WNBC briefing 27.7.22FINAL

Background

• As previously reported, following the Government’s extension of the holiday activities and food programme, we are now in the second year of delivering this scheme following a successful national rollout in 2021, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
• HAF funding has been allocated to local authorities to enable children aged 5-16 and who are eligible for means tested free school meals to access free holiday activities over a week at Easter, 4 weeks over the summer and a week at Christmas, with a nutritious lunch included.

• Active Norfolk is continuing to coordinate our ‘Big Norfolk Holiday Fun’ programme, working with wider NCC colleagues and providers.
• During Easter we saw 1828 children participate in BNHF activities with approximately 70 providers across the county with 21137 sessions on offer.

The Summer Offer

• The summer programme will run from 25 July to September 3 and is open to children aged five to 16 (or four if they turn five in August).
• For the summer we have places for around 3,400 children with over 95 providers offering in excess of 68,000 sessions over the 6 weeks of the holidays and activities include sport, circus skills, arts and craft, dance, music, cookery and film making and lots more!
• Booking for our Big Norfolk Holiday Fun summer programme opened on Monday 27 June, with hundreds of free activities on offer to children.
• Families can book by visiting Big Norfolk Holiday Fun – Active Norfolk or via the county council’s webpages: www.norfolk.gov.uk/bignorfolkholidayfun
• This summer we have made it simpler for families to book onto BNHF sessions and removed the need for schools to issue codes to families.  Families can book directly through the website and confirm their eligibility.
• Providers are required to ensure activities are inclusive and accessible for all children and young people. This includes those with special educational needs or disabilities. Providers are offered free workshops on inclusion, and wider SEND needs before the programme starts.  To ensure reasonable adjustments can be made, details are requested at the time of booking and providers will discuss with parents and carers any specific requirements that their children have.
• Whilst BNHF is targeted at 5-16 year olds eligible for means tested free school meals, we have some flexibility to offer a small number of free places for children who are vulnerable and might really benefit from BNHF activities.  These places are being offered on a first come first served basis and we have asked schools or services working with children to contact BNHF to request a place.
• We are encouraging providers to offer blended sessions, with eligible children accessing activities free of charge, alongside some families who are not eligible for means tested free school meals, paying for the session.
• The BNHF team at Active Norfolk has worked hard to expand the offer in rural communities, as we know it can be difficult for some families to travel.   In general, we cannot fund transport for families to access activities.  However, on an exception basis, where there are particular and exceptional circumstances, we may be able to support families.  Each situation is considered based on whether or not families have access to transport of their own, public transport, alternative family transport or options to lift share, the specific needs of the parent and the vulnerability of the child.   Families can contact the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun team directly to discuss their particular situation via [email protected]

Local Transport Plan for Norfolk

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) was agreed at a meeting of Norfolk County Council’s cabinet on 6 June and will now need to be signed off by the full council.

The Local Transport Plan (LTP) sets out the county council’s overall approach to transport, showing how transport can deliver wider ambitions including a growing economy, strong communities and reducing the impact on the environment.

Transport is now the biggest emitter of carbon of any sector in the UK and this plan is important in setting out the council’s policy framework for achieving carbon reduction of the transport network.

The plan includes the council’s vision for improving transport between now and 2036 and is intended to encourage walking, cycling, bus and rail use as well as deliver major projects like the Western Link and Long Stratton bypass.

As part of the plan, the county council wants to investigate the possibility that the network of abandoned railway lines, many of which were closed in the 1960s, could become ‘greenways’, for use as walking and cycling routes, or even see the return of trains. Parts of several former Norfolk railway lines have already been converted into footpaths and cycle routes, such as the Marriott’s Way, Weavers’ Way and Lakenham Way. However, there are other stretches, particularly in rural areas, that the council believes should be protected from development, to allow them to eventually be revived for transport use.

The LTP does not have the power to stop developers building on the routes, but the council hopes that by including the possibility of greenways and even future rail use in the plan, it could help to deter them and keep the options open.

 Norfolk Access Scheme

 Message from Suzanne Dunwoody, Client Finance Services Manager

 The Norfolk Assistance Scheme which the public may or may not be aware of. The scheme is available to any Norfolk resident who is experiencing financial difficulties and the team can provide information and guidance to contact support organisations, or provide financial support to assist with the cost of food, energy, water or other essentials including white goods and furniture. NCC has also partnered with AgeUK to provide targeted individuals aged 65 and over as this has been a demographic group we have received the least applications from.

If you have any questions about NAS, please do not hesitate to contact Suzanne for further information [email protected]

 

Update: Jubilee Trees for Norfolk – June 2022

The Jubilee Trees for Norfolk scheme is now live. NCC are offering tree packs at 50% cost, subsidised by DEFRA and NCC, and the scheme is open to everyone. This will enable up to 40,000 more trees to be planted across the county.

