{news} Fw: USGP-INT "Norwich goes Green"

[Justine McCabe]

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=ENOnline&category=News&tBrand=ENOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED05%20May%202006%2013%3A15%3A31%3A167
>
> Norwich goes Green
>
> LEWIS HANNAM
> 05 May 2006 12:38
>
> Norwich City Council is the greenest in Britain, after the Green Party 
> made dramatic gains in the local elections.
>
> Labour are once again the city council's biggest party, but the limelight 
> was stolen by the Greens who won their largest presence on a council in 
> the country, increasing their presence on the authority from five to nine.
>
> The Lib Dems surrendered six seats as their vote in the city ebbed away. 
> City Hall now has 16 Labour councillors, 12 Lib Dems, nine Greens, and two 
> Tories.
>
> The next few days will involve party discussions as to how a new 
> administration will be formed, and who the new leader will be, as no party 
> has an outright majority.
>
> Adrian Ramsay, the Green Party's leader, said: “It has been a great 
> achievement.
>
> “Whatever happens now the council will remain in no overall control, and 
> we will hold the balance of power, and we can have greater influence over 
> the budget.
>
> “I think these successes came down to positive campaigning such as pledges 
> for extra investment in recycling, our opposition to waste incineration 
> and calls for more affordable housing.
>
> “We are not far off over-taking the Lib Dems now to become the second 
> biggest group on the council.
>
> “This also puts us in a strong position to fight for Norwich South at the 
> next General Election — and to get the first Green MP.”
>
> Lib Dem councillor Hereward Cooke, who was the council's deputy leader, 
> said: “It has been a very disappointing night for the Liberal Democrats.
>
> “The people have spoken and we have to accept the council is now very much 
> a mixed bag.”
>
> Mr Cooke admitted revelations earlier this year of a £2 million black hole 
> in City Hall's accounts had cost his party dear.
>
> He said: “I believe the financial problems did damage our reputation, 
> particularly with conservative-minded voters. It was an unfortunate 
> episode.”
>
> Former Lib Dem council leader Ian Couzens was not at the election count 
> due to illness, and he may now find his time as party leader coming to an 
> end.
>
> Mr Cooke said: “We have our annual meeting on Saturday and this might be 
> an opportunity for a bit of a shake-up.”
>
> He added he was proud of his party's achievements during four years in 
> control, and said it had left the city with a great legacy.
>
> Steve Morphew, leader of the council's Labour Party, said strong local 
> campaigning had helped his group buck the national trend.
>
> He said: “It's a remarkable result — it goes against everyone's 
> expectations, except our own!
>
> “It comes down to hard work. Since we lost in 2002 we have been working 
> hard to move forward local issues.”
>
> He promised with Labour now the largest party, City Hall would foster 
> greater openness, better services, and a co-operative approach to 
> policy-making.
>
> When asked what single issue he felt had held Labour's vote up, his 
> response was simple: “wardens.”
>
> “We hope we can now make a full strength wardens' scheme throughout the 
> city a reality; certainly we won't agree to form any administration 
> without a commitment to that.”
>
> Although Labour won the most seats on the council, the greatest 
> achievement of the night was undoubtedly the Greens taking their total up 
> to nine wards — their best ever election return on a UK council, beating 
> Oxford's eight.
>
> Notable individual results included the Greens taking both the Lib Dem 
> seats in Mancroft ward.
>
> Steven Altman, one of the ward's victors, said: “I am so shocked, I never 
> really expected it could happen.
>
> “I think the fact we were out on the doorstep with issues that really 
> affected people made the difference.”
>
> The Lime Tree Road saga and the Unthank Tesco row were reasons cited for 
> another Green gain, in Town Close Ward.
>
> Lime Tree Road made the news after residents complained about council 
> plans to pollard trees along the road, while proposals by Tesco to build 
> an express store in Unthank Road have met with massive opposition.
>
> Janet Bearman, who won Town Close from the Lib Dems, said: “I am delighted 
> and excited. Local issues are why the ward has gone Green.”
>
> Perhaps the Greens most starling victory was in Wensum ward, where 2005 
> Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne was beaten back 
> into third place, as Tom Llewellyn scooped the seat.
>
> The issue over controversial plans to build an incinerator on the 
> outskirts of Costessey also proved key to voters in nearby Bowthorpe.
>
> Tory Antony Little found his campaign against the proposals — which 
> contradict the Conservative-controlled Norfolk County Council scheme — 
> paid dividends. He took the seat from Labour's Ron Borrett.
>
> He said: “It is a phenomenal result and is a clear indication the people 
> have had enough of the way they are being treated.
>
> “The incinerator issue was a factor, but I don't think it was the biggest 
> factor. It is more to do with the Labour politicians failing this area 
> over the past 16 years.”
>
> Elsewhere former Lib Dem executive member Jane Rooza was forced out of 
> University ward by Labour candidate Bert Bremner; while the same switch 
> happened in Lakenham.
>
> One man cheered by the election result was Norwich South MP Charles 
> Clarke, who was not present at the count.
>
> Predictions his dire publicity in relation to freed foreign prisoners 
> would cost Labour vital votes were not borne out.
>
> He said: “I didn't know how it was going to play out; I didn't know what 
> the knock-on effects would be. I wouldn't say I am relieved, I am more 
> delighted.
>
> “I'm delighted that Labour are again the biggest party at Norwich City 
> Council.
>
> “It's a result of dedicated campaigning and clear policies.
>
> “We have been holding public meetings throughout the constituency and 
> people have been campaigning hard, so it shows what can be achieved.
>
> “In particular I would like to congratulate Bert Bremner for winning the 
> University ward, and for Mary Cannell in winning Lakenham.”
>
> He said he was hopeful the city council could move forward to a brighter 
> future, while also admitting his own future may be reshaped today.
>
> He added: “There will be a reshuffle today, but I will have to wait and 
> see what the Prime Minister says, and cannot comment on that.”
>
> Norwich North MP Ian Gibson said: “It is an absolutely astonishing result.
>
> “It's a credit to both the hard work of Labour; and the Greens as well.
>
> “The Lib Dems have made a mess of running City Hall, and that has been 
> picked up by the voters.”
>
> The count was held at the Open venue in Bank Plain this year, as St 
> Andrews Hall was being used as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.
>
> The last results were not announced until after 2am.
>
> What do you think about the local election results? Write to Letters, 
> Evening News, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE, email 
> eveningnewsletters at archant.co.uk or visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/forums
>