Outlook Autumn 2008 - North Norfolk District Council

AUTUMN 2008OutlookIN THIS ISSUELocal government reviewLife changing learningCommunity transportOpen for business:North Norfolk’sInformation CentreActive in the community

Chairman’sCommunityAwardsChairman of North Norfolk District CouncilSue Arnold has announced the creation oftwo Community Enhancement Awards,one for coastal and market towns and theother for smaller communities. Winnerswill be awarded a certificate and £250.The aim is to encourage people,groups and organisations to do things thathelp to make the local environment betterfor everyone who lives there. This couldrange from clearingup long-standinglitter and rubbish toputting up bird boxesor planting acommunity garden,with an endless list ofactivities in between.Entry forms areavailable from NNDCSue ArnoldChairmanand the awards will be open to allindividuals, groups or organisations. Ashort-list will be compiled and judging willtake place in April 2009.On behalf of NNDC Sue Arnold wouldalso like to have the opportunity tocongratulate those residents whocelebrate their one hundredth birthday inthe District. If you or anyone you know iscoming up to that very special date, do letthe Chairman know at the DistrictCouncil’s Cromer office.The Council will be continuing to runthe Civic Awards, introduced in 2007 byCllr Barbara McGoun during her year asChairman, recognising and promotingcommunity spirit.Entry forms for these awards are alsoavailable from NNDC and the winners willbe announced in April 2009. ContactKirsty Read on 01263 516017 or emailkirsty.read@north-norfolk.gov.ukOutlook is published four times a yearby North Norfolk District Council for itsresidents and distributed to allhouseholds in the District.Outlook is written, designed andproduced by the Council’s in-housecommunications team, and printed onenvironment-friendly paper (low chlorinepulp from managed, sustained forestry).L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T R E V I E WBoundary Committeeproposals will be bad for NorthNorfolk say Group LeadersAfter taking four months to consider what shouldbe the future of local government in Norfolk, thegovernment appointed Boundary Committee hasproposed a structure that nobody wanted.Today Norfolk operates successfully withwhat’s called a ‘two-tier’ system with county anddistrict authorities working together with Parishand Town Councils at the local community level.North Norfolk District Council is one of seven‘second tier’ authorities in this structure. It’s asystem we know we can improve, but it workspretty well as it is. As early as April 2010, if theBoundary Committee has its way, all this will havebeen swept away, leaving just one mammothlocal government authority in charge of the wholeof Norfolk plus Lowestoft.We don’t think this will work and nor do manyParish and Town Councils.It’s too big> The size and scale of the proposedcouncil make it anything but ‘local’.North Norfolk District has a populationof around 100,000 people; theproposed authority would have over930,000, with planned growth soontaking it over 1 million. The onlyauthority of any similar size isBirmingham, but Norfolk would covera geographical area over 25 timeslarger. We believe that the needs andrequirements of people who live in,say, Thetford are very different fromthose of people who live inHappisburgh and local governmentarrangements should recognise thesedifferences. In fact just last year theVirginia GayLeader of theLiberal DemocratGroupAngie TillettLeader of theConservative GroupWhy we think the Boundary Committee’s proposalis bad for North NorfolkSecretary of State rejected a similarproposal for Cheshire on the groundsthat with a population of 686,000, itwas too large and would be seen asremote by local people. The proposalfor Norfolk is for a population half asbig again in a much larger area!It’s undemocratic> The proposed authority would havearound 100 elected members, withone councillor representing somethinglike 9000 people. At the momentNorth Norfolk is represented by 59council seats (48 District and 11County), one for every 1800 people. Inthe new authority, North Norfolk couldbe represented by as few as 122 Outlook Autumn 2008

councillors. This would be a hugereduction in democratic accountabilityfor the people of not just North Norfolkbut for the whole of the county. Webelieve that you should know whoyour councillor is and be confidentthat they have an understanding oflocal people and local issues. Withone councillor representing over 9000people living in areas at least fourtimes as big as the current Wards, thisis very unlikely. And as far as Townand Parish Councils are concerned,just how much influence they mighthave over local affairs in the future isvery unclear, and we don’t think that isa good thing, either.A very bad proposalThere are many other reasons why wethink that the Boundary Committee’sproposal is a nonsense, for exampledespite the huge changes that couldhappen, they have not provided any detailas to how the proposal would actuallywork in practice, and there has been noproper financial analysis. As a result wehave no clear idea as to how much itwould cost, but we can be sure that itwould be tens of millions of pounds,money that would be much better spenton continuing to improve local services,and we do know that it is quite likely thatour Council Tax would rise as a result.We believe this is a very badproposal. It’s bad for the people ofNorfolk and bad for democracy itself.At a special meeting held on24 July North Norfolk District Councilvoted unanimously to work with otherDistrict Councils to oppose it over thecoming months.You can find out more about theBoundary Committee’s proposals onwww.boundarycommittee.org.uk andabout NNDC’s response onwww.northnorfolk.orgIt’s no squit – North Norfolk’sgot a new Information Centre!The new North NorfolkInformation Centreopened in Cromer in Julywith an appropriatelylight-hearted ceremonyconducted by a true‘man of Norfolk’, KeithSkipper.Situated on LoudenRoad, Cromer, at thenorthern end of theMeadow car park, theCentre providesinformation for localpeople and visitors alike,offering free use of theinternet as well as the more traditionalsources of information. The iconicstructure was created by Sheringhamarchitects Stead Mutton and incorporatesnew public toilets, replacing those on theKeith Skipper declares thenew Centre well and truly opencorner of Bond Street,Cromer, which will beclosed at the end ofSeptember.Replacing the oldCromer TIC, the NorthNorfolk InformationCentre offers a great dealmore. It will be open allyear round, providingtourist informationservices on behalf of thewhole District when otheroffices are closed, aswell as offering ‘virtual’access to NNDC andother services for local people throughoutthe year.The project was funded by NNDC withsupport from the EU European RegionalDevelopment Fund.Councils sound out residents’ viewsThousands of Norfolk residents, including3000 in North Norfolk, are being askedwhat they think about their local area andthe public services they receive.Norfolk’s councils have enlistedresearch company Ipsos MORI to carryout a Place Survey, asking people arange of questions about theircommunities and quality of life, as well aspolling their views about district andcounty council services like waste andrecycling, street cleaning and road andpavement repairs.Questionnaires are being sent to arandom but demographicallyrepresentativesample of residents thisautumn, and anyone who receives one isasked to fill it in and return it, to helpNorfolk’s councils know how well they areperforming and whether they are meetingcustomers’ needs and expectations. Allcouncils will have to conduct the PlaceSurvey every two years, by law. Theresults will give comparisons with areasacross the country, and show Norfolkcouncils the areas where they need toimprove. Completed questionnairesremain confidential and are not passedon to the councils.This is an opportunity for residents tolet us know what they think about thearea and their Councils.Outlook Autumn 2008 3

Is yours a Quality Council?The Quality Council scheme has steadilygrown since it was launched in March 2003.Cromer Town Council was the first town inNorfolk to secure Quality Status. Open to allparish and town councils, irrespective ofsize, the scheme is intended to enablecouncils to work more closely with others inthe delivery of services and to betterrepresent their communities. It will bringreal benefits to the people who are involvedin the council - that is the councillors andthe clerk, and more importantly to thecommunity it serves.To become a Quality Council, certain criteriahave to be met. The council must show that isrepresentative of the whole community, that itcommunicates with its residents and that it isproperly managed and responsible. The clerkalso has to be qualified. A Quality portfolio cantake many months to put together before itreaches the required standard of theaccreditation panel. Accreditation will helpconvince potential grant funders that localcouncils are able and competent to carry outlocal projects successfully. A Quality Councilmust have a proactive approach to workingmore closely with their community and otherauthorities. Functions currently undertaken byDistrict and County Council may well be handeddown to local councils. All in all, it is seen asbeing one key way of maintaining a thriving localcommunity.Quality Councils hope to secure functionsfrom District and County Councils. This will bedone by establishing a Charter – achieved bydialogue between officers and members of allcouncils. Examples of functions that might beconsidered for delegating include control ofmarkets, litter and fly post control, street namingand tourism activities.North Norfolk currently has five QualityCouncils – Blakeney, Cromer, North Walsham,Trimingham and Wells-next-the-Sea, with severalmore close to achieving this accolade. Parishand Town Councils are now trying to progressthe development of the charter in the District, sothat they can benefit fully from the status.National bus pass scheme for free travel across England✃The national bus pass scheme for over-60s anddisabled people allows free bus travel anywherein England using local bus services.The new passes are being issued conform toa standard design, so bus companies across thecountry can recognise them.If you still have the old-style local bus passyou need to apply for a new-style pass before30 September 2008.To apply for a new bus pass, please visitNorth Norfolk District Council’s offices at HoltRoad, Cromer, or Fakenham Connect at OakStreet, Fakenham.NameAddressTelephoneDate of BirthPlease return to:Bus Passes, North Norfolk District CouncilHolt Road, Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9ENYou should bringoriginal proofs of identityand residency in NorthNorfolk, not copies, and apassport-size colour photo (orwe can take your photo usingour webcam facilities).Please bring one of thefollowing proofs of identityauthorised by the Department ofTransport: passport, NHS medical card,driving licence, statement of pensionentitlement, or birth certificate. For proofof residency, weneed either: a bankstatement, benefits bookor award letter, counciltax bill, driving licence,doctor’s letter, letter orstatement from HMRevenues and Customs,medical or opticalprescription, NHSmedical card, a pensionbook or a utilities bill (nota credit card or phonebill).We need two ofthese proofs – one foridentity, one forresidency. (You shouldnot just bring your NHSCurrent Pass Numbermedical card, for instance.)You also need to bring proof of eligibility. Ifyou are aged 60 or over, please bring a birthcertificate, driving licence, passport, senior railcard, winter fuel payment letter, pension credit,or Pension Service statement of entitlement asproof of your age.If you are blind or partially-sighted, severelyor profoundly deaf, or have a learning disability,please bring proof of yourregistration with Social Services.If you have a disability or havesuffered an injury which has along-term effect on your abilityto walk, please bring proof thatyou are receiving the higher-rate mobilitycomponent of the Disabled Living Allowance, or aWar Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement, or yourdisabled person’s parking permit (the BlueBadge).North NorfolkDistrict CouncilIf you are prohibited fromdriving on medical grounds,are unable to speak, arewithout the use of both arms,or need a companion with you to travel, pleasebring appropriate medical evidence.For more information, please contact the BusPass Team on 01263 516418.You can also complete and return theform opposite, and we will send you anapplication form to complete, withinstructions for what happens next.4 Outlook Autumn 2008

