NEWS
​A joint press release by Breckland Council, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, Norwich City Council:
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Communities are being invited to share their priorities to help shape a strong, shared vision for the future of local government in Norfolk – one that puts local people, place and progress right at the heart of how council services are run.
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Currently, services are split between the county council and seven borough, city and district councils. The Government wants to replace all eight with a reduced number of ‘unitary councils’, which would deliver all services, and has asked the existing authorities to make proposals for what future services could look like.
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Breckland Council, Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, Broadland District Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, North Norfolk District Council, and Norwich City Council are working together and agree that having three unitary councils would best serve the people of Norfolk (as opposed to having one or two).
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Over the summer, we are speaking with as many people as possible across Norfolk – residents, businesses, community groups and others – to champion our shared vision and invite everyone to complete our Future Norfolk survey to share their priorities and help shape a final submission to the Government this autumn.
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Our joint proposal to have three unitary councils for Norfolk is based on the findings of an independent report – The Strength of Three – and our collective knowledge of our communities. The strength of having three unitary councils is they are about you:
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People: Local decisions by local leaders who understand your community. Three councils will strengthen local democracy, increase transparency, and make decision-making close to home
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Place: Services shaped by the strengths and needs of each area. Three councils will celebrate the unique identity, strengths, challenges, and heritage of different areas
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Progress: A future-ready Norfolk that works for everyone. Three councils will build a resilient, sustainable future for Norfolk that can adapt to changing needs.
In a joint statement, the Council Leaders of the six districts (below) said: “Having three unitary councils serving Norfolk is best for local democracy. People would be represented by councillors who live closer to their homes, understand their community and what matters to local people. It will ensure communities have their say and provide more strong, local voices to champion Norfolk at regional and national levels.
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“We know Norfolk isn't the same everywhere, what works well in one place might not work in another, each area has strengths and needs, so three unitary councils can support each other while still enabling services to focus on what matters most to people in each area.
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“At the same time, three councils will still be big enough to work well in delivering people’s priorities across all council services, making the most of opportunities for Norfolk to thrive, but agile enough to stay flexible to other national changes while maintaining our local focus.
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“Any changes by Government to local councils could affect your services and who helps make decisions for your area – that's why we want you and everyone in your community to complete our Future Norfolk survey and tell us about your priorities to help inform our submission to the Government.”
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You can find out more about the survey and take part until 1 August 2025 at www.futurenorfolk.com. If you don’t have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at local libraries.
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Paper copies of the survey are also available upon request by calling one of the six councils (below). And look out for our Future Norfolk stands out and about in towns across Norfolk over the coming months.
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A joint statement from:
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Breckland District Council: Leader: Councillor Sam Chapman-Allen
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Broadland District Council: Leader: Councillor Sue Holland
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Great Yarmouth Borough Council: Leader: Councillor Carl Smith
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King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council: Leader: Councillor Alistair Beales
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North Norfolk District Council: Leader: Councillor Tim Adams
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Norwich City Council: Leader: Councillor Mike Stonard
Roadside Nature Reserve
Since the mid-1990s, Norfolk County Council (NCC) has identified 300 Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs) to be managed for the benefit of wildlife and to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations. This equals to 100 kilometres of species rich verge, covering approximately the area of 57 football pitches.
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We are delighted to inform you that a new highway verge in your parish has been identified and a high-quality candidate for an RNR.
RNR 240 Rawhall Lane
Work will commence in Spring 2025 to install posts at these sites to better inform the public and contracted cutters on the location of these special verges. Once posts have been installed, these candidate sites will be given the more formal title of Roadside Nature Reserve.
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Why are we managing roadside verges?
Roadside verges in Norfolk are ancient remnants of semi-natural grasslands that have largely vanished due to changing land management practices. In the past, they were managed by cutting hay, grazing animals, or using scythes, which helped lots of plants grow. Today, they’re important for wildlife, acting as pathways for animals and insects and as hunting spots for birds and bats.
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How will we manage them?
Unlike conventional highways verge management, the management of RNRs follow specific management plans for the best conservation. In the autumn, specialist contractors will cut the verges using strimming and raking techniques to remove the cuttings. This process mimics traditional management methods that originally created these wildlife-rich verges, helping to preserve them for future generations.
