"We now need to crack on and follow successes in other areas of the country."

"As a local authority, Portsmouth has led the way in 20 mph zones. Since Portsmouth brought in their 20 mph zones in 2008, accidents are down by 13%. Casualties are down by 15% (and by an amazing 31% for older people)."

Caroline recently visited Patcham Junior School to gather signatures for a petition calling for a speeding crackdown.

Lucas has also, within the last few months, talked with residents on the Pankhurst Estate, St Nicholas's Road and Surrenden Road about 20 mph zones.

- A 20 mph limit would get people walking and cycling more
- Traffic would move at a more consistent pace (improving traffic flow and reducing emissions)
- Most importantly, if a pedestrian is struck at 20mph, their survival rate is improved by 95% (compared to being hit at 35mph).

Lucas concluded by saying that: "The success of Portsmouth has been based on effective promotion and marketing of the change, full and comprehensive community engagement, enforcement, and education days run by the police"

"We can replicate that here in Brighton and Hove and have safer roads across the city."
--
For more information, please contact Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.

1) Please see: 20's Plenty for Us - www.20splentyforus.org.uk

2) To find an online petition for 20's Plenty In Brighton, see: www.gopetition.co.uk/online/31175.html

3) Among others, Green Party councillors in Norwich, Leicester, Hackney, Islington, and Bristol have pushed for 20 mph zones in their local areas. For more information on this, please see: www.greenparty.org.uk/news/20-04-2009-20mph-zones.html

'Shaping the Future of Care Together' - a government Green Paper laying out future options for the funding and organisation of the social care system - has kick started a national discussion on reform of the system. This discussion is called the Big Care Debate.

The Big Care Debate ends on November 13. As well as paper questionnaires, you can answer the questions online.

After the event, Green Party, Reading East Parliamentary candidate Rob White said: "Across the country, people from all walks of life turn to our care and support system when ill health of some kind means they need help managing their day to day lives.

"Here in Reading, more than 4500 people claimed disability living allowance last year. But for too long, social care has been the most neglected service of the public sector."

"Years of under investment combined with an ageing society means the system is now at breaking point. Making sure we can provide quality care for those in need is a matter of political will and priority."

"A service this important cannot be made to fit in with 'shrink to fit' economic policies"

"Greens believe the state should provide free social care for all who need it. Fair is worth fighting for."

ENDS

Notes for the Editor

1. For more information please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
2. Green Park Ward candidate Rob White polled 994, and came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections in Reading. At the last general election he stood in Reading East and increased the Green vote by over 50% polling 1548.
3. For more information on the Green Paper, please see:
http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/greenpaper/the-green-paper-and-supporting-documents/
4. 4560 people in Reading claimed DLA alone in the year ending August 2008.
5. The online questionnaire can be found here:
http://careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/questionnaire/

"Our Government says we need more new homes in Kent and Medway. But over 19,600 home were empty according to the 2008 figures(1), and numbers have risen in the recession. There are over 1000 homes in Medway alone which have been empty for more than 6 months (2). The Government says there were 784,000 empty properties in England alone in 2008(3): Shelter says the current figure for the UK is about 1 million whilst Building societies allege there is a shortage of property for sale nationally"

"Despite efforts by the Kent Empty Homes Initiative and the No Use Empty website that tries to bring commercial properties into use, there is still a general failure to make use of our existing built environment to meet housing needs. The construction jobs which could be sustained over a period of years putting Kent and Medway's empty properties into use would doubtless be considerable. And so is the lack of imagination on the part of our Government, that insists on targets for new homes in Kent and Medway."

--
FURTHER INFORMATION: Steve Dawe on 01732 355185 or 07747 036192. Contact address as above.

For monthly ezine KENT GREEN NEWS, subscribe through website at www.kentgreenparty.org

Notes:
1. http://www.emptyhomes.com/usefulinformation/stats/se08.htm
2. http://www.medway.gov.uk/index/housing/privatesectorhousing/73545.htm
3. http://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2009-10-15a.292814.h&s=empty+dwelling

To put the towns' local shopping areas on the road to recovery, the Reading Green Party is prescribing five anti-recession remedies; Councils should aim to keep shopping parades attractive for local shoppers and combat the dereliction that might otherwise arise in a recession.

1.) The Council should work with commercial landlords to promote a short-term tenancy scheme for vacant shops to prevent high streets turning into ghost towns and keep community spirit alive. The Council should also be given new powers to penalise landlords who leave shop premises empty for more than three months.

