The last 10 years of Tory austerity have been devastating PEOPLE. The pandemic has made inequalities worse. We believe that community projects which patch up failings in government policy should be supported and rewarded, rather than being allowed to burn out. We also believe that people in communities know what’s best for their community, and so should be at the centre of future decision-making.

Green Councillors will work to;

• Support community projects which were established in the pandemic, to keep them going and to expand. The problems created by the pandemic continue, so it’s important to keep these groups running. They need support to prevent their volunteers burning out, and to find long-term solutions to keep them viable for as long as they’re needed.

• Prepare the islands for The Co-operation Agreement’s Community Wealth Building Bill, which will prioritise a people-centred approach to local economic development, redirecting wealth back into the local economy, and decentralising control and benefits into the hands of local people.

• Support local social enterprise; maximise community benefits through spending; increase fair work practises; grow the social, ecological and economic value from land and property; ensure that flows of investment work for local people.

• Support and strengthen Community Councils who do an amazing amount of unpaid work. We will make sure they are properly funded, including having their costs covered, like insurance.