Your Breckland - Winter 2023

Your

Breckland A Breckland Council publication for all residents

Winter 2023

Enjoy a magical Christmas in Breckland!

In this issue Help shape our next Local Plan - p10

Protecting our environment - p6 & 7

New events for the Over 50s - p5

Join Team Breckland - p2

Help for renters - p11

Dereham garden wins national award - p15

Read more on our website breckland.gov.uk

Join

#TeamBreckland Are you looking for a job in which you can make a real difference to your community? Do you want to help local people, support businesses to thrive, or play a role in shaping your town or village?

Then a career with Breckland Council could be for you!

With roles ranging from Housing, Environmental Health and Communities, to Planning, Project Management and Business Growth, we are seeking passionate and talented individuals to join us.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and could offer you an apprenticeship, on-the-job training, flexible working hours, and career progression opportunities. Look at our website for our latest vacancies and sign up to email alerts so you don’t miss the perfect job opportunity when it comes up in the future: www.breckland.gov.uk/careers

See what our staff say about working at Breckland Council

National recognition

for local projects

Did you know Breckland Council recently won the Health and Social Care category for our Inspiring Communities programme at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2023?

This prestigious award recognises our strong partnerships with the NHS, charities and other partners to prevent and tackle ill-health in the district.

We have also recently been awarded the RSPCA Platinum PawPrints Award for delivering exceptional care and service via our dog warden service, the only council in Norfolk to achieve this!

Find out more about Inspiring Communities at www.breckland.gov.uk/community Your 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 Your Breckland please contact us on 01362 656870. Your Breckland is printed on chlorine-free paper from managed forests.

Information correct at time of going to print. Address: Breckland Council, Elizabeth House, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE. Customer Contact Centre: 01362 656870. Local centres: www.breckland.gov.uk/visitus

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Alexa, how can I report

a broken streetlight?

Want to find out more about the services we deliver?

What can you put in your household recycling bin?

When our next Council meeting will be held?

More than 1,000 residents have now used their Alexa smart speaker to find out. You can too by enabling this ‘skill’ on your device. For details how to do this, visit http://bit.ly/BreckAlexa or scan the QR code opposite.

Be Flood Aware!

Do you know what to do if there is a flood in your area? For top tips on dealing with weather-related emergencies visit www.breckland.gov.uk/emergency-planning And don’t forget, in an emergency where people or property are in immediate danger from floodwater, call 999.

If a flash flood happens in your area...

• Turn off the electricity and gas supply • Don't touch any electrical appliances, cables or equipment while standing in flood water, or any appliances that have been immersed in flood water • Move pets and items of value upstairs or raise off the floor • Keep phones, chargers, bank cards, insurance details and house keys to hand • Avoid contact with flood water. Wash your hands regularly with clean water and soap • Do not take any unnecessary risks such as driving through flood water To report flooding anywhere in Norfolk, call the Norfolk Flooding Hotline on 0344 800 8013.

Scan here to find out more

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Festival brings residents and visitors to town Our 2023 Stage and Screen Festival brought hundreds of people to Thetford over the summer, with audiences enjoying a blend of classic films, street food and enchanting live outdoor theatre performances.

The festival included outside theatre performances of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility within the spectacular setting of Thetford Priory. In partnership with Thetford Town Council, we also offered two days of nostalgic cinema at Thetford Riverside, including the time-travel adventure Back to the Future and the award-winning Matilda The Musical.

Meanwhile, as part of our Swaffham Heritage Action Zone project we also supported the Swaffham Cultural Consortium to promote an Artisan and Food Fair. This brought hundreds of visitors to this historic market town, tempted by street food vendors and a wide range of craft stalls.

Love your market town Over the summer we launched a new £5,000 Love Your Market Town fund.

The pilot, created in partnership with Norfolk County Council, offered grants of up to £1,000 to Breckland based organisations and groups who could implement new initiatives that will increase pride within our towns, supports our local communities and helps drive new visitors onto the high street.

You can find out which groups were successful by visiting www.breckland.gov.uk/LoveYourMarketTown

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Supporting good mental health in

our community We are working towards making Breckland a ‘Mindful District’ by putting in place extra mental health support within our communities.