2.) The Council should back the grassroots "slack space" movement which aims to provide temporary community and cultural uses, such as swap shops, debt counselling advice and art and music spaces -- such as the Art Windows scheme being run by Jelly.

3.) The Council should be given new powers to decide what post office provision is needed in their borough. By keeping post office open the boroughs will encourage local residents onto shopping streets and will reduce post office queuing at the same time.

4.) The council should lobby the government to issue automatic business rate relief for all small businesses that are eligible. Over half of businesses entitled to rates relief do not claim it, despite government already knowing which businesses could claim.

"Some of Reading's local shopping streets are in danger of being wiped out by the recession" said Reading West Green Parliamentary candidate Adrian Windisch.

"Empty shops are creating ghost towns that can become hotspots for crime and anti-social behaviour. The Council urgently needs to draw up a rescue plan for local shopping streets, before our local shops are gone forever".

Adrian continued: "Small businesses are under pressure as never before. Huge supermarkets destroy local shops and exploit the smaller companies that supply them. Big companies pay late and poach workers from small firms. Yet it is not small businesses that cause the most pollution, waste the most resources and exploit their workers; they serve largely local markets and strengthen local economies and communities."

Notes for the Editor

1. For more information please contact Adrian Windisch on 0118 9567190 or 07802 671606
2. The survey by Local data is reported the Times
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/retailing/article6891258.ece#
3. On 28th February 2009 the Local Government Association announced that it had sent out a survey to all local authority leaders on the impact of empty shops in town centres.
4. 85% of the council responses received nationally claimed to have seen an increase in the number of empty shops in town centres.
5. In May 2006 a Federation of Small Businesses' survey found that only 49% of eligible businesses were claiming Business Rate Relief.

Brighton Greens collected signatures on a petition which calls on First Capital Connect to end the train chaos caused by a pay dispute between the company and the train drivers' union ASLEF.

The petition also calls for Government to step in and provide a long term solution by renationalising the rail services.

Thursday's cancellations caused significant disruption to people's working and personal lives, and wreaked havoc on Brighton and Hove's economy.

Greens collected signatures from 16.00 till 18.00, and were joined by Caroline as she returned from an important vote in the European Parliament.

However, her own journey was disrupted as Caroline usually travels to her Brighton base by First Capital Connect train.

On the strike, Caroline said "This is symptomatic of a privatised rail network, where in order to cut costs and boost profits the drivers are expected to work overtime.

"The chaos goes to highlight the consequences of this. The Greens believe in nationalising the railways and trains, providing better value for money and a more efficient service passengers".

This sentiment was echoed by Councillor Ian Davey, the Brighton Green group spokesperson for transport, and parliamentary candidate for Hove, who said "The Government should be providing a realistic alternative to cars for those who want to change the way they travel.

"At the moment, our train services are unreliable and expensive."

Green Party research has revealed that Britain has some of the highest train fares in Europe.

The party has called for a £3bn investment which would cut train prices by a third, meaning the cost of a monthly commuter ticket from Brighton to London would be cut by over £110.

--

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party office on 01273 766 670.

Nick commutes from Palmer Park Avenue in Reading to Camden every day. He catches the train from Reading to Paddington and cycles to his destination.

Nick has written to Network Rail twice about this not had any response. He has also contacted Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Reading East Rob White.

Commuter Nick Short said: "I wrote to Network Rail regarding the poor condition of the bicycle racks at Paddington Station and the fact that my bike had just been badly damaged. I have still not received a reply to that letter.

"Unfortunately, when I collected my bike this morning the same thing had happened. My bike had been rammed up against a barrier by another cyclist trying to find a parking space. As a result the frame had been damaged and the wing mirror snapped off.

"If you were to visit the cycle park on Platform 8, you would still find a bit of a shambles: there are an inadequate number of racks so bikes are piled on top of each other; the racks are badly organised and squeezed together making it very difficult to get bikes in to a suitable parking slot (if you could actually find one); and there are discarded bikes and old frames taking up valuable space on the racks.

Green Party Parliamentary Candidate for Reading East Rob White said: "I travel to London sometimes myself and have seen the massively overcrowded bike parking. Cycling is a great way to save money, keep fit and tackle climate change all at the same time, government at all levels should be really pushing the cycling agenda including providing decent bike parking, but unfortunately they are not. This is totally unacceptable and I contacted Green Party London Assembly Member Darren Johnston and asked him to raise this with the Mayor.

