Grants help businesses access extra funding – page 2
Local groups celebrate grants – page 3
CCTV helping keep our streets safe – page 7
Services supporting you every day – pages 8&9 Town set for £1.5m 3G pitch –page 10
Training boost for young people –page 12
Breckland Council is continuing to support local businesses and communities to thrive, protecting local jobs and driving the regeneration of our vibrant towns and villages.
The latest activity through our Thriving Places programme has seen over £285,000 allocated to local businesses through our Business Growth Grants – which are funded by the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF). This has helped businesses secure an additional £1.1m in private sector funding, bringing the total invested in Breckland's rural economy to £1.4m. In the previous round of funding, which ran over three years to 25/26, we awarded funds to 57 different local businesses, which helped them secure investments totalling £3.24m in funding.
One of the latest businesses benefitting from this funding is West Lexham, a wellness retreat centre and holiday destination in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. The company was awarded £50,000 to enable their business to grow. They used the money to help create three brand-new ensuite, heated double bedrooms, which provide a cosy, relaxing getaway for couples. They also created new co-working spaces in their library to attract remote workers seeking the perfect escape from everyday life in an environment that balances productivity and wellbeing.
We also awarded £25,000 to Tollgate Studios Ltd, a business near East Tuddenham that has rapidly evolved from a small voiceover operation into a professional recording and film facility. The business can now offer podcast and audiobook production, as well as green-screen services and a broadcast film set. This will allow for higher-quality productions and provide affordable studio space for independent filmmakers across East Anglia and beyond.
Another recent recipient is Tony Perkins Butchers, a much-loved local business with popular shops in Attleborough and Dereham.
A £50,000 grant has enabled the team to expand their main shop by taking over an empty neighbouring unit. On top of this, by removing a partition wall, the shop has created a larger retail area and a more spacious kitchen, supporting its growing food offering and helping the business reach new heights.
For more information on the range of support available, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth/grant-information
Six local groups have received a share of almost £30,000 as part of Breckland Council’s latest round of community grants. This brings the total invested in local community groups to approaching £130,000 since spring 2024.
Among the latest recipients are Norwich City Community Sports Foundation, which received £5,000 to begin delivery of the Extra Time programme in Thetford. This provides adults aged 55+ with more opportunities to stay active.
Also benefitting from the funding is The Offshoot Foundation, which was awarded £5,000 towards the delivery of free filmmaking workshops for young people in Thetford. Funding has also been awarded to:
• Home-Start Norfolk: £4,954 to support the organisation's work with families with children under five
• Love Dereham Ltd: £5,000 to contribute to a co-ordinator post
• Norfolk Clubhouse: £3,350 to continue running twice-weekly sessions for adults with enduring mental health conditions at the Watton Hub
• Wellspring Family Centre: £5,000 to support the running costs of the Well-come mental health support programme.
Our Inspiring Communities Match Funding Grant Scheme provides grants of up to £5,000 each and is delivered in partnership with the Norfolk Community Foundation. It aims to support local organisations and grassroots community groups to fund initiatives that support vulnerable residents, improve their health and wellbeing, and tackle inequality across the district. Check our website for details on the latest round of funding and whether your group may be eligible to apply at www.breckland.gov.uk/community/funding
Residents across Breckland are being urged to make sure they can have their say in future elections by registering to vote.
If you are not already registered to vote, or key details such as your address or surname have changed since you registered, you’ll just need your National Insurance Number and five minutes to register online. People who are already registered and whose details haven’t changed don’t need to do anything.
Being on the electoral register not only entitles you to take part in future elections, but it can also help with confirming your identity, potentially making it easier to obtain credit.
The next elections in our area will take place on 7 May 2026, to elect councillors to Norfolk County Council, but you must be registered before the April deadlines to take part. Breckland Council last held our district council elections in 2023 and, as elected members have a four-year term, our next district elections are scheduled to take place in 2027.
If you know that you won’t be able to get to the polling station on polling day, you can register to vote by post or proxy, which is when someone you trust casts your vote on your behalf. Don’t forget, to vote in person you will need to show an accepted form of photo ID, such as a passport or a driving licence. People without these documents can apply for a Voter ID.
