Greens pledge new market for Exeter city centre

Exeter’s Green Party leader says the party is ready to ‘take the helm’ of the city council as polls predict heavy losses for Labour at the council elections next month.

The party says its manifesto for the May 7 poll  is ‘a detailed plan for a Green-led Council’.
Green group leader Cllr Diana Moore (St Davids) said  “A Green-led council will end the years of managed decline by Labour and bring forward a positive and practical vision for a fairer, greener and kinder Exeter.
“Crucially, we need to recognise that across Exeter lots of people are under huge financial pressures, making life hard, so we need a council that is really listening to and working with communities. Green councillors will make that happen, bringing forward the ideas, resources, skills and energy needed to solve the challenges Exeter faces.”
Elections will take place in all 13 of Exeter’s council wards.
The Green manifesto includes proposals for a new covered market in the city centre and a policy to champion local and independent businesses and social enterprises
The Greens say they will set up a community and council action group to help tackle the cost of living crisis and build more council, social and community-led homes. They will regulate co-living developments, protect existing green spaces and invest in new ones, such as a Northernhay arboretum and Ridgetop Park.
They plan to involve communities in adaptation to climate change while working to protect and boost nature across the city. They will stop a council sell-off of community assets and support the meaningful use of empty shops and spaces for local start-ups, creatives and community use
Green councillor in Newtown and St Leonard’s, Lynn Wetenhall, added: “As the largest opposition group on Exeter City Council, Green councillors have held Labour to account and have put forward positive solutions to the challenges the city faces.
“Our detailed plan sets out clearly how a Green-run council will bring fresh ideas and renewed energy to deliver for residents and the environment of Exeter.”
These are the candidates seeking election in Exeter on May 7.
Alphington – FINDLAY Lucy Jane, Labour and Co-operative Party; LUSCOMBE Kayleigh Michelle Suzanne, The Conservative Party Candidate; PALMER Jayden Simon, Reform UK; PICKIN JJ, Liberal Democrat; WOTTON Greg, Green Party Candidate
Duryard and St. James – HAWKE Jonathan Michael, Labour Party; HODGE David John,Reform UK; ISHAKOGLU Mithat, Green Party Candidate; MITCHELL Kevin John, Liberal Democrat; STANWELL-WISE Sebastian, The Conservative Party Candidate
Exwick – GILLETT Lee Matthew, Reform UK; HORNER Jamie Liam, Liberal Democrat; KNOTTPaul Graeme, Labour and Co-operative Party; LEGESSE Kalkidan, Green Party Candidate; LUSCOMBE David, The Conservative Party Candidate
Heavitree (two councillors to be elected) – BEER Tina Rose, Reform UK; BROCK Philip John, Liberal Democrat; MUTTON Dave, Labour Party; NEW Katherine Helen Judy, The Conservative Party Candidate; NEWBERY Jordan, Independent; NORRIS Lisa Jane, Reform UK; SMITH Stella, Green Party Candidate; SUTTON Rachel Helen, Labour Party; TERRY Helen, Green Party Candidate; TRUDGEON Colin John, The Conservative Party Candidate; WILLIAMS Nigel David, Liberal Democrat.
Mincinglake and Whipton – AYRES Martin, Green Party Candidate; CASEMORE Steve, Labour and Co-operative Party; PAYNE Anthony John, Reform UK; PAYNE Michael Geoffrey, Liberal Democrat; THOMPSON David John, The Conservative Party Candidate.
Newtown and St. Leonard`s – CHELVANAYAGAM Bernadette, Green Party Candidate; PYE Jonny, Liberal Democrat; SMITH Ruth, The Conservative Party Candidate; VIZARD Matthew James, Labour Party; WESTLAKE Jo, Reform UK.
Pennsylvania – ACZEL Will, Liberal Democrat; BAKER Gill, Green Party Candidate; BATTERSHILL Michael Stephen, Reform UK; BLACK Paula Joan, Labour and Co-operative Party; HANNAFORD Rob, The Conservative Party Candidate; HATCHER Myles Jefferson, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition.
Pinhoe – ALLEN Mark, Green Party Candidate; BALDWIN Ian Anthony, The Conservative Party Candidate; CAMPION Christine Anne, Liberal Democrats; MESSER Ashton Michael, Reform UK; WOOD Duncan, Labour and Co-operative Party.
Priory – ASVACHIN Marina Yvette, Labour Party; NEWBY Rob, The Conservative Party Candidate; THOMAS Philip Alexander, Liberal Democrat; VICKERS Jack David, Green Party Candidate; WILLIAMS Nicholas, Reform UK.
St. David`s – AL-SAKET Yasmine, The Conservative Party Candidate; CLOW Susan, Reform UK; CURNOCK Charles Anthony, Liberal Democrat; LELLIOTT Rose Alexandra, Labour and Co-operative Party; RAPPERT Brian, Green Party Candidate.
St. Loye`s – COLLACOTT Joan Marilyn, The Conservative Party Candidate; JHAVERI Laila, Labour Party; OWEN Christopher John Lambert, Reform UK; RICHARDS Paul Stephen, Liberal Democrats; WHIPPLE Chloe, Green Party Candidate
St. Thomas – COCKBURN Robert-James Stuart, Reform UK; NEWCOMBE Vanessa, Liberal Democrat; REED Jack, Green Party Candidate; STONE Caroline Elizabeth, The Conservative Party Candidate; WRIGHT Laura Charis Adelaide, Labour and Co-operative Party.
Topsham – COOKSON James Elie, Labour Party; DAVIES Sue, Reform UK; GAINSFORD Tim, Liberal Democrats; KEEN Ann Barbara, Green Party Candidate; THOMPSON Cynthia, The Conservative Party Candidate.