Trevor Graham

A Voice for Everyone

There are 46 elected Councillors at South Norfolk Council. I was elected as one of two Councillors to represent the Harleston Ward in the 2023 elections.

My four years term as one of your District Councillors is coming to an end. It is hard to believe that I have been one of your representatives for almost four years. There will be another round of elections for South Norfolk District Council in May next year.

I have listened to your views and opinions. I represent everyone in the Ward, irrespective of whether you voted for me or not. We are all in this together.

I made three commitments during my last election campaign: promote nature recovery; secure investment in local tourism; and seek improvements to our infrastructure.

I will admit that this has been much more difficult than I thought, but I am happy to be judged on my actions. After all it is what we do that counts, not what we say.

Environment and Nature Recovery

I make no secret of my passion to support nature and may be the Greenest Conservative in the district.

I helped Harleston Greenspace CIC secure funding from South Norfolk Council to create Magpies Meadow and used my Members Ward Funding to help Waveney Volunteers for Nature buy equipment.

I have presented and promoted the Harleston community based nature recovery work both locally and and nationally and co-hosted a local screening of the People's Emergency Briefing.

A current initiative is to ask residents whether they would like to help manage their own local green space and support them in creating more nature friendlty spaces.

Local Tourism

I have concentrated on working with the Harleston and District Historical Society using our history and heritage as the focal point for promoting tourism.

South Norfolk Council funded a series of walking trails across the market towns. The Harleston Friendly Invasion, developed Historical Society is one of the trails.

I am working with Adrian Ramsey, MP for Waveney Valley as part of the Waveney Valley Identity to help promote tourism to our area. The Historical Society are leading the creation of a series of audio trails, starting with Harleston.

The Historical Society has received funding to help make Harleston Heritage Open Days the largest programme in South Norfolk, attracting visitors from across the Country.

Infrastructure

This is the one that is proving most difficult. We would all like more doctors, a local dentist, uncreased school places and more. But sadly I have found the limits of influence at a district level.

I have focused on helping deliver a much needed community use building and I am working with local groups to create a collective vision. A preferred option is evolving and it is hoped that everyone involved will get behind and support the idea. Funding is available from South Norfolk Council and I am hopeful that our project will soon be announced.

Until them I have been able to secure funding to help refurbish Exchange 2 and Sancroft Academy upgrade the lighting system in their auditorium.

I sit on many committees and it has been a big commitment.

I am the Chair of the Environment Committee, and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee. I also sit on the Development Management Committee, Enforcement Oversight Committee, Scrutiny Committee, Standards Committee, and Shareholders Board.

Externally, I represent South Norfolk Council on the Norfolk Museums Committee.

Some things where I have been able to help are very noticeable such as the new 'Magpies Meadow' conservation area.

Others may not hit the headlines but I have always been on your side.

Helping protect our heritage assets from unsightly changes, and our environment from unauthorised water discharge. Providing funding for local projects, and even helping to arrange a pet passport for someone returning to their home overseas.

Above all, being a voice for local people, and representing their interests in the best way I can.

Local Involvement

Outside of my South Norfolk Councillor role I hep with some local groups.

I have been a Committee member of the Harleston and District Historical Society and have led the Harleston Heritage Open days programme since 2024.

I am a director of Harleston Greenspace CIC which is delivering a nature conservation area with Harleston.

Prior to serving as a District Councillor I was the Chair of Redenhall with Harleston Town Council from 2020-2023 during which we were able to deliver many initiatives.

Including the town centre redesign, Neighbourhood Plan, improved website, and Nature Recovery in Harleston.

Grant Awards

South Norfolk Council have several funding opportunities. They are ways in which South Norfolk Council is helping local communities but which often go unheralded. These are some funds and awards to our Ward of which I am aware.

Needham Village Hall - Heating System

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £6,430 to the Needham Village Hall. The village hall was in need to repair and updating. This is to be a programme of painting deep clean and general repairs. The grant was to replace and upgrade of the heating and hot water system, as well as guttering and external repairs.

