Working together for a brighter future - Breckland Council

Merry Christmas!
Feliz Natal!
Sretan Bozic!
Boze Narodzenie!
Linksmu Kaledu!
What’s inside your Voice...
Meet the young
entrepreneurs – Page 5
Dog-chipping service
Page 11
Breckland
voice
Working together for a brighter future
www.breckland.gov.uk December 08
Let them eat cake!
Page 15
55 Percent
recycled paper – for a better Breckland •

Welcome to the December edition
of Voice.This month the Council has
been awarded the coveted Member
Development Charter. We made
Member learning and development a
top priority and I’m delighted that our
commitment, from all parties, has
been recognised. Further information
on the charter can be found in the
article below.
We also celebrated a major award
of Healthy Town Status for Thetford
which will see major investment
of £900,000 over three years to
encourage health and wellbeing,
exercise and diet. As we work
William Nunn writes
alongside our partners to improve
and develop the town it is fitting
that we now have the opportunity
to build on best practice and make
health a significant part of Thetford’s
development agenda.
In November we launched our Keep
Norfolk Local campaign and website.
Keep Norfolk Local is the campaign
to stop the half-baked proposals
to abolish local councils within
Norfolk and replace them with one or
more mammoth, “unitary” councils
covering the whole of Norfolk and
parts of Suffolk. If any of these
proposals were to go ahead, they
would lead to the creation of one of
the largest unitary councils in Britain.
For information on these proposals,
our campaign and how you can offer
your support to help Keep Norfolk
Local please visit
www.keepnorfolklocal.com
We were lucky enough to have the
Light Dragoons launch our Pride in
Breckland awards and I am pleased to
report that we have already received
a number of nominations containing
heart warming stories about
people who have made remarkable
achievements and shown great
courage. Nominations will be open
until January 31 and there will be a
glittering awards ceremony at Lynford
Hall, near Mundford, on March 20. If
you would like to nominate someone
in your community more details can
be found on page 10.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas
Council gets special charter
Breckland Council has been
awarded the coveted Member
Development Charter. The
Charter is awarded to Councils
in recognition of their work to
provide Elected Members with the
support, skills and training they
need to develop and to effectively
manage their local authority’s
budgets and services. This not
only benefits Members individually
– by increasing their understanding
of their strategic roles – but also
means that they are better placed
to serve their local communities.
Mark Palmer, Head of the Charter
Assessment Team, stated “We
were impressed by the Council’s
commitment to Member
Development and how it supported
service improvement and effective
delivery. The Council is innovative
and forward looking in its approach
to Member Development”.
The work around personal
development planning for Members’,
youth democracy and the new
Members’ extranet were described as
being exemplary.
With the introduction of personal
development plans all Members have
an opportunity to identify their own
learning needs and styles, and also to
influence the choice of development
opportunities and the way they are
delivered in future.
The Council has also successfully
involved young people in local
democracy by encouraging them to
participate in various events during
the past few years. A new Breckland
Youth Council is being established
early next year, which will advise
Members on policies and services
that directly affect young people.
“Breckland has made Member
learning and development a top
priority. I’m delighted that our
commitment, from all parties, has
been recognised”, commented
William Nunn, Leader of the Council.
“Residents expect a high level of
competence and professionalism
from those entrusted with important
decisions. That’s what our programme
aims to deliver. Effective support is
also vital in encouraging people of all
ages and backgrounds to stand for
office, so that Councils are properly
representative of their areas”.
Breckland Voice brings you
news and views from all around
Breckland and provides an
important summary of activities and
achievements within the district.
Your comments and ideas are very
welcome, so please contact:
Communications Team,
Breckland Council,
Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke,
Dereham, Norfolk NR19 1EE.
Tel: 01362 656870
Email: communications@
breckland.gov.uk
www.breckland.gov.uk
To advertise in Voice please contact
Juliet Perry at the Lively Crew on
01603 702374. Breckland Council
does not endorse any of the goods
or services offered by the advertisers
in this magazine. Each copy of
Breckland Voice costs less to
produce and deliver than the cost
of a postage stamp.
Link-up
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someone who is? Breckland Voice
can be sent in cassette form with the
independently produced Link-up, a
60 minute news tape sent free each
fortnight. All you need to do is call
John Kitson on 01953 498609.
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Breckland Voice is printed
on recycled paper which
contains 55% recycled fibre from both
pre-and post-consumer sources.
Please recycle your Breckland Voice.
The European Flag denotes
which projects have been
part-funded with money
from Europe and Breckland Council.
How to contact us
Tel: 01362 656870. Lines open
8am – 6pm (5pm on Fridays).
Environmental Health and Housing
Emergency out-of-hours: 01362
697194. Minicom: 01362 656269.
Email: contactus@breckland.gov.uk
Online services available at
www.breckland.gov.uk do it online.
Delivery issues? If you know someone
who has not received their copy of Voice
please contact us on 01362 656870.