Community groups in my area can approach me to fund the other 50% of the trees and this is entirely at my discretion. There is an application process for the scheme and tree packs will be ready for collection in the planting season between December 2022-February 2023. If applicants have reached the payment stage, this means that their planting has been approved by the 1 Million Trees Team.

 Please note that the 1 Million Trees team will not be involved in the payment process – applicants must approach me independently and proceed with any agreements and payments directly with me.

 The discretionary Highway Member Fund, from which County Councillors can fund Highway and Environmental works in my area, was recently increased by £4,000 to £10,000 so that I can support tree planting and other biodiversity schemes in my area, but my main focus remains highways.

 Guidance notes for the scheme can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/jubileetrees. Please get in touch with any thoughts or suggestions at [email protected]

 

Norfolk’s Carers invited to apply for free Wellbeing Packs

Norfolk County Council is to provide a further 3,000 free Wellbeing Packs to unpaid carers over the coming months, after previous packs were taken up enthusiastically across Norfolk. The packs, which are provided through Covid funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), are designed to support unpaid carers and include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support recipients in their role as a carer, as well as a range of pick-me-up items for the carer including chocolates, toiletries, and other treats to bring a little joy in these difficult times. If you are a caring for a friend or loved one, or know somebody that is, you can register your details online to receive a pack. Those who are eligible will have a pack posted directly to their home. To apply for a pack today, please visit: https://forms.norfolk.gov.uk/service/carers_wellbeing_pack So far, Norfolk County Council has provided over 4,000 packs to unpaid carers since February 2021, working with partners Carers Matter Norfolk, Caring Together and Carers Voice to deliver them to carers across Norfolk. The packs have also been made available through Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, James Paget University Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, all of whom are working in partnership with the Council to support the project. Unpaid carers can also find a wide range of support available via Carers Matter Norfolk, a service commissioned by Norfolk County Council. Details of the personalised support available for carers can be found at https://carersmatternorfolk.org.uk/ or by calling 0800 0831 148 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm). The wellbeing packs for unpaid carers were funded through the Infection Prevention and Control Fund which is provided to Local Authorities by DHSC. The scope of the funding was limited and used to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections. Norfolk County Council took the decision to use a small proportion of the overall funding towards supporting Carers to keep themselves and their loved ones safe during the pandemic. The majority of the funding was used to prevent the spread of Covid-19 infections in care homes and other care settings. The Carers Matter Norfolk service is commissioned by Norfolk County Council to offer a range of support for carers of all ages and the people they care for. These include weekly ‘Virtual Cuppas’ during which Carers can share their concerns and successes and support each other, especially in difficult times.     £13 million savings proposals considered Proposals to save £13 million will be considered next month (July), as the first step towards meeting next year’s £60 million target. Norfolk County Council’s cabinet will discuss the first batch of proposals, with a further £47 million due to be considered in October. Councillor Andrew Jamieson, cabinet member for finance, said: “Like all councils, we were facing higher costs and demand for services, even before the recent rise in inflation. Cabinet will consider proposals to save: £6.45 million from adult social services, including use of reserves and more savings from existing programmes £3 million from children’s services, including withdrawing from the Professional Development Centre in Woodside £2.1 million from community and environmental services, including a review of the mobile library service, Wednesday closures of recycling centres and reduction of weedkilling on highways to one treatment per year £200,000 from strategy and transformation, through professional leads £50,000 from governance, by increasing income from the registration service £1 million from finance and commercial services, through annual income from the council’s company, Repton Property Developments Ltd If cabinet supports the proposals, the public will be consulted over the summer to inform a redesign of the mobile library service, to save £200,000 from its £422,000 per year budget. Further consultations on other budget proposals will take place in the autumn. The council will propose a Council Tax level for 2023/24 later this year, once it has received guidance from the Government. Until then, the council’s planning assumption is 2.99 per cent, including a one per cent adult social care precept. Finalised budget proposals will be considered by cabinet, early next year, before the full council takes a final decision in February 2023.

