GCC revise Library plans - but don't go far enough

Gloucestershire County Council have announced revisions to their plans for the library service - but sadly they don't go far enough. The key points are:

The cuts to the service will be reduced by £500,000 – This money has been ‘found’ as the Council have re-calculated the number of Council Tax payers in the county.

Cinderford library, which was destined for transfer to volunteers, will now remain open as a ‘Library Express’ (three and a half days a week).

Opening hours will be extended at some ‘Library Express’ and ‘Library Link’ services.

Volunteer-run libraries will have access to the central library catalogue and network.

‘One-off’ funding for ‘community libraries'

Here is the library campaign's response:

While we welcome the revisions announced today, they go nowhere near far enough. They do not alter our position, and we repeat our call for an urgent independent and transparent review of these plans.

Gloucestershire County Council says it has listened to the tens of thousands of people who have complained, attended meetings and signed petitions against the cuts in the library service. The result is that one additional library (Cinderford) is to be kept open with many others still to close or be funded by the local community. Furthermore, these revised plans have been announced with four consultation sessions still to be held and an online consultation survey which runs until the 11th February. Are the people attending these sessions and completing the survey between now and then to assume that their views will not be taken into account then? Or can we expect still more revisions as a result of what these people have to say?

Whilst we are pleased that the Council have finally understood the arguments for Cinderford, this does nothing to help those who will be affected by the complete loss of the mobile library service (including some of our county’s most vulnerable residents), or the communities of Hesters Way, Matson, Tuffley, Stonehouse, Churchdown, Nailsworth, Brockworth and others whose library services will be closed or severely reduced under these plans.

Community groups are still being asked to take on libraries without appropriate support. The extra funding announced today is “one offs” – so what then? Nor does a one-off addition of £100,000 to the book fund achieve much when the budget has been cut by £1 million in the last 2 years and will be cut by £600,000 a year from now on.

These revised proposals still fail to take proper account of social impacts, and are being rushed through without the opportunity for proper scrutiny. Our concerns around the Council’s plans remain unchanged. The most deprived areas and most vulnerable people in our county continue to be hit hard, and the Council still fails to grasp the level of support needed if community run libraries are to be sustainable in the medium to long-term.

MeanwhileMark Hawthorne has been claiming that this 'shows we are listening'. I am sure the timing of this change is very deliberate. It leaves opponents of these plans little time to scrutinise and raise objections ahead of the Cabinet meeting this Wednesday where plans are due to be finalised. Meanwhile the library campaign has received an open letter of support, jointly signed by 20 Gloucestershire-based writers, including Jilly Cooper. You can see the letter here.

More on the Stroud Cuts march: latest on Stroud Library event

Over 260 views so far of my video of the Stroud Against the Cuts march and speeches on Saturday. See it here. Thanks for all comments - I did throw it together and, as noted, my memory card expired so I didn't get the chance to cover the last speeches. I will learn! That was only the fourth attempt at putting something together.

Photos: from march finishing with the words (sent to me by a protestor) of a song that was sung at the march

Well this blog starts with three items I saw in the news today - they tell a picture of our priorities and the sort of society we are creating. As nearly all the speakers on the march said, there is an alternative - in fact several! Although only Martin Whiteside (pictured) spelled out the need to take account of the actions we need to take re climate change. Anyway also below is the latest on the Stroud library event.

1. More than 11.5 million people (34% of credit card holders) spent January relying on their credit cards to fund day-to-day living costs, according to research by the Post Office. See here.

2. Four of Britain’s largest banks are preparing to unveil combined annual profits of more than £25billion next month. At a time when austerity cuts are just beginning to bite, Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered and Lloyds are expected to tell the stock market their annual profits have grown by more than 15 per cent from the £21.5 billion figure they posted a year ago. See here.

3. Neglect levels in Britain's care homes were described as "scandalous" today after it emerged that more than 650 elderly residents have died of dehydration in the past five years. Figures also revealed that 157 vulnerable pensioners died of malnutrition in the same period, while nearly 2,000 passed away from superbugs Clostridium difficile and MRSA. See here.

Save our Local Libraries: Read-In and Speak Out!

“Public Libraries are priceless, Reading is Free, Bliss is a good
book, and a nice cup of tea!” Jeff Cloves

What: A celebratory protest against Gloucestershire County Council’s
proposals for the Library Service
Where: Stroud Library, Lansdown
When: 12noon-4pm Saturday 5th February followed by street protest
from 4-5pm

A variety of authors, illustrators and campaigners will read from both their own books and their favourite books, engage audiences in activities and talk about why they love libraries and why they find Gloucestershire County Council’s proposals for the Library Service unacceptable.

There will also be discussion about the national government’s approach to the financial crisis, in particular about alternatives to massive public spending cuts and privatisation. This will be a family-friendly event - a peaceful protest against the County Council’s plans, which will celebrate public libraries, their value, and their place at the heart of our communities. It is hoped that this event can help to bring together people from all over Stroud and the surrounding area who believe that public libraries are an essential public service that cannot be cut by 43%.

February 5th will see events taking place in libraries across the country to protest against redundancies and service changes in local Library Services, and the closure of libraries. It is estimated that up to 800 public libraries—18% of the UK total—could face closure. At present, almost 400 are already on the chopping block - many councils are yet to report on the future of library services within their jurisdictions. In Stroud, supporters of public libraries are being encouraged to speak about why they love libraries – bringing a book they would not have discovered without public libraries to read from, or perhaps just an anecdote. Local literary celebrities will join campaigner and members of the public.

Celebrity speakers are still being finalised, but so far include children’s author Jamila Gavin, UK best-selling author of contemporary, humorous romances Katie Fforde, writer and one-time Green party Euro-election candidate, Sue Limb, novelist Alice Jolly, and author/illustrator Hannah Shaw. Local poet, writer and campaigner Jeff Cloves will also attend to read the poem quoted above and speak on his experiences of libraries.