In response from a question on this matter from Green Party London Assembly Member Darren Johnson, London Mayor Boris Johnson said: "Transport for London is working closely with Network Rail to improve cycle parking facilities at major stations including Paddington. Proposed improvements have been drafted but can not be introduced until designs have been approved by English Heritage and other works at Paddington are complete. This is not expected before summer of 2010."

Notes for the Editor

1. For more information please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
2. Green Park Ward candidate Rob White polled 994, and came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections in Reading. At the last general election he stood in Reading East and increased the Green vote by over 50% polling 1548.

Printed and promoted by Robert White, 22 Cumberland Rd, Reading, RG1 3LB. Both on behalf of Reading Green Party.

"I have a confession to make. Once upon a time I worked in banks. But it was not in the UK. It was in Austria, where the banking system is highly regulated. Banks should be regulated to get rid of bonuses. The Government sell-off of parts of its stake in Royal Bank of Scotland, Northern Rock and Lloyds should be used as an opportunity to create community banks.

"The Government could protect the existing network of post offices and mail delivery arrangements and give added commercial freedom to Royal Mail, Parcelforce, and Post Office Counters Limited. It could introduce strict controls on the financial sector to ensure that it serves the purposes of a sustainable economy. To ensure stability, it should regulate all financial instruments firmly and permit only those that are transparent, that offer limited risk of financial destabilisation and are clearly beneficial.
"A network of local Community Banks could be established, helping to replace the Post Offices many communities in Kent and Medway have lost. These should be democratically accountable non-profit-making trusts, which would be able to provide low-cost finance both at district and regional levels. Any operating surplus arising from these Community Banks would be reinvested in their local communities. Promoting and supporting credit unions and micro-credit schemes in which small groups of people cooperate to provide guaranteed small loans to each other would increase access to loans as well."

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair, Kent Green Party on 01732 355185 and 079444 71083.

Almost 40 years after the Equal Pay Act, women working full time across the UK now earn an average 17 per cent less per hour than men working full time.

Over the course of the year, this equates to women receiving their last pay cheque on 30 October - while men are paid all year round. *

The Equal Pay Day Campaign, jointly run by the Fawcett Society and Unison, seeks to amend the Equality Bill currently before Parliament to ensure more is done to close this 'gender pay gap.'

The Green Party in Brighton and Hove is backing the campaign with Councillor Vicky Wakefield-Jarrett (left) leading for the city's Green councillors.

Vicky and other Green activists attended a photo call at Brighton mainline station on Friday morning.

Green Party Leader Caroline Lucas, parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion constituency, also joined the event and helped to give out biscuits with a 17 per cent 'bite' taken out of them to mark the day.

Caroline said: "Despite the many laws and regulations in place to ensure equality in the workplace, too many women are still getting a raw deal.

"We urgently need to do more to end the scandal that is the 17 per cent gender pay gap - and the first step is making sure the Equality Bill goes further.

"Greens believe the Bill must be amended to include measures such as mandatory pay audits comparing earnings between men and women and legal changes to make it much easier for women to take equal pay cases to court."

Cllr Vicky Wakefield Jarrett, the Green's spokesperson on Equalities, said: "Making sure women are fairly rewarded for the work they do is about more than fair pay, it's about building a society where gender doesn't ever act as a barrier or a hindrance.

"Greens believe everyone should be treated with respect and value, regardless of their gender.

"Equal pay for work of equal value must be more than a theoretical legal right, it must be a reality.

"While many employers - including Brighton & Hove City Council - have taken steps to ensure women are rewarded fairly, too many others have failed to take action.

"The Equality bill poses a great opportunity to ensure every employer takes action to end the gender pay gap."

* For more information on the Equal Pay Day campaign, please see:

www.fawcettsociety.org.uk

For more information generally please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party Office on 01273 766 670.

In a strongly worded letter to the Communication Workers Union Dr Lucas (below), accused the Government of "ill-serving" workers and the UK public.

She criticised the Government for its "shameful privatisation of public services" which has led to "increased marginalisation and inequalities in terms of public access to services".

The move comes as the row over today's first postal strike escalated, with Gordon Brown calling upon the strikers and Royal Mail to "get around the table" to end the industrial dispute and the Tories attacking Labour for failing to deal with the crisis.

