Published: Monday, 21st October 2024
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk is today launching a major resident survey to find out more about what matters to local people, to help inform future spending decisions.
The survey can be completed at letstalkwestnorfolk.co.uk and asks people how important they think different types of services are, what they think about council tax and fee levels, and 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.
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% of the borough’s council tax income must be used to fund the work of local IDBs, while areas without IDBs are unaffected.
Leader of the council, 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, the council is offering two prizes, with winners able to choose their preferred option.
One winner will be able to choose from a 3-month Alive membership, family panto ticket for 4 at the Corn Exchange or 2 comedy night tickets at the Corn Exchange. One runner-up will be able to choose from a family cinema trip for 4 at the Corn Exchange, family swimming or a 7-day Alive pass for 2.
Full details, and terms and conditions for the draw, are on the survey website.
Take part in the survey until 1 December at letstalkwestnorfolk.co.uk. If you don’t have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at King’s Court reception and many local libraries. Paper copies, translations, large print and easy-read versions are available on request – call 01553 616200 or visit King’s Court reception.