“I am a Gloucestershire writer and I am entirely opposed to these library cuts. Libraries are an essential service and are vitally important to local communities. At present, social mobility in this country is at an all time low. Cutting funds for libraries is only going to make that situation worse.” Alice Jolly

“The writer Jorge Luis Borges said, 'I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library.' So what the threatened library closures amount to is Paradise Lost.” Sue Limb

“Once we lose our libraries we won’t get them back. We must act now to save our libraries.” He added that “We are being told that “There is no alternative” to the cuts. This is clearly not true - tackling tax avoidance and evasion is just one of many alternative solutions to the financial mess the banks have left us in. These cuts are ideological and their effects will fall hardest on the poorest and most vulnerable. It is simply immoral to be cutting library services while bankers take home inflated bonuses.” James Beecher, a member of Stroud Against the Cuts and organiser of the event

All are welcome, and all events are free. Requests will be made for donations to the Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries campaign, who are co-ordinating February 5th events locally - though this group is not responsible for directly organising the Stroud event. After a well attended library protest during work hours on Monday 24th January, and the well-attended anti-cuts protest march on Saturday 29th, it is hoped that hundreds of people will take part in some way.

Timetable:

12 noon – 1 pm. Introduction to the Friend of Gloucestershire Libraries campaign, and the day’s events. A reading of Philip Pullman’s speech about the libraries (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/jan/27/philip-pullman-defend-libraries-web), followed by an “open-mic”, where anyone is welcome to talk about their experiences of libraries and read from books
1 - 1.20pm Author Alice Jolly will run a session (exact details tbc)
1.20pm – 1.40pm Author Sue Limb will run a session (exact details tbc)
1.40pm - 2 pm Author Katie Fforde will run a session (exact details tbc)
2 – 2.45 pm “Why I Love my Library” creative poster-making session with illustrator Hannah Shaw. For children (and older children!)
2 - 2.45 pm Concurrent session - “Deficit Hysteria and Alternatives to the Cuts” a presentation by local campaigner James Beecher
2.45 - 3.15 Children's author Jamila Gavin will run a session (exact details tbc)
3.15 - 4pm Discussion on how to take the celebration/protest to the streets following the meeting.
4pm Rally outside Stroud Library, followed by street protest as agreed on in the previous discussion (till 5.30pm at the latest).

New kissing gate at last - but already vandalised

I was for a while seeking improvements to the stile that leads out of Wheelers Walk into the Ruscombe Valley - see previous blogs here.

Photos: Kissing gate and map of location


At last we were able to obtain funding and get the gate installed. Unfortunately the gate appears to have been vandalised fairly soon after it was installed. I have tried to replace but it is missing a bolt. I have reported this and am hoping it can be repaired.....all very frustrating!

Video: Stroud Against the Cuts March today

Well this is a bit of a mish mash but here is a video of todays' march against the cuts. My camera ran out of memory so I missed the speeches towards the end but it has some of the highlights of the day. Double click on movie to open in Youtube.


See some of the Green Party alternatives to the cuts here. One key point that Martin Whiteside made at the march was that we can tackle both the environmental problems as well as the social ones with an approach like the Green New Deal. In fact Martin was alone in the speeches today in tying together the importance of tackling climate change with the cuts.

Great service

Dear oh dear before Christmas I reversed into a wall at 5mph - how clever is that? No ice , no snow, no distractions - nothing to blame......Have only ever bumped the car twice and for the speed I can hardly believe the damage....anyway want to mention Les Gardner Mechanical and Body Repairs at The Old Brickworks, Ebley Road, Stonehouse (t. 758767) as they have been excellent with advice and help - they didn't do the job as insurance company had other ideas but if I did a monthly Business Award for Service on this blog they would get it. Thanks.

Oldbury update

The 220-MW Oldbury 2 reactor (see photo view from Randwick with the new reactors added) went offline recently very unexpectedly. Nuclear is not as reliable as folk would have us believe...but hey that wasn't what I was going to write about....first water use then a bit of recent stuff on the campaign to stop more nukes being built at Oldbury...

Nukes wont be built without subsidy - See my letter here.

Water use at nukes

I am the District Council's rep on the Wessex Water Customer liaison panel. I was asked a while back to see what Wessex Water's views are about the proposals for new nuclear reactors at Hinkley. How will this impact on water abstraction? Will this impact in any way on costs to customers? What issues are there around sustainability and water?

The reply I got basically said they already supply Hinkley - in fact when the first Hinkley was built a reservoir that Wessex use to supply drinking water to the local community was also built. There is also apparently a desalination on site as a back up to other cooling supplies. As it happens - compared to other areas - there is a surplus of water in that area and discussions are now being made regarding possible additional supplies. I have been promised a more detailed reply but not had it yet. See also more re the nuclear industry's use of water by Radiation Free Lakeland campaigner, Marianne Birkby here.

Tory minister visits Oldbury

The Energy minister Charles Hendry said recently that land next to the River Severn was appropriate for a new generation of nuclear reactors during a visit to the site near Thornbury (see news report here). He spent several hours at the existing Oldbury atomic station to meet those who run the ageing plant's two reactors and to look across mist- shrouded farmland in Shepperdine where energy company Horizon wants up to three more. His visit came a day after he met representatives from eight sites around the country which are being considered for new nuclear stations to help meet Britain's energy demands.

The Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy responded saying: "So very disappointing to read that the Energy Minister, Charles Hendry, still considers the site appropriate despite the fact that so many local people and councils disagree with him. Clearly he is simply not listening to anything we, our local councils and our MP have said to DECC. It seems he is only interested in the views of the pro-nuclear people at the power station. Clearly he didn’t take the trouble to look at the view from the villages surrounding the site and those above that look down on the site. If he had gone to Hill, for example, he might not have been so insensitive! The village of Oldbury, which is presumably the only village he travelled close enough to, will not even see the new site as it will be hidden behind the existing power station! Unless of course Horizon revert to the gravity towers, in which case they too will be visibly affected."

