West Norfolk Council launches new residents’ survey

A major residents’ survey has been launched to find out more about what matters to local people, to help inform future spending decisions.

The West Norfolk Council survey asks people how important they think different types of services are, what they think about council tax and fee levels, and it invites residents to give their own ideas for making savings or increasing income.

West Norfolk has one of the lowest council tax levels in the country. However, due to rising costs and other budget pressures, continuing to increase council tax by the maximum allowed will not be enough on its own to keep all services at the same level in future, the council has said.

As well as reviewing its spending plans, opportunities to increase income and ways of working to ensure services run efficiently, the council is also lobbying the government for a fairer way to fund the Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs).

In West Norfolk, more than 40 per cent of the borough’s council tax income must be used to fund the work of local IDBs, while areas without IDBs are unaffected.

Council leader Alistair Beales, said: “We have a plan to support the borough as a place where people and businesses can thrive.

“We are committed to that exciting vision for our communities, and lots of good work is already well underway.

“At the same time, like councils across the country, we have a lot of pressure on our budgets due to rising costs of running services and other factors, plus the extra local pressure of the Internal Drainage Board special levy.

“In future, we won’t necessarily be able to do everything we do now, or in the same way – so we will need to make choices around where best to spend and invest in our borough to help us deliver our vision for West Norfolk.

“This will include looking at how we might do things differently, keep our costs down and increase income.

“It’s important to us that any decisions we make take into account what is important to our residents so I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of this area to fill in our short survey.”

As a thank you for taking part, there are two prizes up for grabs.

One winner will be able to choose from a three-month Alive membership, family panto ticket for four at the Corn Exchange or two comedy night tickets at the Corn Exchange.

One runner-up will be able to choose from a family cinema trip for four at the Corn Exchange, family swimming or a seven-day Alive pass for two.

The survey, which closes on December 1, can be completed at: https://www.letstalkwestnorfolk.co.uk/

Those who don’t have online access can use the public-access computers available at the council’s King’s Court reception in King’s Lynn and local libraries.

Paper copies are also available on request – call 01553 616200 or visit the King’s Court reception.