SCOTTISH GREENS LOCAL ELECTION MANIFESTO 2022
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SCOTTISH GREENS LOCAL ELECTION MANIFESTO 2022
SCOTTISH GREENS LOCAL ELECTION MANIFESTO 2022
Many of the challenges we face are
global, but we know that solutions
can and must be delivered at a local
level. Last summer, the Scottish
Greens made history by becoming
the first Greens to enter central
government in UK history.
Action by the Scottish Greens
has already led to free bus travel
for young people, unprecedented action on single-use plastics and record investments in
recycling, nature restoration and active travel.
Now, more than ever, we need to empower our councils to carry on this work for our
communities. Green Councillors across Scotland have made a real difference already, opposing
destructive developments, leading local authority action on the climate emergency and saving
vital local assets like libraries and swimming pools.
This election is an opportunity for Scottish Green Councillors to play an even bigger role,
entering councils that have never benefited from a Green voice before and leading change
across Scotland.
Candidates have been listening to their communities and have set out local manifestos that
reflect local needs and lead the way with the transformation required to meet national and
global challenges. They can be found at www.greens.scot/ThinkGlobalActLocal
Councils have a crucial role to play in addressing the local impact of the climate and economic
crises. The pandemic has shown us that global events can have a very profound local impact,
but it has also shown us the differences communities can make when we work together to
tackle the big challenges we face. We must continue that spirit and cooperation to deal with
the climate and economic crises.
Scottish Greens are committed to empowering local authorities to meet the needs of their
communities. That is why our MSPs in the Scottish Parliament have secured new powers for
councils, new money for active travel and recycling, and the biggest increase in funding for
teacher recruitment in a generation.
The next five years are vital for our democracy and our planet. Reforming local tax to get rid of
the unfair and outdated Council Tax will be the subject of a Citizen’s Assembly. Our MSPs have
also ensured that local authorities can regulate the number of Short-Term Lets so that Councils
can act to curb excessive concentrations of AirBnBs.
By electing Green Councillors to Council Chambers across Scotland you can change how your
council works. Electing a Green Councillor by giving them your first preference vote is the best
way to make your council one that supports you and your community to create a better place
in a better world.
By considering the climate emergency in every local action and decision we take, Green
Councillors will ensure a just transition to a zero-carbon economy and society.
THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 1
TAKING LOCAL INVESTING IN
CLIMATE ACTION LOCAL SERVICES
WE WILL
We will keep schools in council control but give pupils,
parents and teachers a real voice in how schools are run
and how money is spent. We believe every council should
have parent and pupil representatives on their education
WE WILL committee.
We will push for real change, to move from ambitious targets We will champion those who care for the youngest
to tangible local action, using council powers in planning and oldest in society, building on the pay rises we have
and service provision to contribute to net-zero goals. introduced to bring care workers’ wages in line with those
of NHS staff.
We will ensure that council land is managed to adapt to and
mitigate climate change in a way that delivers nature-rich We will campaign for cheaper and more frequent bus and
places, benefiting wildlife and people. ferry services, building on Free Bus Transport for under-22s
and over-60s through the fair fares review.
We will push our councils to divest from fossil fuels, nuclear
weapons and the arms trade; and support a just transition We will bring local buses back into public or social
into new, secure jobs for people currently working in these ownership, expanding services and making them more
industries, so they can be part of a clean, Green future. affordable while reducing transport emissions.
2 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 3CREATING COMMUNITIES REVITALISING
FOR EVERYONE LOCAL DEMOCRACY
WE WILL WE WILL
We will invest in walking, wheeling and cycling networks We will put local communities at the heart of planning,
and roll out 20-minute neighbourhoods (where prioritising their needs over those of big developers and
essential services can be accessed locally), making local protecting precious green and open space.
neighbourhoods safe, healthy and welcoming for all.
We will help communities own, run or have more say over
We will tackle rip-off housing costs, taking action against their areas.
rogue landlords, poor property conditions and fuel poverty.
We will give communities much more say over how
We will deliver Rent Controls and our councillors will council money is spent, by making sure every council has a
introduce them locally. participatory budget target and plan.
4 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 5CONTENTS
THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 1
Taking local climate action 2
Investing in local services 3
Creating communities for everyone 4
Revitalising local democracy 5
TAKING LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION 8
Moving to a net-zero Scotland 9
Managing land for the future 10
A circular economy 10
INVESTING IN LOCAL SERVICES 12
Thriving schools and early years provision 13
Teaching and learning 13
Schools and staff 14
Schools as safe spaces for all 14
Empowering pupils, staff and parents/guardians 14
Providing additional support 14
Poverty-proofing schools 15
Creating a healthy and caring Scotland 15
Promote and enable good health 15
Ensure local delivery and accountability 16
Support our staff 16
Respect unpaid carers 16
Support those facing addiction 17
Supporting people in crisis 17
Better public transport 18
CREATING COMMUNITIES FOR EVERYONE 20
Thriving local economies 21
Affordable warm homes for all 21
Streets for people 22
Leisure, recreation, arts and culture 23
REVITALISING LOCAL DEMOCRACY 24
Planning for a green future 25
Fair funding for public services 25
Empowering local communities 26
THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 7MOVING TO A
NET-ZERO SCOTLAND
Setting targets for achieving net-zero is an
important first step in tackling the climate
crisis, but it is only the first step. Councils
need detailed and ambitious plans for how
to transform all aspects of their services and
decision-making to achieve net-zero. This
means doing things differently in planning,
transport, waste management, housing and so
much more.
