Latest news
Greens get Council to look into plastic bag recycling
Submitted by Rob White on 1 February 2010 - 2:09pmFollowing on from an enquiry from a resident the Greens have asked that the council look into plastic bag recycling
At the moment, the Council does not have a specific policy on plastic bags. Following the request, they have asked their waste disposal contractor (WRG) about the feasibility of providing collection points for bags.
Parliamentary candidates support UNISON's million voices campaign
Submitted by Rob White on 28 January 2010 - 10:41amParliamentary hopefuls queue up to join the Million Voices campaign. Labour candidate Anneliese Dodds and Rob White of the Green Party, who are both fighting for the Reading East seat at the coming general election, joined together recently to commit their support for UNSON's campaign.
A Million Voices for Public Services calls for investment and support for the people who provide public healthcare, education, housing and social services rather than privatisation and cuts.
Jolly Anglers premises licence granted
Submitted by Rob White on 24 January 2010 - 11:06amTalking after the Council meeting on reopening the Jolly Anglers pub Green Party Parliamentary candidate for Reading East and member of the campaign to reopen the pub Rob White said: "I attended a tense licensing subcommittee last night to discuss granting a new premises licence for the Jolly Anglers pub. I was there with about 10 other people from Jollydarity and I am delighted to report that the Jolly Anglers now has its premises licence back.
Greens condemn Reading housing backlog
Submitted by Rob White on 1 January 2010 - 7:52pmRob White, Green general election candidate for the Reading East constituency, has today spoken out regarding Reading's troubling housing situation.
This follows the recent report by Shelter which calculated that it would take Reading council well over seven years to clear their housing backlog. Shelter says a total of 82 authorities would take between a decade and 33 years to clear their waiting lists - or until 2019 to 2042.
In 2008/9 Reading had 4834 people on their council housing waiting list.
Greens say "grit steep slopes" from Newtown down to Kennet
Submitted by Rob White on 21 December 2009 - 1:52pmReading Greens are frustrated that the Council has ignored their request for steep paths including the ones from Newtown down to the river Kennet to be gritted.
Earlier in the year when we had lots of snow local Green Rob White witnessed a number of people sliding over at the bottom of Cholmeley Road which is both icy and steep. He requested that the Council apply grit to this area in the future to prevent people from falling over.
There are also some very steep paths from Cumberland Road and Orts Road down to the riverside.
Reading Greens follow Obama and turn to online fundraising
Submitted by Rob White on 20 December 2009 - 1:56pmReading Green Party are following in the footsteps of the Obama presidential campaign and pioneering the use of online fundraising in Reading.
According to one American source, the Obama campaign raised $45 million online in February 2008 alone. Whilst the Green's ambitions are a bit more modest they hope to cover some of the large costs in the coming year, which will have both local and general elections through online fundraising.
To stand a candidate at the general election a deposit of £500 is required. To design and print a leaflet for a whole constituency costs around £700.
Greens welcome new safety fence for Palmer Park
Submitted by Rob White on 15 December 2009 - 10:55amFollowing on from Green lobbying the Council has installed a fence between Palmer Park and the Wokingham Road near to the play area. Greens say this will make the park safer.
Parents raised concerns with the Green Party about there not being a boundary fence on the Wokingham Road side of the park. This was the only side of the park not to have a fence. Parents were particularly concerned because there is a play area on this side of the park and whilst the play area is fenced there are often children playing outside of the fence.
10th Tesco In Reading
Submitted by Adrian Windisch on 10 December 2009 - 12:04pmDear Editor
Tesco's relentless invasion of Reading is set to continue when it opens its 10th store in the town. A new Tesco Express, based in the building in Market Place will open in February.
Why do our Council let Tesco take over the town? Is there no way to limit to their expansion? Watch the small shops close, so the choice for customers becomes less good. When only supermarkets and a few specialist shops remain, will the council think it a good thing?
Greens say no to development on playing fields
Submitted by Rob White on 9 December 2009 - 1:14pmLocal Greens were horrified to see that some of the playing fields behind Thames Valley University on Crescent Road were being earmarked for development in the Council's plan.
The plan is called the Sites Allocation Document and it details areas planned for development across the borough.
In the document the 5.6 hectare site is marked for a mix of uses including up to 315 housing units and commercial development.
The Greens are collecting signatures to have this site removed from the Site Allocations Document.
Greens support World AIDS Day
Submitted by Rob White on 8 December 2009 - 11:14amOn World AIDS Day local Green campaigner Rob White visited the stall of local HIV charity Thames Valley Positive Support in the Civic Centre.
TVPS aims to help and support those infected and affected with HIV, in a friendly, supportive, practical and strictly confidential manner. They support over 200 people in Reading and on average 4 new referrals per month are received from the sexual health clinic or social services.
