricity needs. The Hendry review will determine whether there is a future for the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon, a pioneering scheme that will provide enough power for 155,000 homes. The Lagoon will use proven, yet cutting-edge technology, to pioneer a fleet of larger projects, which, if approved, could power up to a third of UK homes for the next five generations. The Swansea Bay Tidal lagoon is expected to have a lifespan of 120 years.

Today the Hendry review on the feasibility of Swansea Bay Tidal lagoon was published, and it was overwhelmingly positive in its recommendations.

Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party Deputy Leader said, “This is a wonderful way to start 2017! The Hendry review backs all our key pollution and carbon reduction demands, but importantly we now need to press the Westminster government to delay no further and allocate the £1.3b funding. This is chickenfeed when compared to the £37b they have already allocated to building the Hinkley C reactor. “

A tidal lagoon is much more cost effective than a nuclear reactor, and infinitely less damaging. The lagoon will produce zero carbon electricity with no radioactive waste forced on future generations, and very small decommissioning costs. Even the decommissioning of North Sea oil and gas is estimated to be costing taxpayers an outrageous £24 billion. Theresa May must now stop dithering and give the green light to this industry fit for the future.“

The Hendry review pointed out that tidal technology would "contribute positively" towards the UK's decarbonisation goals and stated that the potential impact on consumer bills of large scale tidal lagoons appears attractive, particularly when compared to nuclear projects. It also marked the fact that this was a significant economic opportunity for Wales.

Grenville Ham, Deputy Leader of the Wales Greens said, “There are worries which we should all be concerned about. The experts have said that tidal power is exactly what we want, yet the Conservative government appears to have had enough of experts. We could save a lot of time and money by listening to the properly qualified people in the first place.”

The combined output of proposed UK tidal lagoons, at about 12% of UK electricity consumption, will produce almost double the energy as the intended output of Hinkley Point C . The environmental impact will be much less than for a Severn barrage and unlike the Severn barrage, tidal lagoons are replicable at multiple sites around the UK and indeed around the world.

Anthony Slaughter, who contributed to the Hendry review on behalf of the Wales Green Party said, “This is fantastic news for the low carbon industries. Tidal generation is predictable and dependable far into the future and will complement our growing wind and solar resources. Greens welcome the economic regeneration opportunities which will follow this popular development. “

Caroline Lucas and Wales Green Party support the devolution of Welsh democracy but reject the Wales Bill in its current form.

The leader of the Wales Green Party, Alice Hooker-Stroud said:

“Whilst we are pleased that there is acknowledgement that the devolution of Welsh democracy is both necessary and urgent, most of the Wales Bill leaves a lot to be desired.

"In 2011, the people of Wales voted for increased devolution, and as seems to be standard now, the Conservative government have ploughed ahead with their own vision without stopping to determine what it is that people were actually voting for. Did those voting for further devolution in 2011 know this would mean settling for fewer powers than are granted to Scotland and Northern Ireland?

“It is ridiculous if the UK Government believe that this is the 'lasting settlement' they promised to the people of Wales."

Caroline Lucas, the co-leader of the Green Party, issued a statement in support of Wales Green Party. She said:

"The Green Party is in favour of subsidiarity, and we believe that where feasible it is right to move power closer to the hands of the people. For this reason, I have consistently voted to increase the powers devolved to Wales in this lacklustre Bill."

Pippa Bartolotti, a deputy leader of the Wales Green Party added: 

“The Wales Bill is ridiculously complicated and there are far too many ‘reserved’ matters. When people voted for a devolved Wales, they did not vote for a Wales which would constantly have to go cap in hand to the Westminster Government for large energy projects, changes to criminal or civil law, and wade through any amount of needlessly complex reserved powers to make changes to fulfil the potential of this country.

“It’s very nice to be able to call our assembly a Parliament, but a Parliament without teeth is no Parliament at all. The Wales Bill does not give us the same constitutional footing as Scotland. Wales deserves no less.”

The Green Party launched a campaign to resettle more child refugees in the UK and keep refugee families together, to coincide with the inauguration of Donald Trump.

On Friday, Wales Green Party leaders and members took part in Bridges Not Walls, a nationwide action where banners were dropped from iconic bridges across the UK. Their messages were to reject the rise of the far right, express solidarity with mariginalised groups and stand up to the politics of hate. 

