Two leading Green Party figures have defended their decision to have no part in the setting up of a new unitary council for Norwich.Neither Adrian Ramsay, former Green group leader on the city council, nor Andrew Boswell, leader of the Green group on Norfolk County Council, will sit on the proposed implementation executive that will put together the new authority.

Two leading Green Party figures have defended their decision to have no part in the setting up of a new unitary council for Norwich.

Neither Adrian Ramsay, former Green group leader on the city council, nor Andrew Boswell, leader of the Green group on Norfolk County Council, will sit on the proposed implementation executive that will put together the new authority.

City councillors last week approved the make-up of the 18-member executive. The Greens, as largest opposition party at City Hall and with the most Norwich-based county council seats, will have seven seats, the same as Labour.

And, given the strength of the party locally, it could emerge as the largest party and in control of the new authority after the planned elections next year.

Mr Ramsay, who previously resigned as the party's group leader to focus on the general election, in which he is standing as Green candidate in Norwich South, said he was not ducking the unitary challenge. He said that, given the work involved and the Greens' strong chances in the general election, he wanted to concentrate all his energies on that campaign.

By contrast, his Conservative rival Antony Little, who is also contesting the Norwich South seat, has agreed to serve on the committee on the understanding that he will stand down if elected to Westminster.