West Norfolk Council's budget plans backed by cabinet

Members of West Norfolk Council’s cabinet heard of the authority’s budget and financial plans at their meeting on Tuesday.

Councillors were told of changes for the newest version financial plan, including the reintroduction of a three-hour car parking charge.

Tina Stankley, interim financial services manager, told the meeting: “For several years, people could get three hours parking for the price of two, but we are now reintroducing a three-hour parking charge alongside a two-hour parking charge, but other than that, there is no increase to car parking.”

Councillor Terry Parish, who represents Heacham, said he felt the reintroduction of a three-hour charge in Heacham should be reconsidered.

He said: “For King’s Lynn, it doesn’t make much of a difference, from £2.80 to £3.50, but in Heacham it’s from £4 to £5.”

Mr Parish added: “Heacham is being treated as the same as the Hunstanton resort, but there are not the same facilities or excitement as in Hunstanton, provision is non-existent.”

Council leader Brian Long asked Paul Kunes, cabinet member for commercial services, to look into the situation in Heacham.

Ms Stankley also spoke of the increase to council tax of £5 per year, including 50p for special expenses, per Band D dwelling to cover the borough expenditure.

Mr Long said: “If you exclude what we pay to the internal drainage boards, we are by far the lowest council tax in the country.”

The cabinet also discussed the capital programme and resources 2019-2024, which includes £1.3m on the Re:Fit Project, which a report says will achieve savings that are guaranteed to payback over about 10 years and could lead to the council’s CO2 emissions being reduced by 155 tonnes per year.

Members of the cabinet voted to approve the budget recommendations.