Transforming Breckland - Winter 2022

TRANSFORMING

Breckland A Breckland Council publication for all residents Winter 2022

Shop Local This Christmas In this issue Manage your council tax online

Help with the cost of living

Reduce your energy bills this winter and beyond

Our investments protect your services

Thetford stage and screen festival success

Building for the future

Read more on our website breckland.gov.uk

Manage your council tax ...online By using our secure online portal, you can access your council tax account at a time that suits you, making payments easier and hassle free.

Don’t forget if you sign up for direct debit payments you can choose between a range of payment dates over a 10 or 12 monthly instalments.

Just visit www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/breckland to access your account or sign up

Don’t lose your right to vote Breckland Council updates the electoral register each year to make sure it stays up to date. We have recently sent letters or emails to every household in Breckland asking you to confirm your details on the electoral register.

It is important that your details are right on the electoral register as it means you will be able to vote in future elections, including the district council elections in May 2023.

We’ve almost finished our checks for this year, so we’d like to thank everybody who confirmed or amended the details so promptly. If you’ve not responded yet, our staff may give you a call or visit you at home to check the details we have are up to date.

Need to register to vote? Simply visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote Transforming Breckland brings you news and information on the services and support provided by Breckland Council and its partners. Your comments and ideas are very welcome. Email contactus@breckland.gov.uk or call 01362 656870.

If you need this magazine in large print, or in an alternative version, please contact Breckland Council on 01362 656870. Delivery issues? If you know someone who has not received their copy of Transforming Breckland please contact us on 01362 656870. Transforming Breckland is printed on chlorine-free paper from managed forests. Information correct at time of going to print.

For latest information on Covid 19, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/coronavirus

Shop local

this Christmas

For more information on Christmas events visit www.breckland.gov.uk/whatson With December almost here the countdown to Christmas starts in earnest - and our fantastic market towns and village shops are the ideal place to shop, socialise and tick off the other seasonal essentials on your list.

Christmas is a key period for shops and local food producers, and this year more than ever, they need us all to show them our support by shopping locally and buying the gifts, food and drink that make Christmas special.

So why not pop into our five market towns, make the most of the free parking, and see what our fantastic independent shops offer not just this Christmas but all year round. By shopping local you are not only supporting local businesses who are active in community life, it helps reduce your carbon footprint, convenient and you are helping to support local jobs.

Attleborough Christmas Carnival and official Christmas Lights switch-on – 27 November Dereham Christmas Lights switch-on – 27 November Watton Festive Market – 27 November Thetford Christmas Light Switch-on – 2 December Swaffham Christmas Lights switch-on, ice rink, fair and stalls – 3-4 December

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Reduce

your energy bills this winter and beyond...

The Norfolk Warm Homes partnership, which includes Breckland Council, has been awarded £3.8 million from the Government’s sustainable Warmth Scheme to help improve the energy efficiency of homes throughout Norfolk until March 2023. Our partnership programme can assist privately owned and privately rented properties throughout Breckland.

The project works to improve the energy efficiency of homes by installing wall and loft insulation as well as renewable air source heat pumps with the objective of helping low-income households across Norfolk reduce their energy bills and carbon footprint.

To qualify for the scheme, eligible properties must have an EPC rating of an E, F or G and a gross annual household income of £30,000 or less with no more than £50,000 in savings. Landlords will be required to contribute at least one third of the cost for rental properties. The scheme also provides essential assistance to vulnerable residents struggling to heat their homes, including benefit checks and energy efficiency advice.

To find out if you are eligible and to make an application contact Norfolk Warm Homes on 01603 430103 or visit www.norfolkwarmhomes.org.uk

Over £97,000 invested

into community projects across Breckland Installing new play equipment, supporting a debt advice centre, renovating sport club pavilions, offering free sign language classes, helping wild meadows flourish and funding garden transformations for vulnerable residents are just some of the schemes being supported through Breckland Council grant funding.

The district council has announced that £57,844 is being shared among 14 local community and sporting groups across the district to help with exciting new initiatives, plus a further £40,000 will be invested in a new play park on Sandy Lane, in Dereham.

Find out more at https://bit.ly/3rWvlqO

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Queen Mother’s Garden reopens after refurbishment Dereham’s beautiful walled garden named after the Queen Mother has been reopened after a joint refurbishment by Breckland Council and Dereham Town Council. Originally opened in 1983 by the Queen Mother, the gardens situated next to the Meeting Point centre, now features four new benches and picnic tables, a book swap cabinet, floral covered pagodas, a games table and bird boxes painted by local school children. An official civic opening will take place next year.