Leader Alice Hooker-Stroud attended the event in Aberystwyth, whilst Deputy Leader Grenville Ham was at the banner drop at Llanfaes Bridge in Brecon, an event organized by the Local Green Party.

The campaign aims to support refugees in the UK, resettle more child refugees and a petition will be launched to call on home secretary Amber Rudd to widen the family reunification rules and keep refugee families together.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Wales Green Party Leader, said:

"I'm proud to be standing here today in the most Euro-friendly town in the UK in solidarity with migrants and refugees, and against hate. Divide and rule won't wash with us. We're all in the same boat and we have to stand together.

Freedom of movement works both ways, and so does care and compassion. If we want to travel for work, friends or family we have to allow others the same. If we want to feel secure that we would be taken in if there were hard times, we have to be willing to do the same.

At times like these we have to show we are committed to protecting the most vulnerable and supporting those in need. We need to reach out. To build bridges, relationships, and communities so that if others decide to build walls we can get together and tear them down.”

Grenville Ham, Wales Green Party Deputy Leader, said:

“Trump came to power spreading a huge lie; that some people matter less than others. I felt I had a responsibility to organise this event in my hometown and show that ordinary people will reject any attempt to divide us. So it has been so pleasing to receive such an overwhelmingly positive response from local people who share values of justice, respect for dignity, human rights and the truth.”

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is reshaping its waste and resources policy and is likely to shift responsibility for packaging waste to the product manufacturers.

Pippa Bartolotti, deputy leader of the Wales Green Party said, “There is a massive opportunity for Wales to be a leader in designing out waste in packaging. Up until now planet-friendly design has been voluntary for manufacturers. As a result, we are seeing far too much polystyrene and mixed materials wrapped around the things we buy.

“It is not right for consumers to have to pull packaging – such as cardboard and plastic -  apart for separate doorstep recycling, and polystyrene is not recycled at all, neither does it biodegrade. It is not right for manufacturers to continue to use non- compostable and non- biodegradable materials in a modern circular economy.

“We’re calling on the Welsh Government to change the law and ban wastefully designed packaging in Wales, and turn this into an opportunity for our indigenous manufacturers and designers. If the Welsh government is truly committed to a zero waste strategy, this move is essential. “

Excess packaging is frequently quoted as a concern to the public, and Ecodesign is used to prevent waste by changing the way products are designed and reducing the amount and type of material used. Good design allows for reuse, remanufacture, separation and recycling.

Ecodesign considers all the environmental impacts of a product right from the earliest stage of design, including the type of packaging needed.

Pippa Bartolotti added, “Reducing the impact of packaging should be a top priority. Welsh manufactured packaging should be well designed and properly sustainable. This innovative new market will be grasped by others if we do not position ourselves as leaders. Timing is important. The time to make these changes is now.”

Wales led the way in the UK with the plastic bag charge, and as a result the use of these bags has dropped by 71%, and the impact on our trees and streets has been very much for the better.

In recent weeks, calls have intensified for Defra to consider changes to the producer responsibility regime to favour increased involvement by product manufacturers to fund the handling of their products at the end of life.

Wales Green Party responds to Carwyn Jones’ and Leanne Wood’s Brexit plan.

Wales Green Party supports the aim of the leaders of Welsh Labour and Plaid Cymru, as unveiled yesterday, to keep Wales as part of the single market. Wales Green Party believes that a strong cross-party consensus is required to ensure that Wales’ interests remain on the Brexit agenda.

The Welsh Conservatives have criticised the plan yet done nothing to further Wales’ interests, which is staggering when considering how much Wales stands to lose if the UK withdraws from the single market. Wales Green Party believes that a continuing single market membership is part of the solution for Brexit that works for everyone in Wales.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party, said:

“The Wales Green Party respects the democratic decision the people of Wales made to leave the EU, however, we strongly urge the government to ensure that the departure does not happen at the expense of Welsh jobs or Welsh trade. It should also not happen at the expense of those who voted remain – we must find a way that unifies more than divides.

“The EU has provided significant funding to Wales over the course of our membership. It is crucial that the UK government ensures they match this funding in the future. More importantly, though, the Welsh government must ensure that any funding that that is secured in the future is used in a manner that benefits the people in Wales in a tangible way. The funding that Wales has received from the EU has often not been directed to the causes that are most at issue: such as job growth, proper pay and infrastructure creation. If Brexit is to benefit people – both those who voted leave and those who voted remain – we must ensure that the Welsh Government focuses on creating secure jobs that pay enough for a person to live. Wales has a lot of potential to develop jobs in the green energy sector, for example.”