For more details about future elections, how to register, and approved ID, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections
You can also register by visiting our offices in Dereham or Thetford and ask for a hard copy form.
DATES • Register to vote: 20 April • Apply to vote by post: 21 April • Apply to
A historic building in Breckland has been brought back to its former glory thanks to the determination of its latest owners, community support, and guidance from Breckland Council. Today, it is a thriving bed and breakfast, wedding and events venue, as well as a family home.
When Elizabeth and Keith Holbrook first discovered Reymerston Hall, near Garvestone, the once-grand building had fallen into serious disrepair. Already vacant for several years when they found it in 2018, the Hall had broken windows, a leaking roof, flooded cellars and overgrown grounds. Despite its condition, the couple recognised its potential and felt compelled to restore the Hall and secure its future.
The property has a fascinating history. One of its most notable former residents was Ken Wallis MBE, a decorated war hero, inventor and record-breaking pilot. Wing Commander Wallis designed the one-man gyrocopter and famously flew the ‘Little Nellie’ aircraft in James Bond film You Only Live Twice.
But the journey to restore the Hall has not been without its challenges. Along the way, Elizabeth and Keith faced a devastating fire, the effects of the pandemic and significant financial pressures. Despite these obstacles, they remained committed to their vision.
Throughout the restoration, Breckland Council has played an important role in supporting the business. The council provided guidance to support the owners through the planning process and gave advice on Elizabeth and Keith’s business plan.
This has enabled the owners to develop the venue in a way that works for both the business and the local area. Most recently, the Hall received a £10k Business Growth Grant to support its commercial kitchen expansion, enabling the business to grow further and host even more events.
Now, the once dilapidated Reymerston Hall hosts weddings, baby showers, private parties, corporate functions and bed and breakfast breaks in its six luxury bedrooms. It is a historic landmark restored, revitalised and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
For details on how we can support your business, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth
"It's been an absolute delight to see so many guests love the hall as we do”
Elizabeth Holbrook, Reymerston Hall
A stay in the Wallis
Reymerston Hall offers unique bed and breakfast stays and this is your chance to experience one for yourself! You could enjoy a night of luxury and tranquillity with an overnight bed and breakfast stay for two, in the prestigious ‘Wallis Suite’. To win, simply tell us: In which James Bond film did Wing Commander Wallis fly his Little Nellie aircraft? (Hint: the answer is above!)
How to enter: Send your name, address, contact telephone number, and your answer to our competition question to competitions@ breckland.gov.uk or write to Reymerston Hall Competition, Communications Team, Breckland Council, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE. Entries must be received by 17 April 2026. You must be over 18 and a Breckland resident to enter. Booking date is subject to availability. Terms and conditions can be found at www.breckland.gov.uk/CompTerms
The Mid-Norfolk Railway (MNR) is one of Breckland’s most-loved attractions. Its Preservation Trust, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, has ensured the railway remains on the right track.
As a result, the attraction in the heart of Dereham is now celebrated not only for its historical trains but as a wedding venue, immersive experience, the setting for numerous galas and dining events, and, of course, the local stop for the Polar Express™!
Breckland Council is proud to have supported this organisation as it steamed ahead on its journey. Most recently, this has included releasing a grant worth £13,400 to help renovate the station platform, which was necessary to improve capacity at the popular heritage attraction.
We also allocated the Trust almost £4k from the Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund to support the refurbishment of the station toilets. And, to help lever in even more financial aid for the heritage line, the council supported the Trust with a grant bid to the National Lottery.
The MNR Preservation Trust was formed in the mid90s, after a major restructuring of national railways in the 1960s saw the line between Dereham and Wymondham Abbey – among many others across
the country – closed for passenger services.
The volunteers at the MNR set about restoring the track and station buildings and soon had enough track to run the first passenger service between Yaxham Station and a temporary platform at Rashes Green, in Dereham. Further restoration work meant in 1999 a passenger train could run between Dereham and Wymondham Abbey.
