Press Releases for 2004

Councillor Harris welcomed by Greens: BRAVE AND SENSIBLE MOVE: GREEN PARTY DELIGHTED TO WELCOME WENDY HARRIS

13th August 2004

District Councillor Wendy Harris, who has left the Liberal Democrats to join the Green Party, has been warmly welcomed both by local Greens in East Kent and Greens on other councils throughout the country. Wendy Harris comments:

"I feel very happy to have been welcomed by Green Party members from all over England and I look forward to the help and support I have been offered by local Greens. It was not an easy option for me to change my political party but I feel the transition has been made a lot easier for me by the enthusiasm and genuine concern shown for Shepway by my fellow Greens.

There will be immediate practical problems for Shepway District Council. Some priorities in the Council s Forward Plan (1) may need to be revisited by the new Council. The really dismal Audit Commission report (2) required many improvements from both councillors and council officers and given the current political uncertainty staff must be wondering what changes are coming next. I believe we must all work together for the benefit of the whole district.

"Green policies offer new employment opportunities for Shepway. Green policies on energy conservation, renewable energy installation for homes, bringing empty property into use through refurbishment and promoting cooperatives to allow people with small amounts of capital to work together to create new businesses all need to be part of Shepway s future. Green tourism based on creating walking and cycling networks throughout our district is already on track. Just this week I was able to support the launch of a new leaflet for Hythe aptly entitled Walks & Cycle Routes around Hythe, and the Sustrans cycle route adjacent the popular Royal Military Canal has been an outstanding success."

Steve Dawe, East Kent Green Party(3) Press Officer, adds:

"Wendy has made a brave and sensible move to embrace constructive Green politics. Shepway s old two party system has become a battlefield in which there are no winners. Wendy s personal style has always been to consider greener politics in which the needs of the community come first, rather than the need to fight across the council chamber." ENDS

FURTHER INFORMATION: Councillor Wendy Harris, on 01303 266172. Contact address as above. Wendy is also Mayor of Hythe Town Council.

Notes:

1. Forward plan August, September, October and November 2004 16.7.04 www.shepway.gov.uk

2. Comprehensive Performance Assessment Audit Commission July 2004 www.shepway.gov.uk

3. East Kent Green Party covers the district council areas of Ashford, Canterbury, Dover-Deal, Shepway, Swale and Thanet.

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