Contents
Meet the young entrepreneurs ......... 5
Youth encouraged to have more
of a say .............................................. 5
Encouraging signs for the upcoming
Breckland Youth Council
£900,000 Award for Thetford
Healthy Town status .......................... 7
Breckland development plan ahead of
the Game ........................................... 7
Breckland’s Police team wish you a
safe and merry Christmas ................ 8
What will you be eating
this Christmas? ................................. 8
Fancy a change from turkey? Read
what other European countries enjoy
serving over the Christmas period.
An intergalactic fairytale .................. 8
Join Swaffham and sing for
well-being ........................................ 9
Sing stress away!
What’s on over Christmas ................. 9
Biking to Bollywood .......................... 9
Dragoons launch Pride awards ...... 10
Recognition for the work of local
communities
Keeping streets safe and sound ..... 10
Dereham’s Cherry Tree car park gets
a ‘Respect Zone’
Free garage/shed intruder alarm .. 11
Dog-chipping service offered ......... 11
Christmas opening times for
Customer Service Centres .............. 11
Dereham money fair ....................... 12
Financial advice and the chance to win
a hamper!
Council tax exemptions
and discounts .................................. 12
Are you entitled to a reduction in your
Council tax?
Conclusion of Audit ......................... 12
Free Sustainable Communities
training courses .............................. 13
Boost for breckland business ......... 13
Grants available to help new small
businesses succeed.
Property to let ................................. 13
Let them eat cake! .......................... 15
A cake sale and raffles help raise
funds for EACH
Budget Priorities – what you said ... 15
Design a healthy living poster ........ 15
What’s on ...........................Back Cover
Designed & produced by
Breckland Voice Working together for a brighter future
ETT Marcoms www.ett.co.uk
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice

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Meet the young entrepreneurs
Using crayons, paper and scissors,
children in seven Breckland Primary
schools have been experiencing how
business works and the role it plays.
The Young Enterprise Programme
funded by Breckland Council and
Norfolk County Council aims to raise
awareness among young children about
world trade, imports and exports and
understanding where things come
from, such as school uniforms and
everyday items.
The programme is based around
classes using games, activities and role
play to help the children understand
Promoting local democracy to
young people across the district
is a priority for Breckland
councillors, John Labouchere and
Diana Irving. As part of a school
engagement programme the pair
visited Hammonds High School
in Swaffham to encourage pupils
to get involved in the upcoming
Breckland Youth Council.
After a rousing speech from Cllr
Labouchere, pupils were invited to
talk to the councillors about being
involved in a school council and the
contribution they could make to the
Breckland Youth Council.
John Labouchere commented that
the pupils on the school council
“were very interesting and they
and develop skills and capabilities for
the world of work. At the beginning of
each game pupils were split into
teams, ‘richer’ teams such as America
were given a good supply of crayons,
paper, scissors and money whilst
‘poorer’ teams such as Bangladesh
received just a single sheet of paper, a
pencil and limited funds. Ingenuity
flourished with children selling their
labour to other teams, and others
devising ‘mass production’ methods. At
Mundford Primary School, resourceful
Team Tanzania, who started the day
with £30, a piece of paper and two
pencils, were beaten to the top slot by
challenge winners, Team Austria.
Youth encouraged to have more of a say
had varied answers to our quite
searching questions”. This was
echoed by Diana Irving when she
commented “how fantastic it was
to witness such enthusiasm, how
successful a school council is running
and how effective results can be
achieved”.
Students across the district are
being encouraged to take part in a
programme of events leading up to
Breckland’s first youth council next
February. Pupils from five schools
attended the Ecotech centre in
Swaffham to learn more about politics
and citizenship. In the morning the
high school pupils watched a drama,
staged by Solent Peoples Theatre,
that focused on their rights and
responsibilities as young people.
Breckland Executive Member for
Planning and Environment, Ann
Steward, watches the children at
work at Mundford Primary School.
Through taking part in the game,
children gained a greater
understanding of market forces,
learned to work as a team, and were
encouraged to devise innovative
solutions to problems.
Breckland Executive Member for
Planning and Environment Ann
Steward, who visited the Mundford
Primary School session, felt that the
children’s experience had been really
worthwhile. She said:
“This project helped the children
understand inequalities in world trade
and how difficult buying and selling is
for poorer countries. I was impressed
at the children’s ingenuity in finding
ways to make shapes more quickly
and efficiently”.
Breckland Primary schools in Mundford,
Brisley, Ashill, Carbrook, Great
Ellingham, Weeting and Caston are all
taking part in the World Trade Game.
If your school would be interested in
participating in future events, call
Lindy Warmer 01362 656870.
And in the afternoon Breckland
councillors were put under the
spotlight in a question and answer
session, covering topics from
transport to community safety.
Steve Askew, Executive Member
for Communities said; “I think it’s
great for the children to get involved.
It’s important that the council and
councillors are aware of what the
issues are for young people and this
is an important way for the youth to
get that across.”
For more information about the
Breckland Youth Council and how
you can get involved please contact
Cat Lang or Caroline Cox on
01362 656870 or email
youth@breckland.gov.uk.