TAKING LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION We know this can be done in a way that helps
local communities thrive, with warmer homes,
We know that tackling the climate emergency needs real leadership, ambition and action at people-friendly streets and better local services.
a local level. This will require integrating climate adaptation and mitigation into all aspects Proposals for how we will achieve net-zero in
of our life - not as an afterthought. Green Councillors will ensure that ambitious targets all of these sectors are included throughout this
and plans are in place to become net-zero and, crucially, that action is taken in a way that manifesto.
considers the needs of all of society.
Green Councillors will:
• Ensure councils set ambitious targets for
Since 2017 Green Councillors have: achieving net-zero and develop detailed,
robust and integrated plans for achieving
Secured unprecedented commitments to tackle the climate crisis these targets.
Secured Glasgow’s 2030 net-zero target. • Support local authority-wide carbon
Persuaded Highland Council to declare a Climate and Ecological Emergency budgeting to help meet climate targets in
and set a target of being carbon neutral by 2025. the most cost-effective way and to ensure
Led Edinburgh Council in declaring a Climate Emergency and setting a target accountability to the public.
of achieving net-zero by 2030 with interim targets and an action plan. • Reduce energy use in council buildings, with
delivery of energy efficient and zero carbon
Led urgent action on the climate crisis emissions heating; support homeowners
Secured a £10m Climate Action Fund in Glasgow, to invest in renewable to retrofit their homes, saving energy and
energy, green transport and restoring nature. money; and promote the use of local heat
Proposed a “Green budget for climate and social justice” in Edinburgh. networks, all supported by our work in
Helped win a Climate Change Officer for Orkney Islands Council. government on net-zero buildings.
• Look at the potential for use of council land
Stopped climate-damaging investment for renewable energy generation, especially
Secured divestment from fossil fuels in Glasgow. for heat.
Won agreement for a new Responsible Investment Statement in Highland & • Rethink the approach to street design and
Islands policy, which includes divestment from fossil fuels. development planning, making walking,
wheeling and cycling easier, safer and more
Reduced waste efficient, and reducing demand for cars and
Increased recycling investment for flats and tenements and moved bulk uplift parking in our towns and city centres.
charging to a fairer per-item system in Glasgow. • Make public transport a practical alternative
Secured agreement to install recycling facilities in Edinburgh Council to car use, by improving bus services,
buildings, reducing Edinburgh Council’s use of disposable plastics including in supporting railway re-openings, integrating
school packed lunches.
8 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 9TAKING LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION
ticketing and bringing local bus services becomes nature-rich, with wildflower Reducing waste with less packaging,
into public or social ownership. meadows and verges that benefit encouraging more reuse and recycling
• Ensure the indirect impacts of council pollinators, tree planting and wetlands means we can avoid incineration, save the
business on the climate are reduced, all creating spaces for nature within our cost and environmental impact of landfill
by pushing for divestment from fossil communities. and safeguard natural resources for the
fuels and the arms trade and by carrying • Support habitat restoration by others, future. Council investment in bin collections
out a climate assessment of council particularly where it benefits communities and street cleaning is vital to make our
procurement and any public funding of and enriches biodiversity. neighbourhoods more attractive.
arms-length organisations. • Ensure councils invest in the staff they
• Ensure that transitioning to net-zero is need and in existing community expertise Green Councillors will:
equitable and results in a just transition, required to manage land well, advise others • Ensure all councils have a zero-waste plan
by working closely with partners and local and engage communities actively in this by 2025.
communities. process. • Improve bin collection services, extend
• Protect and invest in parks and green doorstep recycling to include textiles,
spaces, providing places for people to promote composting and provide a rapid
MANAGING LAND access the outdoors, benefiting their health response service to deal with overflowing
and mental well-being, and for wildlife to recycling containers.
FOR THE FUTURE flourish. • Establish grant programmes to support
Councils have a key role to play in tackling • Ensure councils use nature-based solutions local deposit return schemes and
the climate and nature emergencies in to manage flooding, coastal erosion, urban encourage communities to develop, repair,
the way they manage land. Working with drainage and pollution wherever possible, reuse and community recycling networks
nature we can create places that are rich in and invest in the expertise needed to do and organisations.
wildlife, help us manage water and pollution this. • Support local businesses to reduce
sustainably and benefit people. This should • Encourage local food production through packaging and find recyclable and
be part of a long-term approach to working increasing the accessibility of land and biodegradable alternatives.
with nature but requires a radical change in support available to community gardens, • Support communities to develop litter
approach now. allotments, school growing projects and prevention plans involving all relevant local
more. partners, enhancing community warden
Scottish Greens recognise that for people to • Support local consultations and services and taking firm action against
thrive, they need nature. Green spaces within contributions to the Land Reform Bill and fly-tipping and dog-waste problems.
our cities, towns and villages should improve Regional Land Use Partnerships Pilot, and Increase the number of environmental
health and wellbeing, add value to our lives the rollout of the National Register of health officers, explore ways to improve
and provide places for wildlife to flourish. Ancient Woodlands. evidence gathering, and lobby for changes
• Champion sustainable land use, including to national legislation so it is easier to
Green Councillors will: crofting and small-scale farming, prosecute serious fly-tipping. We will
• Place councils’ duties to conserve and promoting the contributions these also support the case for a separate
restore biodiversity and tackle the climate make to the local economy as well as Environmental Court system to improve
emergency at the heart of how they environmental enhancement. the enforcement of environmental
manage land and carry out their work. protection laws.