Getregisteredto vote✘This autumn, you should receive anelectoral registration form, so you cangive details of those living at home whoare eligible to vote, or who areapproaching their 18th birthday. Pleasereturn it to North Norfolk District Councilin the pre-paid envelope provided.Only people who appear on theRegister can vote – for instance in the2009 European parliamentary elections –and households are required, by law, tosupply the information asked for on theform. People who fail to register not onlyface a £1000 fine anddisenfranchisement, they could also find itdifficult to obtain credit, since most banksand building societies require evidence ofresidence when considering loansapplications, and they will normallyengage certificated credit referenceagencies to check names against theregister of electors to do so.For more information about theregister, please call North Norfolk DistrictCouncil's Registration Services Sectionon 01263 516046 or 516317.New polling stationsThere are three new locations for pollingstations in North Norfolk, as now agreedby the Returning Officer.The polling stations for Cromer Town(East) and Suffield Park (North West)polling districts have moved toMerchants’ Place, Church Street, fromthe St Johns Hall, Bond Street, because itis a more convenient location and hasbetter disability access.The Sadlers Shop will be used infuture by voters in the North WalshamTown polling district, because theVicarage Street location is moreconvenient than the Community Centreon New Street for voters at that end oftown. Voters in the North Walsham Eastpolling district will keep using theCommunity Centre.Bacton Village Hall will be the pollingstation for Paston polling district, ratherthan Paston Parish Hall, whichhas closed.Housing andCouncil Tax BenefitsAre you claiming yours?Many local residents who are entitled tobenefits don’t claim them. North NorfolkDistrict Council wants to make sure thatthey do.Part of the current ‘take-up’ campaignis being supported by Alison Morreyand Suzanne West (pictured) of theHousing and Council Tax BenefitHelp and Advice Team, andHousing Benefit and Council TaxBenefit are top of their hit list!Last year 668 people in theDistrict were assisted by Suzanneand Alison to complete forms and providethe proofs needed for new claims forHousing and Council Tax Benefit. Jointworking with other agencies meant that444 people were signposted to otherorganisations for further help.They can also give advice on otherbenefits such as Attendance Allowance,Disability Living Allowance, CarersAllowance, Pension Credit, and IncapacityBenefit.‘Many older people, for example, areunaware that they may be entitled to helpwith Housing and Council Tax Benefiteven though they do not qualify forPension Credit,’ they said. ‘We try tomake it as easy as possible for people toclaim by offering a meeting at the office ora home visit to help complete the formsand collect the proofs required, if needed.’Members of the Help and Advice Teamare also available to give talks to localcommunity groups about the Housing andCouncil Tax Benefit system. If you areinvolved in a group, and would like themto visit, or would like to arrange anappointment, please get in touch.Suzanne West and Alison Morrey arebased at NNDC’s Cromer Office and canbe contacted on 01263 516245.Changes to tax self-assessmentMillions of new-look tax returns havebeen dropping on to doormats following arevamp of the main self assessment (SA)tax return.The new-look return now has fewerquestions, simpler language and animproved layout, and is designed inparticular to be easier for those who areself-employed or who don't use anaccountant to complete their return.There have also been changes to theSA deadlines. Paper returns must be filedby 31 October, while the deadline foronline returns remains 31 January.If you need any help with your return,you should visit the self-assessmentpages on the website of Her Majesty’sRevenue and Customs atwww.hmrc.gov.uk/sa or call theself-assessment helpline on 0845 9000444, open seven days a week between8am and 8pm.Additional help for the self-employedis available in the form of free workshopsrun by the Revenue and Customs AdviceTeams. To book a place on a workshop,call 01332 724410 or visit:www.hmrc.gov.uk/bstOutlook Autumn 2008 5

2007/08 final accountsFor the financial year ending 31 March2008 the Council reported an overallsurplus of £192,000 compared to therevised budget. The reason for the yearend surplus was partly due to animproved return on the Council’sinvestments generating additional incomeand also an additional allocation of theLocal Authority Business GrowthIncentive (LABGI) grant. Under the LABGIscheme the Government allocates aproportion of business rate income abovea growth threshold to local authorities.During the year additional expenditurewas incurred on repairing damage toproperties following the severe weather inNovember 2007. While some of thesecosts have been recovered underinsurance claims and funding for otheremergency repairs claimed from theGovernment, the Council was stillrequired to cover costs totaling £68,000in the year.The surplus for the year has beenearmarked for ongoing commitments andfuture projects including support to thebusiness community through economicdevelopment and community projects.Overall the Council maintained itsminimum level of general reserve balanceat the year end of £1.1 million.The main areas of spend are shown inthe chart opposite.During the 2007/08 financial year theCouncil spent £3.4 million on capitalprojects. Expenditure on capital projectsgenerally represents money spent by theCouncil on upgrading and improvingassets such as equipment and buildings.Some of the larger areas of capital spendincluded housing improvement grants of£772,000 and disabled facility grants of£532,000, the grants are aimed atimproving the District’s private sectorhousing stock, and support to housingassociations of just under £1.2 million tobuild affordable social housing. Othercapital projects completed in the yearincluded the new public conveniences atThe average band D Council Tax for 2007/08was £1370.6 and was split as follows:North Norfolk District Council £125.64 (9 %)Average Parish Precept £27.98 (2 %)Norfolk County Council £1004.40 (77 %)Norfolk Police Authority £164.88 (12 %)REFUSE AND CLEANING£16.34RECREATION AND SPORT£13.50PLANNING AND TRANSPORT(INCLUDING CAR PARKS)£8.75LOCAL COUNCIL TAX AND BENEFITS£6.91GENERAL FUND HOUSING£16.75Changes in local healthcareAll publicly funded services are subjectto constant scrutiny and change. Thisarticle sets out how, through thesechanges, your family doctor caninfluence and improve healthcareservices in your locality.What is the North Norfolk PracticeBased Commissioning Consortium(NNPBCC)?It is a new organisation consisting of allGP surgeries covering a population ofabout 150,000 people in North andEast Norfolk. The idea is part of anationwide scheme to enable yourfamily doctor to have more influence onhow healthcare services are run locally.Sea Palling and the upgrade of CCTVequipment. The construction of the NorthNorfolk Information Centre, whichopened in July, was ongoing during2007/08.A full copy of the Council’s annualstatutory statement of accounts alongwith a summarised version can be foundon the Council’s website atwww.northnorfolk.orgWe would welcome your comments.Please email:accountancy@north-norfolk.gov.uk orcontact Karen Sly on 01263 516243.Council Tax – how we spend your moneyNNPBCC Plan 2008/09The Consortium’s Plan for 2008/09 hashelped to highlight the healthcareneeds of the population, including:● Obesity● Asthma and similar illnesses● Diabetes● Heart disease● Mental healthFamily doctors are trying to improvehealthcare in your area by:● looking at existing services to see ifthey can be improved● testing out new ideas in one or twolocal surgeries● involving the local population toobtain advice/feedback on priorities.The average sum of £125.64 retained byNorth Norfolk District Council is split asshown in the diagram below.CENTRAL SERVICES£22.43COAST PROTECTION£7.96CULTURE AND RELATED SERVICES£9.44ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT£2.38ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES£21.18Patient InvolvementGP surgeries are setting up PatientParticipation Groups to help us makesure our ideas are in line with patientpriorities. A patient conference will beheld in September where patientrepresentatives from all 18 surgerieswill learn more about our plans andhave the opportunity to help us makesure we get our priorities right.Over the next 12 months, we willkeep you up-to-date with progress andreport comments from doctors, nursesand patients on some of the ideas weare working on.For more information contact SarahPonder on 01263 517718.6 Outlook Autumn 2008

