District marks five years since pandemic began
Help hub launches – p3
A budget update – p4 & 5
Food waste collections are coming – p6
Latest grants for communities – p7
A clampdown on fly-tippers – p10
Includes a cut out and keep 2025/26 bin calendar –see back page
People in Breckland are set to join those across the country in marking five years since the official start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Central Government recently announced a national Covid-19 Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday, 9 March 2025, almost five years to the day since the World Health Organisation declared Covid-19 a pandemic. It will provide people with an important opportunity to remember those we lost, reflect on how the pandemic impacted our lives in the short term, as well as contemplating the impact it continues to have.
Following the pandemic, Breckland Council helped to plant a ‘Woodland of Thanks’ at Oxburgh Hall, near Swaffham, to recognise those who worked in the NHS, the public sector, and volunteers, who helped to deliver essential services to local people during the pandemic.
To mark the occasion, Breckland Council has partnered with the National Trust, which runs Oxburgh Hall, to provide free access to the first 200 non-National Trust members who visit the hall on 9 March.
Everybody who visits that day will be invited to write their reflections on a tag which can be temporarily attached to the wood, which forms a tranquil space symbolising hope, growth, and renewal.
Approximately 2,400 trees were planted across seven acres of land at Oxburgh Hall. While they are currently only knee-high, the area is going from strength to strength and comprises part of the woodland restoration project there, which received support from the council, the National Trust, and The Green Light Trust.
Breckland Council is proud to announce that funding is being made available to support local communities in commemorating the 80th anniversaries of VE (Victory in Europe) Day and VJ (Victory over Japan) Day in 2025.
A total of £12,500 has been allocated to help fund events and activities that will provide an opportunity for communities to come together, remember the sacrifices made during the war, and celebrate the peace that followed. VE Day marks the end of World War II in Europe and is celebrated on 8 May, while VJ Day, signifying the end of the war in the Pacific, is observed on 15 August.
Community groups and registered charities will be able to bid for grants worth up to £250 each to help towards the cost of organising public events, including food, decorations, entertainment, equipment hire, and activities. The funding could also potentially be used to pay for commemorative items, such as memorial plaques and stones which are to be displayed in public spaces (with permission of the landowner).
For more details on the grant scheme, including the application process and deadlines, visit www.breckland.gov.uk/community/funding
We recently launched our brand-new support hub in the heart of Dereham, where people can access clinics for their physical and mental health, advice on benefits and financial aid, and opportunities to develop new skills and get a job.
The Link is an initiative led by Breckland Council and mental health charity Norfolk and Waveney Mind, with support from Citizens Advice Norfolk, NHS Talking Therapies, the Boost programme, Nova Training and Department of Work and Pensions. We created The Link after launching The REST Hub in Thetford, a similar scheme which brought together support from a range of partners, based at Breckland House, on St Nicholas Street.
Set in the Dereham Business Centre, off St Withburga Lane, The Link has brought together organisations to provide a range of support under one roof. It aims to provide early intervention and reduce the steps needed to access help from multiple services.
The Link is currently via a referral from Breckland Council or one of the partners listed above, but we hope to make this a drop-in service in the future. If you think The Link could help you, get in touch with the council (see page 15), one of The Link partners, your GP, or by emailing thelink@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk
People using The Link are able to access support around their housing, finances, employment, and mental and physical health. This includes:
• Help finding a home • Benefits and council tax reductions • Debt advice • Counselling • Skills training
Highlights of recent activity at the new hub include: • 64 Enhanced Recovery mental health appointments
• 27 people accessed Talking Therapies • 15 people visited for help getting a job
• Around a dozen people attended a month-long employment skills training course
Are you facing financial hardship? Do you ever feel isolated or lonely? Do you need help accessing affordable food? There is a range of support from Breckland Council and our partners which could support you.
• Financial issues: If you’re experiencing financial difficulty including debt, you can speak to our debt advisors by calling Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848. You can also drop into our Thetford office from Monday to Thursday (10am-2pm) or our Dereham office on Monday, Tuesday or Friday (10am-2pm).