Breckland Voice Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice 5

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Get fit, have fun
New classes start
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Get ‘Strictly Dancing’
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£900,000 award for Healthy Town status
Thetford is the only town in the
Eastern region to win the significant
award of Healthy Town Status which
will see a major investment of
£900,000 over 3 years to encourage
health and wellbeing, exercise and
diet. Thetford is one of 9 towns that
successfully secured a share of
£30 million investment from
Government to tackle obesity.
Thetford’s successful bid focuses
on a range of initiatives including a
community supported agriculture
programme and a ‘Cycle Recycle’
programme, which is a multidimensional
project including
cycle maintenance courses, cycle
leadership qualifications and
programmes to encourage cycling
for health.
The initiatives are linked to the
regeneration and large-scale growth
of Thetford and are aimed at
addressing the needs of all
residents, including those in hard
to reach areas.
The funding will mean even greater
opportunity for health improvement,
particularly as Thetford expands.
The Council is dedicated to ensuring
that the programmes develop to
reflect the diverse needs of the
Thetford communities and will be
creating opportunities for people to
be involved in the planning and
delivery of these projects.
William Nunn, Leader of Breckland
Council added, “As we work
alongside our partners to improve
and develop the town it is fitting that
we now have the opportunity to build
on best practice and make health a
significant part of Thetford’s
development agenda.”
Breckland development plan ahead of the game
Breckland Council has now finalised
its Core Strategy and Development
Control Policies document which will
be at the heart of the new Local
Development Framework (LDF). The
document has been shaped into its
final format using the 701 comments
we received when we consulted earlier
this year. The next stage is to publish
the final plan at the end of the year
before an independent Government
Inspector holds a Public Examination
in June 2009. Further details on the
Core Strategy can be found on the
Breckland website.
A key part of the Core Strategy is
strategic growth in Attleborough
including 4,000 additional new homes
by 2026. In September, Breckland
Council held a public meeting in the
Connaught Hall attended by some 280
residents, local District Councillors
and members of the Town Council.
Information from the meeting can be
found on the Breckland Website. The
meeting was chaired by Councillor Ann
Steward, Executive Member for
Planning and the Environment who
said “The next 18 years will see major
growth for the East of England and
Breckland is ideally placed to
capitalise on this. The Core Strategy
and Development Policy ensures that
we have the plans and policies in place
to deliver the priorities whilst
maintaining the unique character of
the area. Our plan aims to ensure that
existing and new members of the
community have access to high quality
housing, jobs and services and foster
the sense of pride that already exists in
Breckland.”
Over the summer we also asked for
further potential development sites to
be submitted to Breckland for
consideration in the LDF. We have
received some 200 new and revised
sites and we will be consulting on
these additional sites early in 2009 –
details will be on-line, in Council’s
Customer Service Centres, libraries
and with Town and Parish Councils.
Breckland Voice Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice

Christmas message from the
Breckland senior police team
“My hope this
Christmas is that it is a
peaceful time for
people who live and
work in Breckland. My
policing teams and our
partners in Breckland
have worked tirelessly
this year with our
communities to tackle
anti-social behaviour in
its many forms.
This has included antisocial
use of car parks,
rowdy behaviour by
groups of people
disturbing the neighbourhood and
drink related incidents as people
leave town centres after
a night out.
Police will be patrolling
our neighbourhoods
and Pubwatch schemes
will be making sure that
individuals who cause
problems are not
allowed to return. I hope
that you, the community
will work with us in the
places where you live to
make this a very
enjoyable Christmas.”
Breckland Superintendent
Katie Elliott
What will you be eating
at Christmas?
Many people in Breckland will be
tucking into turkey and all the
trimmings for lunch on 25 December.
But for many ethnic communities,
turkey is not the traditional
Christmas meal. Here are a few of
the traditional foods some of these
different nationalities will be serving
this festive season.
Many Russians celebrate the Feast of
St. Nicholas. This Christmas Eve meal
consists of a porridge called ‘kutya’.
Made from honey, grains and berries
it symbolises hope and immortality.
Some families throw spoonfuls of the
kutya at the ceiling which, if it sticks,
should ensure a plentiful honey
harvest for the following year.
Portuguese families feast on the
national holiday dish of dried codfish,
called bacalhau this is typically
followed by a dessert of rabanadas
consisting of slices of white bread
soaked in eggs and wine, drenched in
sugar, and fried until crisp. The
Christmas Eve supper in Poland
begins with a beetroot, mushroom or
almond soup, carp is often served too.
Other dishes include a variety of
cakes and, in particular, the holy
poppy seed cake.
In the Ukraine, there is an old custom
of fasting for 39 days before the
Nativity. Families wait until they see
the first star to begin a 12-course
supper, one course in honour of each
of the 12 apostles. The courses include
fish, borscht and cabbage stuffed with
millet and cooked dried fruits. A
special Latvian Christmas meal would
usually be cooked brown peas with
bacon sauce, small pies, cabbage and
sausage. It’s traditional for Father
Christmas to bring presents on each
of the 12 days of Christmas starting on
Christmas Eve.
Whatever you choose to eat this
holiday season, Breckland Council
wishes you a Merry Christmas and a
Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Intergalactic
fairytales
The Memorial Hall in Dereham
played host to a truly magical
experience on the 25 October with
the presentation of the Sun Dragon
by Gomito productions.
