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15th November 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Ahead of an SNP motion being put to MPs in parliament today calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Palestine war, Green Party councillors in Exeter have written to Ben Bradshaw urging him to back a ceasefire. 15th November 2023 Dear Mr Bradshaw, URGENT: Palestine and Israel conflict – amendments to the King’s speech We write […]
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Air quality Climate action Traffic
3rd November 2023 / 9th April 2024 by andrewbell
The following letter on the government’s U-turn on plans to close all railway station ticket offices in Exeter and Devon is from Councillor Catherine Rees. The screeching halt to the closure of railway ticket offices is a huge victory for people power. Across the country, including in Exeter, people have protested, signed petitions and responded […]
Recycling
31st October 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
The Progressive Group of Councillors has accused the Labour led Council of making ‘puffed up’ claims that Exeter produces less waste than any other district in Devon, while its recycling rate remains the lowest in the County by a long way [1]. Green Party Councillor and co-leader of the Progressive Group, Diana Moore, said: “Exeter […]
Air quality Traffic
17th October 2023 / 9th April 2024 by andrewbell
Labour councillors have refused to back a Green Party motion brought to Full Council calling for an anti-idling campaign for Exeter [1]. Greens say idling vehicles increase exhaust fumes in the air and that the resulting pollution is linked to a range of health problems. They urged Exeter City Council to adopt a range of […]
Climate action Cost of Living Crisis Green Spaces Housing Development
16th October 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
A Green Party Councillor has written to Council leader Phil Bialyk seeking assurances about the Clifton Hill site ahead of a full Council meeting next Tuesday, when the future of the site will be discussed [1]. Cllr Andy Ketchin is demanding that at least 35% of the homes built at the site are affordable, that […]
Climate action Cost of Living Crisis Housing Development Net Zero
9th October 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Exeter Labour’s plans to tackle the housing crisis and climate emergency are in “total disarray”, say the Progressive Group of councillors on Exeter City Council. The claim comes following plans by the Labour-run Executive to wind down activity by the Council’s own housing developer, Exeter City Living (ECL). The company was due to build hundreds […]
All Cost of Living Crisis Housing Development
30th August 2023 / 9th April 2024 by andrewbell
Progressive Group councillors have raised alarm at the outcome of a planning inspection of new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) rates proposed by Exeter’s Labour-run Council. The Progressive Group of Green and Liberal Democrat Councillors on Exeter City Council put forward strong objections to Labour’s proposed CIL rates which, they say, won’t fund the infrastructure needed to […]
Net Zero Traffic
26th August 2023 / 9th April 2024 by andrewbell
With exactly a week left to respond to the consultation on proposed railway station ticket office closures [1], Green Party councillors are urging passengers to press Great Western Railway (GWR) to keep ticket offices open at Exeter Central and Exeter St David’s stations. In a letter to Transport Focus [2], which is coordinating the consultation, […]
Air quality Climate action Cost of Living Crisis Traffic
7th August 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
As the government orders a review into Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) schemes, Exeter Green Party councillors are urging Devon County Council to ‘hold its nerve’ and continue to deliver trials of LTNs ‘with confidence’. Heavitree councillor Catherine Rees said: “In their desperation for votes, the Conservative government is fueling culture wars by ordering a review […]
Air quality Climate action Cost of Living Crisis Net Zero Traffic
26th July 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Green Party co-leader of the opposition in Exeter, Diana Moore, has criticised Exeter City Council for failing to meet with local enterprise Co-Cars to discuss what support they might need to rework their business model and continue operation in the city. Co-Cars, including Co-Bikes, ceased trading last week citing financial difficulties brought on by the […]
22nd June 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Green Party Councillor Diana Moore has written to Exeter City Council auditors asking them to urgently review the funding and oversight of a significant project designed to put Council assets into a property development fund. The so-called Exeter Development Fund was proposed by Labour-led Exeter City Council and a company it set up, Exeter City […]
18th May 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
The Progressive Group on Exeter City Council have accused the Labour administration of avoiding proper scrutiny by appointing Labour chairs to the Council’s key scrutiny committees [1]. They say Labour are ignoring ‘good democratic practice’ by not appointing opposition councillors to chair the key Strategic and Customer Focus committees. This contrasts with Devon County Council […]