• Mental wellbeing: We have a range of services in place to support people struggling with their mental wellbeing, loneliness or isolation. One of these is social prescribing. To find out more, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/social-prescribing
• Affordable food: We have a number of food hubs available in Breckland, providing nourishing food at reduced prices – check out your nearest one at www.breckland.gov.uk/communities/breckland-food-hubs. We also have the recently-launched Shelf Pop-Up Pantry visiting rural locations across Breckland – to find out when it’s coming to you, go to www.facebook.com/theshelf.popup.pantry
With growing demand for services and reduced support from central government, we are navigating tough financial pressures to continue delivering essential services to our communities.
The cost of providing key services – the services you rely upon, such as bin collections, housing support, restaurant and bar licensing, planning decisions, business and high street support, and leisure facilities – is increasing. At the same time, more people than ever are turning to us for help. Rising living costs have led to a surge in demand for support, particularly from those facing financial hardship, difficulties with keeping up their household costs, declining mental health, domestic abuse, or isolation and loneliness.
For example, rising costs and demand for temporary accommodation support mean
we now spend around three times more than we did just a few years ago helping people who would otherwise be facing homelessness. In 2019/20, this service cost around £680,000 to provide, but in 2023/24 (the last full financial year), it cost around £1.7m. That’s money we have to find in our already stretched budgets.
Meanwhile, Breckland’s overall population continues to grow – up by 8.4% between 2011 and 2021, according to census data. While this growth reflects the district’s vibrancy and appeal, it also places additional demand and pressure on our services.
Central Government support for councils today is 19% below what it was a decade ago
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To provide these services, we rely on a combination of income sources. Our Accounts for 2023/24 show that the largest share (44%) comes from government grants (including housing benefit subsidy), followed by fees and charges for services like garden waste, planning, building control and licensing (27%), council tax (14%) and business rates (8%). A proportion (4%) comes from rental of our commercial property providing space for local businesses to thrive.
On the expenditure side, the biggest portion of our budget
Since 2011
Breckland’s population has grown by around 8.4%, increasing demand for council services
Breckland’s costs per year have risen by 47% over the last decade
Breckland’s District Council Tax has risen by £4.95 each year over the last decade
The cost of Temporary Accommodation has risen to over £2m
Did you know that as your district council, we are responsible for collecting all council tax in our area. But we only keep 5p in every pound we collect, the rest goes to Norfolk County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, and your local town or parish council.
(30%) is spent on housing benefits for those in need, with 17% spent on contracts and operations, ensuring that key frontline services, such as bin collections, run smoothly. Health and housing services make up around 11% of our budget, reflecting the increasing demand for housing support. Finance and procurement related services, along with administration of tax and benefits through Anglia Revenues Partnership represent 11%. People and governance account for 5% of spending, covering the essential running of the council. Despite these financial challenges, Breckland Council remains committed to running an efficient and cost-effective local government. We maximise our resources, ensuring we can
deliver services worth around £948 to every household while maintaining one of the lowest council tax rates in Norfolk.
Even with this modest increase, Breckland’s district council tax level is the most affordable in Norfolk. We provide services worth around £948 to every household, which we can afford by bringing in money from other sources, keeping the pressure off council taxpayers as much as possible (see page 13).
To maintain this commitment, we made the difficult decision to propose a modest council tax increase of £4.95 per year for an average Band D property from April 2025.
At the time of writing, this proposal was due to be discussed by councillors at the end of February, so please check our website and look out for your new council bill which will confirm the new cost for the coming year.
If our proposed budget is approved, a Band D household would pay £118.53 for a year of Breckland Council services. Importantly, as nearly threequarters of our residents live in Bands A-C, most residents will pay less than this amount.
Even with this small increase, Breckland’s district council tax level remains the most affordable in Norfolk. We provide highquality services while keeping the pressure off our residents as much as possible.
Figures show annual district council tax costs for an average Band D home in Norfolk. Residents in Bands A-C will pay less while residents in Bands E and above will pay more.