CommunityInterested in becomingan Independent CustodyVisitor?Independent Custody Visitors are volunteers fromthe community who visit police stationsunannounced, and in pairs, to check on thecustody facilities and the welfare of detainedpeople. Impartiality, tact, diplomacy and a keeninterest in serving the community are just some ofthe attributes of a good custody visitor.The Norfolk Police Authority is responsible forestablishing and maintaining the Custody VisitingScheme and there are five panels of visitors inNorfolk. Currently, the Authority is keen to recruitvolunteers to its panel in the NorthWalsham/Cromer area.Independent Custody Visitors do not know whya person is being detained in custody, and they donot talk to those held about their arrest or followup on what happens subsequently. The role ispurely objective and ensures that the detainee’slegal rights have been offered and explained, thattreatment has been fair and that the conditions ofthe cells are satisfactory.Independent Custody Visitors are unpaid, butget traveling expenses. They come from a varietyof backgrounds and sections of the community butmust be between 18 and 85 years of age andhave no direct involvement in the criminal justicesystem. This is to prevent possible conflicts ofinterests for the individual and to maintain theindependence of the scheme.For more information and/or an applicationpack, please contact Sarah Bryant, SchemeAdministrator at Norfolk Police Authority on 01953424455 or emailpoliceauthority@norfolk.pnn.police.ukFurther information can also be found atwww.norfolk-pa.gov.ukHelp support thevictims of crimeVictim Support is an independent national charitywhose volunteers help people cope with crime withfree confidential support and information.People are referred to Victim Support by thepolice or other organisations, or may contact thecharity direct.More volunteers are needed, to give a listeningear and emotional support, usually over thetelephone, and practical help where needed.Training is given and expenses are paid. If youwould like to know more about being a volunteer,call 01603 629577.Speaking up for older peopleAre you over 50? Are you concernedabout issues like post office closures,care for older people, transport aroundour rural district, or how the new buspass scheme works?The North Norfolk Older People’sForum gives an independent voice forNorth Norfolk’s over-50s, and is currentlyexamining those very topics.The forum will hold three publicmeetings and issues four newsletters ayear, and is free to join. Its first publicmeeting will be on Tuesday, 23September, from 9.30am to 1pm (withfree teas and coffees followed by a £2buffet lunch) at Cromer Community Hallon Garden Street.The forum will work on the issues itsSupport your local market...and enjoy a friendly shopping experienceWith the ever-increasing costof driving out of town to doyour shopping, why not pay avisit to your local marketwhere you will find anabundance of fresh produceand a whole variety of goodvalue items?While you might thinkabout shopping at a marketfor meat, fresh fish, fruit andlocally grown veg, take timeto explore the other stalls aswell. You will find everythingfrom clothing to pet supplies,tools, pictures, jewellery, carcleaning equipment, hats,socks, underwear, toys,plants and flowers, CDs andDVDs, books, shoes,basket-ware, haberdashery,watch repairs and lots more.Market stalls are usuallypretty environmentally friendlyas well. They don’t often need to useelectricity, and obviously aren’t heated!Many traders live less than an hour awayfrom the markets they visit so don’t use ahuge amount of fuel to get to there.MARKET DAYS IN NORTH NORFOLKStalham:Sheringham:TuesdayWednesday (March-Oct)Saturdaymembers feel are most important, andaims to invite decision-makers to futuremeetings to inform, answer questions andhear members’ views.It works in partnership with AgeConcern, Help the Aged and otheragencies in North Norfolk to make sureolder people’s needs are considered bythose who provide local services. ForumMembership is free.For more information, to join theforum, or to say you will be attending themeeting on 23 September and would likelunch, please contact:Mary Granville-White1 Orchard Close, Roughton, NR11 8SR01263 761419,mary@granville-white.fsnet.co.ukAs well as providing thelocal community and visitorsto our rural and coastaltowns with an alternativeshopping experience,markets also play a part inkeeping the local communitythriving. Many locals visit fora friendly chat, to catch upon gossip and share a joke –traders and locals look outfor one another. This allmakes for a caring andvibrant community.In a world where much isfast-moving and stressful,markets provide a traditionalplace to meet, pass the timeof day, buy essentials andthe odd luxury without anyneed to hurry. North Norfolkhas a rich variety of marketsfor you to visit, so why notgive them a try? All themarkets operate throughout the yearexcept Sheringham’s Wednesday market.For more about our markets visitwww.sheringhammarket.blogspot.com orwww.fakenhammarket.blogspot.comFakenham:North Walsham:Cromer:ThursdayThursdayFridayOutlook Autumn 2008 7

Playing a part in grassroots democracyNorth Norfolk District Council’sCommunity Team is running a projectcalled ‘Branching Out in Your Community’to increase the number and diversity ofpeople involved in communitydecision-making through their town andparish councils.Groups of people who tend to beunder-represented include young people,people of working age and residents fromBlack or minority ethnic backgrounds.Councils are providers of manyservices and facilities, and are keydecision-makers within the community.Good planning and decision-makingrequires an awareness of people’s needs,aspirations and experiences of living in acommunity. One of the best ways toachieve this is by ensuring councils reflectthe community they serve.As part of the ‘Branching Out in YourCommunity’ project, NNDC would like totalk to residents in North Norfolk who areBlack or from a minority ethnicbackground to learn about theirexperiences of living in North Norfolk,using council services and what wouldVillage halls are at the heart of localcommunities, but they are having quite alean time at the moment. In February theSupporting Communities team at NNDCwrote to all town and parish clerks askingif they would like to advertise their halls ona new database to be set up on ourwebsite www.northnorfolk.org. Theresponse was very positive, withcomments like:■ “A very good idea – we need all thepublicity we can get”.■ “I think having a directory of localcommunity buildings on NNDC’swebsite is an excellent idea. I havetried in the past to register our detailson various local community websitesbut few have a category for villagehalls”.The website will give details of eachhall including information on capacity,number of rooms, facilities, parkingaccess, directions, photograph and (onlyif the hall’s booking agent will allow it)contact details. We aim to have themake it easier for them to participate incommunity decision-making.To give your views or arrange aninformal chat about your experiences,please write to Maureen Clarke at NorthNorfolk District Council, Holt Road,Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9EN, emailmaureen.clarke@north-norfolk.gov.uk orcall 01263 516340.Case study:AshmanhaughAshmanhaugh is a small parish andincludes the hamlet of Beeston StLawrence. Finding enough people tostand for the council is difficult, butAshmanhaugh is fortunate in that it has afull and elected council, all of whom havecompleted councillor training. However,this might not be the case after the nextelection in three years’ time. SoAshmanhaugh Parish Council has workedwith North Norfolk District Council’s ActiveCommunities Team in the ‘Branching Out’project to find ways of keeping in touchwith parishioners, and getting themHelping our community hallsAn active day in Ashmanhaugh’svillage halldirectory up and running by the end ofthe year to coincide with the launch of theCouncil’s updated website.Most communities would also like alink back to their own parish website, sothis will also be included.If you would like to advertise your hallor community centre on our website,please contact Dawn Travers, SupportingCommunities, on 01263 516346 or email:dawn.travers@north-norfolk.gov.uk.interested in what the parish council does.In developing its Ashmanhaugh ParishPlan, the parish council has conducted aninitial consultation and held an open day inJune at the Preston Rooms – the oldvillage school which was bought by theparish in 2000. Residents were given theopportunity to say how they would like tosee the village develop over the next fiveyears, and find out how they could join inthe many activities going on in the village.Three new groups emerged from this:gardening, chess and board games, andchildren and young people. Some 60 ofthe 150 residents were able to attend,many of whom were able to talk to NorthNorfolk MP Norman Lamb.A detailed consultation with allresidents, from the very young to seniorcitizen, will follow this month. Consultationfindings and the Action Plan are due to bepublished at the end of March 2009. Theproject has been funded by the BigLottery Fund – Awards for All.For more information, seehttp://ashmanhaughpc.norfolkparishes.gov.ukSpeak to Ros aboutvolunteering in andaround FakenhamNew FakenhamVoluntary ServicesCoordinator Ros Attridgewould like to hear fromanyone interested insharing their skills,hobbies and interestswith people who are isolated through disabilityor age, or who want to support their localhealth teams, or wish to learn new skills. Sheis available on Mondays, Tuesdays andThursdays, 9am to 3pm at Greenway Surgery,Greenway Lane, Fakenham.To find out more about volunteering withVoluntary Norfolk, have an informal chat withyour local coordinatorFakenham – Ros Attridge: 01328 862751,fakenhamvsc@communitynvs.org.ukCromer – Val Wilson: 0263 517989,cromervsc@communitynvs.org.ukNorth Walsham – Jackie Burnham: 01692408314,northwalshamvsc@communitynvs.org.uk8 Outlook Autumn 2008