Consultation on National Policy Statements

Shepperdine Against Nuclear Energy has responded to the reconsultation on National Policy Statements. Click on the link for full comments but here is a quote: "We were very surprised that Oldbury remained on the list of potential sites, when Braystones, Kirksanton and Dungeness were all removed for reasons that included (and, in the case of Dungeness, was exclusively) the adverse impact on the environment and landscape. Oldbury/ Shepperdine is an estuarine site with limited access to water for cooling the reactor. Accordingly, it is the only one of the nominated sites which must have cooling towers, and is therefore by far the largest and most intrusive of all the planned developments. The Severn Estuary and the countryside which overlooks it are both naturally beautiful and internationally important for their biodiversity. It is indefensible to put the largest and ugliest of the new nuclear builds in one of the most attractive and sensitive localities on the list, especially when the generating capacity can be provided at alternative sites that are less significant and less vulnerable, and that do not need cooling towers. Our detailed concerns, and the evidence to support them, are laid out below. The numbers in parentheses refer to paragraphs in the revised Draft NPS for Nuclear Power Generation (EN-6). These concerns amplify the views which we expressed in our initial response to the original Draft NPS, and take account of the revisions made by the Government. We remain deeply concerned about several generic issues which we highlighted in our earlier response. These include the uncertain risks of storing radioactive waste on site (potentially for up to 160 years); the destruction of local communities; and the disruption caused by building and the influx of the construction workforce. However, these arguments apply to all of the nominated sites. Instead, we focus here on the specific factors that make Oldbury uniquely unsuitable for a new nuclear development based around either of the reactors that were recently approved in the Generic Design Assessment process."

Nuclear subsidy U-turn by Condems

Here is my letter to The Citizen/Stroud Life yesterday:

Photo: View from Randwick with new nuclear power station added at Oldbury

The Tory and Lib Dem U-turning on their commitment to “no subsidy for nuclear” is another betrayal of our democracy. Even The Daily Telegraph acknowledge the latest measures that include fixing prices, will be a subsidy to nuclear (i). Just like the banks, this is an example of socialising the risks and privatising the profits.

Among the other 'hidden' subsidies are the billions to Nuclear Decommissioning and of course, the cost of decommissioning falls to the government, if a company fails. Nuclear wont pay all the costs of insuring against claims from a Chernobyl-style disaster and protection against terrorism. Indeed it seems the government are so keen to encourage nuclear that they will also cap the cost of radioactive waste disposal for more than 100 years! If the price is too low it means more taxes but it can't be set too high otherwise nuclear wont invest. Heads they win, tails the public loses.

Two government departments show the cost of electricity from nuclear is higher than from renewables. Worryingly reliance on nuclear undermines the potential to shift to renewables, since it is likely to be the main beneficiary of the proposed carbon floor price. Nuclear is not low carbon - from uranium mining through to nuclear waste management, the nuclear fuel cycle is responsible for significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. A windfall tax on nuclear, like that levied in Germany, would go some way to correcting this.

So no subsidy actually means almost limitless subsidy. Nuclear companies said that they can’t build nuclear power stations without additional financial incentives, now it seems they are to get that support. Oldbury, 16 miles from Stroud, is still on the list of new reactors (ii). Renewables with serious demand reduction and energy efficiency measures are the safe, clean, economic and fair way to tackle our energy needs. We do not need more nuclear dinosaurs.

Cllr Philip Booth, Stroud District councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward (Green party),

Notes:

(i) See: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/8204683/UK-government-agrees-to-subsidise-nuclear-power-companies-prices.html

(ii) See proposed views: http://www.shepperdineagainstnuclearenergy.org.uk/views

District's food waste could power leisure centre

For sometime Stroud District Council has been exploring an opportunity to set up an anaerobic digester facility, which would take household and commercial food waste and convert it into a useable energy source - one possible site for such a facility is to the rear of the leisure centre at Stratford Park.

This could then help power the leisure centre - such a use would fit well with this technology and allow lower costs to the museum and centre, cut landfill and cut CO2 emissions.

The Council's press release notes that "the annual electricity demand for the leisure centre is in the region of 780,000 kWh which costs approximately £35,213 a year. It is estimated that an anaerobic digester could produce more than double this amount of electricity and generate a total income of just under £300,000 each year, from the sale of surplus electricity and the government's Feed in Tariff - and these would finance the project. The leisure centre would benefit from lower electricity costs, and the heat generated as a by-product of the electricity production process would also be used to heat the pool and the buildings."

People will be concerned about the location in our wonderful park but I do believe it can be sensitively sited - I look forward to seeing the next stage of the plans - such projects have got to be the way forward and hopefully means it is less likely the County will choose a monster incinerator.

The district's households currently produce close to 8,000 tonnes of food waste each year. Whilst household food waste would be the main fuel source for the digester, the district council is also keen to consider other sources, such as commercial food waste like supermarkets, but it is not looking at importing waste from outside the district as this could increase waste mileage from vehicles.

GM: more harm than good

The work of 400 scientists and 60 governments, headed by Dr Bob Watson, now Chief Scientist at Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture has concluded that GM was not the simple answer to poverty. In truth, it could even do more harm than good. See article by Geoffrey Lean here.

Photo: Potatoes from my garden last year

National day of action against library cuts: 5th February

Friends of Gloucestershire Libraries and library users across the county will be participating in the national day of action against library cuts on Saturday 5^th February (the same day as Stroud Potato Day which also shouldn't be missed!). Across Gloucestershire events are planned - everyone is encouraged to come along and join in, and show their support for our libraries. Also don't forget this Saturday the march against the cuts in Stroud - see here.

Pic by Russ

Stroud Library: Read-in (from 1:00). All ages welcome. Protestors will be joined by authors Jamila Gavin and Alice Jolly, and at 2:00 Hannah Shaw, the author and illustrator of popular children’s books ‘Evil Weasel’ and ‘Erroll’ will be holding a story workshop for kids of all ages

“The greedy ghost understands profit all right. But that’s all he understands... He doesn’t understand libraries at all. That branch – how much money did it make last year? Why aren’t you charging higher fines? Why don’t you charge for library cards?” Philip Pullman - See author Philip Pullmans' speech here.