Councillor Jim Moriarty

Division: Gayton and Nar Valley

Jim.Moriarty[email protected]

Mobile: 07879 492400  

Teams Direct Dial: 01603 774790

Wellbeing Newsletter – Help available to support Norfolk residents with living costs Norfolk County Council’s Cost of Living Support Scheme has a £7.7m package of support to help households struggling to pay for food, fuel, energy and water bills, and other essentials. If you come across anyone who needs help with their everyday living costs, support is available on their website at Norfolk website or by contacting them on 0344 800 8020. Here is some more information about the support available in Norfolk. Support directly available for parish councils to help residents in need Town and Parish councils and VCSE organisations can apply to the Norfolk Community Foundation for grants of up to £50 per household to help older people, disabled people and carers with the cost of household energy bills and other regular utility bills. Norfolk Household Support Fund Empowering communities for winter resilience Town and Parish Councils can also apply for funding to develop capacity in any services that support vulnerable people in their community to stay safe, well and connected this winter. Empowering Communities Fund Cost of Living Vouchers Families that are eligible for free school meals will automatically receive a monthly ‘cost of living’ voucher. The vouchers will be £15 per month, per child. There’s a larger payment of £30 for August, to coincide with the school holidays. The vouchers will be paid up to and including October 2022 The vouchers are provided by Edenred, which can be used in all supermarkets for essentials, including clothing. Find out if someone is eligible for free school meals  and help them apply. Norfolk Assistance Scheme Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) helps people in financial hardship to pay for their living costs. The scheme can provide emergency financial help, supply essential household goods and furniture and give support, guidance and advice. People can apply themselves. They will need to complete an application with evidence of their financial situation to show they are eligible for support. For more information and to apply go to: www.norfolk.gov.uk/NAS Emergency funding/housing related costs Local district, borough or city council can offer a wide range of support: Breckland District Council Community Support hub Broadland Council and South Norfolk District Council help hub Great Yarmouth Borough Council residents support King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council support directory North Norfolk District Council help hub Norwich City Council services and support Nourishing Norfolk  Community supermarkets and community fridges offer a long-term solution. They offer a wide range of affordable groceries and enable people to choose the food they would like to buy so they can put together well-balanced, nutritious meals. Norfolk County Council is supporting Norfolk Community Foundation’s Nourishing Norfolk movement to develop 15 food hubs in Norfolk. Find out more about how people can access foodbanks, community supermarkets and community fridges On Norfolk County Council’s website: Help with food and drink The Tricky Period and Toiletries to Go All Norfolk Libraries have free bags of sanitary products and toiletries available to grab and go. They are freely available and there is no need to ask. More information about what is available is on Norfolk County Council’s website: Tricky Period and Toiletries Community Learning Norfolk’s Adult Learning service is running: Budgeting courses such as “beat the bills”. Cooking courses in conjunction with Community Supermarkets. Family learning activities in school holidays. Find out what’s available and book online. Help with paying water bills Norfolk County Council is working with Anglian Water to help older, vulnerable residents with their water debts. Anglian Water will be getting in touch with all those on the social tariff who are eligible for support. However, if you know someone of any age who is struggling to pay their water bills please they should contact Anglian Water directly. Webinars Join us on our upcoming webinars: Homes for Ukraine Meet with Natasha Hayes Head of Communities for Norfolk County Council and Simon Shreeve from the People from Abroad Team at Norfolk County Council, to hear about the latest developments in providing support for refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Book Here

NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL proposes to make a Temporary Traffic Order affecting Marham Road from its junction with Norwich Road for 30m southwards in the PARISH OF SHOULDHAM because of BT underground repair works.

The road will be temporarily closed (except for access) between 09:30 and 15:30 on 30^th June 2022 for the duration of the works expected to be about 5 ½ hours within the period.  Alternative route is via: Marham Road, Norwich Road, Lynn Road, Mill Road, Downham Road, High Street (Stradsett, Fincham, Shouldham, Shouldham Thorpe).

(If necessary the restriction could run for a maximum period of 18 months from the date of the Order). Penalty: £1000 maximum fine on conviction and/or endorsement for contravention. In the event of the start date being delayed the new start date will be displayed on site in advance.

The person dealing with enquiries at Norfolk County Council is Adrian Stout (Community and Environmental Services) Telephone 0344 800 8020.

Dated this 10^th day of June 2022

The Emergency Plan Questionnaire

This is the alternative to filling in the paper version for those that prefer to do it that way.

All being well, with the current schedule we are aiming to start work onsite by the 3^rd week in April with felling and extraction lasting approximately 3-4 weeks. Unfortunately, the works, will involve the closure of the PRoW BR1 and also the onsite car park for the duration, although, we have informed NCC as part of the closure application that the PRoW can be re-opened on weekends. The car park has been due some essential maintenance including filling in potholes so it makes sense to tag this repair work onto the back end of our forestry works.

We understand this will cause some disruption to visitors routines for a limited period but alternative routes around the site will be unaffected and open to visitors.

We are aware of number of trees around the site that have fallen as part of recent storm events and we will be clearing these trees whilst onsite.

Glenn Mulleady

Harvesting Forester

Thetford Forest

Forestry England

BR1

Cllr Advert

Ukraine Crisis | Ukraine Crisis | Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk (west-norfolk.gov.uk)

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