We understand that times are tough for everyone. If you are struggling to pay your bill or need other support, please see page 3 for details on how to reach out to our helpful Debt Advisors, and how to access mental health support and affordable food near you, or visit www.breckland.gov.uk/community
Did you know you can also apply for a discount on your council tax if you meet certain criteria? This includes if you’re the only adult living in your home or if it is the main home of at least one disabled person. Find out more about how to apply as well as how to let us know if you’re moving home or want to set up a direct debit at www.breckland.gov.uk/counciltax
New waste regulations are being introduced across Breckland (and the whole country) by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
The changes require businesses to separate their waste for collection into three categories - food waste, dry recyclables (plastic, plastic, metal, cartons, paper and cardboard), and general waste. It will be mandatory for all businesses and other non-household premises with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees to do this by 31 March 2025.
Businesses will have three bins – one for general waste that cannot be recycled, one for your dry recyclables and one for food waste. They will need to work with a licensed waste carrier to collect these materials.
If you run a local business and need to arrange rubbish and recycling collections, Breckland’s Business Waste Collection Service could help you (see below).
What about other businesses and homes?
From 31 March 2025 this change will apply to businesses with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees. From April 2026, households will have food waste collections. This means local authorities will be required to collect food waste each week, in addition to the existing alternating general waste and
recycling collections. Look out for more details in the coming months. By 31 March 2027, everyone including businesses with fewer than 10 employees will also have to comply with the new food waste regulations.
Our expert Business Waste Collection Service team can talk you through the changing legislation and provide a no-obligation assessment of your business’ needs. We offer sack collections and bins ranging from 240 to 1100 litres, plus additional empties for one-off events and schedules that meet seasonal variations.
We’re already collecting rubbish from over 400 businesses, takeaways, schools and more.
You can rest assured that our infrastructure, skilled staff and local knowledge mean you’ll receive a professional, reliable, responsible service that complies with all new legislation.
To get a free, no-obligation quote, go to waste.breckland.gov.uk/get-quote
Need a reminder to put the bin out?
Do you rely on your neighbours to know when your bins have to be put out? Did you know that your smartspeaker could help you too? By enabling the Breckland Assistant skill, your Amazon Alexa device can give you weekly reminders to put your bin out. To find out how to set this up, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/breckland-assistant or scan the QR code.
If you like to have a bin calendar stuck to your fridge, you’ll find a cut out and keep calendar on the back page of this edition of Your Breckland. Don’t forget you can also check the latest schedules online at www.breckland.gov.uk/bincalendars
Breckland Council is committed to supporting grassroots organisations doing incredible work in our communities and we provide around £110k in community grants every year.
Recent £5,000 grants have been used to contribute to the first-year costs of a new youth provision in Attleborough, while a further £5,000 has been given to the Benjamin Foundation to help towards the cost of a youth and young carers group in Wayland.
The Fountain of Life Church received funding to support the work of the mid-Norfolk Debt Centre. Menscraft received a grant to help deliver the Pit Stop programme in Watton, Thetford and Dereham, which brings men together to socialise, take part in activities and support each other in a relaxing environment.
The Horticulture Industry Scheme CIC (THIS) received a grant for £4,915 to support the 'Social Gardens' project, which carries out garden transformations for vulnerable residents in Thetford and surrounding areas.
A grant of £2,470 was awarded to The Norfolk Clubhouse to fund an additional weekly session, engaging with adults with chronic mental health needs.
A grant given to Norfolk Community Law Service has helped expand a free legal service while funding has also been released to support the Dove's Nest Ministries Furniture scheme and Norfolk Deaf Association’s Hearing Support Service and Cuppa Care programmes each received £5,000.
We have committed to continuing to support local projects through our Inspiring Communities MatchFunding Grants scheme until 2027. To find out more about this and other funding opportunities, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/ community/funding
A new community garden in Breckland has rapidly become a beloved shared space for residents to relax and connect with one another. The garden, on Shipdham’s Park Estate, was previously an unused piece of land which was transferred by Breckland Council to the parish council to enable it to be transformed by the community.