Wiveliscombe Library in Somerset was due for closure, but the residents mounted a campaign to Save their Library (which included a letter to Somerset CC stating that the process that led to the Libraries proposal options was flawed, getting as many people as possible to become library members and a planned mass borrowing of all the books from the library on one scheduled day). Somerset County Council have now issued a statement confirming that they now intend to save their library. Do take a look at their inspiring blog here.

If you have not already done so, or would like to again, please write regarding the library closures to Cllrs Antonia Noble (Cabinet Member for Caring & Community Services) & Mark Hawthorne (Leader of GCC) at Cabinet Office, GCC, Shire Hall, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2TG with a copy to our Parish Council at the Trap House.
Or via email: antonia.noble@gloucestershire.gov.uk or mark.hawthorne@gloucestershire.gov.uk

An online version of the petition is still available to sign at http://glostext.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=8 until the Thursday, February 17. See also my letter to press before Christmas here.

Westonbirt also threatened by forest sell-off

Below is a link to a map with the four sites that are threatened locally: Forest of Dean, Symonds Yat, Westonbirt and Mallards Pike. It seems many people hadn't appreciated that local sites other than the Forest of Dean were also threatened so thought I should do a quick blog...

It was also interesting to read The Guardian Environment Blog by John Vidal - he says that Labour are finally taking an interest in plans to sell English forests. Thank goodness. As he notes it is extraordinary their lack of interest in this issue but now we hear some top Labour might visit the Forest of Dean. He writes: "Until last week, barely any MPs – apart from Caroline Lucas – had shown great interest in government plans to sell all English woodland along with nationally owned nature reserves and other natural treasures."

He continues: "Figures I've prised from the commission today show that more than 25% of the English forestry estate is not woodland at all, it is bog or heath. The commission also owns 3,500ha of farmland, stone and gravel quarries, "holiday" and "recreation" land and 580 assorted buildings ranging from the humble to the grand. Will all these go? And if so, how will they be disposed of, and to whom and on what terms? So far there are no answers."

He goes onto discuss concerns about access to the land if sold off. He concludes: "...unless the government conjures some remarkable new legislation in the upcoming bill, it is quite likely that over a period of years, by neglect or by design, thousands of miles of what are now publicly maintained paths and tracks will just disappear."

Green Economics blogger Molly Scott Cato has also blogged on this issue - see her piece here. See also a comment piece in The Guardian this week here.

The four local sites threatened

This link here provides a national map. The four local forests identified for sale (ostenisbly to "the community" are:

Mallards Pike (cirencester-ish-direction)
These lakes were constructed by the Forestry Commission for use by the local people. They are now a popular attraction for visitors far and wide.

Westonbirt, The national Arboretum in Gloucestershire
This is one of the most spectacular tree gardens in the world. an historic collection of over 3000 different trees and shrub species many of which are rare or endangered in their native lands. Covering 600 acres, the arboretum is an inspiring place to relax, get back to nature and indulge your senses.

The Forest of Dean
This is Britain's premier oak forest, covering 35 square miles. The Dean has been important to man for millennia - its trees, principally sessile oak, supplied charcoal to smelt iron already being exploited in the Forest over 2000 years ago. The Dean acquired its status as a royal forest when it was designated as a hunting forest following the Norman conquest in the 11th Century.

Symonds Yat
Lots to see and do at the internationally famous viewpoint. Nearby cliffs are the nesting place of peregrine falcons that soar above the valley of the River Wye 120m below. It is also the site of an Iron Age hill fort.

See my last blog on Forests here and see my letter to press here. See the excellent campaign see Hands off Our Forest here.

Legal aid cuts make Thatcher look mild

Ken Clarke's plans to reform civil legal aid I fear, will leave hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people facing debt, homelessness and miscarriages of justice with no access to legal recourse.

Thatcher made some cuts to legal aid but this goes way way beyond that - Clarke aim's to reduce the number of legal aid cases by half a million a year - moving entire legal areas out of the reach of many people. Areas proposed include debt advice, social welfare, employment, personal injury, clinical negligence and areas of housing.

Last week I was helping a friend who was in considerable difficulties and one of the only routes might be legal aid - for that not to be there really is shocking.

The Tories claim the move will put an end to litigation culture. What utter nonsense. It is those fighting evictions, unfair dismisal, non-payment of wages and police victimisation who will find themselves without the help. There also lots about 'fatcat lawyers' but in reality legal aid lawyers are a different breed altogether with average wage for a legal aid brief being about £25,000. It is no wonder Labour wont stand up for the rights of the poor as Tories and Lib Dems have cleverly reframed the debate around fatcat lawyers.

I saw George Monbiot writing in The Guardian said: "The rich will reap none of the pain and all of the gain of Kenneth Clarke's legal aid cuts." Monbiot gives examples of how the cuts will impact - as he says: "Those who are no longer entitled to legal aid will find themselves fighting, single-handed, against landlords, insurance companies and the state. Either they will clog up the courts, as cases with litigants in person generally take much longer than cases with legal representation, or they will give up and take the knock. That's what the Tory war against elites looks like. The rich reap none of the pain and all of the gain."

See the Facebook campaign 'Say no to legal aid cuts in the South West'.

A rather detailed consultation online questionnaire re the Government's consultation is at:
www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/legal-aid-reform-151110.htm

There is apparently a demo outside the South-West offices of the Legal Services Commission: Queens Square, Bristol on 7th February from 12 noon.

Rodborough: green electioneering from Tory?

There is a local election in Rodborough for the County seat and the political parties are getting their leaflets out. Phil Blomberg, who is chair of Rodborough Parish is standing for the Greens - see here.

Photo: Tory leaflet

Well a leaflet by the Conservatives in this local election has caused a bit of a stir. We read that the Tory candidate, Cllr Cooper, says he is “particularly interested in ... renewable energy”. However, at November's Full Council Meeting, still on the District Council's webcast, Cllr Cooper, who is also Cabinet Member for Finance, was pressed by Green Councillors to get specialist advice on investment in renewable energy to generate income for the cash-strapped Council. His response was: “Quite honestly, I don't have much appetite for that kind of suggestion to carry it through.”