Sancroft Academy - Stage Lighting

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £10,000 to the Harleston Sancroft Academy. This was buy lighting equipment for the stage in the school auditorium, to replace the original 1960’s wiring and lights. Sancroft is the heartbeat of the local community and the schools facilities are used by a wide range of community groups. The stage and auditorium are used by Harleston Players, Harleston Choral Society, Onward Players attracting a total audience of 3,500-4,000

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Wildlife Garden

I allocated £250 from my Members Ward Fund to Waveney Volunteers for Nature to create a wildlife friendly garden in the grounds of the Brockdish Comm at the Waveney Heritage Centre. The garden will be open to anyone wanting a quiet place to sit and will be accessible to wheelchair users. The project will promote communities working together and enhance the quality of life by improving access to nature.

Read more about South Norfolk Council grants on the Awards page.

Grant Awards

Members Ward Funding

Each South Norfolk District Councillor has an annual budget of £1,000 to spend on projects within their ward. This is how I have used my allocation:

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Wildlife Garden

I allocated £250 from my Members Ward Fund to Waveney Volunteers for Nature to create a wildlife friendly garden in the grounds of the Brockdish Comm at the Waveney Heritage Centre. The garden will be open to anyone wanting a quiet place to sit and will be accessible to wheelchair users. The project will promote communities working together and enhance the quality of life by improving access to nature.

Harleston Players - Community Play

I allocated £300 from my Members Ward Fund to Harleston Players for a new community play based on the Waveney Valley Line. There will be a range of outreach events including a research committee, living history re-enactments, performances and workshops in schools, railway walks and exhibition of photographs. There will be eight performances over two weekends in July 2026 of a specially commissioned community play with up to 30 local performers in a marquee at Harleston Magpie

Harleston Choral Society

I allocated £250 from my Members Ward Fund to help the Harleston Choral Society celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special concert of Carl Orff’s 'Carmina Burana' at Archbishop Sancroft Academy on Saturday 28 June.

Harleston Historical Society - New Equipment

I allocated all £1,000 of my Members Ward Fund to Harleston and District Historical Society to replace broken notice and display boards and but a projector to enable public presentations and exhibitions. This was to assist with monthly public presentations and exhibitions with a highlight being during Heritage Open Days in September. The projector will be available for use by other community groups. The equipment will be used monthly and also as part of a community collective

Wortwell Bowls Club - New Equipment

A grant of £800 was given to Wortwell Bowl Club for new equipment. This was a joint application with £400 from me and £400 from James Eddy, from our Members Ward Fund. The award will enable the club to continue and now expand membership. There are over 30 members and there is an aim to encourage new members from the nearby villages. The club offers an environment for light sporting exercise and socialising, promoting community cohesion with an enhanced quality of life. T

Friends of Harleston Primary School - Wildlife Pond

A grant of £300 was given to the Primary Phase of the school to restore a derelict pond uncovered in their grounds. Volunteers have cleared the area to provide somewhere for pupils to learn about nature as part of the community nature recovery work within Harleston. They now require a bridge to provide a safe environment. The bridge would allow the pupils of the Primary Phase of the school to get closer to, and learn more about with nature in a safe environment and enhance th

Harleston Players - Community Play

I allocated £300 from my Members Ward Fund to the Harleston Players theatre group, Station 366 singing group and a dance group based in Wortwell for a community performance project. A local playwright, Eileen Ryan, has been commissioned to write a script exploring the relationship between the American forces stationed in Easy Anglia during the war and the locals of Suffolk and Norfolk to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D Day. The play will raise awareness of local history

Community Action Fund

There will be many community initiatives which will require larger amounts of funding. The Community Action Fund (CAF) is provided to support and fund these initiatives. Local District Councillors are responsible for considering and proposing applications between £1,000 and £15,000 from the CAF fund. These are my successful applications:

Needham Village Hall - Heating System

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £6,430 to the Needham Village Hall. The village hall was in need to repair and updating. This is to be a programme of painting deep clean and general repairs. The grant was to replace and upgrade of the heating and hot water system, as well as guttering and external repairs.

