20th February 2006

Oxford's 7-strong Green Group, who hold the balance of power on Oxford City COuncil, managed to secure one million pounds (£1m) of new environmental and social initiatives during the 2006/07 budget negotiations concluded this evening (20th February) following a five hour meeting of Full Council. The Greens also had a considerable influence on the adopted Labour budget (which they successfully amended).

Highlights include:

• Money to improve consultation on the planned new recycling scheme and address any issues arising from it (£60k)
• Establishment of a new Oxford Renewable Energy Services Company to provide residents and businesses with affordable, secure, green energy (£110k). Will generate profit from 2008 onwards.
• A new energy efficiency and renewable energy scheme for Council tenants (£250k)
• Energy saving campaign targeted at Council tenants (£14k)
• A £10k study to release potentially £000's of borrowing (technically known as Prudential Borrowing) to spend on making COuncil properties more energy efficient and install renewable energy systems
• Two new officer posts covering Climate Change and Sustainability(£210k)
• A new housing adviser for East Oxford (£50k)
• A Local Food Development Officer (£105k)to development healthy eating initiatives and opportunities for local food provisions (for example, farmer's markets).
• A new Sustainable Buildings Award (£15k) to promote best practise in Oxford
• Funding for free cavity and loft insulation for residents (+ £85k)
• Additional money for Area Committees (+ £95k)
  
  The Green budget also included many items which we also in the initial Labour budget. These included:
  
  * Litter enforcement officers
  * Free loft insulation for Pensioners
  * Supported lodgings for young people and Housing Accommodation managers (to replace lost Government funding)
  * Housing Development support - to bring forward affordable housing schemes
  * Park Rangers
  * Allotment Improvement Plan
  * Money to continue the work of Oxford Inspires
  * Improved business waste recycling service
  
  Says Green Group Leader: "This was an extremely successful budget for us. It proves what a small group of dedicated Green Councillors can achieve."
  
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  FULL GREEN BUDGET BELOW WITH NOTES SHOWING ITEMS WHICH WERE IN THE FINAL BUDGET

Y* = in final budget (fully funded)

Y = in final budget (at reduced funding) i.e less will be spent on this item than Greens set out in their budget

Y+ = in final budget (at increased funding)  i.e more will be spent on this item than Greens set out in their budget

N = not in final agreed budget