In the letter to CWU Secretary Bill Hayes, Caroline says: "In our view, Royal Mail workers and management have been on a collision course since the private sector has been forced on the service.

"By removing profitable parts of the business for the benefit of speculators and investors, the Government has created an environment in which the interests of the population of the UK as a whole have been ill-served, none more so than your members.

"It is shameful that a Labour Government should have played such a role in the privatisation of public services, and in a way which has increased marginalisation and inequalities in terms of access to services."

"It is especially concerning that this Labour Government is not content with overseeing the dismantling of this vital service.

"It now appears to be colluding with Royal Mail management to undermine the rights of the Union and its representatives, and condoning the side-lining of the CWU in working towards the completion of the agreement from the last period of industrial action."

The Green Party leader offered the CWU the Green's full support in the coming days, stating that "...we hope that any action is swift and positive in its results. As we did two years ago, we will lobby at every level to support the CWU cause."

Dr Lucas used the letter of support to draw attention to the fact that in Brighton and Hove during previous industrial action, "Green Party members and our active Trade Union Group joined the CWU on the picket line, Green councillors promoted your case, including getting Brighton and Hove Council to support your action, and we publicly backed your position."

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party Office on 01273 766 670.

Notes
1. Oxfordshire Minerals and Waste Strategy, Appendix 2, Annexe D.

"New research confirming that traffic noise exposure will raise blood pressure is a wakeup call to traffic planners. People living on busy roads are entitled to expect their Highways Authority - Kent or Medway - to take action to protect their health by reducing noise exposure.

"Kent Green Party's policy, to seek consistent traffic reductions throughout the County through expanding walking, cycling, bus and train use and more movement of freight by rail, will help. The current Kent Local Transport Plan will not. Once again, Kent Green Party calls publically for our Highways Authorities in Kent to commit themselves to year on year traffic reductions.

"This won't just help with traffic noise and the resulting ill-health. It will reduce air pollution. Our Government is about to be prosecuted by the European Court of Justice for breaching air quality laws to which it has agreed in the past. It will mean reduced costs of road repair. It will mean buses running closer to times and more promptly on some routes, with less traffic. It will mean that the costs of new lorry parks can be avoided. It will challenge the spread of warehousing projects in Kent and Medway, by pushing more long-distance freight on to rail(3). All of this is a win-win situation for public health and our environment."

FURTHER INFORMATION: Dr Hazel Dawe, Chair - KENT GREEN PARTY - on 01732 355185 or mobile 07747 036192.

Notes:

1. The article, widely reported, can be found at: http://www.ehjournal.net/content/8/1/38/abstract See, on this Swedish research: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8247217.stm Another study makes similar claims to the Swedish research: http://www.noiseandhealth.org/article.asp?issn=1463-1741;year=2008;volume=10;issue=38;spage=27;epage=33;aulast=Babisch;type=0
2. Other research linking traffic noise to damage to health has been reported, in a Cornell University study: SEE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/05/010523072445.htm See also: LCE den Boer - Traffic Noise Reduction in Europe (available on line); http://www.nature.com/hr/journal/v31/n4/abs/hr2008101a.html ; http://www.env-health.org/a/3348 ; http://www.mex.dk/uk/vis_nyhed_uk.asp?id=6443&nyhedsbrev_id=939
3. Such as the China Gateway in Thanet, The Kent International Gateway project, near Maidstone, currently undergoing a public inquiry and the proposed Kent and Rail Freight Terminal at Borough Green.

Cllr Phillips on Sunday (11th October) ran the Rise 8k, a run along the under cliff walk by Brighton Marina organised by the charity.

Alex said, "Rise operates the only local domestic abuse helpline, and this year's run raised money to help keep it open, along with the many other services Rise offers.

"It was great to raise cash for such an important project, while also taking part in a really enjoyable event.

"I'd like to say thanks to everyone who sponsored me. Your money will ensure help is available for vulnerable local women and children.

"Domestic violence destroys lives, and it's vital we all do everything we can to help those in need.

"One in four women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime - many of these on a number of occasions, while one incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute.

"For some people, Rise is the only place left to turn. Their specialist support services are a lifeline for the many women, children and young people living with the effects of domestic abuse.

"It was a privilege to participate in an event supporting such a vital organisation."

For more information please contact the Brighton and Hove Green Party Office on 01273 766 670.