Thank you, Ma’am In September, our communities came together to pay their respects to the late Queen Elizabeth II and witness the proclamation of His Majesty King Charles III. Queen Elizabeth II held a long association and love for Norfolk and her passing was mourned around the world. Councillor Nairn, Chairman of Breckland Council, commented on her passing: “Throughout her reign she was seen as a beacon of stability, faith and courage. History will show her contribution to our society has been transformative, and she will be truly remembered as one of Britain’s greatest monarchs.”

Breckland’s Chairman also delivered the district proclamation, announcing the accession of King Charles III to the throne.

We were pleased to welcome so many local residents to share in witnessing the historic occasion, which was followed by Dereham Town Band performing the National Anthem.

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It’s a takeaway... not a throwaway We are continuing our crackdown on fly tipping and littering in our community, but we need your help to spot more incidents. If you see it, report it.

When drivers or their passengers throw litter from their vehicles, or someone fly tips waste, they are spending taxpayers’ money on cleaning it up and creating potential hazards to other road users and residents. Litter and fly tipping also contributes to insects and vermin scavenging dumped waste for food, which can help spread disease or damage local properties.

It's important that we all do whatever is necessary to save our environment, protect our wildlife, public spaces and eradicate the bad habit of littering and fly tipping.

See it, report it www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit

Cut your business waste costs - use our trusted and reliable service We’re on hand to help Breckland businesses by providing a cost-effective, reliable and friendly commercial waste service. Our dedicated commercial waste collection service can offer collections around seasonal variations, fluctuations in demand or for one-off events.

Businesses can choose from a range of containers, including 240, 360, 660 and our popular 1,100 litre container. Our service is VAT exempt, saving you 20% on specific collection services.

For more information visit www.breckland.gov.uk/commercial-waste or email commercialwaste@breckland.gov.uk to discuss your needs.

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Scan now to get a quote

Thousands turn out for

Thetford Stage and Screen Festival

A cinema and theatre programme has been hailed a success after it brought out thousands of people to enjoy the events in Thetford.

Film and drama fans came to town to enjoy the four-day event, which saw theatre shows and free outside cinema screening held in the picturesque surroundings of Thetford Priory and alongside the River Ouse.

Breckland Council funded the Stage and Screen Summer 2022 programme, working in partnership with Thetford Town Council, to bring together local communities, attract visitors to the town and support local businesses.

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How our investments are protecting your services

Did you know that the average property in Breckland receives services worth more than £700 from Breckland Council? Breckland Council delivers over 100 statutory services, such as housing support, bin collections, licensing, benefits and environmental protection, as well as many more.

But with district council tax in Breckland the lowest in the entire country, how do we fund these services? One of the ways is by generating income from the rent we receive from the warehouses, office space and other assets that we own. These commercial investments bring in around £3m each year in rent – around the same amount as we receive in council tax. This money helps to fund our services, keep tax rates as low as possible, and supports local businesses and jobs.

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5p in every pound As your local council, Breckland Council is responsible for collecting council tax from local residents and businesses. But did you know that we keep only 5p in every pound we collect? The rest of the money is collected on behalf of your local town and parish council (who get about 5p per pound), Norfolk County Council (76p) and Norfolk Police (14p). For a typical Band D property, that equates to just £100 per year in district council tax. But with over 75% of Breckland properties in council tax bands A-C, most people pay even less per year.

Enabling projects that make a real difference Thanks in part to the money we generate from our commercial investments, we are in a position to be able to fund a range of discretionary schemes which are making a real difference to Breckland residents. For example, we’ve invested more than £1m into our district-wide Inspiring Communities programme which is helping some of Breckland’s most vulnerable residents (pages 9 – 10). Other discretionary projects include the Thetford Stage and Screen Festival (page 7), community grant funding (page 4), and the refurbishment of the Queen Mother’s Garden in Dereham (page 5). Our commercial investments help us balance the books while delivering truly lifechanging projects which help residents and businesses to thrive and prosper.

76p

8

5p

5p

Could this be right for your business?

We have a number of properties available at present, visit www.breckland.gov.uk/commercial-property for more details.