• Ensure every council has an ambitious plan • Oppose the large-scale incineration of
in place by 2025 to create a Local Nature waste and plan for a just transition for
Network, that sets out the enhancement A CIRCULAR ECONOMY workers in this industry.
and restoration needed to deliver a nature- Scottish Greens are leading Scotland’s shift to
rich connected network of habitats across a circular economy in government, banning
the whole of Scotland. single-use plastics, delivering record amounts
• Commit their council to Local Nature for councils to support their recycling
Network delivery by transforming efforts and launching a major review into
management of council land so it incineration.
maximises natural carbon capture and
10 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 11THRIVING SCHOOLS AND
EARLY YEARS PROVISION
Scottish Greens believe in education that
offers children and young people much more
than qualifications – education that supports
their development as confident individuals
equipped to explore the opportunities and face
the challenges that our fast-changing world
INVESTING IN LOCAL SERVICES
brings. In government we have secured reform
of the qualifications and inspections system,
and funding for the biggest rise in teacher
Councils educate children and young people, provide care and support services to people, recruitment in a generation.
and make our neighbourhoods better places to live. Green Councillors will continue to work
to protect and improve these services. TEACHING AND LEARNING
Green Councillors will:
• Support teaching which promotes literacy,
numeracy, and health and wellbeing.
Since 2017 Green Councillors have: • Support creativity and critical thinking in the
Delivered more teachers and safer schools school curriculum, alongside confidence,
Delivered record teacher recruitment and investment in classroom ventilation resilience, global and local citizenship,
across Scotland, thanks to funding secured by Greens at Holyrood. practical life skills and outdoor learning.
• Support more play-based learning and
Led on urgent action on the climate crisis outdoor education for young people.
Secured the adoption of a Climate Change Charter for Health and Social Care • Support Gaelic medium education at primary
in Edinburgh; committed to the Edinburgh net-zero 2030 target; supported and secondary level.
closing the gap on emissions, changing work practices, appointing climate • Support parents and carers who wish to opt
champions and reporting publicly on progress; secured agreement to install their children out of standardised testing.
recycling facilities in schools and successfully called for cycle lanes to schools • Promote partnerships between schools and
along key corridors. trade unions which give young people the
Worked to make streets safer for children with permanently car-free schools in opportunity to learn about their rights before
Glasgow. entering the workplace.
Supported bike buses to school across Scotland.
SCHOOLS AND STAFF
Ensured the vulnerable were protected Green Councillors will:
Delivered a 10% increase to foster and kinship carers’ allowances, and reversed • Work towards improving qualifications, wages
cuts to Citizens’ Advice centres and women’s aid organisations in Glasgow. and conditions for Early Years staff.
Won agreement in Edinburgh to adopt John’s Campaign in hospital wards and • Make free childcare hours more flexible, to
care homes, ensuring that the families of those suffering from dementia have support parents in shift-work or irregular
full access to their loved ones and are included in all decisions about their care. employment.
Ensured that Playscheme holiday provision for disabled children in Edinburgh • Plan for enough Early Years centres and
was retained after the lockdown period. schools in areas where populations will rise
and ensure buildings are high quality, flexible
Championed public transport spaces, with environmental sustainability at
Secured funding for a free public transport pilot in Glasgow. their core.
Carried out a consultation on longer and standardised hours for bus lanes in • Keep school class sizes down and replace
Edinburgh. teachers and support staff previously lost to
Secured an extra £5.5 million for ferry funding in Orkney. cuts.
10 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL
12 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 13INVESTING IN LOCAL SERVICES
• Campaign to protect rural schools and EMPOWERING PUPILS, STAFF AND CREATING A HEALTHY
maintain quality library resources in all PARENTS/CARERS POVERTY-PROOFING SCHOOLS
schools. Green Councillors will:
AND CARING SCOTLAND
Green Councillors will:
• Maximise the use of locally sourced and • Reform Education Committees to include Scottish Green Councillors believe everyone
• Introduce statutory guidance to cap the
organic produce in the provision of school parents/carers, teachers, trade unions and has a right to the best physical and mental
cost of school uniforms and ensure that
meals. young people. health, and access to high quality care,
uniform requirements are gender neutral
• Ensure that schools have resources which is free at the point of use, maintaining
and do not discriminate on the basis of any
SCHOOLS AS SAFE SPACES FOR ALL available to support the creation of individual freedom, choice and dignity.
protected characteristic.