The MNR is now the longest heritage railway in East Anglia, with 11 miles of track. It has been featured in BBC series Great British Railway Journeys, Channel 4’s Hunted, a stage production of The Railway Children, and hosted the Flying Scotsman.
As a charity, the Mid-Norfolk Railway Preservation Trust relies on the income from events throughout the year to be able to run. This year will see the return of the Annual Steam and Diesel Galas, Vintage Bus Day, Classic Car Day, 1940s weekend, Afternoon Tea trains, Murder Mystery Trains, a comedy “Allo, Allo” train, as well as Dinosaur Days!
So, if you’re looking for a great day out, the MNR’s 2026 events programme provides something for everyone: www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk
The team at Mid-Norfolk Railway are offering one lucky family a free ticket on the DinoSquad Express, where you'll meet the Dino Squad and their Rangers. After boarding the steam-hauled train, you'll have the chance to meet baby dinosaurs, play with Ralph the Raptor, and enjoy dinosaur-themed carnival games and activities.
This ticket is worth £90 and valid for two adults and two children on one of the event train journeys - 28 May or 12 August, departures at 10am, 12pm & 2pm (subject to availability). Find out more about the event at www.midnorfolkrailway.co.uk/dinosquadexpress
How to enter: Simply send your name, address, contact telephone number, and preferred departure date/time to competitions@breckland.gov.uk or write to Railway Competition, Communications Team, Breckland Council, Walpole Loke, Dereham, NR19 1EE. Entries must be received by 17 April 2026. You must be over 18 and a Breckland resident to enter. Terms and conditions can be found at www.breckland.gov.uk/CompTerms
We know just how important it is that everybody has a safe place to call home. That’s why our Housing and Communities team work tirelessly to support some of the district’s most vulnerable residents.
We are committed to providing people with the support they need, however we are facing huge demand. Between July and December 2025, our Triage Team had 1,878 new enquiries for assistance.
The most common topics that prompted people to reach out to us were housing issues (784), homelessness (392), domestic abuse (156) and health (144).
For some of these households, the support they needed was to be provided with accommodation, but for others they simply needed advice, guidance and intervention on their behalf. For example, our team can work with landlords to help people stay in their existing property, if appropriate, and avoid being made homeless. That’s why it is important that people reach out to us as early as possible, if they are potentially facing a housing issue.
Over this period, we placed more than 100 households in temporary accommodation, including 34 families with children and 5 couples. A further 242 households were offered new social housing tenancies through the Housing Register.
At the end of December, 762 households were on our housing register. People can only join our housing register if they have a recognised housing need and a connection to the district, such as one of the below:
• Has lived in the district for the last 3 years
• Has lived in the district for 3 of the last 5 years
• Has a contract of permanent employment in Breckland
• Has a close family connection with someone living in the district and provides or receives essential care
We also accept other people onto the list in exceptional circumstances, such as those fleeing violence, and former members of the Armed Forces.
To find out more about housing support available, go to www.breckland.gov.uk/housing
Breckland Council’s network of CCTV cameras is helping to keep people safe, deter and detect crime, and prosecute criminals.
We maintain a system of more than 100 fixed cameras across the district, as well as using mobile cameras and bodycams.
Our 105 CCTV cameras provide coverage in each of Breckland’s five towns and are supported by a centralised control room. The footage is monitored and can be shared with the Police during live incidents, contribute to investigations, and provide evidence to help prosecute offenders.
The cameras are generally located within key areas of public activity, such as town centres and high streets, primary roads and car parks. However, we also have a number of mobile deployable cameras, which can be set up in rural and remote locations to address local issues, for example to gather evidence in fly-tipping hotspots.
A number of our officers, such as our Safer Streets wardens (page 15), also wear bodycams. In addition to wearing cameras, the wardens can speak directly to the CCTV control room to help coordinate a response to a local issue alongside our partners.
We also use images from our CCTV cameras and work closely with our communities to identify people who may be able to help us with investigations, for example when we’re looking into a fly-tipping incident.
You can find out more and support our latest investigations at: www.breckland.gov.uk/ environment/person-of-interest
People have been giving their views on which activities should be banned from the centre of Dereham in order to make it a safer and more welcoming space.