Five action loving story tellers totally
enthral the audience narrating the
adventures of Jacob, a boy who
dreams of flying and his quest to save
a distant planet from darkness. It’s a
truly magical hour of storytelling,
Gomito use real creative flair to
captivate every audience member.
This is a play that should be seen by
every child and every adult whose
imagination needs re-sparking.
The show was organised by Dereham
Town Council and partly funded by
Breckland Council. The Town Council
is developing a programme of live
events at the Hall in order to
understand the role a theatre could
play in the town and surrounding area.
The Sun Dragon is the first of a
number of live events; others planned
include A Pirate Workshop and show
(4-9 year olds) on 18 February, A
Comedy Night on 18 February and
Songs from the Shows (Popular songs
from West End shows) on 28 February.
Further live events for all ages are
being planned for later in the year.
The above events are in addition to
many others taking place in the
Memorial Hall. Dereham Operatic will
be holding their ever popular and
successful annual pantomime helping
to make the Memorial Hall a well
used and much loved venue.
Join in Swaffham’s singing for well-being
The Sing for Well-Being course is
aimed at encouraging people to sing
their worries away. The classes are
being held at Swaffham’s Assembly
Rooms and are aimed at people who
love to sing, as well as for those who
doubt their singing abilities.
The ten two hour sessions will take
place every Thursday at 7pm from 15
January 2009 with a break at school
half-term. The workshops will include
group singing as well as gentle
exercise and breathing techniques to
warm up the body and voice.
“Singing is proven to be good for the
health because of the release
of endorphins otherwise known
as ‘happy hormones’. Research
also shows that singing boosts the
immune system and is a creative
13, 14, 20, 21, 23 and 24 December
SANTA SPECiALS ON THE
MiD-NORFOLK RAiLWAY
Dereham Station, Station Road,
Dereham. Visit Santa in his grotto
for a special Christmas present.
Seasonal refreshments will be
available. Tickets: £9.00. Children
under 1 sitting with an adult £3.50.
Booking at station (Weds, Sat or Sun)
or visit www.mnr.org.uk
Tel: 01362 851723
14 and 15 December 2pm - 10pm
16 December 12noon - 6pm and
6pm - 8pm. Youth Party (age 11 – 17)
6pm to 8pm.
SWAFFHAM iCE RiNK.
£2 per session for 20 minutes.
Tel: 01760 722800
Bollywood by bike
Thetford’s former Tourism Officer,
Claire Treadwell, will be taking part in
the 2009 Rajasthan Tiger Challenge,
cycling 500km in India to fundraise for
St Nicholas Hospice. Following her
mother’s stay at the hospice, Claire
feels it’s time to give something back.
Claire said:”I cannot say thank you
enough to the wonderful staff at the
hospice, they made my mum’s last
couple of weeks comfortable, peaceful
and fulfilling experience,“ said Carol
O’Neill, a natural voice practitioner.
“I hear so many people tell me
that they can’t sing but I always
urge them to give it a go. Everyone
has the right to sing and you’d be
amazed at how easy it is to achieve
a wonderful sound. If you’ve never
had any experience before it really
doesn’t matter.”
The course is designed to be fun and
accessible to people of all ages and
abilities. People who are keen to take
part should telephone 01328 838316
to book a place.
What’s on over Christmas
and special. Without them, I really don’t
know how my Dad and I would have
coped. The nurses and volunteers are
the closest thing you can get to angels,
they were amazing.”
Money raised will help them to continue
to provide care for progressively and
terminally ill people, and offer support
to family and friends. All this is given
without charge so fundraising activities
are vital. To support her on this
27 December to 3 January
SLEEPiNG BEAUTY
Dereham Operatic Society’s
pantomime. Dereham Memorial
Hall, Norwich Street, Dereham.
Tickets available from Hallmark,
12 Nelson Place, Dereham.
Tel: 01362 851919. Or visit
www.dosoc.co.uk for more details.
28 December and 1 January 2009
MiD-NORFOLK RAiLWAY MiNCE
PiE SPECiALS
Departing Dereham Station 11am and
2pm. Mince pies and sherry
will be served with biscuits and soft
drinks for children. Tickets: £7.50
adults – Children: £4.50. Booking
advisable. Tel: 01362 851723 or
call at station (Weds, Sat or Sun).
challenge, you can sponsor by visiting
www.justgiving.com/tigerchallenge.
Donating through Justgiving is quick,
easy and totally secure. St Nicholas
Hospice gets your money faster and,
if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving
makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a
3% supplement, are added to your
donation. Why not help organise an
event to raise funds for the hospice? It
could be a quiz night to a head shave
– anything can help. Claire can offer
her services as an experienced PR
professional in exchange for financial
sponsorship. Email tigerchallenge@
hotmail.co.uk for further information.
Breckland Voice 8 Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice 9

Dragoons
launch Pride
Awards
it was time to shout about the best of
Breckland with the launch of
Breckland Pride awards 2008/09.