October is Black History MonthOctober 2008 is the sixth annual BlackHistory Month in Norfolk and here atNorth Norfolk we will be celebrating Blackhistory, culture and heritage, too. A rangeof activities is planned including eventssuch as African drumming and craftsessions, football quizzes, storytelling,food days and a special showing of To Killa Mocking Bird, at Sheringham LittleTheatre.The full programme of events will beavailable on the NNDC website, buthighlights are:To Kill a Mocking BirdSheringham Little Theatre28 October2pm and 7pm.Councillors Hilary Nelson (far left) and Candy Sheridan (second from right) withmembers of the Gypsy Traveller community at NNDC’s exhibitionGypsy Roma Traveller MonthRomany Gypsies and Irish Travellers havebeen living in and travelling around the UKfor 800 years, but it is only in the last fewyears that they have been recognised asbeing ethnic groups in their own right.June was Gypsy Roma TravellerMonth and the Council presented anexhibition on the subject, created byCouncillor Candy Sheridan, whorepresents Stalham and Sutton Ward andwho is the daughter of Irish Travellers whocame to England in the late 1950s.“A lot of my time involves working onGypsy and Traveller issues, not just inAfrican Craft SessionStalham Sports Centre29 October 2008.Kwanzaa(African story telling and crafts)Holt Country Park28 October10-12am and 1-3pm.North Norfolk but right across the East ofEngland,” says Candy. “The singlemessage I was brought up to believe inand uphold was to challenge any form ofracism and discrimination. It was this thatled me to become a councillor. I waspleased the Council was able to supportthe exhibition, which was able to providejust a small insight into our muchmisunderstood world.”NNDC is currently in the process ofproviding two temporary stopping placesfor Gypsies and Travellers, at sites nearFakenham and Cromer.CommunityBig Lottery victory foreco-friendly village hallThe villages of Neatishead, Irstead and Barton Turfin the Norfolk Broads are celebrating a £177,000funding victory from the Big Lottery Fund toreplace their ageing village hall.The ‘New Victory Hall’ project has secured themoney from the Fund’s Community Buildingsprogramme following more than ten years ofdetermined fundraising. North Norfolk DistrictCouncil gave its full support to the bid.Ian McFadyen, Chairman of the Fund RaisingCommittee, said: “The people of Neatishead,Irstead and Barton Turf are immensely grateful tothe Big Lottery Fund for this support. At last wehave the finances in place to build a much-needednew village hall and we are very much lookingforward to progressing with the project. It willundoubtedly further enhance the already strongsense of community that local people feel.”A range of renewable and carbon-neutraltechnologies will be used in the construction andoperation of the new hall, making it one of themost eco-friendly community buildings in Norfolkupon completion. It will be built mainly from timberframe and straw from the surrounding fields, withlime render. The hall will incorporate naturallighting, solar heating and a green roof, amongother eco-features.Importantly, the project will also generateadditional valuable tourist income for the area andis also likely to encourage other communities toconsider contemporary designs and eco-buildingtechniques.Work on the project will start in late 2008 andcompletion is scheduled for summer 2009.Help explore LGBT historyFebruary 2009 is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andTransgender (LGBT) History Month, and NNDCaims to mark the event to help the communityexplore its history and heritage. We are looking formembers of the community, regardless ofsexuality, to help create a programme ofimaginative and engaging events that express thereality of LGBT life, and people’s hopes for thefuture. These could include living history projects,film festivals, historical exhibitions, art exhibitions,music events, comedy nights, discussion anddebate evenings.If you would like to find out more or getinvolved, contact Kate Sullivan on 01263 516052,email kate.sullivan@north-norfolk.gov.uk or writeto Kate at North Norfolk District Council, Holt Road,Cromer, Norfolk NR27 9EN.Outlook Autumn 2008 9

Help with getting aroundCommunity transportParishes across North Norfolk are served bycommunity transport schemes tohelp people with particular needsto access local services.Wells-nextthe-SeaNWNWThere are buses, coachesHolkhamMorstonStiffkeyCley-Salthouse Weybourne Sherand trains running through theWN Warhamnext-the-WNSeaNW NWDistrict, but public transport tends BM WNNW UpperLanghamFACLCKellingSheringhato operate along the main transitEroutes and is scarcely availableWN WNBWN Binhamaway from the beaten track.FACWighton FACWNNWSo a network of grassrootsField DallingLetheringsettetttHAwith GlandfordHighorganisations exists to help peopleWalsingham HindringhamACWNNWHolt Kellingget around if they have mobilityBodhamFAC FACWNproblems, are elderly or don’t have aThornageNWcar or access to public transport.BrintonACBNW HAACBHempsteadThese schemes operate in different ways.Bale NWSome, like Age Concern’s services, exist to helpNWWNEdgefieldMatlaACBGunthorpeStodyolder people, specifically. The LanghamNW Plumstead ACCommunity Service, on the other hand,ACB Little Barninghamonly takes people for hospitalACBBarshamGreat Snoring ThursfordNWBrininghaminghamBristonWicappointments, and only from theMelton NWWN FAC WN WN NWConstableNW ItteringhamLangham area. OthersCorpustyLittle FACNSnoringSwantonhave adopted a widerNoversArole, like theFAC FACTattersett SculthorpeFAC WN NWBurnham MarketFakenhamFulmodestonFACWN NWThurningArea Community CarDuntonHemptonHindolvestonService which mainlyFAC PuddingNorton Ryburgh Stibbard Wood Nortontakes people forFACmedicalHelhoughtonFACappointments, but FACFACdoes help withRaynhamoccasionalshopping trips.Some of these services useminibuses, like the County Council-supportedAldborough Community Bus, while many usevolunteer drivers in private cars.Community transport schemes exist BMDetails of the various schemes are given here, across North Norfolk. Use this map Burnham Market Area Community Caralong with telephone numbers to call for more to find out which services operate Serviceinformation, or to book a journey.from your parish.Mainly health-related journeys including dentists,Nearly 30 parishes in North Norfolk arephysiotherapists, opticians; occasional shoppingdisplaying posters on their noticeboards showingtrips. All volunteer drivers using private cars, veryACNNEthe full range of community and public transportlimited wheelchair access. Contact Daphne Potter,Age Concern North Norfolk Eastavailable to local residents, thanks to work by the01485 525511.Shopping trips, appointments. Contact PetervcsTogether Forum – part of Voluntary Norfolk Bowen Thomas, 01263 722500.(formerly Norwich and Norfolk Voluntary Services) –CSBwhich collects information about timetables andCatfield Shoppers Bus, StalhamACBcontact numbers and provides laminated posters. IfFrom Stalham to Norwich, Great Yarmouth andAldborough Community Busyou would like to know more about this informationother towns, once a month. Cost depending onRegular bus schedule supported by Norfolk Countyservice for your parish council, contact Chris Bartlewhere you get on. No Wheelchair access. ContactCouncil available to everyone. Wheelchairon chris.bartle@voluntarynorfolk.org.ukMay Miles, 01692 580940.accessible on request. Concessionary Bus PassVolunteer drivers are always needed by these holders travel free. Also available for private hire.FACcommunity transport organisations. If you are able Contact Nita Good, 01263 761580.Fakenham Age Concern Minibusto volunteer or want to know more, please contactTo Fakenham, weekly routes. WheelchairVoluntary Norfolk on 01603 883812 or 01603accessibility. Contact Sandra Ormerod, 01328883808.821700.KettlestoneBlakeneyWivetonBaconsthorpeWestBeckham10 Outlook Autumn 2008

Sidestrandin North NorfolkCommunityinghammasteckhamBNWNWBeeston RegisGreshamAylmertonNWRuntonNWSusteadFelbriggNWBMCromerSuffieldParkRoughtonOverstrandNorthreppsTriminghamkACBkmereWCBAldboroughACBHanworthACBACBAlby with ThwaiteErpinghamIngworthHAHolt Area Caring SocietyTaking patients registered with Holt MedicalPractice to medical appointments from HoltPractice at High Kelling to hospital appointments.Contact Liz Traynier, 01263 711243.ColbyNWACBLCLangham Community ServiceRun by WRVS. Operates from Langham to alltowns for hospital appointments. Volunteer drivers,limited wheelchair access. Details displayed in thevillage with contact telephone numbers, not namesof drivers. Contact Ann Sheriff, 01328 830605.NWNorth Walsham Area Community TransportAssociationMinibus service. Wheelchair accessible on request.Membership of the scheme is essential. ContactPaul Gray or Doris Wootton on 01692 500840.NWACBNWACNNENWNWACBNWACBACNNENWACBNWNWSouthrepps GiminghamThorpeMarket NWTrunchKnaptonSuffieldAntinghamACBFelminghamSkeytonNWSwafieldNorthWalshamSwantonAbbott WestwickScottowNWACNNENWNW ACNNENWMundesleyNWACBWorsteadNWSloleyleyPastonNWBactonNWWittonHoningNWDilhamTunsteadNWSmallburghAshmanhaughWNACNNEHovetonWest Norfolk CommunityTransport ProjectPre-bookable door to door service forpeople with mobility problems,including frail, disabled and elderly. Call 01553770310.Alternative servicesKickstartThe moped loan people. Call 01362 699923 orvisit www.kickstart.ik.comTransport PlusThis is a not-for-profit volunteer care scheme forthose who do not have access to other suitabletransport. Journeys need to be pre-booked. Formore details call 01603 422807.Volunteer drivers – always needed!NWNWNWCSBNWBarton TurfNeatisheadEast RustonNWHappisburghNWBrumsteadStalhamHorningLessinghamNWCSBNWSuttonNWCSBNWLudhamCatfieldNWCSBInghamNWCSBACNNEHicklingNWCSBPotter HeighamSea PallingHorseyPublic transportFor details of commercial services in NorthNorfolk visitwww.travelineeastanglia.co.ukor call 0871 200 2233Maps in Outlook are used with permission ofthe Controller of H.M. Stationery Office.© Crown Copyright.Unauthorised reproduction infringes CrownCopyright and may lead to prosecution orcivil proceedings.O.S. Licence No. 100018623Outlook Autumn 2008 11