We rent out

243 commercial properties/ land

Our commercial property portfolio is valued at over

£45m

our town r parish council

14p

Interested in starting or growing your business?

If you are interested in renting one of our properties, need support to set up or grow your business, want to upskill your staff or hire new recruits, make sure you get in touch. Visit www.breckland.gov.uk/ commercial-property for available letting details or www.breckland.gov. uk/business-support to find out how we can help your business.

Our 2022/23 gross income forecast is

£3.2m Over

200 tenants

occupy our properties

Driving growth and income Our award-winning property team carefully manage the council’s investments to maximise the money we make. Buying and selling assets and working closely with our tenants to understand their specific needs, means that our investments are currently 98% occupied. This is expected to bring in more than £3m income this financial year and is giving a significant number of local businesses a secure site from which to operate and thrive.

Securing jobs and training opportunities By investing in commercial businesses across the district we are helping local businesses to grow and supporting local jobs. For example, the Warburtons site in Thetford is owned by Breckland Council and leased by the major bakery, which employs over 90 staff there.

We also consider selling properties we own if the time is right, such as when we sold The Green Britain Centre in Swaffham to enable Arbortec, an international company, to relocate to the district. This brought new jobs to the town and boosted the connected supply chain. Meanwhile, the expansion of the Natures Grub in Dereham has helped create over 30 new jobs.

Businesses moving into Breckland and renting our properties also bring new training opportunities for local people. The Benjamin Foundation Future Builders project is coming to Dereham and will provide young people with an opportunity to learn new constructions skills as they work on renovating properties.

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bout Find out more a unities Inspiring Comm

Making

a difference

Helping residents with the cost of living The cost of living is rising, from fuel for your home and car to food for your family, and we recognise some households may be worried about their circumstances. Breckland Council is here to help you, including funding projects that give access to low-cost food, financial help, and professional services to improve your wellbeing.

Through our Household Support Fund we have awarded over £250,000 in financial aid to local residents and released a further £9k to residents studying subjects that could enhance Breckland communities.

We know the importance of getting help to people as quickly as possible and were among the very first councils in the country to distribute national support to local people. This includes the Council Tax Energy rebates, which were in everybody’s accounts before the end of June, and around £8m in Council Tax Rebate funding.

To help people access affordable food, we’ve funded The Burrell Supermarket in Thetford and launched the Breckland Mobile Food Store (see page 11). They’re providing low-cost food options and other support to thousands of residents already and we’re working with community groups in Kenninghall, Dereham and Watton to launch new food hubs there too.

Over 200 Mental Health First Aiders now active in the community The Mindful Towns programme has now trained more than 200 community champions, with a further 50 expected to be trained

by April 2023. Our community champions help other residents who could be needing support with their Mental Health.

They are equipped with information to help signpost those residents onto appropriate clinical or community support.

The programme offers community organisations and small businesses the opportunity to access a variety of mental health training courses, all delivered by our partners Norfolk and Waveney Mind and Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney. www.breckland.gov.uk/ mindfultowns

£120k to support wellbeing projects in the community

We are building new partnerships and evolving new support services, including social prescribing to provide holistic support to people struggling with welfare issues, to build confidence.

Finally our multi-agency forum - Breckland Collaboration - is providing professional support to residents at risk of reaching crisis.

Find out about what other support is available nationally and locally www.breckland.gov.uk/commu

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Supporting mental health across Breckland

Swanton Morley was recently named Breckland’s first ‘mindful village’. Our Mindful Towns (and now villages!) scheme recognises areas which have support in place to enhance local mental health.

Swanton Morley now has a group of dedicated local volunteers who are using their new mental health support skills to assist residents using their local Community Café, hosted the local Village Hall.

For more information visit https://bit.ly/3CT9Ai2

Breckland Mobile Food Store

unity/cost-of-living

Helping you with more than just food Our Mobile Food Store is now helping more than 1,000 residents since its launch. Since opening earlier this year, the bus regularly visits 11 rural locations, providing not only affordable food in partnership with Norfolk Community Foundation and Kickstart, but offering advice and support on social or personal issues which could be affecting you.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the cost of living, experiencing mental health or wellbeing issues, the team are here to not only help you with your shopping but connect you with a range of services that can make a big difference.

Find your nearest stop at www.breckland.gov.uk/BMFS

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Changing lives

Scan here to find out more Elm House in Thetford is our new £1.8 million emergency accommodation centre. It is now providing Breckland residents with a place to stay while we help find them long-term housing options.

