A conference of Green councillors from across the country has pledged to use new legal powers to create thousands of jobs through green regeneration projects.
The Association of Green Councillors was responding to the new Sustainable Communities Act, which gives local authorities the right to request new powers from central government to promote local economies. The councillors were meeting on July 25th and 26th in Norwich City Hall, where the Greens are the second party, just two seats behind Labour.
More than 100 Greens sit on principal authorities across England and Wales. They plan to use the new powers in the Act to push through a wide range of regeneration schemes in local areas as part of a wider 'Green New Deal' to stimulate the economy at the same time as reducing carbon emissions.
Similar schemes already being implemented by Greens on local councils aim to:
"Green councillors backed the introduction of the Sustainable Communities Act, and now we plan to use it to make a real difference in our local areas. The schemes we will be proposing will build stronger local economies, create jobs, reduce money spent on energy bills and cut food costs. This weekend has given Green councillors plenty of inspiring ideas to keep us the most effective in the country."