We recently concluded our public consultation about a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) for the heart of the town. A PSPO prohibits certain behaviours in a particular area. Our consultation invited local residents, businesses, and key organisations such as the Police and town council to tell us which behaviours and activities they thought should be limited in Dereham town centre.
Typical issues addressed by PSPOs elsewhere include restricting street drinking, begging, public urination, and other nuisance behaviour.
Thank you to everybody who took part in the statutory consultation. We’re now reviewing your feedback and will use it to shape a proposal to be discussed at an upcoming meeting. If implemented, the PSPO would be enforced by police officers and authorised council staff. The plan is part of a broader strategy to address concerns about anti-social behaviour in the area. We’ve also established a multi-agency task force to improve communication and cooperation among key partners, such as the NHS, police, mental health service providers, and local councils, to make sure we take a more coordinated approach to tackling issues in Dereham.
Breckland Council has set its proposedbudget for 2026/27. This budget allows us to continue to protect and deliver the essential services residents rely on week in, week out, as well as those services that we know make a real difference.
• For most people, district council tax will rise by less than £4.95 for the whole year
• Most households will pay less than £2.40 a week for all your district council services
• We only keep 5p of every £1 we collect from you
• Breckland continues to charge the lowest district council tax in the country
The wide range of services we provide include: weekly bin collections and street sweeping; carrying out inspections that help keep local pubs, restaurants
and taxis safe; housing and homelessness support; and the distribution of benefits. Take a look at the picture to see some of our key services.
We’ll continue to offer all of these core services, plus discretionary support, such as grants for community-based projects and joining up with our partners to offer mental health support, tackle loneliness, and help people through difficult times.
As a result of things like inflation and a reduction in real terms of Central Government support, we
need to increase district council tax for 2026/27 to help cover the rising cost of providing this broad range of services.
In total, Breckland will collect approximately £5.95m in district council tax. To put this in context, the new food waste collection service which has been mandated by the Government, along with our existing street sweeping, grounds maintenance and bin collection services, will cost us around £5.9m to provide.
However, for most people, district council tax will rise by less than
As a district council, it is our responsibility to collect all the Council Tax and business rates in our area. However, we only keep about 5p in every pound we collect.
The vast majority goes to Norfolk County Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Most people in Breckland will pay £124 or less for the whole year of district council tax, but your overall bill will be higher due to the charges raised by the other organisations.
Breckland Council has no debt and no borrowing.
£4.95 for the whole year. Even with this increase, most households will pay less than £124, which is the equivalent of less than £2.40 a week (or half the cost of a high street coffee) for all district council services.
To find out more about our services and how we can support you and your family, visit www.breckland.gov.uk
A state-of-the-art 3G football pitch is set to be built at Attleborough Leisure Centre later this year, further enhancing local sports, leisure and wellbeing facilities. This is in addition to the existing site’s £2.6m extension work, which is already well-underway, and will create a modern leisure hub in the heart of the town.
The 3G pitch will be built at the Queens Square site after Breckland Council was successful in securing a grant worth just under £1m from the Premier League, The FA and the Government via the Football Foundation. The £1.5m project is funded in part by the town council, Breckland Council and Sapientia Education Trust.
The site is connected to Attleborough Academy and to support this expansion of facilities a former sixth-form building will be converted into dedicated changing facilities for members of the public to use, improving accessibility and flexibility across the site. The project will also introduce new athletics, cricket and grass football pitches, creating a comprehensive leisure destination for all.
This exciting new development is separate to the previously-announced £2.6m extension of the
existing leisure centre. This will see an additional building constructed, housing a fully-equipped gym, dedicated spin studio and flexible community room. The existing sports hall, changing rooms and reception area are also being refreshed as part of the upgrade. When complete, the enhanced centre will offer extended access to the public, from early morning until late evening, seven days a week.
The expansion is being delivered in partnership by Breckland Council, Attleborough Academy, Sapientia Education Trust, Attleborough Town Council and Norfolk County Council. We expect construction work to be complete around the end of the summer
Scan the QR code above to watch our computergenerated virtual tour of the site for a sneak peek of how it will look when work is complete.