We do urgently need to make a step change in our response to climate change, fuel poverty and energy security - yet when we are seeking the council to get advice on how to do this we got that brush off.

As Green Councillors have been urging the Council for some time, it isn't enough to save money with green energy. With new feed-in tariffs, Councils across the country, from Cornwall to Scotland, are investing in new green energy infrastructure, creating jobs and new income streams for their coffers. Green group leader Fi Macmillan has responded to this when asked saying: "I do hope that Councillor Cooper will not revert to his old lack of appetite after the election and that he now realises that renewable energy makes both financial and environmental sense for our Council. Come on Nigel, let's catch up with the rest of the country - or this is just going to look like electioneering”.

Meanwhile another Green, also wanted to put straight info contained in his leaflet. Mark Rogers, who lives in Rodborough, has written saying:

Nigel Cooper's leaflet in support of his candidacy for the Rodborough by-election says, "Nigel has lived in the District for 14 years.." Let's be clear, he lives in Cranham, not Rodborough. So if you think local is important, he is your fourth choice.

He tells us Gloucestershire became the first 10:10 County, but not that Stroud District Council did it first, following an initiative by Green Party leader Fi MacMillan. He goes on to claim the credit for the District Council's "substantial shift of focus onto Green issues." Deary me, he seems as desperate for the green vote as was Mr Drew when, at the General Election, we had to suffer an advert portraying him as the Green candidate with no reference to his Labour credentials. Our Lib Dem friends green intentions too, all went out of the window with the coalition.

We have an excellent Green Party councillor in Sarah Lunnon representing Stroud East. She has persuaded the County to consider urban 20mph limits, is fighting the Tory plan for a mass burn incinerator, pressing the County to use its powers to up the recycling rate, getting parked cars off pavements & campaigning for a more pedestrian & cyclist friendly Merrywalks. We don't need another 'pretend green' Conservative back-bencher at Shire Hall. Sarah needs support, so let's have the real thing - another Green County Councillor.

Infact Stroud have moved a long way further than many councils, as I've noted before, in terms of energy efficiency - Greens have been pushing hard all the way - but the truth is we urgently need to shift up a gear - there are huge opportunities that make economic sense - we need to grasp them.

20 mph: well done Tony Blackburn

The County Speed Limit Task Group met a couple of weeks ago with it's final report - download here - and see conclusions below. The group is chaired by our local County Councillor Tony Blackburn and looks at 20 mph zones and limits - as he notes in his introduction traffic speeds has been one of the communities greatest concerns. He has listened and when Green councillor Sarah Lunnon put forward a proposal for an inquiry he readily took up the challenge.

Pic: Russ cartoon for the Christmas WaRbler

He writes: "Separate from that wish by councillors to look into the setting of speed limits, there was a request by the county’s only Green Party Councillor, Sarah Lunnon, to consider the improved safety and wellbeing of communities where 20 mph blanket speed zones had been introduced and asking for them in Gloucestershire. It is refreshing that we have her positive ‘green’ enthusiasm and informed views on traffic.etc which substantially contributed to our study."

Well the group has now completed their report and the recommendations will go to Cabinet. It is a huge step forward in acknowledging some of the problems and seeking solutions. One issue that was particularly interesting was that Officers at Gloucestershire Highways admitted to seeking to dampen demand for 20 mph - this seems extraordinary and against the democratic process - surely that is the info they should have been giving to councillors so that they can make that call. This is particularly so when there are other solutions like the blanket 20 mph rather than just zones - look at the success Portsmouth has had covering the whole city with a 20 mph.

NHS Report just out

By coincidence the Directors of Public Health in the NW have produced a report drawing attention to the high rates of death and injury on roads in the NW. The report makes several key points of interest that I will be sharing with both Cllrs Sarah Lunnon and Tony Blackburn.

• Over four-fifths of child casualties occur on roads that have a speed limit of 30 mph, and statistical modelling shows that up to 140 killed or seriously injured child casualties could be saved each year if 20 mph speed limits had been applied in these areas.
• The report presents compelling evidence that lives could have been saved and injuries reduced if 20 mph limits had been introduced in residential areas.

This is an incredibly important report from NHS Directors of Public Health. It says we have a serious problem with death and injury on the roads and it says the solution is a 20mph limit. I agree!

In the Glos report it perhaps does not go as far as I would like but is certainly a very important step in the right direction towards getting 20 mph in all residential areas - I hope Cabinet at the County now take this forward. We have been waiting too long! The benefits of 20 mph in terms of casualty reduction, better communities and encouraging walking and cycling are big. Come on let's do it!

Glos report

Conclusion
Given everything that it has heard and read, the task group recommends that the Cabinet support the implementation of 20mph limits/zones across the county. Members of the task group appreciate the difficult financial climate that this council is in and has therefore put forward recommendations that incur minimal cost. However, whatever the financial climate the task group must emphasise the importance of putting the needs of the local community at the forefront of any consideration of requests for speed limit reductions. As a community leader the council is tasked with promoting the health and well being of residents, and 20mph limits and zones can have significant benefits with regard to community cohesion. The task group would appreciate a written response to its report and recommendations by 30 April 2011.