Local communities across the district
will get recognition for their work
thanks to a new initiative officially
launched by Breckland Council and
officers from the Light Dragoons.
Lieutenants Jonny Black and Guy
Disney joined Breckland councillors
and officers in promoting the Pride
awards, which aim to recognise a
range of special people from carers
and children of courage to sporting
stars. Lt Black said: “The regiment
was very happy to see the welcome
home we received on coming back
from our tour last year. We were
welcomed home as true heroes.
“We are proud to launch these awards
which will recognise the unsung heroes
in our community and we hope people
will take time to nominate people who
deserve the recognition which will be
given to them.”
Nominations will be open until January
31 and there will be a glittering awards
ceremony at Lynford Hall, near
Mundford, on March 20. Breckland
leader William Nunn said: “We are
looking for unsung heroes who in some
way have made a major contribution to
life in their neighbourhood, and we
shall recognise that achievement in our
awards. These are often ordinary
people who have put themselves out for
others. The whole spectrum of life in
the district will be covered through
a range of award categories - all
aimed at creating a greater
pride in Breckland.”
Anyone wanting to make a
nomination can do so by using
the form in the last edition of
Breckland Voice, downloading
the form from the website or
by picking up a form from your
local supermarket, library or
town council.
Partnership keeping
streets safe and sound
An Anti Social Behaviour
partnership operation run by the
Breckland Safer Neighbourhood
Team has been recognised for the
work on the Cherry Tree Car Park
in Dereham.
In an attempt to indicate the area
on the Cherry Tree car park where
the team would especially like
people to show some restraint, they
are trialling a “Respect Zone”, this
will be a highlighted area on the
car park that is clearly marked to
remind the people using the car
park to respect the quality of life of
those people who live close by and
over the next week distinctive green
lines will start to replace the
present markings.
Stephen Askew, Executive member
for Community said;
“We are very pleased to be involved
in this project. It is an excellent
example of partnership working and
shows first hand, how we take the
concerns of our residents seriously,
not only in identifying a problem,
but also in finding a solution.
The residents in the vicinity of the
car park have been instrumental
in helping us to help them.”
This scheme is being closely
monitored by the Home Office and
other Safer Neighbourhood Teams
around the country in order to see
how effective it is as this could then
be used elsewhere.
Free garage
and shed
intruder alarm
Breckland Council is once again
pleased to offer Breckland
residents a free battery powered
intruder alarm. This special offer
is open to any residents, whose
garage or shed has suffered a
break in or attempted break in
within the last year and which has
been reported to the Police.
Please call the Community Safety
team on 01362 656870 to check
availability as there is a limited
supply, then complete the section
below and bring it along to:
Breckland Council, Community
Safety Team, Elizabeth House,
Walpole Loke, Dereham.
Please remember - we must have
your Police CAD reference number.
Breckland Free Garage/Shed
Alarm Project
Dog-chipping service offered
Steve O’Brien at Norfolk Dog Control
Service (NDCS) offers around the
clock, comprehensive dog warden
services for Breckland residents.
Steve gained extensive experience
whilst working at the Council and
has dealt with over 4,000 stray dogs
and over 600 dangerous dogs in
his role as dog warden. As well as
dog chipping sessions, NDCS offers
promotional school talks and dog
training classes.
Flash, a whippet from the Midlands,
had a happy reunion with his owner
thanks to the dog chipping service.
Flash had been stolen and was
found straying in the Swaffham area,
after being handed to Norfolk Dog
Control Services his photograph was
placed on the Breckland Council
website. Dogs Lost UK were able
Breckland Voice 10 Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice 11
Name:
Address:
Date your garage or shed
was broken into (or attempted
break in):
Police CAD ref:
If you suffer a crime please report it
to the Police.
For crime prevention advice, please
call the Police on 0845 456 4567.
Breckland Council and the police
accept no responsibility regarding
the use of this equipment.
to check the website and matched
the details of Flash who had been
reported missing by his owner three
months previously.
For more information on dog chipping
and details of the next dog training
classes please contact Steve on
01362 853279 .
Christmas opening times for
customer service centres
As of Monday 1 December 2008 our
Attleborough Customer Service
Centre will be open 5 days a week
9am to 4.30pm Monday to Thursday
and 9am to 4pm on Friday
Attleborough
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Tuesday 23
December – re-opening Monday 29
December to Wednesday 31
December 9am to 12 noon – resume
Normal hours of operation from
Monday 5 January 2009 (closed 24
to 26 Dec & 1 & 2 January)
Watton
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Friday 19
December - resume Normal hours
of operation from Wednesday
7 January 2009.
Swaffham
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Tuesday 23
December closing at 12noon –
resume Normal hours of operation
from Monday 5 January 2009.
Dereham Peddars Way
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Christmas
Eve closing at 1pm – resume
Normal hours of operation from
Monday 5 January 2009
Dereham Elizabeth House
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Christmas
Eve closing at 1pm - resume Normal
hours of operation from Monday 29
December to Friday 2 January 2009 -
Closed Thursday 1 January
Thetford
Last working day for Customer
Service Centre will be Christmas
Eve closing at 1:00pm – Re-open
9:30am to 4pm Monday 29
December to Friday 2 January 2009 -
Closed Thursday 1 January
Customer Contact
Last working day will be Christmas
Eve closing at 1pm – re-opens
Monday 29 December - Friday 2
January 2009 9am to 5pm - Closed
Thursday 1 January New Years Day.