*For more information on Rise, please see http://www.riseuk.org.uk/ or call 01273 622 822

The fundraising event will be attended by Colin Firth, who was executive producer of the film and who will be participating in a Q&A session, William Francome, who co-wrote and narrates the feature, and Caroline Lucas, Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion.

"In Prison My Whole Life" looks at the life of imprisoned political activist and former Black Panther member, Mumia Abu-Jamal. Director Marc Evans and William Francome, have created a documentary which presents a critique of authoritarianism, racism, capital punishment and police brutality in US society.

The feature-length documentary gives real insight into the lives of the 3350 people currently on death row in the United States and boasts appearances from Angela Davis, Mos Def, Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, Snoop Dogg, Steve Earle, and Amy Goodman.

Colin Firth, who has performed in forty films and television productions, will be attending the screening which will be followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Caroline Lucas said: "This is a vital documentary that shines a light on an issue seldom reported by much of the media. I am delighted Brighton and Hove Green Party is organising such an important event to raise the profile of the plight of Mumia Abu-Jamal and other US prisoners currently on death row."

There are a limited number of seats available. You can obtain tickets from the Duke of York box office,  0871 704 2056, http://www.picturehouses.co.uk 

For more information contact Emma Amyatt-Leir on 01273 766673.

The Euro-MP will join ‘Climate Rush on the Run', a travelling roadshow organised by female activists from the Suffragette-inspired Climate Rush campaign, on a visit to Brill C of E School from 11.45am. She will also take part in a Green Fayre in Kingsbury (Aylesbury) alongside TV chef and green campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall later in the day.

Dr Lucas is a keen supporter of Climate Rush, a campaign which uses creative direct action to protest against the government's commitment to environmentally destructive projects such as airport expansion and new coal fired power stations. Together with Climate Rush, she is calling for a revolution in renewable energy and a transition to a fair and sustainable green economy.

The ‘On the Run' roadshow is the brainchild of sixteen Climate Suffragettes, who for one month will be touring the South of England in costume with three horses and two caravans to raise awareness of the fight against climate change.

Tomorrow, the Green MEP will explain to pupils why it is important to understand what we can do to address climate change, and show them how exciting and empowering a low carbon future could be.

Ahead of her visit to Brill School, which has put in place a number of excellent initiatives to help reduce its carbon footprint - including two wind turbines, a ground source heat pump, a solar water heater, and three carbon neutral classrooms - Dr Lucas commented:

"I'm delighted to be joining the Climate Rush campaign in Buckinghamshire tomorrow and look forward to engaging with the pupils at Brill School on the challenges that lie ahead in protecting ourselves and the planet from the worst effects of climate change.

"In December, crucial talks will be held in Copenhagen to decide a timetable of global action against climate change. The wonderful grassroots' commitment embodied by campaigns such as Climate Rush must be matched with real political will in Parliament to step up the pressure on governments to commit to tough emissions reduction targets in line with the latest climate science."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Green Fayre in Kingsbury, Aylesbury, is due to run from 3-7pm tomorrow, and will feature talks from Caroline Lucas MEP, live cooking by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, storytelling by Climate Rush, games, and craft stalls.

The ‘Climate Rush on the Run' roadshow will take place throughout September, calling at Aylesbury, Oxford, Stroud, Bristol, Taunton, Exeter and Totnes. For more information, email info@climaterush.co.uk or call the roadshow coordinator on 07951 225127.

To find out more about Climate Rush and its aims, visit www.climaterush.co.uk.

The energy smart meters can be loaned out of the library like a book. They are easy to install and allow people to see how much electricity they are using. People can then take action to reduce energy usage. A person could save up to 25 percent of their electricity usage simply by turning off appliances when not in use, rather than leaving them on standby.

Green Party campaigner Rob White, who came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections, said:

"With the smart meter, you can see how much electricity you are using in real-time. You can see it go up when you put the kettle on and you can see it go down when you turn off appliances that are on standby."

"We are in the middle of a recession and everyone wants to save money. These energy smart meters will help people reduce their electricity bills, saving money and tackling climate change at the same time. This is a great result for Reading and the Green Party."

"I loaned one out from the library today and the librarian was telling me that before they were on the shelves staff were borrowing them and testing them at home to see how they work and they loved the idea."

"Hopefully at the next local elections we will get those extra 20 votes, get our first Green Councillor in Reading and get more schemes like this one agreed to save people money and tackle fuel poverty."