So far, we have trained over 300 champions in suicide awareness, mental health first aid and mental health awareness. Our champions are members of the community or workplace volunteers who now have the confidence and skills to signpost neighbours and colleagues to support, which can help people avoid a mental health crisis later on.

All five of Breckland’s market towns have achieved Mindful Town status, plus three villages – Swanton Morley, Necton and Shipdham. For more information on how your community or workplace could get involved, visit www.breckland.gov.uk/communities/brecklandmindful-towns or e-mail: community@breckland.gov.uk

New social events

for the over 50s

Breckland Arts for Health programme, supported by our Inspiring Communities programme, has announced a series of new events throughout November and December.

The new programme includes opera singing with baritone vocalist Rob Gildon, who will present a fun singing workshop, and Gavin Robertson and Nicholas Collett as they bring their show 'Done to Death, By Jove!' to Thetford.

The wonderful duo will attempt a six-actor show with only the two of them, what could go wrong! In December, Rosy May brings us a spot of fantastic Caribbean Dancing, that is not to be missed.

The fun-packed programme, run

by Creative Arts East, also offers monthly creative socials and bimonthly afternoon events for FREE to people in Breckland aged 50+.

For more information visit www.brecklandartsforhealth.co.uk or call 01953 713390

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Community allotment receives almost

£3,000 in grants

A group in East Tuddenham has received almost £3,000 in grants from us to help develop their community allotment.

The East Tuddenham Community Allotment group received two grants from the district council to help further their existing projects. The group was awarded a £500 Breckland Environmental Initiative grant, which supports projects to protect and enhance the local environment. The group also received £2,411 from our Inspiring Communities Match Funding grant pot, which supports projects which help people experiencing isolation, loneliness, and mental and physical health challenges.

This funding has enabled the community group to buy a new poly tunnel, purchase more plants and buy materials to build extra bug hotels and bird feeders, providing an excellent habitat for different species to thrive.

Market towns to benefit from new

electric car charging points Two Breckland towns will shortly see new charging points for electric cars installed, which will help serve the growing number of electric vehicles across Breckland.

The new charging points, capable of charging up to four vehicles at a time, will be installed at Kittell Close Car Park in Watton and Theatre Street car park in Swaffham. The installation work is due to take place in 2024.

Over 600 LED streetlights to be converted across Breckland Over 600 super-efficient LED streetlights will be installed across five Breckland market towns over the next two years.

Over 1,400 bulbs have already been installed over the last few years. The £140,000 project will cover Attleborough, Dereham, Swaffham, Watton and Thetford.

Total amount invested on new LED lights - £906,000

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Major investment will cut carbon emissions and running costs Breckland Council is investing more than £500,000 on initiatives which will make the leisure centres in Thetford and Dereham more energy efficient, reduce running costs, and cut carbon emissions.

The measures include the installation of fans which optimise heating by capturing heat at the higher ceiling levels and force it back into the room, reducing the need to use radiators. Other steps include more efficient heating and lighting controls, and single-glazed windows upgraded. This will not only make the leisure centres more energy efficient, saving around £116,000 in energy costs each year and recovering the investment costs after five years, but will also cut the annual carbon emissions by just over 175 tonnes per year.

Saving over 175 tonnes of carbon per year!

2,400 trees to be planted at Oxburgh Hall We have teamed up with the National Trust charity to plant 2,400 trees at Oxburgh Hall.

The new partnership brings together Breckland Council's commitment to plant more trees in the district as part of our environment sustainability goals and the National Trust's aim of planting a total of twenty million trees across the country.

Reducing 509 tonnes of carbon

in our atmosphere over 25 years

New green bus stops for Swaffham New bus shelters with live information screens informing travellers when buses will be arriving, environmentally friendly grass roofing, and new cycle racks have been installed in Swaffham to help improve bus services across the county.

The new shelters will not only encourage more people to use local transport, cutting carbon emissions, but also increase the amount of space for nature in the town centre.

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magical C

Enjoy a

Over the festive period Breckland’s market town councils have a winter wonderland of events lined up to bring you Christmas cheer.