North Norfolk District Council managescommunity sports centres based at Cromer,North Walsham and Stalham High Schools.Each one offers a wide range of sportingactivities for both adults and children and it’sColin Brzeczek’s job to oversee theirmanagement. This is one of his days.8am No need to rush today as it’s a late start.Time for a leisurely breakfast and to catch up on allthe football gossip on Sky Sports News. Being akeen Norwich City Fan I am looking forward toseeing what new players might be heading over toCarrow Road this season. It will still be a long dayat work, though, as I won’t be leaving the StalhamSports Centre until after ten o’clock tonight.10am Sports Centre Manager’s monthly meeting.As well as me this includes the Leisure and CulturalServices Manager, the Group Accountant and DutyOfficers from all three of our dual-use facilities. Weare working hard to bring greater consistency toour service and to improve the standard at thethree facilities. This is also a great opportunity tonot only monitor performance, but share ideas andbest practice. The number of children we havebooked for our Summer Holiday activities this yearparticularly impresses me. It is not unusual to haveup to 120 during one day at one of our sites.Across our three sites we have such activities asarchery, playground games, climbing, trampoliningADay inthe LifeColin Brzeczek,Community SportsManagerand cheerleading to name but a few. I was alsointerested to hear how successful the BBQ androunders tournament was at North Walsham. Theyhave a great community spirit there. The guys atCromer Sports Centre always have interesting newideas which have resulted in an increase inparticipation. I am looking forward to seeing howtheir new activity session on Saturday afternoongoes.12 noon Because most of the services andactivities we provide are evening-based, our dayscan be broken up. Sometimes I’ll take theopportunity to catch up on paper-work, but today Idecided to go home and have some lunch! I am akeen angler in my spare time so have a lookaround one of my local lakes to see where I mightdo some fishing on my next day off.3pm I am based at Stalham Sports Centre so Ispend the afternoon checking correspondence andemails. We are always looking for ways to keep upwith new ideas and improve the service at all of theSports Centres, and at the moment I amresearching the possibility of enhancing thefacilities here at Stalham. I am investigating thepossibility of building a ‘MUGA’ (Multi Use GamesArea), which will increase the number ofparticipants here at the centre. I’m also workingclosely with the British Judo Council, as we arehopeful of providing further storage at the Stalhamcentre. Stalham would then be the central locationfor all the main regional judo events, includingcompetitions and gradings.5pm This is when the work that everyone can seestarts. This evening we have our StalhamMulti-Sports Session. We work with David Gosling,Director of the Multi Sports, and a band ofvolunteers. David started the Multi-Sports sessionsat North Walsham and with assistance from NorthNorfolk District Council we have helped David buildthe number of children and the venues we visit.Volunteers are vital; without them we couldn’tundertake many of our summer activities. Thisgroup works at four outdoor venues across theDistrict including Holt, North Walsham, Stalham andMundesley, presenting and supervising outsidesports over a 12 week period – the Sports Centresprovide the qualified coaches. It’s a tremendousopportunity for North Norfolk youngsters and weprovide sporting opportunities for about 250children each week during the summer. This is theside of the job that I enjoy most, actually workingwith people who are enjoying whatever activity it is,irrespective of their age, gender or background; itgives me a real buzz. This evening I am workingwith David, signing the children in and providingdrinks as well as looking after health and safety onsite and ensuring that children get to the toiletwithout mishap. It’s not always a glamorous life!8pm After Multi Sports I am providing cover at theStalham Centre. This evening we have basketballand badminton. It is an adult basketball session –usually we get between 10 and 15 peopleattending. Badminton is usually one of the morepopular sports hall-based activities but this eveningonly 12 turn up. This is probably due to thesummer holidays and good weather. I enjoyworking at our centres in the evening; there is agreat atmosphere simply because our visitors justlike to be there. All our activities are well-pricedand offer great value to ensure they are inclusivefor all. I supervise the centre, serving drinks andtaking bookings etc. At 10pm we lock up. Time forhome and a good night’s sleep!If you would like more information on theservices provided by our Sports Centres pleasecontact Colin Brzeczek on 01692 580864 oremail colin.brzeczek@north-norfolk.gov.ukAs a keen angler, Colin enjoys taking timeout at one of his local lakes12 Outlook Autumn 2008

Arts & LeisureAn artist’s impression of Colin Miller’s sculpture for Tesco’s Oak Street entranceA new sculpture for FakenhamNorth Norfolk sculptor Colin Miller hasbeen commissioned to design andproduce a sculpture for the entrance tothe Tesco Store, Oak Street, inFakenham.Mr Miller, who has been sculptingsince 1966 and lives and works inBlakeney, was selected byrepresentatives of North Norfolk DistrictKeeping fit after themobile gym hasmoved onCouncil and Fakenham Town Council. Hewill produce the piece not only as anentrance feature to the supermarket butalso to enhance Oak Street – one of thekey entrances to Fakenham town centreand within the Fakenham ConservationArea. A public consultation event in thetown in April confirmed that the image ofan oak tree was by far the most popularHow tickled we are!concept with the town’s people and so a4m high galvanised steel ‘cut-out’ of anoak tree will be created by Mr Miller andsited by the entrance to the store. Thesculpture should be in place by early nextyear.In 1999 the District Councilcommissioned a series of public artworks for the town’s marketplace. Thedesign of these contemporary pieces wasinspired by the town’s heritage andhelped Fakenham’s regeneration schemewin several awards.Mr Miller said: “Public sculpture iswhat I love to do above all. I work in manymaterials, as this gives me the freedom toexpress my ideas. I don’t create sculpturefor myself but for all to enjoy. It is aboutexposing everyone to something visuallystimulating and thought provoking, and itreaches out to the general public andthey can in turn interact with it. TheFakenham sculpture will create a focalpoint and hopefully give pleasure to manypeople, both locals and visitors. For thepeople who live and work in Fakenham, itcould in time hopefully become a symbolof their town.”North Norfolk District Council’s mobile gym getspeople active and doing some form of exercise.The gym travels throughout the District, usuallysetting up at village halls and school grounds.Once the gym moves on to a new venue, the stafftry to give people who have used it somewhere tocarry on their fitness routines.One such place is Fighting Fit Academy inCromer, run by John Mezzetti, who has alsoworked on the mobile gym since its launch in June2005, taking Tai Chi sessions as well as helpingrun gym sessions and various workshops.Fighting Fit offers various martial arts andfitness classes including Tai Chi, yoga, a beginnersrunning club, circuit Training, open gym sessions,Hapkido and weight loss sessions. There areclasses for all ages from five years old, with mixedmartial arts strictly for 14- to 16-year-olds, and allother classes suiting all age groups. John alsoregularly run sessions for schools including martialarts-based fitness classes and Tai Chi.The Fighting Fit Academy is at Unit 2, 22C HoltRoad, Cromer, Norfolk, NR27 9JW. Call John on07900 580866 for more information.North Norfolk District Council Cabinet Member and Portfolio Holder forTourism, Councillor. Hilary Nelson, presented Ken Dodd with lifemembership of the British Resorts and Destinations Association (BRADA) atits annual conference in Southport in June. In return she was given aceremonial tickling stick! As chairman of BRADA, a post she has held fortwo years, Councillor Nelson is able to ensure that the natural beauty ofNorth Norfolk and its wealth of excellent tourist attractions receive nationalattention alongside such tourism ‘big boys’ as Bournemouth and Torquay.She is seen here with Lord Ronnie Fearn OBE, Vice-President of BRADA,Phil King, Honorary Fellow of the Association and Ken Dodd.Photo: courtesy Southport VisiterOutlook Autumn 2008 13

Flying the flag for the park are woodsmen Julian Knowles and Quintin Ashbee. They are accompanied by CountrysideRanger Rob Goodliffe and North Norfolk District Council’s Chairman, Sue Arnold.Fourth Green Flag Award for Holt Country ParkNorth Norfolk District Council has wona Green Flag for its ever-improvingmanagement of Holt Country Park forthe fourth year running.Given by the Civic Trust, the GreenFlag recognises excellence in themanagement of green spaces in Englandand Wales and, importantly, demandsimprovements year-on-year if the flag is tobe retained. The Civic Trust judgespraised Holt Country Park for itscommunity involvement and the warmthJessica, 7, and Abigail, 5, play on LittleSnoring’s new climbing frameof its welcome, but hoped more could bedone to encourage school visits.In 2007/08, Holt Country Park andWhitlingham Country Park were the onlyFlag holders in Norfolk. They were joinedthis year by St Georges Park, GreatYarmouth. Holt County Park is just southof Holt, and offers a range of differentwalks, activities, and educational andfamily events throughout the year. Recentimprovements include a family cycle routefor traffic free adventures, new sculpturesA better state of playChildren in four North Norfolk parishes havebrand new play equipment to swing, slide andclimb on, thanks to a Lottery-funded programmeof improvements by NNDC.The play areas at Bacton, Neatishead andLittle Snoring, along with the skate park atBriston, have been equipped with state-of-the-artgear from manufacturer Proludic. Similarimprovements will also be carried out atBaconsthorpe.The work is the first phase of a £200,000scheme to provide better play facilities andactivities in parts of the District where there arelots of children and young people but wherefacilities were in a poor state.The next phase will see drop-in activitiesintroduced next year for 11 to 16-year-olds atAldborough, Bacton, Potter Heigham andWalsingham.and an improved leaflet with a familychallenge.Rob Goodliffe, Countryside Ranger forNorth Norfolk District Council, said:“We’re delighted that our efforts havebeen recognised yet again by the CivicTrust. We have great plans for the comingyear that involve the local community, andwe hope to see you at our ever improvingfamily summer events.”For more information, contact RobGoodliffe on 07881 847423.Sheringham Wood branches outNearly 200 acres of woodland near Sheringhamcould be brought together as a single amenity, withthe sale of Sheringham Wood – the last piece in ajigsaw that also includes Pretty Corner and OldWood. Sheringham Town Council has bought the30-acre wood from Anglian Water and has askedthe Woodland Trust to manage it. The WoodlandTrust already manages neighbouring Old Wood, andworks closely with NNDC, owners of Pretty Corner.The move means all three woods could bemanaged and conserved in a coordinated way as aplace for family recreation, with paths runningthrough the whole site, and better promotion andsignage. Sheringham Wood is a native broad-leafwoodland with spring-fed ponds and a maze ofinformal paths.The Woodland Trust is currently fundraising,with a view to carrying out initial maintenance andsafety work to bring it up to standard as a publicbeauty spot.14 Outlook Autumn 2008