Pippa Bartolotti, deputy spokesperson of the Wales Green Party, said:

"Concerns about jobs, wages and living standards were made clear in the EU Referendum, but let's not forget that 16 million people voted not to leave - many of them young people who will have to live in the future being created right now.

"Those young people mustn't pay the price for bad trade agreements. Brexit will mean nothing if it does not improve the lives of all of us.

"Any move away from the favourable tariff-free terms of being within the EU will inevitably put up prices. A cut in Welsh exports would reduce incomes. Even more menacing will be the cuts in protection of food standards and animal welfare this 'free trade at any cost' path being pursued is likely to bring. No-one wants to see more growth hormones in beef, a return to the cruelty of battery caged hens or rampant genetic modification of our foodstuffs, but the new trade agreements will put everything up for grabs. 

"Wales has always had to fight the Westminster government for crumbs from their table, but abandonment of the EU means our working and safety standards are under threat. We might once have blamed immigration for this, but soon we will be fighting each other in the race to the bottom. Standards will slip, and the Precautionary Principle will be abandoned.

"Greens know that only a strong cross party consensus will get Wales even the bare minimum it needs in order to sow seeds for a future fit for the next generation, to fulfil our energy generation potential and make this a country worth working in."

Wales Green Party supports call for closure of Aberthaw and transition to local Green jobs in open letter to Theresa May and Carwyn Jones

On Saturday 28th January, local residents, campaigners and activists will call for the closure of Aberthaw power station at a peaceful protest organised by United Valleys Action Group, Coal Action Network and Reclaim the Power. 

Aberthaw is one of Europe’s top 30 dirtiest and most toxic power stations. Air pollution from the plant is responsible for an estimated 400 deaths per year in the UK [1]. Particulate matter and NOx are contributing to respiratory illnesses in local residents, and perhaps in those as far away as Swindon. It has also been reported that Aberthaw is Europe’s third biggest emitter of NOx(hazardous pollutants) [2], and just last year was found to be emitting twice the EU legal limit of these pollutants[3]. Additionally, Aberthaw is responsible for 17% of Wales’ greenhouse gas emissions [1].

Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party is supporting the campaign in the form of an open letter to Theresa May and Carwyn Jones [4]. She says:

“Aberthaw is now at a crossroads because of the ruling on its pollutant emissions. Coal is on its way out and instead of waiting for the inevitable which will leave hundreds without employment and a gap in our energy strategy, Theresa May and Carwyn Jones need to set a closure date for Aberthaw; amend Government Industrial Strategy to facilitate the transition to a low-carbon energy system; and work together with local communities and trade unions to reskill workers and transition towards green, sustainable energy and employment.

Places like Hull are leading the way in massive skills transfers to thousands of jobs in renewables. The opportunity for jobs across Wales through renewable generation is huge – thousands of stable and sustainable jobs for our communities. Now is the time to change our energy future, and the future of our local communities.” 

Grenville Ham, Wales Green Party Deputy Leader and an expert on the Renewable Energy industry, said:

“Fossil fuels need to be thrown into the dustbin of history. The health reasons are clear. The potential for job creation in renewables is clear. Our fragile climate can’t take much more. I want the people of Wales to know that there is only one thing stopping our transition from fossil fuels to clean power – politicians who are to unwilling to challenge the multinationals. 

Our politicians have a clear choice. They can deliver the people of Wales improved health, a safer climate, more employment and a chance to break free from the rigged fossil fuel economy, or they can choose to sit back and do nothing and let this industrial con continue at the expense of everyone’s future.”

[ENDS]

[1] Friends of the Earth Cymru report – Aberthaw Power Stationhttp://foe.cymru/sites/default/files/6507_aberthaw_a4_doc_english_online_V5-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf

[2] http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/one-europes-most-polluting-power-10160318

[3] http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2016-09-21/aberthaw-power-station-pollution-too-high/

[4] Copy of letter available here: http://alicegreenparty.cymru/en/aberthaw-coal-power-station/

The Welsh Government has today promised £20m to deliver innovative low carbon models of housing.