Green Councillors will: independent Pupil Unions, so that young • Introduce uniform reuse schemes and
• Review local authority processes for dealing people can have their voices heard in The pandemic has shone a light on the
support uniform banks to reduce waste
with sexual harassment and abuse within education. results of a decade of under-investment
and costs to parents/carers.
schools to ensure that survivors feel able in Scottish health and social care and the
• Ensure all families have access to income
to come forward and that a zero-tolerance PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT growing inequalities in public health and life
maximisation teams, helping low-income
approach is consistently taken. expectancy. Waiting lists across social care
Green Councillors will: households access the social security
• Ensure that consent is taught as a core part are unacceptably high – as are staff shortages
• Ensure that every child or young person payments they are entitled to.
of Sex & Relationships Education (SRE). across services – making delivery of the
with additional support needs who would • Ensure all children have access to healthy
• Make schools LGBTI-inclusive, this includes preventative agenda and person-centred care
benefit from a Coordinated Support Plan and nutritious school meals and continue
implementing the Time for Inclusive harder to achieve.
receives one, including care-experienced to push for the expansion of free school
Education (TIE) proposals. young people. meals to older age groups.
• Support refugee and asylum seeker young Green Councillors will ensure that Health
• Require that all staff assigned to support • Immediately cancel all outstanding debt
people to fully access the educational and and Social Care is delivered locally, with
individual young people with additional owed by pupils/families for school meals.
social opportunities available in school. community involvement at its heart, and that
needs have the appropriate training and/or
• Ensure that classrooms are Covid safe and staff are properly valued.
qualifications to do so effectively.
appropriately ventilated and heated. • Make counselling available to all pupils by
• Make the Health & Wellbeing Census establishing a right to access school-based PROMOTE AND ENABLE GOOD HEALTH
available to everyone in the relevant age- counselling provided by qualified mental Green Councillors will:
group. health practitioners. • Work with local communities and trade
• Support pupils at risk of falling behind and unions to ensure all council policies aim
support alternative provision for those for to improve people’s wellbeing, and tackle
whom mainstream provision is not working. the root causes of poor health, such as
14 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 15INVESTING IN LOCAL SERVICES
poverty, inequality, addiction, poor housing care at home and care home services income maximisation advice to all unpaid Green Councillors will:
and air pollution. in-house are taken up where appropriate, carers and providing concessionary travel • Campaign to secure funding for support
• Ensure that there is good quality green increasing control and accountability, while for unpaid carers on income support. services for those who have experienced
space within walking distance of all our ensuring continuity of care. • Make sure income assessments for care domestic abuse or sexual violence.
homes with access to seating, ‘Changing • Support and enable locally-led social charges do not include Carer’s Allowance, • Implement rent controls with a ‘housing
Places’ toilets, public conveniences and care partnerships and social enterprises, while we work to eliminate all care charges. first’ approach to homelessness, with
services so we can all enjoy the benefits all including local disabled people’s • Support young unpaid carers by minimising measures to empower tenants at risk
year round. organisations, to provide good quality children’s practical caring responsibilities of homelessness through better advice
• Make funding available to the community social care. whenever possible, providing access to and access to legal aid and improve the
sectors to provide out of school activities • Ensure that the development and delivery peer support and developing local forms of standard of temporary accommodation
and opportunities for sports, culture and of services is fully informed by the views financial support. available.
leisure for disabled young people. and suggestions of all service users and • Ensure that every person leaving prison,
• Provide a range of services for older unpaid carers. SUPPORT THOSE FACING ADDICTION hospital, residential rehabilitation, or
people, recognising personal choice, and Green Councillors will: fleeing domestic violence is provided with
that they may wish to be supported and SUPPORT OUR STAFF • Take an evidence-based, public health accommodation that meets their assessed
looked after in different ways at different Green Councillors will: approach to tackling drug overdose and needs.
times in their lives. • Support all health and social care staff to other addiction related deaths. • Help people to claim the social security
• Ensure the value of continuity of care is make sustainable travel choices including • At the frontline, support the person- benefits they are entitled to with ‘income
respected, keeping care workers and the by making work-travel free at the point centred approach to addiction with a maximisation’ teams embedded within
people they support connected. of use, including public transport, with focus on drop-in services, including drug communities.
• Ensure that everyone who needs mental appropriate training and financial support consumption rooms and crisis centres • Welcome refugees and asylum seekers
health support has access to the right where needed. which are accessible, making people safer into our communities and push to ensure
support, at the right time, by providing • Ensure that the pay and conditions of paid and providing holistic support. relevant support services are available to
mental health staff at all GP practices and carers reflect their expertise. Greens in • Ensure that drug users who leave treatment meet their specific needs as well as support
funding for community-based support Government have helped deliver pay rises or statutory services, whether planned or for people with No Recourse to Public
groups and activities patients may be for carers and Green Councillors support unplanned, receive follow-up support. Funds.
referred to. calls for social care workers to be paid at • Work with addiction services to address • Push to take asylum housing and support
• Support HIV Scotland’s Generation Zero least £15 an hour. stigma and increase resources available for out of private hands, so it is run by councils
campaign to eliminate HIV transmission in • Support fair working practices by tackling family and friends and support campaigns in partnership with the third sector,
Scotland by 2030. zero-hours contracts, ensuring social care that increase drug overdose awareness. ensuring dignified, safe housing based in
• Strengthen the policy around alcohol workers are paid for shift handovers, for • Provide specialist care home provision for communities, not hotels.
licensing, with the aim of reducing time spent travelling between jobs and those suffering from Alcohol Related Brain • Commit to discussions across local
availability and reducing alcohol harm. travelling expenses and have opportunities Damage. authorities on how to expand participation
• Ensure access to free contraception and for continuing professional development. in dispersal schemes for people seeking
access to sexual health clinics. • Provide free period products across asylum throughout Scotland.
