Norwich City Council error sees Labour claim Green member

And in the latest issue of the city council newsletter, it appears to have done just that.

The upcoming edition of Citizen contains a printing error which states Green councillor Charlie Caine, who represents Mile Cross ward, is a member of the Labour party.

Mr Caine took Mile Cross from Labour at the local elections in one of two big wins for the Green Party, which also made gains in Wensum ward. 

This is not the first time that Mr Caine has become embroiled in a printing row after his own campaign material featured a small photograph of Labour councillor Claire Kidman - whose party lodged an official complaint with election officials due to fears voters would be misled. 

Charlie Caine won Mile Cross ward at the Norwich City Council elections (Image: Denise Bradley)

Norwich City Council has agreed to publish an apology to Mr Caine on its social media pages next week and has described the error as a "genuine mistake".

The incorrect editions of Citizen magazine will still be delivered through doors.

Lucy Galvin, leader of the Green group, said: "Charlie Caine was newly elected as the first Green city councillor for Mile Cross this year, breaking through in what was a Labour heartland.

"I was surprised at this basic error and we want the council to put this right in their main publication. Citizen goes through the door of every home in the city."

Lucy Galvin, leader of the Green group at City Hall (Image: Submitted)

GAINS FOR THE GREENS

The Norwich City Council elections in May saw the authority end the day where it started it - with Labour the largest party but with no overall control, after it gained and lost an equal number of seats.

The biggest winners were the Greens who picked up seats from their rivals in Wensum and Mile Cross, where Mr Caine won with 1,016 votes and a majority of 68.

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The Norwich City Council elections count (Image: Denise Bradley)

Labour, however, took back two seats they lost in the autumn when an internal row saw a group of councillors leave the party to sit as independents.

The group emerged from the election with 19 seats, which was one short of the 20 required for an overall majority on the council.

PRINTING PROBLEMS

The Greens and Labour were at loggerheads over a different printing issue just before the election. 

The Labour Party lodged a complaint with election officials after its eagle-eyed member for Crome, Claire Kidman, spotted an image of herself in Charlie Caine's campaign leaflet for the Mile Cross ward.

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Claire Kidman with the campaign leaflet (Image: Claire Kidman)

The image shows her dressed in Victorian costume standing behind Mr Caine when they were both performing in a musical play about Anglia Square.

Despite the obscure appearance and context, she claimed her appearance on the leaflet could lead voters to think she was endorsing Mr Caine in the election and her party complained to the returning officer, who was presiding over the vote.

City Hall leader Mike Stonard, a Labour councillor, also waded into the argument.

He said: "We are flattered that the Greens are putting Labour councillors on their leaflets. It's not the first time they have taken credit for what we do."

The spat was described by other councillors as "petty".

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? 

City Hall has agreed to issue a correction and apology to Mr Caine on social media next week, on the same day the summer issue of Citizen is posted through doors across Norwich. 

However, these editions will still name Mr Caine as a Labour councillor.

Mr Caine is named as a Labour councillor in the newest edition of Citizen magazine (Image: Submitted)

Citizen is delivered to all residents in the Norwich City Council area and is published on a seasonal basis. The autumn issue is also expected to include an correction and apology. 

A spokesperson for City Hall said: "This was a genuine mistake. We have apologised directly to councillor Caine for the error.

"We will be arranging for targeted messaging within the Mile Cross area of our city so we can speak more directly with the residents in that ward to make them aware. We will also be letting our followers know on our social media channels."