Alice Hooker-Stroud, Wales Green Party leader said, “This way of thinking is long overdue. Low carbon housing standards have been progressing in earnest in the EU for the last 30 years, and there is plenty of good practice ready and waiting for us to follow. The Communities Secretary will see loads of great examples from around Europe, as well as Welsh projects. We can pick and choose the very best solutions on offer for Wales.”

In the Vauban area of Freiburg in Germany, for example, they have been building low cost zero carbon family homes for 30 years.

Pippa Bartolotti, Wales Green Party co-deputy leader added “The learning curve is complete, not least with our own Solcer House built by the Cardiff School of Architecture which shows that not only can low carbon housing deliver at social housing costs, but the methodology is good for renovation of older houses too.

“It’s good that the Welsh Government is finally getting on board with the drive to cut emissions and make the running costs of new homes truly affordable, but they must also support businesses and workers in Wales to deliver. These kinds of homes should be the 'norm' for our construction industry. There are plenty of jobs to be made in developing a sustainable building industry in Wales."

“Zero carbon houses make more energy than they can use, and that means rip-off fuel bills will be so last century. It’s good that the Welsh Government is finally getting on board with the drive to cut emissions and make the running costs of new homes truly affordable, but they must stand up to the construction lobby which is particularly change resistant.”

The Wales Green Party recommends Passivhaus building standards (or similar) for all new house building. Passivhaus or 'Passive House' is the fastest growing energy performance standard in the world and was developed in Germany in the early 1990s. This standard reduces the heating requirement in a house to the point where a traditional heating system is no longer considered essential. The Passivhaus standard can also be applied to commercial, industrial and public buildings.

ENDS

This month Wales Green Party and Welsh Green Pride have been celebrating LGBTIQA+ History Month, reflecting on past successes and further pushing for LGBTIQA+ equality by looking to what needs be done in the future. 
 
The Spokesperson for Welsh Green Pride, Ash Jones, said: "It is important for us to continue to push for equal rights and opportunities. In the post-Brexit world where Donald Trump has been elected the president of the USA our rights are not safe. We must not only campaign for new and more equal rights but we are now faced with the challenge of ensuring that the current ones we have achieved are maintained."
 
A year and a half ago the previous Welsh Green Pride spokesperson, Adam Smith, launched a campaign against the discriminatory blood ban against men who have sex with men. The campaign was a huge success and has led to a UK wide review of the ban in the blood donation process. 
 
At Pride Cymru 2016 Wales Young Greens co-chair Andrew Creak launched Welsh Green Pride's current campaign for legal recognition of Non-binary genders in the UK.  The campaign has been well received and is still ongoing, including a petition that can be found here: https://www.change.org/p/uk-parliament-legally-recognise-gender-identities-outside-the-male-and-female-binary?recruiter=62543179&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
 
Wales Green Party Leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud has said, "I am proud to be leading a party that supports the LGBTIQA+ society as well as other minorities. I will continue to support Welsh Green Pride in their current and future campaigns for an equal world."

The Wales Green Party has sent papers to the Public Inquiry on the proposed M4 which starts today Tuesday 28th February.

The Green Party report debunks many of the myths about the proposed new M4 south of Newport, saying that on all measures of cost, return on investment, employment, safety, sustainability, resilience, health and climate change the Metro system outperforms the proposed M4 black route.

Pippa Bartolotti, Deputy leader for the Wales Green Party said “The new traffic reports collated by the Welsh Government for the current M4 show that in 5 years the motorway traffic has only increased by 2,842 journeys. The projected expenditure of the proposed new road is £1.5 billion – that’s more than £5million pounds for every singular extra journey, hardly good value for money. Then we have the collisions report which show that for the stretch of M4 between Castleton and Magor, the collisions reported are actually less than the national average.

“With declining trip numbers, and no numbers included on the impact of the SE Wales Metro, there is absolutely no logical reason to go ahead with this environmentally damaging build. The Commissioner for Future Generations has come out against this wasteful idea, as have all environmental organisations. It’s time we looked to a pollution free future and built a sensible light rail and tram network fit for the 21st century.”