Shipdham’s community garden reflects the village’s commitment to wellbeing and aligns with Breckland Council’s vision of creating a mindful, thriving district. Through this project, residents are not only enhancing their surroundings and enjoying nature but fostering a sense of unity and support within the district.
Thanks to the efforts of locals Linda Berry, Su Buckle, and Trevor Jones, with support from Watton Rotary Club, George Tufts & Son Ltd, Victory Homes, and others, the area has been beautified with flower beds and cherry blossoms and boasts a vegetable patch, outdoor furniture and a variety of wildlife. The garden has supported the wellbeing of the community and children learn about growing food in the vegetable patch, with produce sold to residents, benefiting the Shipdham Spitfires Scout group. This garden is more than just plants; it’s a living testament to community, connection, and growth.
Breckland Council continues to drive economic growth and business innovation across the district by providing targeted support through funding and skills development. The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), funded by central government and delivered by Breckland, has enabled local enterprises to expand, innovate, and improve their operations, while the council’s BOOST Programme is helping residents and businesses access training, employment, and career development opportunities.
A diverse range of businesses have benefited from REPF funding, using grants to develop new facilities, enhance production capabilities, and improve long-term sustainability. These projects build on previous REPF investments that have improved business infrastructure and services across the district. From the platform upgrade at Mid-Norfolk Railway, which enhances accessibility for visitors, to the revitalisation of Garboldisham Post Office, helping sustain an essential community service, and Wooster’s Bakery’s new milling equipment, strengthening local food production - REPF has been instrumental in supporting diverse industries. Some of the latest projects supported include:
English Whisky Distillery – A new bonded warehouse is being constructed to store up to 4,200 whisky casks, supporting the maturation process that enhances flavour and quality. This facility will also be offered to other artisan distilleries across England, creating a shared resource for the industry and reinforcing Breckland’s role in premium whisky production.
Bacons Firewood (pictured, left) – The business has built a specialised drying shed to improve the efficiency of firewood production. By reducing the energy needed for kiln drying, the project ensures that logs meet the high-quality standards of the Woodsure scheme while offering a more sustainable and cost-effective solution for customers.
East Engineering Solutions (pictured, right) –
With 20 years of expertise in machine repair and manufacturing, East Engineering Solutions has expanded its capabilities to provide bespoke hydraulic solutions and precision-engineered components. Their ability to reverse-engineer and fabricate replacement parts ensures essential support for industries, including power stations, that require high-quality, durable components.
Café at Old Buckenham Country Park – The installation of a retractable roof structure will allow
the café to operate year-round, regardless of weather conditions. This investment will create new jobs, increase foot traffic, and enhance the venue’s ability to host events and themed experiences, making it a key destination for both residents and visitors.
Beyond funding: boosting skills and employment
Alongside direct financial support, Breckland Council is investing in skills, employment, and business resilience through the BOOST Programme.
This initiative helps local people access career development opportunities, ensuring businesses can recruit skilled workers and grow sustainably. By combining targeted funding with workforce development, the council is strengthening the local economy from multiple angles.
Building a thriving business environment
Breckland Council’s ongoing commitment to economic development ensures that businesses and entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed. Whether through financial grants, training initiatives, or infrastructure improvements, the council is laying the foundations for long-term prosperity.
To explore the latest business support opportunities, including training and funding initiatives, visit www.breckland.gov.uk/business
Stay informed about future funding announcements and additional growth programmes
The Swaffham Historic Market Town Project is demonstrating how a town’s heritage can be a powerful economic driver, equipping the next generation with the skills to build a prosperous future. By using Swaffham’s rich history as a foundation, this initiative is fostering education, creativity, and sustainability - turning the past into a valuable resource for tomorrow.
One of the most innovative aspects of the project is the use of digital technology to bring history to life. In a groundbreaking initiative, local students have been using construction videogame Minecraft to recreate and reimagine Swaffham’s historic landmarks. This interactive approach allows young people to engage with the town’s architectural heritage while developing vital digital skills. The Buttercross, Corn Exchange, and other key sites have been meticulously reconstructed in the virtual world, giving students a deeper understanding of their town’s history while preparing them for future careers in technology, design, and heritage conservation.