7. Recommendations
1. Subject to capital funding being available the task group recommend that the Cabinet develop a programme of work to roll out blanket 20mph limits and zones across the county. The task group recommends that the Cabinet follows the DfT document ‘A Safer Way’ and introduce these zones or limits throughout Gloucestershire into ‘streets that are primarily residential in nature, or other areas where pedestrian and cyclist movements are high (for example around schools, homes for the elderly or markets), but are not part of any major through route (except where the local community demonstrates that it is vital to include it).
2. The task group recommends that the Cabinet redraft the 20mph (draft) guidance so that it includes a measure of community perceptions, and how a 20mph limit can enable more walking and cycling as well as the general ‘safer’ perceptions of residents.
3. The task group recommends that the Cabinet should be proactive in helping local communities initiate speed reduction schemes in their areas.
4. The task group recommends that Cabinet put in place a clear process to support local communities initiate the case for a reduced speed limit in their area. The process could be in the form of a self assessment tool to help communities identify whether there is sufficient need for a reduction in the speed limit in their area, and how to take this forward.
5. The task group recommends that the Cabinet develop a price list outlining the costs involved in implementing a speed limit reduction. The price list should be clear on the different types of engineering that may be required, and also include the costs of the traffic regulation order. The price list will enable the local community to decide whether they can afford to implement a scheme themselves or take another approach.
6. The task group recommends that Cabinet helps parish and town councils to be clear as to how they can access and participate in the allocation of any available section 106 funding for speed control and traffic calming measures in their areas.
7. The task group recommends that Cabinet consider whether it can help local communities ascertain funding for improvement schemes by raising their own funds through precept, sponsorship from the private sector, or in other ways.
8. The task group recommends that Cabinet consider how advisory speed limits can be used to help parish and town councils address speeding concerns and should help rather than discourage experimental schemes.
9. In order that the roles of the different bodies involved in the management of the road network and road safety matters in Gloucestershire is clear. The task group recommends that the Cabinet undertake a review of the councils web pages to ensure that information is up to date, and that there are clear signposts for members of the public, councillors, parish and town councils as to where they can find information and who to contact for help with regard to road safety, and speed related matters. It is important that the information makes it clear that GCC as the highway authority is responsible for setting all speed limits in the county.
10. The task group recommends that the Cabinet maintain an available record so that it is clear where the county has 20mph limits in place, and where the council has received a request to implement a scheme and the ongoing status of these requests. A clear list will enable the council to have a better understanding of the volume of outstanding requests, and help the council to plan how it can help these communities.

Royal Mail sell-off is a mistake

So MPs have now approved the sell-off of Royal Mail, with government majority of 81 - see BBC report here. This could mean 90% of it under foreigh ownership - it will also dramatically weaken the Post Office network. This move really makes no sense - as Green MP, Caroline Lucas said it is a wasted opportunity.

Photo: electric post bike in Norway

Caroline co-sponsored a cross-party amendment calling on the Government to ensure the existing inter-business agreement between the Post Office and Royal Mail for ten years in the event of the latter's privatisation - but this was voted down.

After the vote Caroline said: "Today's vote on the Postal Services Bill signals the end of the Post Office network as we know it. Without any assurance that the privatised Royal Mail will use the Post Office for business, the future of Post Offices up and down the country are plunged into ever more serious doubt. This was a real wasted opportunity. The Bill could have been instrumental in creating a formal relationship, for example, between Post Offices and credit unions - to increase awareness of and access to affordable credit. Instead, these reckless plans threaten the local Post Offices which many older people, families and vulnerable people within communities, not to mention small businesses, use for making contact with others, filling out Government forms and accessing key services."

The Communications Workers Union has said over 1,000 UK Post Offices were either closed or put up for sale in 2010. Of course this Government are only going where the last one started - former business secretary Peter Mandelson's efforts and the Labour Government really
got the ball rolling on postal liberalisation.

As the Greens Rodborough candidate said in the local paper this week: "The Greens are the only party to consistently fight against postal privatisation at every level." See his here letter.

New banking crisis on the way and new Green leaflet

Robert Peston, BBC presenter on everything to do with finance, actually used the words 'fractional reserve banking' on national television! Well that was the message I got in an email. It is so hard to get to grips with our banking system that I thought I must see this - especially after the inspiring and shocking talk this week on Tax Havens in Stroud.....infact it is a worrying piece that confiorms many fears that the banks are becoming too big to save...

Photo: Bank of England

Well that link in a moment and more on the coming crisis - but also have in this blog the text from our new local Green party leaflet on money. The BBC program is well worth watching - see it BBC Iplayer until Tuesday 25th January here.

"Of all the ways of organising banking, the worst is the one we have today" Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England

Fractional Reserve Banking?

So this fractional reserve banking is basically the system that the banks used to create £1.2 trillion of 'funny money' over the last ten years. It's the system that, according to the Bank of England, is so unstable that taxpayers have to prop it up with a subsidy worth £100bn a year. It has also buried ordinary people under a mountain of debt - and caused the crisis we're all paying for now. It's so poorly understood that in all the millions of words of coverage of the financial crisis, not more than about 5 mainstream journalists actually figured out the root cause.

The excellent group, 'Positive Money' writes: "Note the contributions from Toby Baxendale, chairman of the Cobden Centre. And ignore Paul Tucker's suggestion that we need fractional reserve banking to allow people to borrow for the long term - that's a naive misunderstanding for the second in command at the Bank of England.

Greens new leaflet: Money: What is going on?

The Government is making huge cuts that will damage our economy, but there is no attempt to address the cause of the crisis: the money and banking system.

· The governor of the Bank of England has said that the way our banks operate could not be worse[1];
· Money is actually made by banks ‘lending’ it into circulation – this process used to be backed by significant bank deposits, but this was weakened by de-regulation by Conservative and Labour Governments
· Making money by bank lending has led to an explosion of debt, so that all European countries have deficits;
· Using the creation of debt to drive the economy results in the treadmill of the endless need for growth, inequality and environmental damage.

We need to take the debt out of the system, by taking political control over our money system - creating money as investment rather than as debt.

There is an alternative!

The Alternative:

Public and co-operative banks

1. We should maintain our stake in the ‘nationalised’ banks and run these in the public interest
2. The public banks should be used to invest in things that benefit us all in the longer term like public transport infrastructure and renewable energy projects rather than short term consumer spending and projects that make risky short-term profits at the expense of people or the environment
3. Local community banks, which both borrowers and lenders understand and feel part-of, should enable people to save and borrow money from each other within a community
4. Speculative and risky investments should be separated from the ‘high street’ services that we need for our day-to-day banking

What you can do now:

5. Switch your bank account to a co-operative or mutual, e.g. the Nationwide or the Co-operative Bank;
6. Build up community resilience through using our local independent shops, the farmers market, Stroudco, joining the local community farm, Stroud Community Agriculture and our local re-use scheme stroudfreegle;
7. Invest your money in local community assets, e.g. through Stroud Common Wealth or Stroud Valleys Credit Union
8. Support our local currency: the Stroud Pound
9. Find out more about how the money system works: http://www.positivemoney.org.uk.