Our independent retailers will be offering a double helping of merriment this year, while you shop for those extraordinary gifts for family, friends and loved ones.

Dereham

Dereham will be hosting the Christmas Lights Event on Sunday, 26 November starting at 1pm in the Market Place and on Church Street.

A special grotto has been created in the Assembly Rooms, ready for Santa Claus to welcome local children from 1.30pm!

The event will be complemented with a festive fun fair, donkey rides and stalls from artisans and local groups and businesses.

A wide range of delicious food vendors will also be offering chip buckets, hog roasts, German sausages, crepes, hot festive drinks, burgers, and more!

Entertainment will be provided from 2pm by various acts including the Galaxy Twirlers and Dereham Theatre Company, while Dereham Churches Together Choir will be leading the traditional carol singing. The town’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 4.30pm

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Attleborough

The Attleborough Christmas Carnival and light switch-on will be on Sunday, 26 November between 1pm–6pm.

The special Christmas lights switch-on will be at 4.15pm. Enjoy a wide range of craft and food stalls, Santa’s grotto, fairground rides and lots more to enjoy!

Thetford The Thetford Christmas Lights switch-on will take place at the Marketplace on Friday, 1 December 2023 at 6.30pm.

Santa Claus will be arriving via the river earlier in the evening and will make his way through the high street to the marketplace. The town will also be hosting a Christmas market packed with festive craft stalls plus food and drink vendors.

There will be a Christmas Tree trail across the town centre and Santa's Grotto will be in the Guildhall on Sunday, 3 December. The marketplace and the Guildhall will also host a variety of Christmas crafts and activities, plus entertainment from local dance schools and The Salvation Army band. For more info visit www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk

Christmas

in Breckland @BreckCouncil

Don't forget to follow our social media channels and enter our Breckland Christmas competition!

Watton

Swaffham

Swaffham will be hosting a fantastically festive Christmas light switch on event on Sunday, 3 December between 10am-5pm.

There will be a Christmas market with a variety of craft and food stalls, a funfair as well as entertainment from Fakenham Town Band and local school choirs who will be performing at the Buttercross throughout the afternoon. Santa is looking forward to meeting children and their families in the Grotto held in the Assembly Rooms between 10am-5pm.

Swaffham Town Council are holding 'The Quiet Hour' between 10am-11am for the SEND community and for residents from local care homes to enjoy the festivities at their own pace.

Watton will host the annual Festive Market and Christmas light switch-on Sunday, 26 November 2023, taking place between 1pm–5pm.

The town expects a special visit from Santa Claus, who will have a small gift for everyone who visits him (free of charge), whilst the Christmas lights will be switched on at 4pm! The high street will be packed with stalls selling Christmas gifts and crafts as well as community organisations offering the ever-popular festive competitions. There will be street entertainment, free face painting and music from the Phoenix Pipes & Drums and Watton Silver Band.

Children can visit the nativity scene with the animals from Wycombe Pastures or try out the fun fair rides.

On 26 November you can also enjoy a special Christmas Market at Watton Sports Centre (10am to 4pm) and the Antiques and Collectables Fair at the Queens Hall on from 8.30am to 3.30pm

Information correct at time of going to print

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Resident's views shaping the future of Breckland We’re in the process of updating our Local Plan, which will act as a blueprint for the growth of the district over the next 25 years.

The plan is being amended with local people’s views in mind and we’ve just completed the initial phase of community consultation. But don’t worry if you’ve not yet had your say, there is still time.

Once finalised, the plan will set out how we would like the district to grow sustainably, including where new homes should be built, where community infrastructure such as health facilities, schools and transport improvements are needed, measures to protect our natural environment, and support to help businesses to grow and create new job opportunities.

We talked to hundreds of local people at public exhibitions in each of our towns and during a virtual session online, with further workshops taking place to gather the views of local young people too. However, everyone is welcome to continue sharing their views and ideas via our ongoing consultation website.

