19 May 2016
The Green Party group on Norwich City Council has elected Martin Schmierer as leader in its annual internal elections. Cllr Schmierer, who represents Mancroft ward and was previously a deputy leader of the group, will take over from Ash Haynes.
Cllr Schmierer has played an active role in the Green group over the last year, and successfully proposed motions to council on divesting from fossil fuels and lowering the voting age to 16. As the Green Party’s Police and Crime Commissioner candidate for Norfolk this year, he ran a campaign which pledged to protect policing from cuts, and called for more to be done to tackle ‘hidden’ crime such as domestic violence.
Cllr Schmierer said: “This is obviously a testing time for all local authorities, given the scale of the funding cuts being passed down from central government and the devolution settlement that is currently being negotiated. It is important that the Green Party’s distinct vision and strong position on both these issues is heard over the course of the next year and I look forward to doing all I can to ensure that we get the best deal for the people of Norwich at City Hall.
“I also want to extend my profound thanks to the outgoing group leader, Ash Haynes, whose tireless work on issues such as housing has improved the lives of so many in our city. She remains a key asset to the Green Party’s group of councillors.”
The Greens, with 10 councillors, are the official opposition to the Labour administration at City Hall.