This crisis started with the money and banking system and will get worse unless there are significant structural changes to that system

For more information about the Green Party see: www.greenparty.org.uk or www.stroudgreenparty.org.uk For information about or to join the local Green Party contact John Marjoram, 8 Castle Street, Stroud. 01453-757874 [1] Speech on October 25th at The Economist’s Buttonwood gathering in New York.

The coming crisis

Well that was the leaflet - Positive Money also have a useful summary of where we are in terms of money - See here both the bad and good news. They start with the bad news - and it is bad - they say "there is no question that the economic situation is going to get worse - probably much worse. Other countries (especially Spain) will be asking for bailouts within the next 2-3 months. Spending cuts will kick in in the next few weeks - many local council employees have already been warned that there will be job losses after Christmas.....Unfortunately, even positive economic growth does not mean we're out of danger, since economic growth under the current system usually come hand in hand with a growing total level of debt. That increase in debt will lay the foundations for the next collapse. Very simply, there's no chance of a recovery without complete overhaul of the monetary system."

In terms of the good news Positive Money say that we do have a solution to all these problems. They've outlined how it works in plain English, and even in draft legislation (soon to be updated). As unappealing as is the threat of economic collapse may be our chance for reform? Are the economists at the FSA and Bank of England beginning to realise that the current fractional-reserve banking system needs to be scrapped entirely?

Positive Money write: "We've had this destructive, socially-harmful debt-based money system for centuries, and it's got us to where we are today. It redistributes money upwards to the richest people and has benefited a small cartel of banks massively, at the expense of the other 97% of us. It's holding us back, economically and socially, and right now it's the greatest barrier between us and a better quality of life. It's time to let it go and replace it with a money system that works in the interests of society as a whole, rather than just in the interests of the banks. In that sense, the approaching economic collapse is something we should welcome. The challenge is to get the authorities to realise there's a solution before the situation deteriorates beyond control."

Do I understand 'fractional reserve banking' now? No! But I have a better idea and can see the arguments for change.

Carmichael tries to suggest cuts not so bad

The local papers were full of letters this week critical of Stroud MP Neil Carmichael for comments he made about public service cuts during a House of Commons debate. Basically Neil Carmichael reckons public spending cuts are not as bad as many of us think....this is despite the district council facing one of the biggest percentage funding reductions in the county - plus the massive cuts at the County.

Photo: Randwick woods November

During a backbench debate at the Communities and Local Government Committee in Westminster Hall, London, Mr Carmichael said: "Total spending power for front-line services in my area has not been cut as significantly as the honourable gentleman is suggesting." He was responding to Labour MP Clive Betts, who said there was an irony in giving councils greater spending freedom but less cash.

See here details of march in Stroud on Sat 29th Jan when over 500 people are expected.

The district council's grant will be cut from £6.5million to £4.7million over the next two years, down 28.6%, with more to follow. The county council must save £108million over four years which means libraries, youth clubs and jobs are under threat. On top of this we've seen the benefit cuts, VAT increase and a whole host of public services effected...it does seem to be a very insensitive comment made by our MP - and with views like that he can hardly have fought very hard for Stroud's settlement - see here.

How long can the rich continue to avoid tax?

Last night we were treated to the talk on Tax Havens entitled 'The Rise and Rise of Britain's Tax Justice Empire'. It was by John Christensen from the Tax Justice Network who kindly agreed to be filmed - so myself and a colleague will be putting something together over the next weeks that will hopefully be available on Youtube. It was an inspiring talk.

Photos: from the evening

To get a flavour of some of the issues it is worth reading 'The truth about tax havens' - see here a first extract from the book, 'Treasure Islands' by Nicholas Shaxton working closely with John Christensen - and second extract here.

Here is an extract with a point I made in my letter that was printed in the SNJ this week: "

The offshore world is all around us. More than half of world trade passes, at least on paper, through tax havens. More than half of all banking assets and a third of foreign direct investment by multinational corporations are routed offshore. An impression has been created in sections of the world's media, since a series of stirring denunciations of tax havens by world leaders in 2008 and 2009, that the offshore system has been dismantled, or at least tamed. In fact quite the opposite has happened. The offshore system is in very rude health — and growing fast."

There was a huge amount covered and I wont go into it now as the films will be up soon but one campaign that got a mention was Action Aid's around Grolsch’s owner, SABMiller, - they are apparently dodging taxes around the world.

Action Aid write: "The money that African countries lose each year could put an extra 250,000 children in school." See here where you can also send an email to the chief exec.

I am sure even those companies like Boots and Vodaphone know that tax avoidance is wrong? The protests have even made it into Accountancy Age - see here. The government insists that drastic public spending cuts and a hike to VAT are essential. They also claim that we’re all in this together. But both the cuts and the VAT increase will hit the poor and most vulnerable hardest, whilst the richest in our society dodge tax with virtual impunity.

Britain needs a "war footing" to tackle climate change and energy crisis

I've just read the news release by Caroline about the new report she has launched with others. I think it is very important and have therefore copied it below:

Britain must move to the equivalent of a "war-footing" if we are to overcome the threat of climate change, according to the New Home Front initiative, launched at the Imperial War Museum on Thursday 20th January 2010.

The New Home Front is launched by Green MP Caroline Lucas, with a report written by Andrew Simms, Fellow of nef (new economics foundation) and author of The New Economics. Along with experts on climate change, food and community organisation, the new initiative looks at how Britain finally mobilised in the approach to World War Two, in order to see what can be learned to help with the urgent threat posed by climate change and the end of cheap, abundant oil.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party leader and MP for Brighton Pavilion said: "While the nature of the threat we face from climate change is clearly very different from that which we faced in 1939, the level of the threat means we will need to mobilise on a scale not seen since the war. If we're to overcome the climate crisis, we must move onto the equivalent of a ‘war-footing', where the efforts of individuals, organisations, and government are harnessed together - and directed to a common goal. In doing so, we can learn much from the creativity and boldness shown by the public in those years which we can re-interpret for today. That's why we're also launching today the 'Home Front Wisdom' initiative, to spend time talking to people whose imagination and resilience helped Britain to survive and thrive all those years ago. We want to learn from their experience, and not let it go to waste. All the best ideas will be collected, published and presented in Parliament, and to the government."

