what we stand for

Nature and Climate

The vital action required to reduce carbon emissions and promote nature recovery also means healthier, cleaner, more pleasant communities. We are surrounded by beautiful landscapes, but habitats and species are disappearing. All Green policies take nature and climate into account.

Every possible council decision to contribute to reducing carbon emissions and promoting nature recovery.

Council land such as road verges to be managed for nature.
Funding to support local nature recovery and climate change groups.

Council to reduce travel and consumption of physical resources such as paper.

Council buildings to be retrofitted to make them energy efficient.
Support only for planning applications near amenities and public transport to reduce need for car use.

local democracy

We don't support smaller councils being swallowed up by bigger ones, but accept that it will probably happen and will work to get local voices heard:

Local decisions to be made as close as possible to affected communities.
A new council that listens to community organisations, parish councils, local businesses and individuals.
A focus on investment that benefits everyone and takes account of planetary boundaries.
Green growth: support for businesses that contribute actively to lowering carbon emissions.

Budgets are more important than boundaries

Funding for local government and public services such as social care, the police, education, has shrunk under successive governments.

Local government boundary changes will not solve the acute funding crisis which means that local authorities are unable to provide essential services and have nothing left over to fund new initiatives.

The Green Party is committed to improving public services and campaigns for increased taxes on the very wealthy in order to help pay for it.

Fair funding from government taking into account local needs.
Funding to allow councils to do more than the legal minimum.
Decent pay for all staff, not just senior executives and council leaders.
More freedom for councils to change council tax, including council tax bands.
Freedom to adjust business rates to allow small businesses to grow.

transport

The Climate Emergency means we need to reduce car use and make alternatives cheap and easy to use.

Much better, affordable public transport, especially buses
Bus franchising, giving the local authority much more control, with fares set at £2.
No new roads - the money to be spent on public transport and properly maintaining existing roads.
Fines for dangerous and inconsiderate parking to be raised, with pressure on government to raise the upper limit – initially, the money to be spent on enforcing the rules.
Safe provision for walking and cycling throughout High Peak.

social care

Everyone with a friend or relative needing support knows that child and adult social care is inadequate. The Green Party is in favour of increasing taxation on the very wealthy to help pay for

Proper funding for social care from central government
More local care homes and other appropriate housing for people who need it, throughout their lives.

education

Schools are struggling under increasing formal requirements and social pressures. Derbyshire School Services are no longer able to support schools as they used to. Greens will push for:

Strengthening school support, including more expert advisers.
Support for federations of schools to reduce administrative burdens.
Keeping small local schools open within their communities.
Immediate action on all recommendations from OFSTED to improve SEND provision.
An end to privatisation of SEND support, which can increase problems for children and families.