An award-winning artist will soon perform in Swaffham as part of our ongoing partnership with the Norfolk and Norwich Festival.
Internationally-renowned Victoria Melody’s performances are rooted in playful, human-centred storytelling and combine meticulous local research with on-the-ground community engagement to create shows that are accessible, witty, and deeply moving. She will be performing in Swaffham from 22-24 May.
Victoria will perform as part of our ‘Swaffham – A Historic Market Town programme, which we launched in 2024 to build upon the previous High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) activity. The programme continues our focus on restoring historic buildings, supporting the town’s businesses, and delivering creative opportunities for locals of all ages.
Earlier this year, Victoria led workshops at Heartwood Primary School and performed at The Barn. She then completed a week-long residency at The Nicholas Hammond School, working with pupils to explore creativity, confidence, and aspiration, to help them express their dreams and shape ideas around Swaffham’s future.
With the help of our partners at Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, Norfolk & Norwich Festival, and Swaffham Town Council, we’ve facilitated further investment into Swaffham and developed a model of collaboration-led heritage regeneration which we hope will inspire similar activity in other towns. Find out more about Victoria’s performance and other festival activity at nnfestival.org.uk
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Initial work is getting underway, which will help realise our vision of creating a brand new, multi-million-pound learning campus in Thetford.
Breckland Council is working in partnership with West Suffolk College – part of Eastern Education Group – to develop the high-quality education, training, and community campus, which will help tackle challenges facing many young people and adults in the area.
To progress this, we’re appointing contractors to carry out initial survey and design work, which will bring the town’s proposed campus one step closer. This initial work was funded by Thetford Pride in Place, Eastern Education and Breckland Council.
When in place, the campus will provide people with an opportunity to access valuable education and skills without the need to travel long distances. It represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the futures of our town's residents and create a facility that not only raises aspirations and supports the local economy but also leaves a legacy for decades to come.
Breckland and Eastern Education will continue to work with the Thetford Pride in Place Board to hopefully secure further funding to deliver the scheme at pace.
Nine projects spread across Breckland’s towns are sharing more than £20,000 to help fund new initiatives that create opportunities for local residents and attract more visitors to the district.
From March, one of the schemes will see visitors to Thetford encouraged to collect stamps from 29 venues across four categories to win prizes. The project aims to incentivise the exploration of independent shops, cafes, heritage sites and community hubs.
Over the summer, Swaffham will host a series of monthly night markets featuring live music, street performances and family-friendly entertainment alongside stalls selling food, drink and artisan goods, boosting its identity as a vibrant cultural destination. Meanwhile, Watton will see two large fiberglass hares installed to greet people at the entrances to its high street and 10 smaller wooden ones located in shops and venues around the town for people to find. A Spring Fayre will bring the initiative to a close at the end of May.
The schemes have received support from the Love Your Market Town initiative, which is jointly delivered by Norfolk County Council and Breckland Council. The county council contributed £12k to the grants pot while Breckland's £10k contributions were funded through the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The projects in Breckland supported through the initiative include:
• Swaffham Twilight Market
• Swaffham Heritage Walk
• Watton Hare Trail
• Watton Antiques and Collectors Market
• Attleborough Businesses Guide
• Dereham Market and High Streets Improvements
• Thetford Discovery Passport
• Thetford Thomas Paine Treasure Hunt
• Thetford Daffodil Trail
Breckland Council will soon be offering all households in the district a new food waste collection service.
The Government is mandating all councils to provide this service from this year, which is intended to cut the country’s food waste. We already offer a food waste collection service to local businesses.
The new domestic service is expected to be rolled out in phases from around autumn, so please look out for more information over the coming months about when your collections will start. This will see most households given a dedicated food waste caddy, which we’ll be required to collect weekly.
The food waste will be taken to a food recycling plant where it will be broken down to generate energy and other useful by-products. Find out more at www.breckland.gov.uk/food-waste
Young people in Breckland are being given a new opportunity to re-engage with learning, build confidence, gain practical skills, and imagine brighter futures thanks to a new initiative in the district.