Elections
15th May 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Image of the Progressive Group outside the Guildhall in Exeter. Back row, from left to right: Cllr Andy Ketchin (G, Newtown & St Leonard’s), Cllr Michael Mitchell (LD, Duryard & St James), Cllr Kevin Mitchell (LD, Duryard & St James), Cllr Adrian Fullam (LD, St Thomas). Front row from left to right: Cllr Catherine Rees […]
10th May 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Exeter Green Party are celebrating a successful set of results in Thursday’s local elections. The Party now has six seats on Exeter City Council, following the election of Dr Andy Ketchin in Newtown and St Leonard’s, and the re-election of Diana Moore in St David’s and Carol Bennett in Heavitree. The Green Party is now […]
25th April 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
An Exeter Green councillor and Green Party candidate who have been campaigning for safer crossings by Sidwell Point leisure centre, the bus station and Vue Cinema organised a ‘walkabout’ with those who experience difficulties crossing roads in the area. Heavitree councillor, Carol Bennett, and Green Party candidate for the Newtown and St Leonard’s ward, Dr […]
23rd April 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
This is an open letter responding to concerns around the introduction of a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Heavitree from Green councillor Carol Bennett A Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) for Heavitree, which aims to cut traffic and air pollution on residential streets and make them safer for walking and cycling, has been discussed for four years […]
All Green Spaces
17th April 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Adverts promoting products considered to have a detrimental impact on public health, air pollution, or climate change could be banned from bus stops, billboards and advertising spaces in Exeter. Green Party councillor, Amy Sparling, will put forward a motion proposing an ‘Ethical Advertising Policy’ as part of the council’s planning policies and to be included […]
All Climate action Cost of Living Crisis Elections Green Spaces Housing Development
15th April 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Decent affordable homes in Exeter, built in the right places and to the highest environmental standards, is the key priority being made by Exeter Green Party as they launch their local election campaign. They also want communities to have a better say in shaping Exeter’s future development plans, increased investment in parks and green spaces, […]
7th April 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Green councillors in Exeter have slammed the Labour-led Council for failing to meet its own affordable housing targets for the city. They also accuse Labour of being too ready to grant planning permission for greenfield developments, and of pushing expensive co-living bedsits in the city centre. The Green Party has said all its councillors will […]
Air quality All Climate action Traffic
29th March 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Exeter Green Party councillors have said they are hopeful ‘buses are moving in the right direction’ in the city following a meeting with Stagecoach boss, Peter Knight. The councillors say they particularly welcome the company’s interest in pursuing ideas for low cost travel for children and young people and restructuring fares to make them fairer […]
All Climate action
20th March 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
The Progressive Group of councillors say the Council risks misleading the public into thinking more significant action is being taken than actually is on tackling carbon emissions in Exeter. They have written to the portfolio holder for climate change, Cllr Duncan Wood, calling for a concerted city wide effort, including communicating accurate information to local […]
1st March 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
Acting on concerns and complaints from residents, Exeter Green Party is calling on the Labour leader of Exeter City Council to take urgent action to ensure that dangerous and inadequate crossings near St Sidwell’s Point pool, the bus station and Job Centre are made safe. Heavitree councillor, Carol Bennett, and Dr Andy Ketchin, Green Candidate […]
23rd February 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
The Progressive Group will put forward an alternative budget at the full council meeting of Exeter City Council that will see a £2m investment in parks and open spaces, the reopening of a city centre public toilet, introduce lockable bicycle shelters and cycle charging points and replace Mallison Bridge – an important pedestrian link at […]
16th February 2023 / 19th March 2024 by andrewbell
A motion, to be brought before full council on 21 February by Green Party Councillor Tess Read, will seek to protect and improve the condition of the River Exe for people and for wildlife. In particular, it will aim to hold South West Water, the Environment Agency and Natural England accountable for levels of sewage […]
