We support real consultation and decision-making at local level, including local people's control of budgets. Democratic structures and processes encourage communities to develop sustainably and help them challenge economic globalisation. Centralisation and unelected quangos have led to cynicism and less participation in elections. Mass postal voting or e-voting are not solutions and open to fraud. We support proportional representation at all levels.

In Sheffield

The Council's powers have been reduced. Budgets are largely earmarked by the Government for specific purposes. Private Finance Initiatives (PFI), Arms Length Management Organisations & private companies for projects and services gives our Council less direct control. Our Council Cabinet system gives the ruling party too much power. This is made worse by a powerful Executive and Local Strategic Partnership (Sheffield First Partnership), which sets the overall direction for the city. Area Panels have limited budgets & powers, cover wide areas & are poorly attended.

The Green Party has:

• Supported the right to protest.
• Encouraged people to take part in campaign and community groups, local forums and area panels, council meetings.

Our local Green Party members will:

• Promote new ways for people to express themselves to encourage campaigning and debate.
• Support active citizenship initiatives at every level.
• Increase our opposition to PFIs by showing how they escape democratic controls and cost more.

Our Green Councillors have:

• Supported Area Panels, by attending the public meetings and Members' Briefing meetings and using them as a way of listening to and channelling local people's concerns.
• Engaged with the new "Neighbourhood Management” pilots but resisted them becoming mini-quangos.
• Tried to alert local people to planning and licensing applications, encouraging them to contribute to the consultation process.
• Supported the right to protest such as at the Sheffield G8 meeting.

Our Green Councillors will:

• Contribute to the work of the Council’s Scrutiny Boards.
• Show how political parties can work together rather than simply attacking one another.