Open Road Norfolk offers young people aged 14-19 nationally recognised vocational qualifications in motor mechanics and construction as well as providing life-skills. We’ve awarded them £60,000 over three years to enable them to secure their site in Thetford, plus a further £5,000 for tools and equipment. This, in addition to a number of other funders, has helped them set up the scheme in Thetford, building on their ongoing success in King’s Lynn.
The first students have recently been getting stuck into their motor mechanics training. They will also be enjoying enrichment days covering digital literacy, CV writing, interview techniques, resilience, health and wellbeing, as well as sessions on motorsport, engineering and robotics led by local business people.
“There are good skills I’m picking up that will help me in life.”
The project is particularly focused on helping people who need an alternative to mainstream education, such as those facing mental health challenges or with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and serves as a fantastic bridge to apprenticeships, further education, or employment.
At Breckland, we believe every young person deserves the chance to succeed, and working in partnership and supporting Open Road is a powerful example of how innovative education, community partnership, and real-world training can transform lives.
To find out more about whether Open Road might be right for a young person you know, visit www.openroadtraining.co.uk If you would like to volunteer your support as an individual or local business, please email billie@openroadtraining.co.uk
Breckland Council has released grants totalling almost £30,000 to support local shops to repair and redecorate their frontages. This is helping to enhance the look and feel of our town centres, while preserving local heritage and character, and supporting businesses to thrive.
Our Shopfront Redecoration Grants Scheme, funded through Central Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), is part of our commitment to regenerating market towns and complements our recently-approved District-Wide Shop Front Design Guide.
The grants are match-funded by business owners and support small-scale improvements, including repainting, masonry repairs, and signage restoration. The grants are helping to make our high streets more attractive, boost pride in our towns, and encourage visitors.
Funding has recently been allocated to: • Tall Orders • Hair Hut • Cock Inn
• Marcus Sibley Carpets • Bakes by Jaz • Orion Cinema – all in Dereham
• Tapping House Charity Shop – Swaffham
For more information about how we can support your business to thrive, go to: www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth
A local business has really taken root on the high street thanks to a grant from Breckland Council. GROW, a plant shop in Thetford, sells a wide range of houseplants, as well as pots, accessories, and plantthemed gifts. Jen, the owner, prides herself on the shop’s down-to-earth approach to plant care and has created an inviting space for people to shop, connect, and even attend workshops to build their confidence. We launched our Reopen Scheme – formerly known as Meanwhile – to help start-up businesses overcome some of the biggest financial barriers to launching a business on the high street. This gives local entrepreneurs a boost, breathes new life into vacant commercial spaces, and revitalises high streets across the district.
"The grant gave me the chance to take a leap”
Jen, Owner GROW, Thetford
In Jen’s case, her grant helped secure retail space, cover initial rent, buy her first stock, and to design the shop exactly as she envisioned it.
Jen says: “The grant was absolutely vital to getting GROW off the ground. Without it, opening simply wouldn’t have been possible. I had very little in the way of savings or self-funding, so the grant gave me the chance to take a leap I otherwise couldn’t have taken.”
Since the scheme opened in 2022, Breckland Council has awarded over £40,000 to help local businesses off the ground, which has helped to fill over 140 sqm empty commercial space and created nine jobs, plus volunteer roles. To find out if your business may be eligible for grant support,
visit www.breckland.gov.uk/business-growth/grant-information
Comments received from local people are helping to refine a plan for Breckland’s future. We’d like to thank everybody who took part in our ‘Regulation 18’ consultation towards the end of last year, which saw hundreds of people sharing their views on our proposed Local Plan.
The Local Plan is a document mandated by Government which sets out how Breckland should grow over the next couple of decades, including identifying sites for new homes, employment hubs, and leisure spaces. The comments we received in the recent consultation are now available to view online, so you can see what issues have been raised by members of our communities and the challenges we are trying to overcome to make sure this plan works for you and your neighbours. That feedback, along with input from expert bodies such as infrastructure providers, is helping us to revise our proposed plan.