The Reading Green Party has campaigned previously in this area, successfully lobbying the Council a few years ago to sign of the Nottingham Declaration, which resulted in the Council's recent climate change strategy. Also, at the recent budget they lobbied for a free loft and cavity wall insulation scheme similar to the one Greens have delivered in Kirklees.

--

Notes to Editors 

1. For more information, please contact Rob White on 07985 923938 or 0118 9667183.
2. Green Park Ward candidate Rob White received 994 votes, and came within 20 votes of becoming Reading's first Green councillor at the last local elections in Reading. At the last general election, Rob stood in Reading East and increased the Green vote by over 50%, receiving 1548 votes.
3. For more information on the Owl wireless energy monitor, see: www.theowl.com

Caroline Lucas, Green Party leader and parliamentary candidate for Brighton Pavilion, said, "This is a spectacular win. It signals an unstoppable surge to elect the first Green MP at Westminster, whenever Gordon decides to go to the country. With this result, we're on the threshold of taking Green politics to the heart of Westminster."

Alex Phillips said, "Thank you to all the voters who put their faith in me. It's a ringing endorsement of Green policies and the work of Green councillors locally. I will be hardworking and unswerving in my task of representing local people and delivering positive Green change. Hopefully this means we can put pressure on the Tories and concentrate on our policies of a 20mph speed limit and introducing a living wage, which is more than the current minimum wage."

Councillor Bill Randall, convenor of the Green councillors on the city council, said, "With my council colleagues, we'll be reviewing the options in the light of the new party numbers and consulting our membership to ensure that we get the best, greenest deal for local residents. Between us we will do what is right in these very difficult times."

Alex won 38.5% of the votes -an increase of 17% over the last time the seat was contested with a swing of more than 12% from Labour to Green.

Full result

GRN 1,456 - 38.5% (+17.6%) GRN GAIN FROM CON

CON 1,104 - 29.2% (-0.9%)

LAB 816 - 21.5% (-6.8%)

LD 280 - 7.4% (-7.32%)

UKIP 129 - 3.4% N/A (others 6% last time)

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For more information please contact Brighton and Hove Green Party Office on 01273 766 670.

- Alex Phillips, a modern languages graduate, has worked for the Green Party in the European Parliament and in Brighton and Hove and an international charity in Brussels. She is originally from Liverpool, and is a former student at the University of Paris. She is also a trustee of Latitude Safe Space, a new charity for single homeless women in the city.

- At 24 years old, she will be the second youngest on the council (to Victoria Wakefield-Jarrett, also a Green).

The report, produced by members of Brighton & Hove City Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), states "members still have reservations about Care UK's ability to deliver the quality of care required ... it is evident that special measures must be put in place for monitoring the early progress of this contract." (2) 

Green City Cllr Jason Kitcat, who sits on HOSC and is also the Brighton Green Group's spokesperson on Health issues, said:

"Our investigation found problems with both the method used by the PCT to decide who should run the health centre, and their final choice of Care UK."

"The whole selection process seemed to unfairly favour big business over smaller and more local providers, because of the complex and intensive bid system."

"In choosing Care UK, the PCT have plumped for a company with a very mixed reputation - their management of the Sussex Orthopaedic Treatment Centre led the Healthcare commission to put it in special ‘measures' after concerns were raised about hygiene among other things."

"In light of this, we're urging the PCT to monitor the new health centre very closely and want a comprehensive update on how things are going after the first year."

"I'm really pleased we were able to find a cross-party consensus while drawing up this report, and would like also to commend the PCT for their co-operation with our investigation."

Notes for Editors:

(1)  The full report from the panel can be found at http://bit.ly/166O4N

Following detailed questioning by Cllr Jason Kitcat and members of Keep our NHS Public Brighton, the Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee called for a panel to be formed in March 2009. The panel examined the process and bidders involved in the procurement process for a city centre GP-led health centre. These health centres are a national initiative created on the insistence of Labour health minister Lord Darzi. The new ‘GP led health centre' in Brighton opened on the 1st of July 2009, on Queen's Rd, Brighton.

(2) Please see pages 65 - 66 of the report 

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For more information, please call Cllr Jason Kitcat on 07956 886 508, Charlie Woodworth, Brighton Green Group Political Assistant, on 01273 290452

"Many campaigners, including from Kent Green Party, will be surrounding Kingsnorth to once again draw attention to the climate-risking proposals to build a new coal-fired power station there."