All the comments will be carefully considered as the Local Plan is prepared and a further consultation on this revised draft will take place in early 2024. You can sign up for Local Plan updates on brecklandlocalplan. commonplace.is

Attleborough Leisure Centre expansion given the green light Work to expand and refurbish Attleborough Leisure Centre is now getting underway, which will enhance the facilities available to both residents and pupils at the adjacent school.

The £2.6m investment will see a new spin studio and a community room for yoga sessions and fitness classes built, the changing rooms and reception areas refurbished, and a new gym space created.

It is expected that around £1.7m of the total cost will be contributed by developers who are building houses on the outskirts of the town, with the remaining funding provided by Breckland Council and the town council.

The scheme is being supported by The Sapientia Trust, Attleborough Academy, and Norfolk County Council.

Funding news for Wretham!

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Just over £95,750 has been invested in Wretham Village Hall. The money, from developers who have built houses in the area, will help pay for the walls and roof to be insulted, new windows and doors, CCTV, a new heating system, energy saving solar panels and LED-lighting.

Supporting our high streets Did you know we provide just over 2,000 car parking spaces across our Breckland market towns? Or that our car parks are visited by over 2 million vehicles per year? This is made possible as almost 80% of motorists use our car parks for less than 3 hours per day, helping to ensure spaces can be used multiple times to access the local high street and services.

As an innovative council we now manage over £90million in assets, some of which is used to provide services such as car parking at a cost of £425,000 per year. We also have a large portfolio of commercial properties which are rented out to create maximum financial benefit to support the cost of delivering our other council services, whilst keeping your district council tax low.

In the last few years we have been working to manage our car parks differently to serve our residents and businesses, including new approaches in Attleborough and Swaffham. Our recent car park survey, and our ongoing engagement with residents and businesses, are helping to identify how our car parks can support the revitalisation of our high streets. To find out more about our local car parks visit www.breckland.gov.uk/car-park

Are you experiencing Domestic Abuse and would like to remain safely in your home?

If it is safe and your choice, and your partner no longer lives with you, we can help make your home more secure. Find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/housing/sanctuary-scheme

Renting your home? Got an issue?

We can support you Breckland Council might be able to step in when your landlord is not meeting their repair obligations and can enforce against them to take action.

If you are concerned that your landlord has not made necessary repairs despite them being requested, or you are concerned that something in your property is immediately dangerous, contact us and we will step in to help.

Remember - If you are concerned about something that is not immediately dangerous, make sure that you have written to your landlord to advise of the repair needed.

Allow them 14 days to respond before contacting us.

Find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/housing and click on 'Housing Conditions'

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A great recipe

for success!

We have been working with landlords and start-up businesses to help encourage them to open up new shops in our market towns.

The scheme has successfully helped a new hardware store, a repair and retro computer store and even a new cake shop open up!

Entitled the ‘Meanwhile Scheme', we have provided funding and business planning mentoring to support local entrepreneurs who are looking to occupy empty commercial premises in and around our market towns and take their first step in starting a business.

We are delighted to announce several of the businesses are now thriving, including the fantastic cake shop PUDDIN in Thetford, Omega Computing in Attleborough and DBS Tools in Swaffham. Find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth/meanwhile

Cut your business’

waste costs

Working in partnership with Serco UK, we are now offering business waste collection services across Breckland. We can tailor the service to fit your business needs, including: • extra collections or additional empties for one-off events • programmes that meet seasonal variations in your business • Breckland based Customer Service team, helping your business thrive Want to see how much you could save?

Visit waste.breckland.gov.uk to request a bespoke quote now.

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Scan here to find out more

Recycle right this Christmas

Did you know we throw away around 30% more rubbish at Christmas?

You can help minimise excess waste with these top tips: • choose gifts with no packaging • use up leftover food for tasty meals • reuse wrapping materials • recycle as much as you can Not sure what you can put in your recycle bin? Find out how you can reduce, reuse and recycle more at Christmas, visit www.breckland.gov. uk/rubbish/christmas-bin-collection

Help us stamp out

fly-tipping

Latest figures place Breckland Council in the top 100 councils in the country for tackling fly-tipping. The data for more than 300 councils shows that in 2021/22, we issued more fines to fly tippers than the rest of Norfolk’s councils combined!