The final draft is due to be shared in a further round of public consultation this summer. That upcoming ‘Regulation 19’ consultation is part of the statutory process and will focus on checking the plan is ‘sound’, meaning it is positive, justified, effective, and consistent with national policies.
Once adopted, the Local Plan will help us meet the Government’s mandated requirement to enable 920 new houses to be built in Breckland every year. But this is about more than just guiding housing growth and planning applications – it will ensure our plan reflects local priorities, including affordable homes, jobs, green spaces, and transport.
You can find out more and sign up to receive alerts via our consultation platform: Breckland.govocal.com or email planning.policyteam@breckland.gov.uk to ask a member of our team to add you to our mailing list.
We recently organised our inaugural Big Breckland Breakfast, bringing together farmers and other members of the agricultural community.
The event, held at Algy’s Farm Café, in Bintree, provided an opportunity for farmers, their families, and other agricultural professionals to discuss the unique pressures and challenges they face. This includes financial uncertainty as well as an increased risk of loneliness and isolation due to working for long periods alone.
It helped build relationships, create a stronger support network for attendees, and provided a chance to speak with organisations such as YANA (You Are Not Alone), Farming Community Network, Public Health, Community Action Norfolk and representatives from the district and county councils.
This event was part of our Inspiring Communities commitment to promoting supportive and connected communities and was funded through our Mindful Towns and Villages mental health programme. As part of our work to tackle isolation and support positive mental health in the district, we offer a range of support and advice alongside our partners. Visit www.breckland.gov.uk/community to find out more or email community@breckland.gov.uk
Breckland’s Safer Streets Wardens have become an established part of the community over the last two years. They are a high-visibility, friendly presence out and about in Breckland helping to tackle the everyday issues that can make town centres feel less welcome. They are not police officers but do support local policing arrangements to support the prevention of crime. Just as importantly, they also reduce the fear of crime, so Breckland continues to feel safe and welcoming to all.
The wardens are currently funded by Breckland Council, with contributions from Norfolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner and Thetford Town Council. They were initially established in Thetford, but more recently have extended their patrols to our other towns, so you may have seen them chatting with residents and engaging with businesses in Dereham, Swaffham, Attleborough and Watton.
The Safer Streets wardens have a particular focus on deterring and
tackling anti-social behaviour and environmental crime (such as flytipping, graffiti, and littering) and breaches of local Public Spaces Protection Orders. They can issue formal warnings or fines, but a friendly chat normally does the trick and their presence can also deter crimes such as shoplifting from occurring. By working alongside Breckland Council’s CCTV operations, they can also help share accurate on-the-ground intelligence with police and our partners.
The feedback we’ve received shows they are building strong trust within the community and helping people feel confident using public spaces. So, if you see one of our friendly wardens on your local high street, make sure you say hello and stop for a chat!
In the last six months, our Safer Streets wardens have:
400+ hours of highvisibility patrols
600+ engagements with local people
100+ formal warnings issued for litter, fly-tipping and PSPO breaches
2 premises licence reviews triggered
100+ alcoholic drinks confiscated, preventing public disorder and underage use
A repeat shoplifter intercepted by a warden voluntarily returned the stolen goods following a calm and respectful conversation. Instead of pursuing escalation and punishment, the person was offered support to help address the root cause of the thefts – food poverty. They were referred to a local food bank and helped to access other support services.
A local resident confided in a warden about their fears concerning a violent ex-partner, who was staying nearby. They were too afraid to contact the police directly but sought help from a trusted warden.
Our warden facilitated contact with her landlord to arrange for reassuring and protective measures to be put in place, including new locks and additional door security. The case was also referred to the police, resulting in the suspect’s arrest.
A recent survey in Thetford found:
• 87% of people in the town centre see the wardens at least once a week
• 94% of residents agree they feel safer since the introduction of the Wardens
• 86% of businesses say their staff feel safer at work
• 56% of businesses have seen a reduction in a crime
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
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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. If you need this magazine in large print, or in an alternative version, or you know someone who has not received their copy, please get in touch by calling 01362 656870 or via www.breckland.gov.uk/contactus
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Breckland Council