BBC Breathing PlacesA Breathing Place is great for both wildlife andpeople. It has an active community of peoplecreating, enjoying and maintaining it’.‘Breathing Places’ is a five-year-long BBCcampaign incorporating TV favourites such asSpringwatch and Autumnwatch. Via its broadcastoutput and partnership outreach work it aims toinspire and motivate people to connect withnature. The campaign has been developed with awide range of wildlife and conservationorganisations. It encourages new audiences to DoOne Thing for nature while also providingopportunities for new Breathing Places to becreated across the UK. In June this year thepopular Children’s TV channel CBeebies launchedEco-beebies. Running each Friday it includes theGreen Balloon Club where children are encouragedto ‘do one thing’ for nature and earn Green Stars!Last year Norwich was one of only 14Breathing Places Cities to run a Year of Actionlinking in with the campaign. This year theA tradition returns to ThwaiteCattle are grazing on Thwaite Common for the firsttime in almost a decade, in a bid to keep thecommon properly conserved and maintained.A new fence has been installed, with gates andstiles to allow unrestricted public access. Witharound £1600 in annual funding from NaturalEngland’s Countryside Stewardship Scheme, NorthNorfolk District Council and the Norfolk WildlifeTrust will continue to manage the common withhelp from parish councils and the local community.Buy one Swim – get one Free!The Government recently announced thatfree swimming should be available for theover 60s and under 16s. This would beachieved through a series of fundingprogrammes designed to extendopportunities to swim and to maximise thehealth benefits of wider participation inswimming.North Norfolk District Councilwelcomes the scheme as it will help theCouncil to build on its existing strongcommitment to swimming. This project,which we hope will be available from April2009, will also help the Council achieve itstargets for increased physical activity inNorth Norfolk.Through its partnership with DCLeisure, NNDC is able to provide twoswimming pools in the District, at Splashcampaign widens out across the county to workwith other councils and community groups. NorthNorfolk District Council is working with the BBC asa partner and as a result is aiming to run eventsduring the autumn to link in with television andnew themes/ resources. The Council’s Leisure andCultural Services team will have master sets of anew Do One Thing Event Kit devised by the BBC tohelp community groups to make the most ofworking with the BBC campaign and provide freeresources and activities to encourage local peopleto get out and enjoy the environment.Any community groups interested in runningan event this autumn should contact Rob Goodliffeon 01263 516001 or emailrob.goodliffe@north-norfolk.gov.uk.To find out more about the campaign, ‘do onething’ ideas, school sign-up, and listing of localevents and activities near you, log on to the BBCweb site www.bbc.co.uk/breathingplaces andfollow the clear signposting.The common will have been grazed by a varietyof different animals for hundreds of years. Thereturn of grazing (by cattle owned by a local farmer)means the coarse grasses on the site can be keptdown, to encourage native species of ground flora,like wildflowers including orchids.NNDC and the NWT will be monitoring thecommon to ensure grazing is have a beneficialeffect over the next few years. More informationfrom Rob Goodliffe on 07881 847423.Leisure and Fitness Centre, Sheringham,and Victory Swim and Fitness Centre, NorthWalsham.To kick-start this programme and actas a pilot North Norfolk District Council isoffering one free junior swim whenaccompanied by a full paying adult.The offer is available to Friday 24October 2008. Just bring along the voucheropposite to Splash Leisure and FitnessCentre, Sheringham, or Victory Swim andFitness Centre, North Walsham duringnormal opening times.Also on offer is half price badmintoncourt hire at Fakenham Sports and FitnessCentre. Again just fill in the voucherprovided and bring it along whenbooking/paying for the court hire.Enjoy!Cley Little Festival of PoetryWEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, 8 – 11 OCTOBERCley Poetry Circle began almost 60 years ago inCley. Every year since they have organised CleyLittle Festival. The Circle's aim is ‘making poetryaccessible’. They have achieved this by bringingtogether people of all ages with poets both up andcoming and nationally respected. This has includedPoets Laureate of the past and present.● Poetry Events at Fakenham LibraryWednesday 8 OctoberIncluding schools workshop by Lisa D’Onofrio(full programme details to be announced).Lisa D'Onofrio is an Italian-Australian poetwho enjoys working in reader and writerdevelopment and enthusiastically believes inthe power of words to heal, connect, enlightenand amaze. She has recently worked withInPrint on a community arts project focusingon the Paston Letters.● National Poetry Day at Sheringham LibraryThursday 9 OctoberIncluding schools workshop by Lisa D'Onofrio(full programme details to be announced).● Poetry Tea PartyWiveton Village HallSaturday 11 OctoberPeter and Anne Sansom (acclaimed nationalpoets) make a return visit to the Festival in thistribute to the founder of Cley Poetry Circle, thelate Mrs Elsa Martin.Donations at the door.For more information about these and Cley PoetryCircle’s fortnightly meetings, contact Helen Birtwell,email: lilibirtie@yahoo.co.ukFree Swimfor every child under 16 whenaccompanied by a full paying adult at:Splash Leisure and Fitness Centre, Sheringham,or Victory Swim and Fitness Centre,North Walshamor...BADMINTON COURTpriceat Fakenham Sports and Fitness CentreComplete this voucher and take to one of the above facilitiesto access the offer. This voucher may be used once only andshould be surrendered on your visit. Offer ends 24/10/08.NAMEADDRESSPOST CODE❑ Tick box if you do not wish to receive productinformation from DC Leisure and its associates.✃Outlook Autumn 2008 15

Salthouse 08 – the best and biggest yet‘Salthouse Alterpiece’ by James Dodds (Oil on linen)A record of 9000 people visited the month-longSalthouse 08 exhibition – the biggest audience yetfor the annual contemporary art exhibition inSalthouse Church on the North Norfolk coast.The exhibition, opened by Sister WendyBeckett, was accompanied by seven talks andrecitals and 15 workshops. Many people madereturn visits to see the SEAhouse LIGHThouseSPIRIThouse display marking curator Ian Collins'sEco achievers!The District’s best ‘green’ projects have beenrewarded with North Norfolk District CouncilEnvironment Awards.The annual Environment Awards recognise theprojects that have done most in the last year topreserve and enhance the District’s preciousenvironment, and were presented at a ceremony atFelbrigg Hall in July.The results were as follows:Green Building – Joint winnersSALTHOUSE HERITAGE ORCHARD – An orchardwhich preserves old varieties of apples and pears,where a straw bale barn has been custom-built forapple processing.SEDUM HOUSE, GIMINGHAM – An eco-build familyhome with a distinctive curved sedum roof.Schools – WinnerFAKENHAM HIGH SCHOOL Team Eco – Athink-tank and action group which has drawn up aplan for reducing waste, saving energy, raisingawareness and cutting car use between sites.Highly CommendedSTALHAM HIGH SCHOOL Council, NORTHWALSHAM JUNIOR SCHOOL Wildlife garden,SHERINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL Eco TeamCommunity – Joint winnersSHERINGHAM HEALTH CENTRE Physic/SensoryGarden – An accessible garden designed andconstructed by Sheringham in Bloom.SHERINGHAM TOWN COUNCIL Top CommonDewpond – An ambitious plan to reinstate anatural dewpond on the Common.30 years as an arts writer for the Eastern DailyPress. This year the project has been extended witha Salthouse Sculpture Trail running over ten milesof scenic countryside to Kelling Heath and Holt andfeaturing both temporary and permanent pieces.As well as admiring work by 75 Norfolk-linkedcreative talents, the crowds spent more than£60,000 on artworks, helping 25 artists, SalthouseChurch and the North Norfolk Exhibition Project.Happy Environment Awards winners atFelbrigg this JulyHighly CommendedFRIENDS OF SADLERS WOOD, SOUTHREPPSCOMMONS TRUST Forest SchoolBusiness – WinnerTHE BROADS BY BIKE – A joint initiative by cyclehire businesses to compile a free leaflet, funded bygrants.Runner-upWROXHAM LIONS CHARITY SHOPSpecial Award dedicated to the memory of JohnSweeney, former Leader and Chairman of NorthNorfolk District Council.ROOTS AND SHOOTS, Holt Hall Field Study Centre– An overgrown walled garden revitalized into avibrant project, growing vegetables and teachingskills to young people from across North Norfolk.The trophy for the John Sweeney Award washand-made by pupils at Sheringham WoodfieldsSchool.■ For more information about the EnvironmentAwards, contact the organiser, Hetty Selwyn,on 01692 400937 or emailenv.awards@north-norfolk.gov.ukGrant to help Sadler’sWood stand outA community group has won £6440 from the BigLottery to help put Sadler’s Wood, near NorthWalsham, on the map.The Friends of Sadler’s Wood (formerly theSadler’s Wood Action Group), which helps tomanage the woodland and wild open area (whichlies just five minutes’ walk from North Walshamtown centre), has been awarded the money throughthe Breathing Places programme to put up signageand information boards to raise the wood’s profilein the community, and for new benches andplanting at the entrance. Local artists are currentlybeing selected and briefed to have a role indesigning these improvements.Children from North Walsham Junior Schoolwill be involved in designing and making aninformation board and leaflet (they have already gotto know the wood through their studies, includingcollecting tree seeds for planting on the schoolgrounds).Fingerpost signs will be put up from the towncentre to help people find the wood, communityevents will be led by local artists to create signagefor the approaches to the wood, events will also berun to create new furniture out of fallen trees tosupplement the existing benches and to help createa meeting space on the site. There will also beopportunities for the community to plant of a newnative hedge at the entrance to replace a chainlinkfence and make the woodland more welcoming.NNDC, which owns the wood, intends to helpthe community carry out this improvement projectby the spring of 2009. For more information,contact Rob Goodliffe on 07881 847423.Sheringham Little Theatre –something for everyone!This year’s rep season runs to 13 September with asecond outing for Noel Coward’s romp Blithe Spirit,before autumn gets into full swing with a packedprogramme featuring an eclectic mix of drama,music, art, comedy and film.The theatre's award-winning Hub coffee barand performance area offers an ever-increasingrange of entertainment with slam nights, drama,dance and art workshops, while audiences can lookforward to a cracker of a Christmas with eventsranging from a seasonal art exhibition to comedyand, of course, pantomime, with the spectacularPeter Pan kicking off in swashbuckling style on6 December.Tickets for all productions are available fromthe box office, phone 01263 822347. For the fullautumn programme, visitwww.sheringhamlittletheatre.com16 Outlook Autumn 2008