• Ensure that local authorities Keep • Campaign to give people seeking asylum
The Promise so that all young people
council buildings and ensure they are SUPPORTING the right to work.
made truly and fully accessible to staff,
grow up loved, safe and respected young people and those in need. PEOPLE IN CRISIS • Provide free bus travel to refugees and
(www.carereview.scot/wp-content/ Scottish Greens believe councils have a key asylum seekers.
uploads/2020/02/The-Promise.pdf). RESPECT UNPAID CARERS role to play in tackling poverty and helping • Support a holistic approach to food
people avoid crisis. Local councils can help policy, tackling the health, social and
Green Councillors will:
ENSURE LOCAL DELIVERY tackle inequality and we will prioritise an environmental impacts of food.
• Ensure that unpaid carers receive regular
AND ACCOUNTABILITY equalities-led approach, working closely with • Support community food projects which
breaks to suit their needs and are fully
those whose opportunities may be reduced work to ensure good food is available to all.
Green Councillors will: supported with adult carer support plans
due to class, race, gender, disability, age, • Work with businesses to identify healthier,
• Ensure that the majority of care at home ensuring their own physical and mental
sexual orientation, religion or belief. local and ethical food choices, including
and care home services are provided by health needs.
plant-based food, and promote these
the public and voluntary sectors. • Take steps to improve unpaid carers’
through council catering and public
• Ensure that opportunities to bring private financial security - for example, providing
information campaigns.
16 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 17INVESTING IN LOCAL SERVICES
degenerative conditions, and work to
BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT improve the NEC application process to
Being able to travel broadens our ensure it is as accessible as possible.
opportunities. Scottish Greens want to • Implement a workplace parking levy in
improve our public transport options, areas where this would be appropriate and
while reducing car use, making it possible beneficial to encourage shifts in travel to
for everyone to access the services and work practices, reduce congestion and
places they need. This will require both new improve air quality.
infrastructure and new models for ownership, • Work with the Scottish Government to
management and integration of transport formulate an innovative fleet replacement
services. strategy for Islands Councils, to add
capacity and replace ageing ferry fleets
Green Councillors will: with renewable fuelled vessels, ensuring
• Connect communities with better bus lifeline services are maintained.
services, actively support rural bus services • Support and plan for the reopening of
in order to maintain thriving towns and rail lines and stations, including through
villages and champion the creation of a the Strategic Transport Projects Review
publicly owned bus company in areas and other means, such as identifying sites
without one. in Local Development Plans, protecting
• Support the complete transition to electric strategic rail corridors and supporting rail in
vehicles for public transport and the City and Growth Deals.
development of a charging point network
for electric cars.
• Integrate low carbon modes of transport
through deploying Mobility as a Service,
Demand Responsive Transport, and
delivering integrated transport hubs and
ticketing systems.
• Ensure connectivity of bus and rail services
by using powers under the new Transport
Act when franchising to require providers
to offer integrated through-tickets with
fare caps.
• Increase the reach and quality of digital
connectivity to create alternatives to travel.
• Review accessibility of public transport
provision and deliver recommendations
that make public transport as inclusive as
possible, with particular focus on transport
connections and the needs of those
making multi-stage journeys.
• Promote the National Entitlement Card
(NEC) scheme and support marginalised
communities through the process, to
ensure the highest possible uptake of free
bus travel for under 22s.
• Support extending NEC eligibility,
particularly the current three-year period
of validity for people with chronic or
18 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCALCREATING COMMUNITIES
FOR EVERYONE THRIVING
•
economy.
Support payroll deduction savings schemes
LOCAL ECONOMIES that allow council workers to save with
Councils can help build our communities and create the places and neighbourhoods where
we live. Green Councillors want them to be safe, green and attractive places. We will help to Scottish councils spend billions of pounds credit unions.
connect people with a thriving local economy and strengthen neighbourhoods with good each year, directly into the local economy. • Support the better use of data by councils,
services and celebrations of local identity. But too often this money provides profits to to identify issues like households under-
big companies rather than investment for our claiming their entitlements and make it
Scottish Greens will keep pushing councils to take an approach to decisions, policy and communities, small local businesses and the easier to claim one benefit on the basis
funding which amplifies the voices of people with the most expertise on how to make our third sector. Scottish Greens believe a thriving of entitlement to another - for example,
towns, cities and communities fairer for everyone. local economy is one based on what’s good automatically giving a school clothing
for people, not profit. Our economy should grant if the family claims free school meals.
be sustainable, connect people with decent • Support community buy-outs and asset
jobs and help to bind our society together. transfers, and increase the availability of
Since 2017 Green Councillors have: grants, loans, financial advice, training,
Protected housing for all Green Councillors will: and other assistance with setting up small
Declared a rent crisis in Glasgow, putting tenants in charge of leading housing • Take a Green New Deal-inspired businesses, cooperatives or other social
reforms, and setting up a Tenant-led Commission to lead private rent reforms. approach to procurement, oppose capital enterprises with a focus on green jobs.
