March 2025 Update

I recently has the pleasure of opening a meeting hosted by the local Historical Society to discuss a community wide program during the September Heritage Open Days, a national event and a fantastic opportunity to publicise our town. A great turn of 28 local groups raised imaginative suggestions including ideas to showcase the Community Nature Recovery work of the town and nearby villages.

At the time of writing, the February meeting of the full Council had not been held but a motion is planned to progress the Community Nature Recovery initiative with a new scheme to support individuals and small organisations to promote nature recovery in their communities and to set up a new ‘Conservation Fund’ for small and medium scale projects of up to £10,000. This all started from an idea by the people of Harleston.

Many people have been asking about Local Government Reorganisation. It is apparent that there is some confusion so here’s my interpretation of what’s happening

The government’s directed that counties replace their two tier County and District Councils with a single tier of local governance. Norfolk will now consist of one or more new Unitary Authorities. An interim plan for the period during which the new authorities will shadow the current councils must be submitted by 21 March with a full plan by 26 September. The May 2025 County Council elections will be postponed. In addition, Norfolk and Suffolk will combine into a single Strategic Authority with a Mayor to be elected in May 2026.

County and District Councils have been asked to propose a single agreed structure for the Unitary Authorities. South Norfolk District Council (SNDC) have set up a 'Devolution and Local Government Reform Working Group' has been set up by to consider options for discussion and agreement. At the time of writing no proposals have been presented.

There are some practical challenges. Unlike many other districts, SNDC manages waste collection in-house and provides many leisure services, and the 'Help Hub' is unique to South Norfolk. In addition. which of the district and county responsibilities becomes those of the new mayor and which the new Unitary Authorities?

Currently you have one County Councilor and two District Councilors: District Councilors, James and I, cover Redenhall with Harleston, Needham and Wortwell, County Councilor Martin does not cover Wortwell but he does also cover Brockdish, Pulham Market, Pulham St Mary, Scole and Starston. This is complex but has been implemented in other parts of the country, aiming to create greater local democracy.

I will hold my next surgery on 8 March at Harleston Information Plus on Exchange Street in Harleston between 10:00 and 11:00. I would be great to see you there.

Cllr Trevor Graham

South Norfolk Council

Member for Harleston