Life-changing learning – ordinarypeople doing extraordinary thingsOne hundred and thirty nine people have gainednew skills through the Learning for Everyoneproject and were honoured at a presentation inJuly.The students, from 22towns and villages in NorthNorfolk and of all ages andfrom all walks of life, gainednew skills and qualificationsover 20 months of classesthanks to the Cromer-basedproject and receivedcertificates from North NorfolkMP Norman Lamb and NorthNorfolk District CouncilChairman Sue Arnold at thepresentation at Sheringham Little Theatre.Learning for Everyone started in 2002 asCromer Learning for Life, but has grown to becomethe organisation that delivers training and learningon behalf of the North Norfolk Skills Partnership (agroup of organisations and people working toidentify and overcome local shortcomings in skillsand training), and it is now based in Merchants’Place in Cromer. July’s ‘graduates’ took theircourses there and at the Happing Shop in Stalham.The 139 students took courses through twoprogrammes funded by Objective 3 of the EuropeanSocial Fund: Empower U (which focuses on lifeskills like literacy and numeracy) and Biz3, a projectoffering business administration skills at Level 3(equivalent to A-Level, though Learning forA very special ‘CulturalOlympiad’ festival istaking place at SplashLeisure and FitnessCentre, Sheringham onSunday 28 September,10am to 4pm. The eventaims to promote thehandover of the Olympicand Paralympic Gamesfrom Beijing to London.There will be manysports activities at theevent including NorthNorfolk Tai Kwon Do, martial arts by JohnMezzetti, a gymnastics display and Capoeira, ablend of martial art, game, and dance originatedin Brazil (to be confirmed). Paul Evans ex-doubleOlympian and winner of the Chicago marathon,will be offering people the opportunity to try anagility test, and providing athletics advice.Norman Lamb MP (rear) and Cllr SueArnold (right) with course graduatesEveryone was able to extend its Biz3 provision toinclude Levels 1 and 2 as well).Anna Thorsen and Dee Bailey, who work atPurslow Building Surveyors inCromer, have each receivedfive Distinctions in theircourses, which included wordprocessing and documentpresentation. "The training andhelp we received has beeninvaluable", they said. "It hasgiven us far more knowledgeand confidence in our jobs."Their boss, Simon Purslow,agrees. "It's really helpful thatthese courses are availablelocally," he said.Denise Treissman, Learning Guidance Managerfor Learning for Everyone, said: “Learning improvesnot only skills for employment but also gives asense of confidence, self-esteem and well-being. Ittransforms people's lives for the better". She addedthat many of those receiving awards had overcomesignificant personal hurdles, like dyslexia ornumeracy problems, to study.Robin Smith, Economic Development Managerat North Norfolk District Council, said: "This awardsevening is such a celebration. It's about ordinarypeople doing extraordinary things.”● For more information about Learning forEveryone, call Denise Treissman or JohnMorgan on 01263 519454.Also appearing will beA Splash of Culture!the Bollywood dancersand the Bollywood BrassBand. This is Britain's firstIndian wedding brassband: 10 musicians,playing saxes, trumpets,trombones, sousaphone,dhol, dholak, tabla, snareand bass drums, plus aThrowdown dance troopwho will also MC theevent.At 12.20pm anOlympic themed mural painted by artist MikRichardson with assistance from Sheringham HighSchool students will be unveiled by the NNDCChairman Councillor Sue Arnold.So if you couldn’t make it to Beijing, at leasttry to make it to the Sheringham CulturalOlympiad instead!The future fordevelopment inNorth NorfolkAn Inspector’s report has found the Council’s CoreStrategy, the blueprint for new development inNorth Norfolk over the next 10 to 15 years, to be‘sound’. This is one of about 30 Core Strategiesapproved across England (out of over 400 planningauthorities preparing Core Strategies). It is the firstnew-style district council plan to be accepted inNorfolk. North Norfolk is only the sixth district inthe East of England to have a ‘sound’ CoreStrategy and just the second in England to have acombined Core Strategy and Development ControlPolicies plan.The Core Strategy policies allow for most newdevelopment to take place in the main towns andlarger villages in the District. The market towns ofCromer, Fakenham and North Walsham areidentified for retail growth, and a large urbanextension is proposed to the north west ofFakenham, inside the bypass. In many locationshousing development may be phased untilsewerage treatment capacity or electricity supplyis provided.Housing developmentNew private housing development will be restrictedin rural areas, but the Inspector has instructed theCouncil to reconsider the proposed policy on barnconversions and in the meantime retain the localplan policy on re-use of buildings in thecountryside. All new housing developments over10 dwellings in the towns and in Hoveton, will haveto provide 45% affordable housing, and in thevillages, for developments of two or more, half willneed to be affordable.The plan calls for high eco-standards for newhomes, and by 2013 all new homes should beachieving level 4 on the Government’s code forsustainable homes.The Inspector accepted the use of a CoastalErosion Restraint Area, to restrict development inareas at risk from coastal erosion, and the policy toallow for relocation and replacement ofdevelopment affected by coastal erosion.The plan will be adopted formally by theNNDC’s Full Council on 24 September 2008 and itwill then replace the Local Plan, which wasadopted in 1998. The Council is now in theprocess of preparing the next plan, called the SiteSpecific Proposals, which will deal with the actualdevelopment sites to bring about the housing andemployment numbers outlined in the CoreStrategy.Outlook Autumn 2008 17

SUSTAINABILITY MATTERS!Join us atGreen Build 08Felbrigg Hall, near CromerSaturday and Sunday, 13 and14 SeptemberGreen Build, THE event for anyone in the East ofEngland who is keen on developing a moreenvironmentally friendly lifestyle, is going to beeven bigger and better this year, with over 50exhibitors, many demonstrating their crafts, talks,entertainment, a media tent, a large food court withlocally-sourced and organic food and drink forvisitors to sample on the day or to take home, andeven an eco-house!Demonstrations will include MasterComposters showing you how to make the most oforganic waste, traditional plastering and furnituremaking. Visitors can see a bio-mass boiler runningon many organic materials, and there will be talksproviding information on such varied topics asbutterfly conservation, recycling for businesses, lowcarbon housing and solar power. The media tentwill show various films throughout the day on windpower, air pollution and renewable energy, whilst aneco-house, being provided by Shape-East, willillustrate just what can be achieved with a bit ofimagination and effort. There will also be specialoffers on various items from the different standsand free bags of Soil Conditioner.Along with talks, exhibits and demonstrations,there will also be plenty of entertainment for all thefamily from MOMO Theatre, Norfolk Wildlife Trustand the Fairyland Trust as well as various craftworkshops using recycled materials, including a‘Green Street’ collage for display during the event.North Norfolk District Council, organisers of theevent, will have staff in attendance who will be ableto answer questions and give advice on buildingcontrol, waste and recycling, planning, housingconservation and design. The Council’s CountryPark Rangers will also be there, talking about thenatural environment and making bird boxes.Felbrigg Hall, owned and cared for by theNational Trust, has again joined with NNDC topresent Green Build 08. The Trust will have anexhibition stand, giving away free packets of seeds,and the magnificent Walled Garden will be open forfree, with garden stewards on hand to give adviceand guided tours of the garden, parts of which havebeen specifically designed with drought-resistantplants to help cope with climate change.No matter how ‘green’ you are – don’t missGreen Build 08!Tips for wasting lessCutting down on the amount we throw awaymakes sense. It can save us money, and itmeans less gets thrown into landfill. Here aresome tips for simple things we can do in ourhomes to reduce our waste.Shop smarterAccording to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com (awebsite run by the Government-sponsored Wasteand Resources Action Programme) as much as athird of the food bought in the UK gets thrownaway uneaten. The site gives advice on planningmeals, storing food and saving money.Garden binsFor grass cuttings and other garden waste, youcan get a 240-litre brown bin from North NorfolkDistrict Council costing £31.98 for a year offortnightly collections. Call us on 01263 516189to order your bin.North Norfolk District Council is nowcollecting food waste from 25 tradewaste customers through a pilot schemethat started earlier this year.This waste is, as announced when thepilot began, going to landfill until acomposting site becomes availablelocally, or the Council has enoughcustomers to make it economically andenvironmentally reasonable to take thewaste to a facility out of the area.NNDC can collect food waste fromDo you want to cut down the wasteyour household produces? Sign upnow to take part in Norfolk’s WasteFree Week, from 27 October to 2November, and find out how.NNDC is teaming up with otherNorfolk councils to run a week-longchallenge, where residents are helped toreduce the amount of rubbish they throwaway – to nothing, if possible.Anyone who would like to join will beurged to use only products that can beCompost at homeComposting is good for your garden and keepsgreenhouse gas-emitting waste from going intolandfill. You can get 220-litre and 330-litrecomposter bins at discounted rates of £17 and£20 respectively by calling 0845 077 0757 orvisiting www.recyclenow.comRecycleRecycle more by using bottle, paper and card,textile and carton banks situated across theDistrict, or at Household Waste Recycling centres.Or take old things to charity shops. Seewww.recyclenow.org to find your nearest banks.FreecycleOne person’s rubbish is another person’s treasure.If you’ve got something you no longer want orneed, visit www.freecycle.org to see what peoplemight be prepared to take off your hands or swap.Trade food waste collection trialtraders who are already its customers forwaste and recycling collections, and cancollect all food waste (cooked or raw) thatwould normally be fit for humanconsumption (the types of waste that youwould scrape off a plate). This does notinclude certified offal or butchers waste.Trade food waste collections start at£4.24 per lift of a 240-litre brown bin,excluding VAT. There is no bin hire chargefor this service. Call 01263 516189 formore information.See how well you do in waste-free weekrecycled, reused or composted, avoidingthings going in the rubbish bin. You’ll getlots of top tips and information on how totake part, and a pack to get you started.And there are prizes, in the form of ticketsto local attractions, for the bestperformers.To find out more, or sign up to thechallenge, visitwww.recyclefornorfolk.org.uk, emailrecycling@norfolk.gov.ukor phone 0844 800 8004.18 Outlook Autumn 2008