Delivered action on empty homes in Edinburgh and Glasgow, successfully investment in outdated, carbon-intensive
bringing hundreds of houses back into use. infrastructure, and instead invest in
Ensured that ‘affordable housing’ in Edinburgh is genuinely affordable for sustainability and climate target projects AFFORDABLE
- for example, by retrofitting homes to be
those on low incomes and, with other parties, delivered a two-year council
warm and affordable to heat or supporting WARM HOMES FOR ALL
rent freeze during the pandemic.
Enabled local progress, in Edinburgh and the Highlands, on limiting second businesses in the circular economy. Our vision for housing is for good-quality
homes and short term lets prior to national legislation. • Build community wealth by increasing homes that are truly affordable to buy,
procurement spending with smaller local affordable to rent and affordable to heat.
Led urgent action on the climate crisis firms by 2% every year. Make ethical There should be more social housing, better
policies like paying the Living Wage and control of rents and better management of
Successfully called for a new Road Safety Action Plan in Edinburgh, with a
environmental responsibility a condition of the private sector.
commitment to Vision Zero (a policy which aims to eliminate deaths and
any council-funded support.
serious injuries on our roads), and added a focus on environmental and green
• Support Close the Gap’s Equally Safe at Green Councillors will:
principles into the economy strategy.
Work Employer Accreditation Programme • Endeavour to limit the numbers of Short-
Passed a motion for Greening the Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, to
to advance gender equality at work and Term Lets, including through the new
reduce its reliance on gas power and single-use plastics.
prevent violence against women in the Short-Term Let licensing schemes, by
Increased recycling investment for flats and tenements in Glasgow.
workplace. introducing Control Areas and further
Stopped climate-damaging investment • Support more social enterprises, actions as required.
cooperatives and employee-owned • Help people who rent to create a stable
Supported the Churchill Barriers as a vital economic artery for Orkney.
businesses through public procurement home by making information about good
Helped secure a new future for Gorgie City Farm in Edinburgh, including over
and access to publicly owned property. letting agencies and landlords easily
£100,000 in funding and additional support.
• Tackle rural and island fuel poverty, making available, supporting action against bad
Ensured the reopening of Glasgow’s libraries, museums and local venues after
it a high priority for councils, developing landlords and letting agents, and pushing
vital community-led campaigns.
local fuel partnerships and encouraging for rent controls to limit rent rises that
Championed sustainable transport renewable and local wood fuel initiatives. could push people out of their homes.
• Encourage shops and post offices in local • Promote better engagement between
Ensured that all 40 km of Spaces for People cycle routes in Glasgow will be
high streets, rather than chain stores or Registered Social Landlords and tenants
made permanent, opposing car-centric developments and moving Glasgow
out-of-town development. and work to make housing services and
closer to becoming the first city in the UK to ban drive-throughs.
• Support credit unions and local banks that processes clear for people who have
Ensured footway widening and segregated infrastructure would be considered
understand the local business community. language and other access needs.
on all road resurfacing projects in Edinburgh, which has led to the installation
• Offer alternatives to high-interest payday • Support new housing cooperatives or
of new cycle and footpaths.
lending and invest savings in the local initiatives to bring rented property into
20 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 21CREATING COMMUNITIES FOR EVERYONE
shared management. connections. for hire at affordable rates.
• Make energy efficiency of existing • Improve public space lighting and • Oppose the closure of local leisure facilities
houses a priority through establishing STREETS FOR PEOPLE accelerate the roll-out of LED lighting, and the selling-off of common good
comprehensive and fully funded local Heat Our streets should be part of neighbourhoods including nature-friendly lighting. assets.
and Energy Efficiency Strategies to create and communities we can enjoy and be proud • Seek local community input, giving priority • Support community-led festivals and
warm homes, reduce fuel bills and tackle to call home. Streets within our cities, towns to women, disabled people and other events.
fuel poverty. and villages need to be transformed, placing marginalised groups, to identify where • Protect and enhance Scotland’s museums
• Establish a trusted not-for-profit service peoples’ needs at the heart of our approach spaces could be better lit, redesigned or and galleries, keeping general admission
to manage major repairs, including to transport and urban design, turning car- activated to reduce risk. free whilst exploring new ways to raise
to tenements, grants for low-income dominated places into spaces where people • Take an equalities approach to road and funding and enhance people’s experiences.
households, interest-free loans, or options have priority. path maintenance, including maintenance • Support the call for a new national
to defer paying repair costs until the and winter weather treatment of footways museum of slavery, colonialism, migration
property is sold. Green Councillors will: and cycleways that are particularly and empire, and the ongoing strategic
• Work to bring Scotland’s 43,000 empty • Deliver 20-minute neighbourhoods, where important to marginalised groups. work to both recognise Scotland’s history
homes back into use. essential services can be accessed locally, • Engage with the public on investment in and tackle the legacy of racism that
• Support the construction of homes creating liveable towns and cities. public art to revitalise our shared spaces. continues today.