The Wales Green Party submission to the Public Inquiry states that the proposed M4 will not provide public transport, cycleways or footpaths, and represents a failure to provide safe transit. The simplest, cheapest and healthiest solution to congestion (Metro) is blocked by a misplaced assertion that more cars on the road will solve congestion problems. The South Wales Metro will deliver a viable public transport solution which will be safer, faster and cleaner than road travel, with the capacity to expand with demand. The WG has estimated that 7,000 new jobs would be created with the building of the Metro, with a further £8bn in additional economic impact. By contrast the Proposed M4 is claimed to bring 6,500 new jobs with [1]£1.4 billion of increased benefits, but only if the Severn crossing toll is removed, which is unlikely.

Pippa Bartolotti added, “With our separately submitted paper on the Brexit-style claims made on Welsh Government pamphlets send to the general public, I believe the Welsh Government has been misleading residents in order to provoke agreement to this damaging eyesore which will afflict lasting harm on the Gwent levels, and leave us unable to take advantage of the many business opportunities which a light rail and tram network would bring.”

Wales Green Party recruit more candidates than ever in the build-up to the May 2017 Council Elections. Some of our key candidates have released a joint statement to highlight what matters to them in their local area.

Anthony Slaughter, who is standing in Penarth, said: “I am pushing for safer, healthier roads, better public transport and vibrant green spaces in Penarth."

Anthony said his priorities as a prospective councillor are “20mph speed limits on all residential roads, and a clamp down on dangerous and inconsiderate parking, all combined with improved public transport links to our vibrant town centre”. He added: “I will ensure our public parks, green spaces and urban trees are managed for the well-being of Penarth people, and to attract visitors to the town. As a councillor, I will be working for local residents, with local residents. I will work together with the locals and neighbourhood organisations to build on our town’s strong community spirit and ensure development decisions are made with the needs and well-being of local residents firmly in mind.”

Pippa Pemberton, a prominent local activist in Caersws in Mid-Wales, is also determined to win a council seat in May’s election. Through active campaigning and local community engagement, she has become aware of the local residents’ issues, aspirations and values and intends to change things for better in her local constituency. She said: “People in Powys are deeply worried about the future of council and health services. The fabric of society is being stretched to breaking point as local volunteers are asked to take on more and more of our essential community services. One of the great things about living here is that everybody already volunteers. But what I am hearing on the doorstep is that people don’t want their care for the elderly to be utterly reliant on volunteers. They want properly resourced and well-funded services.”

Green Councillor Gwynfor Edwards, Wales Green Party’s councillor in Bangor, said: “ Here in Bangor, change is happening fast. Bangor has turned a curve and is facing the future in the right direction. I want to carry on as a councillor, to see these developments through and continue making sure that these changes benefit everyone in our community. My absolute priority for Bangor is to ensure that we form and support new communities in our city centre and that as a city we continue to be innovative and outward facing.”

Deputy Spokesperson and prospective council candidate in St. Mary’s, Brecon, Grenville Ham, said: “Brecon has been dying a slow and painful death, largely due to the austerity policies implemented by the council. With my experience of developing not-for-profit companies, I want to bring that expertise in to show the council that services don’t just have to be cut or privatised - they can be delivered in a way that builds a resilient local economy and support the community. I look forward to campaigning with other Wales Green Party candidates and our local activists.”

Deputy Spokesperson and prospective council candidate in Malpas, Newport, Pippa Bartolotti, issued a joint statement with Malcolm Degroot, also a prospective council candidate in Malpas: “Our campaign priorities in Newport are to review the Council’s outsourcing contracts and check for best value for money, and to invest in public transport instead of building more roads. We will press the council to divest council pension funds from fossil fuel companies and put the money into projects which enhance the local economy such as renewable energy and low carbon housing. We are also keen to give community housing priority over big housing contractors when council land is sold. Importantly, we would promote our modern, skilled green businesses to ensure a lively, healthy Newport for the next generation.”

Wales Green Party recruit more candidates than ever in the build-up to the May 2017 Council Elections. Pippa Pemberton and David Gillam have been appointed to two new posts as National Coordinators to respond to the growing support across Wales.

Pippa Pemberton, a prominent local activist in Caersws in Mid-Wales, is determined to win a council seat in May’s election. Through active campaigning and local community engagement, she has become aware of the local residents’ issues, aspirations and values and intends to change things for better in her local constituency. She said: “People in Powys are deeply worried about the future of council and health services. The fabric of society is being stretched to breaking point as local volunteers are asked to take on more and more of our essential community services. One of the great things about living here is that everybody already volunteers. But what I am hearing on the doorstep is that people don’t want their care for the elderly to be utterly reliant on volunteers. They want properly resourced and well-funded services.”

