2nd February 2008

Dear Sir

In response to the points that Councillor David Baker raised. It is not inevitable that people have to struggle to feed their families unless they go to supermarkets, prices in local shops are lower on average than supermarkets. Local shops also pay higher wages and provide more jobs, which helps the neighbourhood. The Green Party also supports local business because that way the money stays in the City, an economic factor known as the local multiplier effect. The new Tesco will put at risk local business and make the area poorer, not better off.

The Green Party first moved to have an annual target reducing Sheffield's Carbon footprint a year before it was passed by Council, the Lib Dems having changed their minds in the meantime. The Greens also proposed that the economic strategy of Sheffield should follow the Government's five principles of sustainable development - principles that are soundly based on evidence and ones that will benefit local people and the environment over the long term. We face ever rising energy costs, including the decline of Oil supplies after 2012. We have an economy that does not benefit most of those who do the work and that uses three times the resources the planet can support. There needs to be an economic plan for Sheffield that holds a future for all the people of Sheffield, one that is resilient and cares for the environment, one that looks beyond the glossy facade of being another clone town. We hope that other parties will eventually support this also.

Finally, to make clear the point about the Co-operative group. The economic and planning policies of Labour promote an environment where socially minded enterprise and small local businesses struggle. In 2007 the Co-operative group and its member societies donated £870,000 to the Co-operative party, a party that includes Meg Munn and which is closely affiliated with the Labour party. The Co-op party in turn donated £60,000 to Labour. The point is simple. The money the Co-op is putting towards Labour seems to be going to little good use; perhaps it would be better spent elsewhere.

Jason Leman
Sheffield Green Party

Lib Dem Councillor Baker's original letter follows.

I READ with interest Green Party Councillor Bernard Little's view on the
closure of the non-food part of the Co-op (Co-op closures are another
step on the road to 'Clone City', 17th January).
Sheffield is a major city and as such should have an economy to match,
along with the improved jobs and increased salaries for local people
that come with it.

This means that we should welcome growth but put in realistic measures
to mitigate the impact on climate change.

From the letter it seems that the Greens only answer to this problem is
to oppose economic growth altogether.

Coun Little also states that he is opposed to a new supermarket that is
set to be built on the Wicker.

I agree that we should try and encourage as many sustainable retailers
as possible. But we must also be minded of the fact that people should
still have a choice over where the shop.

This means that value supermarkets have a place as part of an overall
picture, although they should not be allowed to dominate the market at
expense of others.

But it seems that if Coun Little had his way all supermarkets would be
banned in favour of small shops exclusively selling organic produce.
However desirable this might be to some, try telling that to a
low-income family on a tight budget with several mouths to feed.

A few extra pounds and pence here and there can make a big difference.

He claims that the Co-op are supporting New Labour through closing a
part of its business which has become financially unviable.

This statement is quite frankly nothing short of bizarre.

Liberal Democrats are working to make Sheffield more environmentally
sustainable.

That's why we have successfully made the Council come up with a strategy
for reducing Sheffield's carbon footprint through introducing tough
annual targets.

I believe putt-ing forward sensible solutions to the 'climate change
versus economic growth' issue like this is the best way to achieve a
positive outcome.

I would urge the Greens to do the same instead of coming up with
economically illiterate arguments and farfetched theories, which do
nothing to address the wider issue.

Councillor David Baker, Deputy Leader of the Sheffield Liberal Democrat
Group and Shadow Cabinet member for Economic Development, Planning and
Culture.