Be safe and responsible when visiting roadside verges.
Visiting roadside verges can be a rewarding experience. When you visit a roadside verge, you are responsible for your own safety and the safety of others, including road users. You should also respect the environment and the wildlife that live there.
Here are some considerations to enable you to plan and have a safe and enjoyable visit:
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Plan your visit ahead. Check the weather and visibility for drivers, the condition of the verge and identify peak traffic periods to avoid. Ensure the verge location, condition and terrain is suitable for your ability and those you visit with. Avoid verges that are too narrow, uneven, steep or wet.
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Wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Wear bright colours or reflective clothing to make yourself visible to drivers. Wear sturdy footwear with a good grip that can protect your feet from sharp objects and minimise the risk of slipping and falling.
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Follow the rules of the road. Always walk on the side of the road facing the traffic. Stay as far away from the road as possible. Cross the road only when it is safe to do so. Do not park your car in a way that creates an obstruction or hazard for other road users and pedestrians.
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Remain vigilant at all times during your visit and do not be distracted by earphones or your mobile phone.
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Respect the verge and the wildlife. Do not pick, cut, dig, or damage any plants or flowers. Do not disturb or harm any plants, animals or insects. Do not litter.
Further information
For more information about the RNR project please visit our website.
The Environment Service is not responsible for managing the wider roadside verge network. General verge cutting queries should be submitted to the Highways Services at Norfolk County Council via our online contact form.
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Norfolk Green Spaces Team
Environment Team, Community and Environmental Services
County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich
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​Financial Support this Winter
Useful links providing information on how Parishioners might be able to obtain additional financial support this Winter. For help to complete the application please contact District Councillor Roger Atterwill on telephone number 07841 488860 or email Roger.Atterwill@breckland.gov.uk
https://www.breckland.gov.uk/community/financial-support
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/benefits-entitlements/pension-credit/
https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit
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Flooding in your Area?
Report it on 0344 800 8013 this is the Norfolk Flooding Hotline.
If people or property are in immediate danger from floodwater call 999 immediately.
For top tips on dealing with weather related emergencies visit www.breckland.gov.uk/emergency-planning
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Beetley United Football Club
Originally a group of 7 lads that played 6 a side in Dereham for the last 5 years and decided to take the leap into Sunday league football.
The aim is to get everyone playing and enjoying football in a fun and family friendly atmosphere. They hope to get lots of support down at the pitch ( High House Road Beetley ) on Sundays to hopefully engage and involve the village in everything they do. After all, it is the Beetley football team!
The attachments show the blue kit which is the home kit and the white kit is away, the emblem on the shirts and the Fixtures list is also attached.
The Energy Company Obligation ECO Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme requires large energy suppliers to deliver energy efficiency improvements to domestic households. This scheme is now entering its fourth iteration - ECO4. It is a Government scheme aimed at improving the least efficient homes in Great Britain through funding energy-saving measures including insulation and heating for low-income and vulnerable households on a fabric first approach meaning that insulation will need to be installed before considering the installation of renewable heating.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) requires large energy companies to help improve the energy efficiency of domestic homes through reducing the cost of improvement works.
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To find out if you are eligible click here
Speed Watch Volunteers Needed
The Parish continues to suffer from drivers speeding through the Villages. Beetley Parish Council supports the Beetley Speed watch team but it requires more volunteers.
If you would like to assist please contact George Hayes on ghayes2098@aol.com
Beetley Parish Council vacancies
There are 1 vacancy on the Parish Council if you are interested in becoming a Beetley Parish Councillor please contact the Clerk, Angela Leigh on pcbeetley@gmail.com or telephone 01362 861112 for a chat she will be happy to answer any questions you may have. With little time spent you can make a real difference to Beetley, Old Beetley and East Bilney.
RECYCLING.
Bottle Bank.
Please recycle your bottles at the Bottle Bank at the rear of the New Inn Restaurant .The Parish Council receives the recycling money which goes towards the up keep of the 3 Villages within Beetley Parish.
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Textile Bank.
This is at the Beetley Village Hall High House Road Beetley. The Village Hall Management Committee receives the recycling money which assists in the maintenance of the Village Hall.