She added: “We must look after our older people better. One of my priorities as a councillor will be to make sure our elders have the social care they need and to build a sustainable future for the Day Care Centres across Powys. My other priority as a councillor will be to keep local educational services open for all. As a governor of my local primary school, I am fighting for high quality local education for all our children, including those with special educational needs. We can’t let our councils rip the heart out of our rural communities by closing rural schools. Welsh Labour and the Westminster Tories are putting councils under intense financial pressure, but some services are just too precious to let go.”

David Gillam, better known by many people in Wales as the Director of the WOW Wales One World Film Festival, said that he is “thrilled to be working for a party that’s asking the right questions about the future
of Wales.”

Mr Gillam said: “Over the last sixteen years I’ve had the huge pleasure of talking to audiences all over Wales. People in Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Cardigan, Mold, Milford Haven and Swansea are deeply concerned about the huge global issues that impact on our lives here in Wales. People know that we can do better, that we have to do better, to ensure a better future for our young people. At a time of huge economic uncertainty for us all, one thing is for sure: sensible investment in renewable energy across Wales can create thousands of new green jobs. What we need is the political will to build a better future for our children and grandchildren. Wales Green Party can be that change.”

Green Councillor Gwynfor Edwards, Wales Green Party’s councillor in Bangor, welcomes
the new appointments. He said: “I’m delighted to be working with Pippa and David. Both understand the issues affecting our local communities across Wales. Here in Bangor, change is happening fast. Bangor has turned a curve and is facing the future in the right direction. I want to carry on as a councillor, to see these developments through and continue making sure that these changes benefit everyone in our community. My absolute priority for Bangor is to ensure that we form and support new communities in our city centre and that as a city we continue to be innovative and outward facing.”

Wales Green Party leader, Alice Hooker-Stroud said: “It is great to have Pippa and David on board to support our prospective councillors across Wales. We know that where Greens have been elected as councillors they have made a huge difference to their local communities. With Pippa and David’s combined experience we are in a strong position to make gains at the local elections in May.”

Alice Hooker-Stroud today announced that she will be stepping down at the end of March.

Grenville Ham, current deputy leader and expert in renewable energy, will take over. Grenville Ham, said: “I want to thank Alice for all her contributions to the Wales Green Party, and to build on this movement which genuinely represents the best interests of Welsh people, rather than one that panders to big business. I look forward to continuing the Wales Green Party’s work of creating a society where people are more important than profit”.

Talking about next steps for the Wales Green Party, Ham added: “It will be an immense privilege to lead the party into the Council elections in May. My priority will be to support all of the hardworking Wales Green Party candidates who offer their communities the chance to vote for fresh ideas and a positive future. I will be standing myself in Brecon, and I’m already seeing local people recognise that in order to get a meaningful change they can’t keep voting for the same old parties”.

Hooker-Stroud, who has led the Wales Green Party since the beginning of 2016, said in a statement today that the lack of funding for smaller parties in the UK has contributed to her position being untenable. Hooker-Stroud said: “I love Wales and I feel honoured to have represented the Wales Green Party’s vision on behalf of our members. Though the decision to step down was not easy, it was made easier by the fact I knew I would be handing over to Grenville, a committed, skilled, and experienced member of the Wales Green Party who will take us forward with confidence to the elections in May.

Speaking of her reasons for stepping down, Hooker-Stroud said: “As a party that cares about who lines our pockets, we don’t take funds from big business donors like other parties do. That means our members have the biggest say – not corporate lobbyists, but it has contributed to my role being effectively a voluntary one, which for me has sadly become untenable. I am proud that every person in our party has an equal say, and proud that when I speak on behalf of the party, that I know I speak on behalf of our members. However, the financing of political parties in general needs urgent reform so that politicians aren’t just the mouthpieces for big business, and so that alternative voices are heard. ”

Hooker-Stroud added: “Parties that have a lot of money can do a lot, and those who have a smaller amount can do less. That is how contemporary politics works. We need to level the playing field financially for political parties in Wales, and in the UK. It would be a much fairer country all round for everyone.”