Andrew Simms, fellow, new economics foundation, added: "More recently, it took a war-like effort internationally to stage a short-term rescue of the economy. Almost overnight, the billions required to bail out the banks were found - something that, in a properly regulated system, should never have been necessary. Yet it sets a real precedent for what governments can do when the political will is there. The New Home Front, responding to climate change, energy security, peak oil, and threats to the food chain, presents the next battle line and call to action. No longer should anyone be able to say, this cannot be done."

The report reveals that:

• In just six years from 1938 British homes cut their coal use by 11 million tonnes, a reduction of 25%.

• By April 1943, 31,000 tonnes of kitchen waste were being saved every week, enough to feed 210,000 pigs.

• Between 1938 and 1944, there was a 95% drop in the use of personal motor vehicles, while public transport use increased 13%.

• The nation's health improved as diets changed and people become more active, while infant mortality fell.

• A determination to enjoy life grew. Spending on "amusements" went up 10%, while suicide rates fell.

Over the next six months, the New Home Front is calling on people to speak to friends and relatives who lived through those times to see what can be learned from how they survived and thrived. We want people to tape, film and write down their ideas and experiences which might help us deal with the new realities of changing climate and needing to make a rapid transition to a low carbon economy.

Prof. Kevin Anderson, Tyndall Centre, said: "Matching step for step the relentless rise in emissions has been the escalating rhetoric on the importance of climate change. The Rio Earth Summit was in 1992, yet the subsequent nineteen years have seen little more than appeasement - with national initiatives on mitigation, international agreements on climate change and many conferences - but no sign of emissions abating. Whilst elaborate mechanisms and markets to make carbon count have failed to bring emissions down, this report goes back to basics and demonstrates how lessons from history may offer practical guidance to meaningful mitigation. At a time of abject failure to curtail emissions, the New Home Front offers a refreshing and essential read for all those with the courage to think differently about climate change."

The report can be read at www.greenparty.org.uk/reports.

Public transport in Gloucestershire

Train fares are set to go up by 25% over the next four years - that's £1,300 more for some season tickets. This is bad for business, bad for our roads, bad for the environment and bad for passengers. In response, the Campaign for Better Transport has just launched the Fair Fares Now campaign. See campaign website and sign up here.

However today the government's local transport White Paper launched today pledges £560m to be invested in tackling climate change by cutting carbon emissions.

This would be good news if the Coalition government hadn't previously reduced other sustainable transport funds by more than £560m. This is still a cut however you look at it - while it could be helpful in a few places it is not going to bring the significant changes we need.

The money offered of course is small-fry compared to Trident at £70bn or Crossrail and HS2 at £15bn each. Its the cost of widening about 20 miles of motorway. The government is still spending far more on road building than it is on this scheme. Its an average of about £2m for a typical council and its spread over 4 years, that's about £500K per year - that doesn't go very far these days.

What should we be going?

More funds for walking and cycling schemes, including Safe Routes to School. More funds for local bus services. Instead the government is reducing its grant to councils who in turn are having to cut their subsidies to local bus services, in some case by over £1m. That will mean fewer bus services in rural areas, and in the evenings and weekends. More priority for walking, cycling and public transport by providing, for example, more pedestrian crossings, cycle lanes and bus lanes....we could go on....

What's happening in Gloucestershire?

Well I note that Stroud District Council has put aside £10,000 for community transport. However the significant cuts to bus services will not be made much easier by this tiny sum - but it is nevertheless a welcome this move. As I noted at the recent Scrutiny meeting people living in rural areas have living costs up to 20% higher than those living in urban areas, according to a report by the Commission for Rural Communities - see here.

In the Forest of Dean I have heard providers are considering bus routes that at the end turn into 'demand responsive transport'. I have seen in Scotland a great scheme - general details here. This could be a positive way forward....

The Bus service review consultation is due to close at the end of this month - see here. They are planning to cut £2m from the budget ie half funding. It is a real challenge - on average GCC subsidise each passenger on the least used services by £14 for a return journey. In comparison on average we subsidise each passenger on the most used services by less than £2 for a return journey. In Stroud I think the Chalford service is one of the more subsidised routes....there is no question we need a review of the bus subsidy system - see the Local Government Association's comments here and see here the comments I made back in 2008 re the cuts to the 37 bus at that time.

Bus companies are making far more money compared to their capital investments than in any other sector including water, electricity and gas. The bus subsidy system needs reform. As I have said before privatisation was a big mistake. We are the laughing stock of Europe: wasting huge amounts of money and getting very little back by way of quality services. Things have to change - we should be investing in such services and increasing bus services to reduce car use, CO2 and reliance on imported oil.... yet bus service user numbers are falling: latest figures from the Department for Transport show passenger journeys in England decreased by 1.8% between 2008-09 and 2009-10.

As I have noted before in Denmark the system is based on strict quality control and bus operators get rewarded if they provide things like new vehicles, punctuality, reliability, high quality interchange, ticketing offers, cleanliness and security. If they fail they get fined. We must link subsidy to outcomes so that operators get it if they do good and not otherwise - but all that is part of a wider picture. Locally we need to protect what remains of our services - the more you cut the less people use a service - the only way is to expand and improve - London achieved remarkable changes with such investment in the past - it is possible!

Concessionary fares

The concessionary fares consultation has just finished - see here. One of the worst aspects of the proposed changes is that the new scheme will no longer provide bus passes for people to use before 9.30am and after 11pm weekdays. This will hit many people hard - I know of day service users who will now not be able to get in for the whole day now - and I was talking today with a group of people with learning difficulties who work as volunteers and in low paid work but now will have to pay to get the buses. This is surely the complete opposite of the Big Society - we are actually making it harder for people to participate.