built for affordable rent, to tackle the • Extend 20mph speed limits within • Support the introduction of a Transient
150,000-waiting list for social housing. This residential areas and town and city centres Visitor Levy in appropriate tourist areas.
will need land to be available at low cost by 2025 and seek to lower 40mph speed LEISURE, RECREATION, • Support and show solidarity with the
through a new council power to buy land limits to 30mph to improve road safety, LGBT+ community and their right to live
for housing at ‘existing use value’. reduce air pollution, and give the streets ARTS AND CULTURE free from fear and harassment, including
• Facilitate community-led housing projects, back to communities. People and communities connect through seeking safe spaces for the community
particularly in rural areas, and connect • Seek to introduce low emission zones in council services like libraries, community to gather and providing support for
communities to financial support through town centres and carbon-free city centres, centres and sport facilities. Festivals and gala community organising.
the Remote, Rural & Islands Housing Fund. as well as introducing local authority days help us celebrate our local area and • Increase support for Gaelic-inclusive
• Prioritise new housing that is affordable, targets for reducing carbon emissions from identity. tourism, culture and events.
meets net-zero standards, is built on transport. • Support cultural ventures in all the
brownfield sites and is connected to local • Working with Greens in Government we’ll Green Councillors will: languages of Scotland, encouraging use
services, public transport and active travel direct record investment into local walking, • Work to protect libraries and support their of Gaelic, Scots and Doric as well as
routes. To help deliver housing and reduce wheeling and cycling projects. role as community hubs and guarantee languages of people from minority ethnic
land speculation we will push for a local • Reallocate road space to people and funding for libraries for the life of the backgrounds.
‘vacant and derelict land levy’. support the creation of low traffic council term and ensure no decisions are • Provide access to council services in Gaelic
• Support action to drive up space standards neighbourhoods so that walking, wheeling made to cut core library services without and other community languages, including
and design houses which are easy to adapt and cycling are prioritised and made more full local consultation. phone lines and translated web pages, and
for independent living. attractive and safer. • Explore the potential for libraries to support Gaelic signage across the transport
• Explore ways of taking facilities like care • Deliver more ‘Safe to School’ initiatives, develop as climate action hubs, providing network, including road signs, on trains
homes and student housing into social aiming to ensure that every child who lives access to repair skills training, recycling and buses and at transport hubs.
ownership. within a two-mile route from school is able advice, seed banks, tool sharing and other
• Support measures to protect heritage to walk, wheel or cycle there safely. services.
buildings and extend conservation areas. • Introduce a Vision Zero approach for road • Quantify and promote the economic
safety, which will significantly reduce contribution of the creative economy.
(and aim to eliminate) deaths and serious • Work with cultural organisations to
injuries on our roads, and work with understand how councils can best support
Greens in Government to fund road safety the whole sector, rather than ‘picking
teams in all local authorities to make this winners’ from competitive funding rounds.
happen. • Improve accessibility to sport facilities.
• Work with communities to help prevent • Support grassroots sporting activities, such
anti-social behaviour, tackle gender- as running clubs, and ensure provision of
based violence and improve community low cost ‘community-use’ sports facilities
22 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 23REVITALISING LOCAL DEMOCRACY PLANNING FOR
•
that benefit people and nature.
Prioritise development on brownfield land,
Scottish Greens believe that local government can put power in your hands. Green
A GREEN FUTURE seek to protect green belt and open space
Councillors will listen to community concerns, then work hard to create solutions and make Scottish Greens will strive for a planning from development and oppose out of town
councils open and accountable. system that listens to people. It should be retail developments.
transparent, accountable and give people • Help local authorities deliver their Climate
the power to shape their communities, Change Act commitments by making
resulting in development that is driven by carbon assessments a requirement of
Since 2017 Green Councillors have: public interest, not economic growth, and development proposals and transitioning
Empowered local communities which uses the planning system to tackle the Scotland away from fossil fuel extraction
climate crisis, contribute to ending poverty, and consumption.
Consistently stood up for local communities against big developers. and create pleasant, people-focussed places. • Seek to ensure the planning system plays
Won funding for local communities in Glasgow, including millions of pounds its part in adapting to a world where
for new play parks, back lane improvements, tenement repairs, 20mph speed Green Councillors will: climate change means more extreme
limits, local green spaces and food growing. • Invest in planning as a public service - weather events, ensuring our homes
Stood up for migrant justice - opposing evictions, preventing deportations and empowering local groups and individuals and businesses are resilient to flooding,
fighting for decent housing. to engage, providing meeting spaces, clear working with nature wherever possible
Supported the expansion of participatory budgeting schemes in Edinburgh, and accessible information and dedicated to manage flood water, and preventing
such as £eith Chooses. staff. developments in flood-risk areas.
Sought additional support for community councils during the pandemic and • Ensure transparency and accountability by • Support the development of local energy
pushed to accelerate the reopening of community centres after the pandemic. pushing to make the voting record for all companies and local heat networks.