Notes [1] The Wales Green Party campaigns to make politics fairer, which includes fairer finances for political parties. The party call for a cap on large donations that mean wealthy individuals and organisations have a huge influence on politics, and for state funding to be available to parties who achieve more than 3% of a proportional national vote. Other countries, such as Sweden already give state funding to political parties to level the financial playing field.

[2] Ham was elected as a deputy leader in December in 2016. He gained over 50% of the Wales Green Party membership vote against two other candidates. He ran as a candidate on the regional list for Mid and West Wales in the Welsh Assembly elections last year and is currently standing in this May’s council elections in his own ward, St Mary’s in Brecon. He runs a not-for-profit engineering company in Powys and has been awarded the British Empire Medal for ‘Services to the Renewable Energy in Wales’.

[ENDS]

Alice Hooker-Stroud today announced that she will be stepping down at the end of March.

Grenville Ham, current deputy leader and expert in renewable energy, will take over. Grenville Ham, said: “I want to thank Alice for all her contributions to the Wales Green Party, and to build on this movement which genuinely represents the best interests of Welsh people, rather than one that panders to big business. I look forward to continuing the Wales Green Party’s work of creating a society where people are more important than profit”.

Talking about next steps for the Wales Green Party, Ham added: “It will be an immense privilege to lead the party into the Council elections in May. My priority will be to support all of the hardworking Wales Green Party candidates who offer their communities the chance to vote for fresh ideas and a positive future. I will be standing myself in Brecon, and I’m already seeing local people recognise that in order to get a meaningful change they can’t keep voting for the same old parties”.

Hooker-Stroud, who has led the Wales Green Party since the beginning of 2016, said in a statement today that the lack of funding for smaller parties in the UK has contributed to her position being untenable. Hooker-Stroud said: “I love Wales and I feel honoured to have represented the Wales Green Party’s vision on behalf of our members. Though the decision to step down was not easy, it was made easier by the fact I knew I would be handing over to Grenville, a committed, skilled, and experienced member of the Wales Green Party who will take us forward with confidence to the elections in May.

Speaking of her reasons for stepping down, Hooker-Stroud said: “As a party that cares about who lines our pockets, we don’t take funds from big business donors like other parties do. That means our members have the biggest say – not corporate lobbyists, but it has contributed to my role being effectively a voluntary one, which for me has sadly become untenable. I am proud that every person in our party has an equal say, and proud that when I speak on behalf of the party, that I know I speak on behalf of our members. However, the financing of political parties in general needs urgent reform so that politicians aren’t just the mouthpieces for big business, and so that alternative voices are heard. ”

Hooker-Stroud added: “Parties that have a lot of money can do a lot, and those who have a smaller amount can do less. That is how contemporary politics works. We need to level the playing field financially for political parties in Wales, and in the UK. It would be a much fairer country all round for everyone.”

Notes [1] The Wales Green Party campaigns to make politics fairer, which includes fairer finances for political parties. The party call for a cap on large donations that mean wealthy individuals and organisations have a huge influence on politics, and for state funding to be available to parties who achieve more than 3% of a proportional national vote. Other countries, such as Sweden already give state funding to political parties to level the financial playing field.

[2] Ham was elected as a deputy leader in December in 2016. He gained over 50% of the Wales Green Party membership vote against two other candidates. He ran as a candidate on the regional list for Mid and West Wales in the Welsh Assembly elections last year and is currently standing in this May’s council elections in his own ward, St Mary’s in Brecon. He runs a not-for-profit engineering company in Powys and has been awarded the British Empire Medal for ‘Services to the Renewable Energy in Wales’.

[ENDS]

Schools in Wales could soon face business rate bills totaling more than £200,000 a year under a tax hike for properties with solar panels, research by the Green Party has found.

Across the country, schools which have installed panels in a bid to reduce bills and tackle climate change could face a total of £217, 040 in bills if plans to change business rates go ahead at the end of March.

16 Welsh schools have installed solar panels with the capacity to produce 3722 kW of solar power. Together, these schools will face a total of £217,040 in bills if the Valuation Office Agency goes ahead with plans to remove the exemption for small non-domestic installations. Scaled up to all 174 education authorities across England and Wales, this makes a total business rates bill of about £1.8 million per year.

Pippa Bartolotti, Deputy leader of Wales Green Party said :” Welsh schools have proudly taken steps to tackle climate change, cut their energy costs and give their pupils something to be proud of – all of which will be undermined if these changes to business rates go ahead.

