Liberal Democrats have been in control of North Norfolk District Council since the end of 2018. Despite Covid, by listening to the people of North Norfolk coupled with careful management of Council finances we have been able to bring many improvements to services and facilities across the District.
Investment in public toilets
While many local authorities are closing public toilets we are investing in the refurbishment and improvement of toilets across the district..
Public toilets have so far been refurbished in Sheringham, Cromer and North Walsham(New Rd) while a complete rebuild of toilets in Wells, Fakenham and North Walsham (Vicarage St) is either undeway or will begin in early 2023. Wherever possible new-build facilities will include changing places, accessible, family and gender neutral facilities as well as the usual male and fremale facilities. An eco-friendly toilet has been provided at Weybourne Beach.
Investment in our towns
A successful bid for Heritage Action Zone funding has enabled considerable improvements to be made to the town centre of North Walsham.
The North Walsham Heritage Action Zone has seen work to re-model Shambles Slope (Church Approach) with terracing, gardesn and outdoor space for adjacen hopitality businesses. Works are onoging to re-model the Market Place to make it more pedestrian friendly and to restrict rat running by through traffic while the historic Cedar House is being fully refurbished for office use. Businesses have been able to benefit from building improvement grants whnich have ikmproved shopfronts and enabled upper floors to be refurbished as flats so providing much needed additional housing.
Recent bids for government levelling up funding (outcome still awaited) focus on improvements to sport and recreation facilities in Fakenham and public realm improvements in Cromer.
Tackling the housing problem
Housing is a top priority for the NNDC Liberal Democrat administration's Corporate Plan.
A recent Rural Housing Alliance survey found that North Norfolk was among the top five English councils for the number of affordable homes built in rural districts for 2018-2021. While a great success thre is still a long way to go with over 200 people on the waiting list for social housing at a time when properties are being lost to second homes and holiday lets. More rural exception sites are urgently needed if there are to be affordable homes in our villages and the Council wants to hear from: Parish and town councils who can support an exception housing scheme in their village or town; communities eager to support or help the development of new homes for local people; and landowners who want to make land available for such schemes.
The Council has also purchased several houses across the District for temporary homeless accommodation. Not only does this save money on expensive bed and breakfast accommodation but provides a much better environment for residents while providing the Council with a valuable asset.
Economic Development
Liberal Democrat policies have supported the economic growthacress the District.
From the purchase of industrial units (all fully occupied), to supporting the re-use of former sites and working with tech industries seeking to grow in the area we have succeeded in bringing new business, including national chains to the area. New jobs and new opportunities that benefit everyone.