Championed transparency and reform planning and development management • Seek to ensure the planning system plays
committee votes available promptly online its part in tackling the climate emergency
Helped return Glasgow Council to a proportionate, democratic committee and in council offices. and ending poverty, by reducing the
system and bring alternative voices into Council decision-making. • Ensure that planning officers and local need to travel and creating 20-minute
Won agreement to carry out a review in Edinburgh, led by the members of councillors involved in planning decisions neighbourhoods, by encouraging highly
the BME community, of features within the city that commemorate those are supported with training to ensure they energy efficient and nature-friendly
with close links to slavery and colonialism, to consult widely on the review understand the long-term carbon impacts buildings, and by ensuring the delivery of
outcomes and to make recommendations to rectify the glorification of slavery of development. truly affordable housing where it is needed.
and colonialism. • Campaign with our MSPs to balance
Changed Orkney Island Council investment practices so that all decisions the rights of communities with those of
require discussion of Environmental, Governance and Social dimensions. developers by giving them an equal right of FAIR FUNDING
Valued our council employees appeal over planning decisions. At present,
only developers have the right to appeal. FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
Committed Glasgow Council to the world-leading ‘Equally Safe at Work’
• Undertake a review of planning Scottish Greens believe in progressive
programme and won support across parties to secure Scotland’s first-ever
enforcement processes to ensure that taxation and investment in public services.
local authority gender pay action plan.
developers deliver on all conditions of The involvement of the community in
Introduced best practice in Edinburgh Council’s recruitment and employment
their planning permission, that developer financial decision-making is a cornerstone for
practices, ensuring that equality, diversity and anti-discrimination training is
contributions are swiftly used for their revitalising our local democracy.
standard for all staff.
intended purpose, and that planning
Led on urgent action on the climate crisis breaches are effectively dealt with. Green Councillors will:
• Expand the use of place plans and • Engage with the forthcoming Citizens’
Supported the school climate strikers in Edinburgh, securing authorised days
development briefs, led by local Assembly on local government funding,
of absence for pupils attending global days of strike action.
communities, in order to ‘front load’ the won by Greens in Government, with the
Secured a commitment in Edinburgh to ensure all new buildings in the city will
planning system and provide more voice to aim of ending the regressive Council Tax
be very low-carbon under the new City Plan.
communities. and replacing it with a fairer system.
Included climate and nature emergency activist groups in Glasgow in
• Protect wildlife sites and local greenspaces • Give council employees a say on how their
decision-making, scrapped parking perks for councillors and ended Council
from development and seek sustainable pensions should be invested, including
use of internal flights.
solutions to managing public land in ways options to divest from fossil fuels, tobacco
10 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL
24 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCAL 25REVITALISING LOCAL DEMOCRACY
and weapons and invest in local housing about public spending, increasing the use
and renewable energy. of participatory budgeting.
• Push councils to publish annual budget • Support community-led development
proposals early so that they can be plans and projects, including buildings,
scrutinised by councillors and communities parks, sports facilities, energy and
and ensure that budgets have Equality much more, financially and by sharing
Impact Assessments. experience.
• Support the return of the power to set the • Continue to work with rural and urban
rate for 50% of the assessed value of non- communities on buyouts of land and assets
domestic property. This would devolve that can transform local facilities and
more fiscal power to local government and economies.
help make local decisions on rates which • Ensure that communities have a lead
fit local circumstances. role in tourism development, facilitating
• Support a fiscal framework for the tourism that benefits local communities
relationship between Scottish and local rather than overwhelming them.
government which promotes local • Work to provide non-intimidating
democracy, devolved decision-making and community discussion spaces. These will
stability for public services. support a diverse array of voices and will
• Support the continued devolution of pilot new methods for participation in
financial powers to local authorities by council decisions, including through better
developing new local tax powers like the use of technology.
Transient Visitor Levy. • Make it easier for those with lived/direct
• Review the way the third sector is funded, experience of inequality to be involved in
in particular funding for core services and making council policy and directly fund
the need for long-term funding. equalities and anti-poverty groups where
• Improve conditions for frontline workers their expertise is needed to support the
across local authorities and support development or implementation of council
piloting a four-day working week which policy.
means a 20% reduction in working hours • Make it easier to find out and understand
with no reduction in pay. what is happening in your council,
standardise the live webcasting of council
meetings, record councillors’ votes on
EMPOWERING all committees and open up to public
scrutiny.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES • Remove barriers to elected office for
Scotland needs a revitalised local democracy under-represented groups and ensure
where citizens are engaged and active that council business is conducted in an
in the important matters affecting their accessible and inclusive manner.
communities and where voters can make • Oppose top-down centralisation of
real choices about the services they want services. We are open to collaboration
and how to pay for them. Councils, and the between local authorities where this would Only the Scottish Greens understand that the climate and
important decisions they make, must be enable better service provision for all. nature emergencies need urgent action by governments, by
accountable to local people.
businesses and in our communities. We have proved that we can
Green Councillors will: provide leadership in Scotland to tackle poverty and the climate
• Support more powers for community emergency. Giving the Scottish Greens your first preference vote
councils, citizens’ assemblies, street
committees and other community bodies will build our leadership in your local council too.
to be actively involved in making decisions
26 THINK GLOBAL ACT LOCALPromoted by Pete Morrison on behalf of the Scottish Green Party, both at 19b Graham Street, Edinburgh, EH6 5QN. Printed by DTP Southfield, 4.4 Inveresk Mills Industrial Estate, Musselburgh, EH21 7UQ.
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