“Punishing schools for installing solar panels is completely ridiculous. Head teachers everywhere are struggling to balance their books in the face of Government cuts. If these changes go ahead installing new solar panels will be unaffordable for many - an extremely disappointing step backwards for education and the climate.”

“Austerity has not produced a level playing field. We have tax breaks for the rich, punishment for the self-employed and now extra cost for state funded schools trying to do the right thing. It is typically perverse of this Tory government to exempt independent fee-paying schools from the solar tax.”

Jenny Jones, the Green Party’s member of the House of Lords, said: "It's utterly absurd to penalise schools for investing in solar panels. Schools obviously face bigger financial challenges than this, but the business rate charges will stop any plans for more solar panels. Schools I have visited see them as a triple investment - in their energy costs, their pupils' education, and their future.

"My research shows there is huge scope for schools to install more solar panels. While some schools have installed panels on most of their buildings, many currently have few or none at all. The Government should ditch these plans to charge rates on small solar installations and support more schools to join the clean energy revolution."

ENDS.

Grenville Ham, an expert in renewable energy and an award-winning businessman, takes over party leadership from Alice Hooker-Stroud.  

Grenville said: It is an immense privilege to lead the party in the Council elections in May. I am working to support the local parties and all their hardworking prospective councillors. Wales Green Party is offering communities across Wales a chance to vote for fresh ideas and a positive future. I am campaigning to become a councillor in Brecon, where I live. People in Brecon aspire for a meaningful change. To get that, they know they can’t carry on voting for the same old parties. Greens are well placed to make gains across Wales. Ours is a vision of a future where local economies can truly thrive.”

Grenville is an expert in renewable community energy and has won numerous business awards and accolades throughout his career. Grenville was awarded a British Empire Medal by the Queen for his efforts in his local community. He has raised over half a million pounds for community projects in mid-Wales and understands the needs of local businesses to succeed.

Grenville said: “Across Wales, Greens have the expertise and the appetite to develop sustainable local economies that provide jobs for all. Young people are key: we have the responsibility to ensure that young people will be able to have a future career and decent housing. For example, community owned energy systems and building truly efficient housing can provide career development for thousands. Wales, the local community and the economy overall will benefit from a focus in local job creation. If elected as a councillor, I will apply my experience in setting up community projects and sustainable companies to ensure that Brecon is on the right track going forward.”

He added: “As the leader of the Wales Green Party, I will support our prospective councillors in every region of Wales. Wales Green Party’s priority for Wales is not only to ensure that our local economies are bullet-proof and sustainable but also to take care of and rebuild our communities. Our Council election candidates have long been active in their communities and working to rebuild community spirit from Powys to Penarth.”

Talking about the priorities of the party for Wales, he added: "As a party, we are focussing on reducing fuel bills through local selling of locally generated renewably energy. As the leader of Wales Green Party, my vision is to cut out the exploitative middle man in energy production and delivery, through Green-led local action. With Green councillors elected, Powys Council would take the lead on this type of innovative local economic regeneration which we would work to spread across Wales.”

He concluded: “A better future is possible. It starts with electing Greens to represent your community in the Council elections. Wales Green Party councillors will fight for our communities. Unlike other parties, the individual councillors are not told how to vote on issues. We believe that our candidates know their local community best.”

The Wales Green Party is fielding a record 78 candidates across Wales in the forthcoming Council elections. With only 2 candidates fewer than UKIP, It’s time we had equal coverage across the media.

As a grass roots political party with little funding, we are the party which puts people before profit, we cherish our countryside and work tirelessly for clean air and better health for everyone. Greens will rebuild our communities. We are the party fighting for better public transport, community energy and greater equality.

The Green Party voice is the only opposition to all the other parties, and for all voters to have a true choice at election time, it’s time they heard what is on offer.

As we speak to people all over Wales, it is clear many people like what we have to offer. Sadly that offer is not taken up by the media. So lets have equal coverage, and be sure that voters have a chance to make their decision with a full understanding of the issues and options available.

In SE Wales, the Brexit vote won by only .5% of the vote, and when you consider the amount of publicity Farage and his team were given, that was a hollow victory. We now have a chance to put better balance into media reportage. We ask all media outlets to take that chance, now!