August 2024 Update

We now have a new Member of Parliament and indeed national government. While this may have an impact on national policies and priorities, as District Councillors our focus remains fully with our local communities.

South Norfolk Council have been running social media campaigns to raise awareness of recycling and the garden waste collection service. The Help Hub van is touring the district to take services directly to the community, and the first World Café was held in Diss for local people to open conversations and develop relationships with the South Norfolk and Broadland Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

In the period up to the general election many meetings were put on hold, it was only after the election that we returned to normal practice. South Norfolk Council hosted an event to celebrate and promote local volunteer groups at the Recreation Ground. A Community Awards Ceremony was held at which Harleston had three shortlisted nominations, at the time of publication the winners will have been announced, but at the time of writing the ceremony had not yet been held.

Work continues with the community nature recovery concept initiated in Harleston. There is growing cooperation between South Norfolk Council, the Norfolk and Suffolk Nature Recovery Partnership, Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Norwich. All working towards the same goal of promoting the involvement of people in their own gardens. A simple model has been released to assess your own garden for nature friendliness: https://www.ournaturerecovery.org.uk/garden-design

The Waveney Volunteers for Nature used the power scythe, which was funded by a grant award last year, to help the South Norfolk Council manage the graveyard at Redenhall. They have offered to help the Town Council manage a wildflower meadow area in the Harleston cemetery.

South Norfolk Council is working with the local Historical Society to develop a Harleston booklet as part of a series promoting the Friendly Invasion in East Anglia. We are looking at how the District Council can include an event and support the community collective, Harleston Heritage Open Days. This is a great opportunity to promote Harleston on the national stage.

It was always an aim of the investment in the town centre to make greater use of the Market Place for events. There was the Summer Solstice Food Festival arranged by the Town Council, and there is to be a Beach Party in August. I have received many complimentary comments and along with the vibrant planter displays, it is wonderful to see the vision coming to life.

I will hold my next surgery on 10 August at Harleston Information Plus on Exchange Street in Harleston between 10:00 and 11:00. I hope to see you there.

Cllr Trevor Graham

South Norfolk Council

Member for Harleston