A chance to clear out old chemicalsThree of northern Norfolk’s HouseholdWaste Recycling Centres are holdingamnesty days for hazardous waste,when people can throw awaychemicals and other potentiallydangerous material that has to bedisposed of carefully.Hazardous waste includes household,garage and garden chemicals like paint,motor oil, pesticides, gas cylinders andmany cleaning products. You might findold products that have been banned fromsale lurking in the back of your gardenshed.Disposing of hazardous wasteincorrectly is illegal and potentially harmfulto people and the environment. NorfolkCounty Council will have a qualifiedchemist on site at the following times andplaces in North Norfolk to inspect andFrom this month, town centre traders inCromer can apply for permission to putsigns, goods for sale and other items onthe pavements outside their premisesthrough a simplified ‘code of practice’.By law, any businesses that want touse the pavements in this way must haverelevant permission from the authorities.Last summer, Norfolk County Council (asthe highways authority) threatenedenforcement against a number of Cromertraders who had put wares andadvertising boards out in front of theirshops without permission, sparkingintense local controversy.So North Norfolk District Council hasworked with the County Council, CromerTown Council, and Cromer Chamber ofTrade to draw up and agree a local codethat would give traders a simplifiedprocess for getting the necessaryapproval.NNDC has adopted powers under theHighways Act under an agencyagreement with the County Council so itcan grant permission, and has designed aprocedure for making sure the locationsidentify chemicals, and there will becontainers available for their safe, freedisposal:6 – 7 September, 8am to 4pmHempton, Helhoughton Road, Fakenham,NR21 7DY20 – 21 September 2008, 8am to 6pmCaister, Pump Lane, NR30 5BE27 – 28 September, 8am to 4pmMayton Wood, Little Hautbois, NearColtishall, NR12 7JXSome hazardous waste, includingasbestos and commercial waste, cannotbe accepted on these amnesty days.Call Norfolk County Council on 0844800 8004 or North Norfolk DistrictCouncil on 01263 516189 for moreinformation about disposing of hazardouswaste.Code agreed for goods and signson Cromer streetsof signs, goods and other ‘furniture’ thattraders want to display are safe and legal.The application fee will be £25, to coverthe administrative costs and consultationprocess, which might include inspectionsin some cases.The code of practice will be launchedlater this month, with a ‘roadshow’ dayon Monday 29 September from 12 noonthrough to the evening at CromerCommunity Centre on Garden Street,when businesses can find out how theprocess will work, what will be allowedunder the code and what won’t, what thecode covers and what it doesn’t, how itwill be enforced, and so on. Officers willbe on hand to help traders to considerother options if they are not likely to getpermission under the new code.Traders will be encouraged to applyfor permission before the end of the year,as the code will come into force at thestart of January 2009.If successful, similar codes could beintroduced in other North Norfolk towns,in consultation with town councils andlocal business representatives.Flooding:preparing for theworstWhether it is for summer heavy downpours or theincreased risk of coastal flooding in the wintermonths, people whose homes and businesses areat risk of flooding should think about takingprecautions to make sure their lives, livelihoods andproperty are protected.The Environment Agency gives advancewarning of potential flooding to people who sign upto its Flood Warnings Direct service, but only about30 per cent of those people who live in flood-riskareas have signed up. Call Floodline on 0845 9881188 to see if you can register to get warningssent to your mobile, email fax or pager, or by SMStext message.You should not rely on the antiquated floodevacuation sirens along the Norfolk coast to giveyou warning – that’s not what they are supposed todo, their purpose is as a supplementary tool to aidevacuation of communities in extreme conditions,not to warn of impending flooding.The Environment Agency also gives adviceabout what you can do to lessen the impact offlooding on your property and make it easier andcheaper to clean up afterwards:■ Lay ceramic tiles on your ground floor and userugs instead of fitted carpets.■ Raise the height of electrical sockets to 1.5metres above ground floor level.■ Use lime plaster instead of gypsum on walls.■ Fit stainless steel or plastic kitchens instead ofchipboard ones.■ Position any main parts of a heating orventilation system, like a boiler, upstairs.■ Fit non-return valves to all drains and waterinlet pipes.There are other precautions you can take, likefitting removable flood boards at your doorways.Sandbags are heavy, messy, fall apart in a shortspace of time and do not work effectively. Onlyproper defences such as flood boards properlydefend your home or business. Many of these arevery simple products. A number of kite markapproved product suppliers are listed within theEnvironment Agency website, see below. It may bethat a number of residents within your communitycould approach a local craftsperson to develop aninexpensive and effective defence product.To find out if you live in a flood-risk area, andfor more information about what you can do to giveyourself some protection and peace of mind, visitwww.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/flood/For information about what to do if your are hit byflooding, seewww.northnorfolk.org/emergencyplanningOutlook Autumn 2008 19

NORTH NORFOLK DISTRICT COUNCILHOLT ROAD, CROMER, NORFOLK NR27 9ENTelephone 01263 513811Fax 01263 515042www.northnorfolk.orgA-Z guide toservice contactsArts 516053Beach Barbecues 516007Beach Chalets 516054Beach Safety 516002Benefits: 513811– Housing 513811– Council Tax 513811Bottle banks 516302Building Control:– Building Regulation 516023– Site Inspections 516023Business Advice and Funding 516236Bus Passes 516418Business Rates 516110Business Support 516303Car Parks Maintenance 731718– Pay and Display 731718Car Park Season Tickets (to buy) 516294Cashiers 516294Catering Services 516056Coastal Planning 516162Coastal Protection 516193Committee information 516047Communities 516346– Anti-Social Behaviour 516139/516207– Development 516234– Health Improvement 516173– Liaison 516052– Partnerships 516248– Safety/CCTV 516278– Voluntary Service 516319– Young People 516340– Youth 516328Conservation, Design andLandscape: 516165– Conservation Areas 516165– Listed Buildings and Grants 516165– Landscaping and Trees 516323Council Tax:– Registration 516071– Recovery and Bailiffs 516230Council Tax Benefits 513811Countryside:– Woodland Service 516001– Holt Country Park andBacton Wood 516001Dangerous Structures 516085Disabled Access 516132Dog Control 516085Unless othewise indicated, all numbers arein the Cromer area, code 01263. Forservices not listed, call the main number:01263 513811Economic Development 516086– Tourism Development 516009Electoral Registration andElections 516317/516046Emergency Planning 516074/516269Environmental Health 516189European Funding & Information 516236Fakenham Connect 01328 850100Fly tipping 516189Food Safety 516008Grants:– Community Project Grants 516234– Disabled Facilities 516169– Home Improvement 516169Grounds Maintenance 516001Health and Safety at Work 516008Highways including repairsand drainage 0844 800 8009Homelessness/Housing 0800 855889- Emergency out-of-hours 01223 257482Housing Repairs(Victory Housing Trust) 0800 371860Land Charges 516013Landlord Complaints 516169– Disrepair 516169– Harassment 516169– Safety 516169Landscape Maintenance 731718Leisure Services 516002Licensing:– Alcohol and relatedentertainment 516189– Animal-Related 516189– Caravan sites 516189– Gaming, Street Collections andStreet Trading 516189– Taxis 516166Local Strategic Partnership 516248Markets 731718Museums 513543Nature Conservation 516142Parish Clerk Information 516220Parks and Gardens 516022Payments and Suppliers’ Accounts 516107Personnel 516035Photocopying 516015For Education, Highways, Social Servicesand Trading Standards, call Norfolk CountyCouncil: 0844 8008020Planning:– Advertisement Control 516150– Affordable Housing 516300– Enforcement 516156– Planning Appeals 516143– Planning Applications/Enquiries 516150Planning Policy:– Statistics (population) 516190– Local Development Framework 516318Playground Maintenance 516001Pollution Control 516085Printing Services 516015Property Maintenance(Excluding Housing) 513811Public Relations 516059Public Seats 516022Public Conveniences:– Cleansing 516302– Repairs and vandalism 516257Recycling Centre enquiries 0844 800 8004Refuse Collection– Enquiries or missed collections 516189– Commercial contract enquiries 516031Rent Allowances and Rebates 513811Rights of Way 0844 800 8020Rural DevelopmentProgramme 0844 800 8020Security of Premises 513811Senior Railcards (to buy) 516294Sports Development 516305Street Cleaning 516189Street Name Sign Maintenance 516189Street Naming and Numbering 516048Sustainability 516271Theatres:– General Enquiries, see Arts– Pavilion Theatre CromerBox Office (Seasonal) 512495Tourist Information Centres(Cromer, Holt, Sheringham, Wells –including brochure requests) 0871 200 3071Valuations 01603 241000If you have any comments about Outlook, orsuggestions for stories you would like to see infuture issues, call North Norfolk District Council’sCommunications team on 01263 516344 or516059, email media@north-norfolk.gov.uk