It means we can offer more people in-need high quality support and greater control over suitable short-term housing options. Find out how the project was developed and the impact it is having today at www.youtube.com/BrecklandView

Travel safely

this Christmas

Each year we licence over 200 drivers and vehicles to ensure they meet the required standards, which includes checking the vehicle is safe, has insurance and a valid MOT certificate.

We also run checks on the drivers, who undergo medical assessments, safeguarding and enhanced background screening.

If you are using a taxi in Breckland over the festive period always: •C heck that the driver is licensed and carrying ID •C heck the vehicle is displaying an external taxi licence plate and/or internal windscreen sticker •M ake sure private hire vehicles are booked through a licensed operator If you have any doubts, do not get into the vehicle. If you feel uneasy once inside the vehicle, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.

For more info on taxis in our area visit www.breckland.gov.uk/licensing

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Are you worried about losing your home?

Perhaps you are struggling to pay your rent, the property is no longer suitable, or you have been served notice to leave by your landlord. Please don’t bury your head in the sand – instead, contact our Housing Team who are here to help.

We can provide advice, support and signposting to help you stay in your home, if suitable, or to move somewhere else.

The sooner you contact us, the more effective we can be, together.

Find out more www.breckland.gov.uk/housing

New homes being developed for former rough sleepers Work has started on a £926,000 project to build five new homes aimed at helping former rough sleepers in Breckland.

Breckland Council has gifted the land, which is a former school car park on Elm Road in Thetford, for the new homes.

Grant funding has been provided by Homes England’s Rough Sleeper Accommodation programme along with Broadland Housing capital funding. Broadland Housing is also developing the new homes.

The five one-bedroom homes - four houses and one bungalow - are being built with a timber frame design for speed of construction and to minimise the project’s carbon footprint.

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Proud to serve

our military community Breckland Council has been awarded 'gold status' in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme. This award celebrates our efforts in delivering high levels of support to members of the Armed Forces and their families across our district.

Our support initiatives include signposting armed forces personnel and their families to national and local support groups, 1-2-1 advice to assist with mental health and housing concerns and supporting employment opportunities within local government.

If you are a serving member of the armed forces, a reservist, veteran, service family, cadet, or from the wider military community within our district and need support, please visit www.breckland.gov.uk/armed-forces-community for more details.

Building

for the

future

Work has begun looking at sites across the district which could potentially be used to build new homes, create business zones, or become designated community open spaces over the coming 20 years.

In preparing the new Local Plan, sites will be tested through further technical work to assess their sustainability, suitability and deliverability. The sites considered most appropriate will then be subject to public consultation and independent examination.

This consultation will begin in early 2023. Once that’s complete, members of the public will be invited to have their say in a public consultation, which is currently planned to launch in early 2023. The result will be the blueprint for the district’s growth through to 2046.

Take a look at our new ‘Commonplace’ site, a new online resource where you can keep up to date with Local Plan news, view documents and share information with our Planning Team. Use the QR code or visit brecklandlocalplan.commonplace.is

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Caring for animals

in Breckland

We are here to support our residents when most in need, and that protection extends to supporting animals and ensuring they are kept in safety and treated humanely. Our Animal Welfare Officer inspects local pet shops, animal breeders, boarding kennels and catteries, zoo’s and even privately held wild exotic animals which require a licence.

For more information about the work of our Animal Welfare Team visit www.breckland.gov.uk/animal-welfare

What do you need to consider when buying a dog in Breckland: Is your dog microchipped?

Get advice from our dog warden:

Watch via YouTube at https://bit.ly/3EDujYo

Could your business help wth council contracts?

We like to give local businesses the opportunity to bid for goods, services and work we need to deliver local services and initiatives.

Why not take a look at new opportunities and register via Contracts Finder, you'll never miss another opportunity?