Dereham
money fair
Breckland Council is organising a
Money Fair to provide members of
the community with the opportunity
to get information and advice on
various aspects of housing, Council
tax, benefits, debt advice and related
money concerns.
The first event will be held at the
Memorial Hall, Dereham on 27
January, 1pm to 7pm. All attendees
will be entered into a free prize draw to
win a luxury hamper!
Photographic Studio-Crafts
Art Gallery-Framing
Georges Road, Dereham
Norfolk NR19 2DA
01362 690969
www.thegallerydereham.com
(20% Discount on Christmas
Portraits with this Advert!)
COME MEET
SANTA
AT...
ALL MONIES COLLECTED GOES TO LOCAL CHARITIES
Audit Commission Act 1998
Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003
Notice is given that:
(1) the audit of accounts for Breckland
Council for the year ended 31st March
2008 has been concluded; and
(2) the statement of accounts is
available for inspection by any local
5TH DECEMBER
THETFORD TOWN CENTRE
LIGHTING CEREMONY
8TH DECEMBER
MACKENZIE ROAD, MAIN STREET &
CANNONS CLOSE
9TH DECEMBER
NIGHTINGALE WAY,
NUNNERY DRIVE & NUNSGATE
10TH DECEMBER
ICKNIELD WAY & FULMERSTON
11TH DECEMBER - CLOVERFIELDS
15TH DECEMBER
CLOVERFIELDS (TESCOS SIDE)
16TH DECEMBER
WOODLANDS DRIVE,
FAIRFIELDS & HIGHLANDS
17TH DECEMBER
LADIES ESTATE & HILL HOUSE
18TH DECEMBER - ADMIRALS
CARPET CLEANING
1 Household Carpet – £45
2 Carpets – £55
3 Carpets – £65
Your 3 Piece Suite and
Lounge Carpet cleaned – £85
Call Mike at Clean Tech
01485 609223
Credit & Debit cards welcome
Sustainable
Communities
free training
events
008 – 009
The Sustainable Communities Team
will be holding and facilitating a
number of training sessions and
workshops aimed at members of
the community, volunteers and
town and parish councillors to help
them gain information and advance
their existing skills for their local
community projects.
All of the training sessions listed
are free of charge to those who live
in Breckland or contribute their
time to community projects within
the district. There are limited
spaces available so please book
quickly to avoid disappointment.
If you are interested in participating
in a training event, or would like to
know more, please contact Cat
Lang on 01362 656870 or email
cat.lang@breckland.gov.uk
8 December 2008
How to be Successful with
Funding Applications
Wayland House, Watton
13 January 2009
Parish Planning
Wellspring Family Centre, Dereham
21 January 2009
Village Hall and Community
Building Maintenance Planning
Thetford Guildhall Complex
18 February 2009
Child Protection
Swaffham Community Centre
24 February 2009
Getting Started
Attleborough Enterprise and
Community Centre
25 March 2009
Using Church Buildings as a focus
for Community Projects
Wellspring Family Centre, Dereham
Property to let
Many people don’t know that
Breckland Council is also a
commercial property landlord and can
offer commercial properties for lease.
These can range from 600 to 5,000 sq ft
factory units to office accommodation
in our business centres. We can
provide flexible lease terms to suit all
needs and if we haven’t got anything
ourselves to suit your needs we
usually know someone who has.
With approximately 200 tenants in
property throughout the Breckland
district, we offer accommodation
to ensure businesses flourish and
provide employment opportunities
for our residents. We have all sorts of
organisations renting property - from a
beansprout grower to a gymnasium.
We also partner large developments
such as the Thetford Enterprise Park
and the Ecotech Business Park in
Swaffham. We also purchase and sell
BELA boost for
Breckland businesses
Just as politicians are highlighting
the importance of small businesses
in the national economic picture, the
Breckland Partnership has launched
a new scheme that will enhance
workforce skills and provide grants
for small businesses and start-ups.
Following on from the success
of Phase 1 Breckland Enterprise
and Learning Account (BELA), the
Breckland Partnership has approved
funding of £21,500 to support a new
BELA 2 project. A small sum of grant
money can make a big difference to
a small business with limited funds;
a grant from the original BELA 1
scheme helped Beeston Brewery,
a small independent concern,
to purchase a labelling machine
resulting in a doubling of production
and increased profitability.
An increasing number of requests have
come from businesses for support with
online projects, and BELA 2 offers 50%
grants up to a maximum of £500
property, buy and
sell land, assist the
private sector by helping
to advertise their property
and even manage property on behalf
of other landlords. We have a good
understanding of the local commercial
market place and can help you start up
a new business or grow your existing
business into new accommodation.
Obviously there are some uncertainties
in the present economic climate,
banks are being more cautious,
cutting costs, debt recovery and credit
control are becoming increasingly
top of the management agenda.