The project is also investing in hands-on skills for maintaining and preserving historic buildings. Through a series of heritage building training courses, local tradespeople and young apprentices are learning specialist techniques essential for restoring and maintaining Swaffham’s historic properties. These workshops ensure that traditional craftsmanship is passed down to a new generation, providing employment opportunities and supporting the local economy. As the demand for sustainable restoration grows, these skills will become increasingly valuable, ensuring that Swaffham’s heritage remains a thriving asset.
Breckland Council has further strengthened this commitment by grant-aiding structural restoration works on the Methodist Church and Plowright Place with additional repairs and a new shopfront planned for Myhills - Pets and Gardens, with further works scheduled for 2025. These investments highlight the tangible economic benefits of heritage conservation and the council’s dedication to preserving Swaffham’s unique character.
Sustainability underpins all aspects of the Swaffham Historic Market Town Projeact. By combining digital innovation, traditional craftsmanship, and creative storytelling, the initiative is ensuring that heritage is not just preserved but actively used to shape the town’s economic future. Whether through training the next generation in conservation skills, inspiring young minds through technology, or telling Swaffham’s story on the big screen, this project is proving that history isn’t just about the past - it’s an investment in the future.
To follow the project’s latest developments, explore the project blog - www.breckland. gov.uk/swaffham-blog - and be part of the journey to keep Swaffham’s heritage alive and thriving for generations to come.
Breckland Council wants to ensure our beautiful local environment stays as clean and tidy as possible. We’re continuing to crack down on littering and fly-tipping in the district and recently our Environmental Enforcement Team issued penalties to fly-tippers totalling £1,650.
Thanks to reports and tip-offs from responsible members of the public, and using mobile cameras, CCTV, dashcam footage and more, our message to would-be fly-tippers is simple: you will be caught!
• Great Ellingham: A large amount of green waste, primarily moss, was discarded on the side of a road. A local landowner reported the vehicle. The culprit was traced and issued a £400 fine.
• Melford Common: Garden fencing was discarded on a public footpath. When the resident involved declined to clear it away or have it legally discarded, they were fined £500.
• Thetford: A resident reported fly-tipping of unwanted household items and helped identify the culprit. An investigation led to the offender being issued a £500 fine.
• Harling Woods: Council officers were informed that a large pile of litter had been left down a secluded track. An investigation found a clue linking the rubbish to a local business. The business confirmed a staff member had used the business address to order personal items. The staff member paid a fixed penalty notice of £250 and is being investigated by their employer.
Help us with our investigations. Our website has the latest CCTV images of people who we think might be able to help us crack a fly-tipping case. After visiting our website, if you know who they are, follow the instructions on the page so we can reach out to them: www.breckland.gov.uk/environment/surveillance
Report a flytip: www.breckland.gov.uk/fly-tipping
Breckland Council has taken a stand against animal cruelty with a landmark prosecution involving an abandoned dog.
We tracked down the owner of the abandoned dog, which was left in dire conditions, and pursued a case in Court. This resulted in a guilty plea, with the Court issuing fines and costs totalling £907. The case underscores the council’s zero-tolerance approach to neglectful pet ownership.
The dog was cared for by our Dog Warden Team for over a month. Despite their dedicated efforts, the dog’s severe aggression, attributed to neglect, ultimately made rehoming impossible. As a last resort, and to protect public safety, the council, in consultation with other animal experts, made the difficult decision to euthanise the dog. We want to avoid repeats of this tragic case, so we’re urging anyone struggling to care for their pets to seek help from rehoming agencies or support services, rather than resorting to abandonment.
We are committed to taking action against those who mistreat animals, sending a clear message that cruelty and neglect will not be tolerated. Residents concerned about animal welfare, stray dogs, dog fouling or other animal-related issues can find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/dog-warden-service
We would like to thank the thousands of residents, businesses, elected representatives, and community groups who participated in the recent public consultation on the future of town centre car parking across the district.