Our crackdown on fly-tipping continues to protect our communities and the environment, including installing new mobile cameras across some of the district’s fly-tipping hotspots to try to catch fly-tippers red-handed.

Around 80% of fly-tips are of rubbish that could have been taken to the local recycling centre for FREE. Remember, if you cannot access your local recycling centre but need to dispose of extra waste, always use a licenced waste carrier as you could be held responsible if the person you employ doesn’t dispose of your waste responsibly.

As part of the service ask for a receipt with contact details and a list explaining what has been collected and where it is going to be being recycled.

You can report fly-tipping incidents at www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit

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Get home safely this

Christmas Taxis are a great, safe way to get home after a night out. We licence local taxis to ensure the vehicle and driver are safe and conform to acceptable standards. So always check that your taxi is genuine and only ever order it from a company you trust.

• Never get into a private hire vehicle if you have not booked it through an operator.

• Check that the vehicle you are getting into is the vehicle you booked.

• Check that the vehicle and driver are licensed - taxi drivers must carry identification (a licence badge from the local council), so ask to see it before you get in.

• Note the plate number and registration number of the vehicle before you get in.

• Try to travel with friends.

• If you have any doubts, do not get in the taxi. If you feel uneasy once inside the taxi, ask to be let out in a well-lit area where there are plenty of people.

To check if a vehicle is licensed, visit www.breckland.gov.uk/licensing

A dog is for life...

not just for Christmas While most people are celebrating Christmas, for our dog warden team it can be a busy season for rescuing countless stray, abandoned and unwanted dogs.

If you are considering getting a puppy for Christmas, please consider how this pet will impact on your life and do you have the time and resources to care for it. If you are looking for a new dog, then please consider rehoming a dog from a local shelter, rather than purchasing a puppy.

Make sure your dog is microchipped If a dog is lost in Breckland and our dog warden collects them, you will have an increased chance of being reunited with your beloved pet if it is microchipped. For more information on microchipping your dog visit www.gov.uk/get-your-dog-microchipped. Don’t forget as well as microchipping dogs, your dog is legally required to wear a collar and ID tag when in public. Found a lost dog? Report it to our Dog Warden Service via www.breckland.gov.uk/environment/dog-warden or call 01362 537 013.

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Scan for your local food providers

Eating out?

Check the ‘Scores On The Doors’ The National Food Hygiene Rating scheme, otherwise known as ‘Scores on The Doors’, is intended to help residents choose where to eat out or shop for food.

The score doesn’t rate the quality or tastiness of the food, but it does give diners important information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, pubs, cafes, takeaways, hotels, and other places where food is eaten or sold.

To check local scores just visit https://ratings.food.gov.uk/

Dereham garden wins prestigious award We are delighted to announce that Dereham’s Queen Mother's Garden project has been awarded the prestigious BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries) national landscaping award in the Regeneration Scheme.

Praised by the BALI judges as “an exemplar of how collaboration between stakeholders can bring about positive change on many levels”, the award recognises the collaborative work of Breckland Council, CGM, the contractor, architects, Jeremy and Rhona Stacey, and Dereham Town Council.

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Your Breckland Council contact directory

Find out about services we provide, submit applications, make payments and report your concerns online at www.breckland.gov.uk

Apply online!

You can apply for lots of services we provide at www.breckland.gov.uk/applyforit By clicking online you can apply for housing and council tax benefits, building control inspections, garden waste collections, council tax E-billing, voting registration and more!

See it. Report it!

Come across an issue that affects you, your property or your community? Let us know by using our quick and efficient online reporting system at www.breckland.gov.uk/reportit

Waste enquiries

For queries 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. 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 at www.angliarevenues.gov.uk/breckland

Find out first

Receive email alerts about the things that matter, from news and events, to council and committee papers, consultation documents and job vacancies - as soon as possible. You can subscribe or amend your existing preferences at www.breckland.gov.uk/email-updates

Keep in touch

If you need help or advice, email our expert Customer Contact Centre staff at contactus@breckland.gov.uk or call 01362 656870 Breckland Council @BreckCouncil