"The event is being organised by Oxfam and includes a diverse range of communities and organisations such as Christian Aid, People and Planet, the Women's Institute, the World Development Movement, National Union of Students, Woodcraft Folk, RSPB and Campaign Against Climate Change. We're calling the event the "Mili-Band" in Secretary of State Ed Miliband's honour. Book your spot on the 'Mili-band' to join us on the day. Booking can be done on these websites: You can book a place here:

www.campaigncc.org/kingsnorth.shtml

"We will renew our demand that no new coal-fired power plant is built here, unless it has CCCS working at 100% (or very close) from the start. After the "Miliband" itself there will be a big summer fete, with stalls, music and plenty to do for kids - as well as some great speakers. So this will be a family-friendly, fun, event. So bring your family, your friends ... don't forget outdoor gear (appropriate to the weather), some water and a picnic if you fancy, though there should be some food available."

--

Notes for Editors

Further information: contact Dr Hazel Dawe on 01732 355185 and 079444 71083 from now until end of Thursday. From Friday morning and during the event on Saturday 4th July, please contact Mike Evans of the Medway branch of Kent Green Party on 07948 265 976. 

PLEASE NOTE:
The timetable for the day looks like this :

9.30-11am
Shuttle buses ferry people from Rochester station to the event centre
10-12am
Assembly on site and registration
12-1pm
Groups set off to take up their positions in the Mili-band
1.30pm
Photographs and video of the Mili-band
2pm
Finish and return to events centre
2.30pm
Live music on stage
3.00
Summer fête starts
3pm-5pm
Shuttle buses return people to Rochester station

If you have to come by car you need to park in Rochester and get the shuttle bus because there is no on-site parking for private cars at Kingsnorth For any group hiring their own minibus, please arrive at the Kingsnorth holding site no later than 11.30 (maps available soon). Parking for minibuses must be arranged either by contacting Will Tucker on 0121 634 3611, or emailing him at wtucker@oxfam.org.uk

Ben, the Brighton Green Group's Human Rights Spokesperson, and Green Parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown, said:

"If thousands of us around the world make these settings our own, the hope is that the secret police will be overwhelmed and free blogging and twittering will continue in Iran a while longer.

"Freedom of speech on the 'net - and for journalists in general - must be preserved: it's only if people know what's going on that they can make an informed decision, and no-one will know what's going on if the police are arresting everyone who's trying to tell us!

"So please change these details, even if just for a day or two: it takes less than a minute, costs nothing, and could prevent an innocent 'blogger from a night (or more...) in the cells, and help preserve the free flow of information about political events both inside, and beyond, Iran."

-- 

Notes for editors:

Tehran time is GMT + 3.30

For more information please contact Ben Duncan on 07824 266 953, or see his blog at:

http://greenkemptownben.blogspot.com/2009/06/act-now-to-protect-iranian-political.html

Dr Lucas immediately pledged to work hard for all residents of the South East - and thanked everyone who either voted or helped organize one of the world's biggest exercises in democracy.

She said: "I am delighted that the public has re-elected me to serve as one of the region's MEPs for the third time. Only the Green Party offers the potential for achieving the real change people are increasingly demanding.

"These excellent results show that people understand our policies will deliver a fairer society as well as addressing environmental issues."

Ten MEPs were elected to serve the South-East region:

Conservative, 4 MEPs, 34.8%

UKIP, 2 MEPs, 18.8%

Liberal Democrats, 2 MEPs, 14.1%

Greens, 1 MEP, 11.6% (up 3.8% in 2004)

Labour, 1 MEP, 8.2%

BNP, 0 MEPs, 4.4%

The victory is Dr Lucas's second in a week: on Thursday she was named ‘Politician of the Year' in the Observer newspaper's ‘Ethical Awards 2009'.

Dr Lucas added: "It's been a long campaign, but now I'll be getting on with the job: working tirelessly for all residents in the South East, to make sure they get the best from the complicated role the EU plays in all of our lives.

"As an MEP, I will be seeking to shape the laws that come out of Brussels to try to deliver a fairer, more sustainable South East region, and a European ‘Green New Deal' that could create 140,000 new jobs in the region."

Notes to Editors:

- Pictures from the count, which took place in Southampton, are available on request.

- Dr Lucas became one of the UK's first Green Party MEPs when she was elected to the European Parliament in 1999. She was re-elected in 2004 with an increased share of the vote.