The consultation, which ran to December last year, was launched to seek people’s views and insights on local car parking provision and help shape plans for a sustainable approach to providing and maintaining Breckland’s 30 car parks in the future.
In addition to having information online, in libraries, at our offices and via the telephone, the consultation included face-to-face sessions in each of our market towns, which enabled people to meet directly with councillors and senior council staff to discuss the issues, ask questions, and share any concerns.
The future provision of a parking service that is fair to all – indeed, all Council services in these challenging times – remains an important topic. However, work on this now needs to take account of Central Government’s recent announcement that it plans to reorganise local council structures in Norfolk over the next few years.
Under the current proposals, should the reforms go ahead, Breckland Council will cease to exist and effectively merge with other neighbouring council areas, which all manage their car parks very differently.
As a result, we should not make a decision now on how the long-term future of a car park service is delivered, as everything may change again in a couple of years.
Instead, we will pause this piece of work, which means no changes will be made to car parking provision in the district, for now at least. We will continue to work with our town councils on a possible transfer of parking provision that meets the needs of each town locally. And we hope to be able to share with interested parties the outcomes of the consultation process once it becomes available.
Once again, we would like to thank everybody for engaging so positively with the consultation process and supporting an open and constructive dialogue on this important issue.
Breckland Council’s redesigned website has seen it fly up the national rankings for accessibility, highlighting how the new look and functionality is making it easier for all residents to find essential information about council services.
The website was relaunched in late 2024 and the overhaul has propelled the council from 281st to 71st out of 378 UK local authorities in just six months. This leap reflects the council's commitment to making information accessible to all residents.
The improved ranking is due to a more intuitive navigation structure, a refreshed homepage highlighting key updates, and enhanced customisability. Users can easily adjust language, text size, and colours and the site remains compatible with screen readers. The site also seamlessly adapts to various devices, including desktops and mobile phones.
Accessibility features, including translation and read-aloud functionality, are conveniently located via the ‘Listen and Translate’ button at the top of the webpage. We aim to further improve our ranking with ongoing enhancements. See it for yourself at www.breckland.gov.uk
Breckland Council has a long and successful history of investing in properties to bring about positive outcomes for the council, our residents, and businesses. We’ve even won a national award for it!
Why does Breckland Council invest in property?
To create income, which we can use to support our budget in order to provide the services you want us to deliver while keeping your council tax low at the same time. Breckland needs money to provide many of the services that we provide to our residents and businesses, and rental income from our properties generates that money.
Isn’t it risky?
Breckland Council won a national award for its approach to property investments
The benefits include generating extra income for the council - which is one of the ways we can keep council tax the lowest in Norfolk and among the very lowest in the country (see pages 4&5) - but also stability for local businesses and security of local jobs.
Investing in property is a complex business, but we’ve set out our aims in our recently-adopted new Property Strategy. We sometimes get asked about our approach though, so in this edition of Your Breckland we’ve set out answers to some of the most common questions.
Investing in property can be risky, but the team at Breckland seek to manage and minimise that risk through a ‘due diligence’ process, covering both the assets and the tenants. Like any landlord, we want to make sure we get a good return on the money we invest.
There is another risk that comes with investing though – bad public relations (PR)! Because we invest public money, the public rightly holds us to account. But sometimes the commercial nature of our investments mean we cannot disclose what a particular tenant is paying, or the support we are providing, as it could harm that tenant’s business or stop us from securing a good deal in the future: that is protected by law. But where we legally can share information, we do.
How much money does this make?
Breckland Council’s investment portfolio is worth around £45m and includes warehouses, offices, areas of land and more. Our commercial investments last year brought in over £3m in income. We then use that money to help pay for services – including the support for some of our most vulnerable residents – while keeping the pressure off your council tax bill.
Can’t Breckland just sell some properties to pay for services?
Unfortunately not – the rules are very clear. HM Treasury says that receipts from selling a building (a ‘capital’ sale) can only be used to buy other capital assets. Those receipts cannot be used to pay for day-to-day services (known as ‘revenue’ costs).
What will your new Property Strategy achieve?
