The Green Party has warned a second runway at Gatwick would be a disaster for the climate and could result in an extra 1.5 million tonnes of carbon emitted each year,* ahead of a public consultation on the airport’s expansion plans.
Greens by the runway lights at Gatwick Airport with Todd Smith of SafeLanding
An e-petition has been launched by a local school pupil on Surrey County Council’s website for a proper crossing from Asylum Arch Road (just North of Redhill Football Club) to Earlswood Common across the A23. Please support it by signing the petition: https://mycouncil.surreycc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionListDisplay.aspx?bcr=1
Surrey County Council wants to hear your views on its new transport plan. It aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions while encouraging active travel and public transport, and making sure no-one is left out.
Here’s the link to their consultation: https://surreyltp4.commonplace.is/
Cllr Joseph Booton reports on the July Council meeting. If you have a question you’d like raising at the next full Council meeting, or would just like to chat through some concerns you may have, please do get in touch with one of your friendly Green Party councillors. Their contact details are on this website.
Jonathan Essex, Della Torra, Ruth Ritter and Joseph Booton, four of the seven Green councillors on Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
July saw the convening of the full Borough Council of Reigate & Banstead. This provided an opportunity for the Green Party councillors of the Borough to demonstrate why so many residents look to them to provide real and meaningful change, as well as a main vocal opposition to the ruling party on the Council.
Some parliamentary constituencies have more electors than others. To even out electors per MP, the independent Boundary Commission has proposals for new constituency boundaries for 2023. Their proposal is for South Park and Woodhatch and Horley to form part of a brand new constituency with Dorking, called “Dorking and Horley”. This means people in South Park and Woodhatch, for example, would be represented by a different MP to the rest of Reigate, even though most people will feel themselves to be part of the town. Banstead however – further away – will stay in the Reigate constituency. Horley’s main roads lead to Redhill and Reigate, not Dorking.
In terms of keeping communities together the proposals don’t make great sense.
You can see a map of the proposed new boundaries here: www.bcreviews.org.uk.
You might like to take a look at reigatetogether.co.uk as well – started by local residents keen to raise awareness of this issue.
In its previous review, the B0undary Commission changed more than half of its proposals to reflect local knowledge submitted by the public. The deadline for responding to these proposals is August 2nd 2021. You can give your views here: www.bcreviews.org.uk.
Local Green candidates campaign outside MP Crispin Blunt’s office
Local Green campaigners Jonathan Essex, Shasha Khan, Paul Chandler and Catherine Baart, following Covid restrictions, queued for Green Jobs outside Reigate MP, Crispin Blunt’s office on Saturday, 24 April, as part of a Green New Deal UK national action day to promote ‘Green Jobs for All’.
“Many people rely on Gatwick Airport for jobs and the economic impact of COVID 19 has hit them hard. Green jobs are an obvious solution to replace those lost jobs. For well under half the annual tax break the Government gives Gatwick, thousands of secure, fulfilling, long term jobs could be created locally to counter the economic affect of COVID, while combatting climate change. It’s a win-win.”
The opportunity for the government to fulfil their own ambition to “Build Back Better” is obvious in this area and it can set the precedent for towns in a similar situation across the UK and indeed the world.
We are pleased to support the ABCD Pledge, promoted by South East Climate Alliance (SECA). SECA is asking candidates in the upcoming local elections to pledge to take four actions on climate. Greens are fully behind this – below you can see a selection of our candidates with their ABCD pledge cards – and below that, you can read about what elected Greens have done so far, and what more needs to be done.
If you would like to contact your candidate, please email info@eastsurreygp.org.uk
On 6 May 2021, you have a chance to vote for councillors to represent you on both Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council.
If you’ve got a Green candidate standing where you live, please support them! You can print a poster to put in your window to show your support.
If you would like to deliver leaflets, or join our campaign team, please email info@eastsurreygp.org.uk.
Local elections are approaching and we will be campaigning to retain our hardworking councillors – and win more. This year there are both county council and borough council seats up for election. We have a great team of candidates who we will introduce shortly.
We are looking forward to getting out and talking to people about the local issues that concern them. Our councillors, candidates and supporters will be following the government’s guidelines for COVID-safe campaigning. Also we will wear masks when canvassing on doorsteps and when we go into blocks of flats. If you prefer not to open the door, that is completely understood.