Practical measures like reviewing tax
implications with your Accountant
and using the BusinessLink business
health check tool at www.businesslink.
gov.uk can help, or calling our
Economic Development department
on 01362 656870 to find out what
business support is available.
to assist small businesses and startups
with the purchase of ICT related
equipment and training.
Skills for the workplace and language
training will also be on offer. Working
with the Breckland Partnership,
representatives from the new
communities have identified the need
for pre ESOL (English for Speakers of
Other Languages) classes. These will
equip participants with the language
proficiency needed to access services
more effectively, increase employment
opportunities and build up the
confidence and skills needed to move
on to more formal, accredited training.
More information about the scheme
to support businesses can be obtained
from Lindy Warmer, Breckland
Council Economic Development
Officer on 01362 656870. The pre
ESOL training is administered by the
Local Area Partnerships and further
information can be obtained from
Rob Walker on 01362 656870.
Breckland Voice 1 Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice 1
Untitled-1 1 21/11/2008 11:37:32
Council Tax – are you exempt
or entitled to a discount?
Council tax is based on the
assumption that there are two adults
living in a dwelling. The charge can
be reduced by 25% if only one person
occupies the property. Certain people
can be disregarded for council tax
purposes. Some properties are
exempt from council tax. Both
occupied and unoccupied properties
may be council tax exempt whether
they are furnished or not. For further
information pick up one of our leaflets
at any one of our customer service
centres or call 01842 756495.
Breckland Council Notice of
Conclusion of Audit and Notice of
Inspection Statement of Accounts
government elector, in accordance with
section 14 of the Audit Commission Act
1998, for the area of the above-named
Council at Breckland House, St.
Nicholas Street, Thetford IP24 1BT or
Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke,
Dereham NR19 1EE on working days
between the hours of 10 am to 4pm.
Head of Finance

P&D
Re-Upholstery - Parker Knoll Specialists
• Tailor made loose
covers – 100s of
washable fabrics to
choose from
• Replacement
cushion interiors
in foam and fibre
• 22 years experience
Please call for a free quote and advice
01362 637238 www.pdfoams.co.uk
Your local furniture and appliance re-use centre
Visit our shop at York Way, Abbey Estate, Thetford, IP24 1EJ
Thursdays and Fridays 9am - 4pm, Saturdays 9am - 2pm
A great selection of quality second hand furniture, electrical appliances, clothes
and other items at very affordable prices. We will deliver to your door.
We always require donations of good quality furniture and electrical
appliances for re-sale and can collect from your door.
Every item you donate will assist someone who cannot afford to buy new.
Every penny our customers pay for goods is used to cover the running costs
of Green Ventures.
Contact us now: 07917 395813 Email: enquiries@keystonetrust.org.uk
Registered charity number 1093162
Christmas at
Strangers' Hall
See this magnificent Tudor House
decorated for the season.
Costumed tours, period music,
Santa (Sats only), cracker making
Weds 3, 10, 17; Sats 6,13, 20 December
10.30am - 4.30pm
Tel. 01603 493625 www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk
Staff eat cake
– all for a
good cause
Staff raised £216 for charity during a
week of activities to mark National
Customer Services Week. The total
collected during the week was
donated to East Anglia Children’s
Hospices (EACH) and a cheque
presented to Jessica Hiscocks,
EACH fundraising co-ordinator.
Various events took place at the
Council’s Dereham headquarters from
October 6 to 10. It began with staff from
other services within the Council
learning about the type of calls taken
within the contact centre.
The week also included a raffle to win a
teddy bear, a cake sale, biscuits, fruit
and sweets were available all week for a
small donation and a black and red
theme day. Monica Coffey, Head of
Customer Services at Breckland
Council, said: “Everybody had a lot of fun
during Customer Services Week and
raised money for a very good cause at
the same time. We’re very proud of how
hard our Customer Services staff work
to provide the best possible help and
information for residents. Our latest
satisfaction figures show that 99% of our
residents find our staff polite, friendly
and respectful. It was great to see staff
from across the council joining in the fun
and a great reminder that customers are
at the heart of everything we do.”
National Customer Service Week,
organised by the Institute of Customer
Service, is designed to raise
awareness of the important role
Customer Service professionals play
within their organisation.
Budget priorities: what you said
in the last edition of ‘Breckland
Voice’, the Council encouraged
residents to have their say on the
spending priorities in 2009-10, using
touch-screen kiosks in Post Offices
throughout the district. Residents
from across the district completed
the online survey to let us know their
views, and the results are now in. This
is what you told us!
We asked about Council Tax and the
clear message is that this should not
be increased by more than inflation.
You told us that any improvements to
services should be funded by working
efficiently with partners and by
generating income from commercial
property.
Working to improve the Breckland
environment is one of the Council’s
priorities and you told us that your main
concern is improving the cleanliness of
the streets and open spaces. You also
said that our main focus in building
stronger and safer communities should
be tackling anti-social behaviour.
We asked where Breckland should
commit resources to develop a
prosperous economy; the measures
Voice poster
competition
Breckland Voice is giving you the
chance to be featured on the cover
of the next issue.