Sancroft Academy - Stage Lighting

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £10,000 to the Harleston Sancroft Academy. This was buy lighting equipment for the stage in the school auditorium, to replace the original 1960’s wiring and lights. Sancroft is the heartbeat of the local community and the schools facilities are used by a wide range of community groups. The stage and auditorium are used by Harleston Players, Harleston Choral Society, Onward Players attracting a total audience of 3,500-4,000

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Power Scythe

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £7,500 to the Waveney Volunteers for Nature. The volunteers carry out work across...

Exchange 2 - Refurbishment to the Cabin

The South Norfolk Grants and Awards Panel approved £7,500 to refurbish the Cabin used by Exchange 2. The Cabin will provide a modern,...

Monthly Updates

I write a monthly article for the local Grapevine magazine. Here are the artciles:

November 2026 Update

I am pleased to announce that I was successful with an application to the South Norfolk Council (SNC) Community Action Fund, for a grant of £6,430 for replacement and upgrade to the heating and hot water systems, as well as guttering and external repairs to Needham Village Hall. This was the only application request I received, so it's a 100% success rate. Money remains in the fund, and another round of applications will open. So, if you have a request to help fund a proje

October 2026 Update

I am sure that you will have heard that next year’s planned elections for the proposed Unitary Authorities have been paused. People of Harleston would have ended up in East Norfolk, one of the poorest authorities in the country. I made my view against the proposal clear throughout, and I am very pleased that this decision has been made. South Norfolk Council (SNC) did not roll over and accept the decision forced upon our residents by the Government. Thanks to SNC and other

September 2026 Update

South Norfolk Council (SNC) and Broadland Council have created a tourism website: https://yes-lets-go.org.uk. The design may look very familiar. It was developed by Red Dune building on their town websites, such as ‘Visit Harleston’. Let’s go! brings together six unique areas, each shaped by the walking routes that define them. Harleston already has some walk routes listed, along with an expanding list of shops, pubs, and tea rooms. Food waste caddies and bins were delivere

August 2026 Update

It was reported in the press that a government minister went against Whitehall officials’ advice in imposing a three unitary structure for Norfolk under Local Government Reorganisation. South Norfolk Council (SNC) have submitted a protective claim to challenge the process involved in the decision. SNC are not alone, authorities across the country are issuing legal challenges. However, until any outcome is known, SNC officers are acting with prudence and continue with plans

July 2026 Update

Cllr Kathryn Cross, Chair of SNC wishes this to be the Year of the Volunteer. Each Councillor has been asked to nominate a volunteer group on which the Council will shine a light. In addition, Kathryn will try to meet each group nominated during the year. There are so many wonderful volunteer groups in our Ward. I would like to nominate many, but I can choose only one. It will be very difficult decision. There is a push to remind people not to put batteries in their waste

June 2026 Update

We have a new County Councillor, Joseph Kerrison. There was a 49% turnout in East Depwade, which is very much higher than the 34% for the elections in 2021. This turnout was replicated across the County. It is encouraging to see so many people engaging in the democratic process. I have often mentioned the ‘Go for It’ and ‘Keep it Going’ grant funds. Harleston Allotments Association has been awarded £300 from the ‘Keep it Going’ grant fund to help buy compost. The Help Hub v

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A Voice for Everyone

Local Involvement

Grant Awards

Needham Village Hall - Heating System

Sancroft Academy - Stage Lighting

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Wildlife Garden

Grant Awards

Members Ward Funding

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Wildlife Garden

Harleston Players - Community Play

Harleston Choral Society

Harleston Historical Society - New Equipment

Wortwell Bowls Club - New Equipment

Friends of Harleston Primary School - Wildlife Pond

Harleston Players - Community Play

Community Action Fund

Needham Village Hall - Heating System

Sancroft Academy - Stage Lighting

Waveney Volunteers for Nature - Power Scythe

Exchange 2 - Refurbishment to the Cabin

Monthly Updates

November 2026 Update

October 2026 Update

September 2026 Update

August 2026 Update

July 2026 Update

June 2026 Update

Working Together