Generating income is an important factor, but it isn't our only goal. The assets we own might help provide employment for our residents: for example, we are currently seeking to purchase a unit in the south of the district which houses an established business and provides employment for a large number of our residents.
In this instance, not only does the council owning the building mean local taxpayers benefit from a strong and steady revenue income, but the local community also benefits through the employment offered by that business in a stable premises.
By investing in housing stock we are able to meet the needs of people looking for temporary accommodation support, while the council can avoid unnecessary costs associated with putting people into hotels and bed and breakfasts when they ask us for housing support.
Does the council own homes for Breckland residents?
Yes, we do. In addition to high profile temporary accommodation sites such as Elm House in Thetford, we have purchased a small number of homes in our towns for use by residents coming to us with a housing need. We invested around £8m to provide this enhanced housing support to some of our most vulnerable residents.
Why is this important?
We know that residents need us now more than ever and we must take action. Of course, we could simply do nothing and continue to pay for temporary accommodation for our most vulnerable residents at everincreasing costs. We could sell all of our investments and focus only on the statutory services we are required by law to provide. But that would stop us from being able to go above and beyond for our residents who need help in so many different ways and make it hard for us to make sure every single one of our residents has a place to call home.
Our commercial investments last year brought in over £3m in income, keeping the pressure off of taxpayers
We’re working with landlords across the district to help us deliver our ambitious Breckland Housing Strategy, which aims to tackle housing challenges and provide higher-quality housing for our residents.
We want all local people to be able to choose a good quality, safe home in Breckland, including future generations once they grow up and leave their childhood homes. Plus, as a growing and thriving district, we want people to choose to come to live and work in Breckland, helping our communities to thrive.
That means we need to build new homes, as well as maximise the existing homes in the district, particularly for our most vulnerable residents in need of temporary support. This could include people whose existing tenancies have come to an end and are facing homelessness or people fleeing domestic abuse.
One way we’re doing this is by working with landlords of private rental properties to house residents in need of short-term support. This will give people somewhere safe to stay while we help them find longer-term housing solutions.
As part of our commitment to helping our most vulnerable residents, we are currently leasing three properties to specifically help families fleeing domestic abuse. This gives them a safe, private space to live while they plan their next steps and access further support.
We’re looking to procure more high-quality properties, which will give us greater capacity to house more vulnerable people in the short term and make a real difference to their lives. Get in touch if you’re a landlord who can help.
What’s in it for landlords?
High demand for temporary accommodation is putting huge pressure on our services. See page 4 to find out how this has increased.
If you own a private rental property that's in good condition and located in or near one of Breckland’s market towns, we want to hear from you. By partnering with us, you can secure a guaranteed rental income for a period of two years and enjoy peace of mind, knowing your property is being professionally managed and you have secure income for the next 24 months.
You can also experience the satisfaction of knowing you’ll be making a tangible difference in your community by helping us provide safe, secure temporary housing for those in need. If you have an unused property and would like to join us in making a positive impact, please visit www.breckland.gov.uk/housing and fill in the expression of interest form.
We hold regular Landlord Forum events to give local landlords an opportunity to find out more about a wide range of issues and topics that affect them, such as changes to legislation and grants available to enhance their properties.
We also host Tenants’ Clinics for people who rent their homes to discuss any issues they may have with their home, their rights and also their responsibilities. Previous topics have been 'what to do if your home has poor ventilation or insulation, or has damp and mould'. If you’re a landlord or rent a private home and these events could help you, visit our website for more details and sign up for our next event: www.breckland.gov.uk/housing/request-sign-up
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. Sort 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
For queries about missed bins or new bin orders, contact Serco on 0330 109 9220
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
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Breckland Council
Cut out and keep your latest bin collection calendar. You can also download your calendar, check what goes in each bin, report missed collections, or arrange a bulky waste pick-up at www.breckland.gov.uk /rubbish
July
Subscribed to our fortnightly garden waste collection service? You can check which day and on which week (1 or 2) your bin will be collected by inputting your postcode into our website www.breckland.gov.uk/rubbish/ bin-collection Please note your brown bin may not be collected on the same day as your black and green bins.