We’re inviting the children of
Breckland to enter a competition
where you design a healthy living
poster and the overall winner in
each category will be featured on
our Jan/Feb edition of Voice. You have
until Friday 2 January 2009 to get
your entries in and the best three
posters in each category will then be
decided upon by a panel of judges.
Categories are
• 11 years and under
• 12 years and over.
All 6 finalists will be presented with
a professional art set and the
winning designs will be reproduced
gaining greatest support were action
to help local businesses to start up
and grow, protecting and enhancing
vibrant town centres and safeguarding
flourishing rural communities.
When asked about the services
provided by Breckland, you said what
is most important to you is improving
the quality of services. We were
interested to learn that over a third
of our residents who completed the
survey would like to see the Council
involving residents in developing
these improvements.
Breckland has already started to
involve residents and local groups
in their local area by setting up
Neighbourhood Forums; these include
representatives from the Town,
District and County Councils and
other partner agencies. The first, the
Thetford Neighbourhood Forum, was
set up earlier this year and has been
tackling local issues such as litter,
flytipping and overgrown vegetation.
Plans are underway to set up a second
Forum in Attleborough next year with
the potential to roll out the idea to
Dereham, Watton and Swaffham.
professionally with copies of each
design displayed in our Dereham and
Thetford Leisure Centres. Posters
should be A3 size and as they are to
be printed please don’t use any glue
or glitter!
Please print your name, age and
address clearly on the back,
then send your entries to:
Communications, Breckland Council,
Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke,
Dereham NR19 1EE
Breckland Voice 1 Working together for a brighter future
Working together for a brighter future Breckland Voice 15

What’s on in Breckland
For even more events in the Breckland area, visit our website www.visitbreckland.com
Please check details with event organisers before turning up in case of changes after going to print.
1 - 23 December 10am to 1pm
SALE OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
Thetford Gallery, Guildhall Market
Place Thetford. Tel: 01842 766599
Email: info@thetford-gallery.org.uk
13 December 1.30pm to 3.30pm
CHRiSTMAS DECORATiON WORKSHOP
Attleborough Library, 31 Connaught
Road, Attleborough. Drop-in event
for children. (All children to be
accompanied by an adult).
Tel: 01953 452319.
Email: kathryn.boler@norfolk.gov.uk
14 December 2008
CHRiSTMAS ExPERiENCE
Shop for Christmas food and fayre
and relish the smell of Victorian
cooking on the farmhouse.
Traditional entertainment and fun
for all the family. Gressenhall Farm
and Workhouse, Gressenhall,
Dereham, Norfolk NR20 4DR
Tel: 01362 860563. See our web page
www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk for
further details and admission prices.
17 December
WATTON SOCiETY CHRiSTMAS
ENTERTAiNMENT
Watton Christian Community centre
Tel: 01953 882813 / 881696.
20 December 8pm to 11pm
TEqUiLA SUNRiSE
Queens Hall, Watton
Tel: Mike Rix on 01953 889890.
20 & 21 December 12 noon – 2pm
MEET SANTA AND
CHRiSTMAS LUNCHES
Another opportunity to share your
Christmas wishes with Santa.
Traditional Christmas lunch
available in the tea room 12 noon –
2pm. Gift shop open for last minute
Christmas shopping! Santa: £3 per
child (includes present). Oxburgh
Hall. Tel for further information
01366 328258 unless otherwise
stated.
31 December 8pm to 1am
JEFF GALLANT BAND
Queens Hall, Watton. Ticket only.
Tel: Mike Rix on 01953 889890.
You’re recycling better than ever before!
Every six months the recyclables
we collect from your black bins are
checked and this time we found our
residents are recycling better than
ever. 93% of the overall contents
of your black bins was able to be
recycled. So well done to all those
residents who recycle. We couldn’t
achieve this success without you.
This December, we are offering free
cotton shopping bags to residents to
help reduce the number of plastic
shopping bags which often end up in
landfill. You can collect your free bag
from any of our Customer Service
Centres or the Town Council in each
of our market towns. Or why not collect
your free bag from a recycling expert
at one of our roadshows, we will be
in Waitrose, Swaffham on Monday 15
December, Sainsbury’s Attleborough
on Thursday 18 December and
Morrison’s Dereham on Friday 19
December from 10am to 2pm.
Christmas Workshops
One person’s rubbish is another’s
decoration! Let us show you how
easy it is to turn your rubbish into
Christmas decorations.
Saturday 13 December - Attleborough
Library 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Monday 22 December - Watton
Library 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Tuesday 23 December - Thetford
Library 10.30am to 12.30pm
Breckland Voice is printed on environmentally friendly paper.
2nd January 11am – 2pm
TOYS AND TALES
Ancient House Museum House Alive
event. Play with toys from the past,
hear some stories and make your
own traditional toy to take home.
Free admission. Ancient House
Museum of Thetford Life, 21 – 23
White Hart Street, Thetford,
Tel: 01842 752599.
Email: ancient.house@
norfolk.gov.uk or visit our
website www.museums.
norfolk.gov.uk