If you need any more information, please email procurement@breckland.gov.uk

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Find out services, submit applications, make payments and report problems at www.breckland.gov.uk

Apply for it You can apply for lots of things at www.breckland.gov.uk/applyforit Below are direct links to some of the most commonly used application forms: Housing and council tax benefits Apply, manage or pay for Breckland Council benefits and services: www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/breckland uilding Control Inspection B Request a site inspection from our Building Control department: www.breckland.gov.uk/buildingcontrol-inspection-booking Bus Pass - The passes are available to residents who meet the age or disability requirements: www.norfolk.gov.uk/ roads-and-transport/public-transport/ buses/concessionary-travel-pass Garden Waste Collection Service Create or renew a subscription to have your garden waste collected every fortnight: www.breckland.gov.uk/ gardenwaste

Benefit Fraud - Suspect a resident of Benefit or council tax fraud? www.breckland.gov.uk/reportsuspected-fraud Change of Address - For when you are moving and staying in the district or moving out of Breckland: www. breckland.gov.uk/tell-us-youre-moving Change of Circumstances - Let us know if something changes eg. you get married, have a child, your partner moves in, your pension is different: www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/breckland Compliments, Complaints, Comments Let us know what’s working well and how we can improve further: www.breckland.gov.uk/article/7806/ Compliments-Complaints Damaged Wheelie Bin - We’ll repair or replace your wheelie bin ASAP: www.breckland.gov.uk/ damaged-or-replacement Dog fouling - Let us know of any incidents of dog fouling in public areas: www.breckland.gov.uk/litter-anddog-fouling

Waste Enquiries For complaints about missed bins or new bin orders, contact Serco on 0330 109 9220

Pay for it Visit our website to pay invoices, council tax, business rates or benefits over-payments online. You can also set up a direct debit to pay your Council Tax on a monthly date that suits you.

You’ll be able to pay for more things online soon, reducing the need to call during office hours or visit us in person. www.breckland.gov.uk/payforit

Sign up for Direct Debit Paying your Council Tax by Direct Debit is safe, hassle free and reliable with the protection of the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Sign up for Direct Debit today at www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/breckland

ibrary Service - Find your L nearest library, search for a good read, and more! www.norfolk.gov.uk/ libraries-local-history-and-archives

Faulty Street Light - Pass on details about street lights which are damaged or not working: www.breckland.gov.uk/ article/3089/report-a-faulty-street-light

Register for E-billing - View your account and receive Council Tax bills online: www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/ breckland

Flooding Hotline - Call 0344 800 8013 to report flooding anywhere in Norfolk

Find out first

Fly Tipping - Let us know if you see fly tipped waste or saw somebody dumping rubbish: www.breckland.gov. uk/flytip

Want to receive the latest information as soon as possible? Receive email alerts about the things that matter, from news and events, to council and committee papers, consultation documents and job vacancies. Subscribe/amend your existing preferences at www.breckland. gov.uk/email-updates

Postal Vote request - If you can’t get to your polling station on election day, you can still vote by post: www.breckland. gov.uk/postalvoterequest Register to vote - To vote in future elections you must be on the electoral register: www.breckland.gov.uk/ individual-electoral-registration

Report it Come across an issue?

Let us know using our Report It tool: www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit A number of key issues are listed below for ease of reference, but you can do more on our website.

Abandoned Vehicles Let us know about a vehicle that has been abandoned on public land without lawful authority: www.breckland.gov.uk/article/3080/ Report-an-abandoned-vehicle Anti-Social Behaviour - Affected by it?

Don’t tolerate it, report it: www.breckland.gov.uk/noise-or-nuisance

Full Public Litter Bin - Has a litter bin near you been filled but not emptied yet? www.breckland.gov.uk/ full-public-litter-bin Highway Problem - Report problems with roads, pavements, cycle paths and Public Rights of Way: https://apps. norfolk.gov.uk/highwaysdefect Litter - Seen piles of dropped litter?

Let us know: www.breckland.gov.uk/ litter-and-dog-fouling Missing Wheelie Bin - Has your wheelie bin been lost or stolen? www.breckland.gov.uk/ damaged-or-replacement Noise or Nuisance - Report loud music, barking dogs, industrial noise, bad smell, artificial light, smoke or bonfires, and more: www.breckland.gov.uk/ noise-or-nuisance Street Name Plates - Tell us if you’ve seen a street name sign that is unreadable, missing letters, missing the name plate, or damaged: www.breckland.gov.uk/ street-name-plate-problem

Keep in touch If you need help or advice, email our expert Customer Contact Centre staff at: contactus@breckland.gov.uk Breckland Council @BreckCouncil @Breckland Council breckcouncil Breckland Council Post: Breckland Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE Customer Contact Centre: 01362 656 870 Local centres: www.breckland.gov.uk/visitus