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NORWICH SUMMER 2021 www.norwich.gov.uk 12 17 20 #NorfolkElections21 Results Who got your vote at Ensuring everyone Making your the local elections has a good home communities feel safer
Contacting
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ADVERTISEMENT Font:Font:
Humanist
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CITIZEN SUMMER 2021
CONTENTS
“ Rarely has the
03 Message from the chief executive essential role that
local government
04 News in brief
plays been quite so
05 Norwich Market bounces obvious and important
back to life
as it has been over
06 Budgeting for the future the past year.”
07 Don’t be left out of recycling right
– check out our new campaign
08 Grab your kit and get fit for Message from the chief executive,
summer!
Stephen Evans
10 How our Covid support officers
A
are helping to protect Norwich
s the election of city due to Covid restrictions – half
11 Building new homes and county councillors of what it would normally be.
and better futures
for Sewell ward in
12 Local elections results round-up Norwich had to be postponed So it was long and arduous for
until 17 June, rules governing many, but it was also a great
15 How to get so many of your the pre-election period means source of pride for me to be
council services online
I’m stepping in for our leader, part of a truly council-wide
16 Tackling a rogue landlord Councillor Alan Waters, on effort to successfully deliver
Providing homes for prison leavers
this occasion. all three elections.
19 Bringing our services back Keeping on the elections theme, Council officers will continue to
under our wing the city council had a huge task work collaboratively and positively
Getting the best energy on its hands in May when it with elected councillors to carry on
deals money can buy organised and staged the counts with important council business –
20 Getting to the roots for three elections this year – rarely has the essential role that
of your community our own city council elections local government plays been quite
Making your communities
across 12 wards, the same areas so obvious and important as it
feel safer for the county council elections has been over the past year. That
and also the Norwich area important work will continue at
21 Introducing our new for the Police and Crime pace as we proudly continue to
Lord Mayor and Sheriff
Commissioner election. serve our residents, businesses
23 Working together to tackle and the city as a whole.
domestic abuse To give you an idea of the scale
Closure of Norwich’s Tourist of it here are some interesting Elections aside, this summer
Information Centre stats – there were a total of 98 issue is full of updates and all
candidates running across the kinds of helpful information
three elections, 101,739 people on many of our other council
were eligible to vote in Norwich, a services. So please read on –
mammoth 559 different positions I hope you enjoy it and find
had to be worked and coordinated it useful.
across the elections and only 42
people could be vote counters Have a good summer.
@NorwichCC Norwich City Council Norwich City Council
NEWS
in brie
f
Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary:
A Day of Welcome 2021
To mark Refugee Week (14 – 18 June),
Norfolk Schools of Sanctuary are holding
their annual ‘Day of Welcome’ on Friday
11 June. Schools and families will come
together to send a clear message that for
those in need of sanctuary, our communities
are welcoming places. They hope to build
an understanding of the experiences and
contributions of refugees and asylum seekers.
Find out more and get involved at
norfolksos.co.uk
EU citizens living in Norwich
Are you an EU citizen living in Norwich?
Or do you know someone who is? Protecting the city’s
We want all EU nationals living in the city quality of life
to protect their rights by applying to the
EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June – Two Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs)
even if you’ve been here for a long time. for alcohol control and dog fouling have been
renewed and are now in place in Norwich.
More information is available on our website
These orders were agreed by cabinet in April
norwich.gov.uk/brexit or to apply, visit
and are in place so residents, businesses and
www.gov.uk/EuSettlementScheme
visitors can use and enjoy Norwich’s public
spaces and be safe from antisocial behaviour.
Help with applications is available through
Norfolk Citizens Advice or the Norfolk For more information visit
Community Law Service. www.norwich.gov.uk/PSPO
04 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021
Getting social
e N o r w i c h M a r k e t Did you know that Norwich
#Lov Market is on Facebook and
Instagram? The accounts
are looked after by Josh
N
of Elementary Creative,
orwich loves its market place to go if you need your whose family owns and
– a hub of unique, quirky clothes adjusted, your gadgets runs Barry’s of Norwich on
and quality goods and fixed or your shoes repaired. the market. He also created
services in the very heart of the the market’s own website
city. Is there anything Norwich A lot of the small independent www.norwichmarket.net
Market doesn’t have? businesses on the market have
been hit hard by Covid Why not give the accounts a
From mouth-watering restrictions, like many others. follow – as well as the very
contemporary street food many individual businesses
and tasty treats, to well-loved A few were able to stay open who have their own too?
classics, fine beers, wines, throughout – working hard Don’t forget to tag them in
cheeses, teas, coffees, spices and to keep the city stocked with your own posts and use the
other gourmet produce, Norwich essentials, come rain, shine hashtags #NorwichMarket
Market is the place to be! and snow; while some had and #LoveNorwichMarket
Outside of tasty treats, you need to close and wait patiently
look no further for new, pre- to resume trading. Others As restrictions continue to
loved and vintage clothes and were able to offer click and ease and the city opens up
accessories, DIY, household and collect and delivery services. more and more, there are lots
craft supplies, flowers and plants, of activities, events and offers
jewellery, groceries and gifts. To all traders and customers, the traders will be taking part
we want to say a massive in and often social media is the
You can even get your hair cut, thank you! You’re amazing best way to keep up-to-date
or eyebrows shaped. It’s also the and we’re so glad to have – as well as through trusty
you back where you belong! word-of-mouth, of course.
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 05
The council’s finances
T
here’s no doubt, councils External funding Savings – this year
up and down the country A successful bid to central and beyond
face a challenge when it government means we also Our budget also includes
comes to finances, and the cost have £25m of Towns Deal cost savings and income
of the Covid-19 pandemic has funding to go towards investment generation of £2m.
had a considerable impact. in skills and infrastructure.
Included in this work will Despite the need to deliver
In spite of this, Norwich City be the creation of a digital savings, we have worked hard to
Council has set a budget for hub, a digi-tech factory and a protect frontline services again
this financial year (2021-22), construction and engineering and avoid the need for service cuts.
which includes £70m of capital centre, to be delivered by City
investment in homes, skills and College Norwich. We will also However, the pressure on our
vital city infrastructure. be refurbishing The Halls and finances will continue over the
investing in the public realm coming years, with a further £11.8m
Following a public consultation, as part of the Towns Fund needing to be saved by 2025-26, due
which saw 2,605 people take investment over the next to the amount of funding provided
part, the budget was approved two years. to local councils being inadequate
in February of this year. We’d
to keep pace with the demand for
like to thank each and every We’ve also received £1.5m local services. We will continue
person who took the time to of grants for environmental our practice of prudent financial
respond and give their views measures, including rolling management, bidding for external
on our approach to council out electric vehicle charging funding and lobbying government
tax levels, savings, efficiencies points and making council to provide a fairer funding deal
and ways to generate homes more energy efficient. for all local authorities.
additional income.
City council capital
investment Debt advice
When we talk about capital If you’re struggling to pay There is also free specialist
investment, we mean money council tax, rent or any other independent advice from a
spent on new facilities or assets. money you owe us, let us number of agencies in the city.
This is opposed to revenue know as soon as possible
spending, which is the cost and we may be able to help, For more details visit
to run or maintain services or including offering budgeting www.norwich.gov.uk/
equipment. For this financial support and payment plans. DebtAdvice
year – the period 1 April 2021 You can call us on 0344 980 3333.
to 31 March 2022 – we have
earmarked £54.6m to spend on
things like improving existing
council homes, redeveloping
sites and providing new social
housing, and investing in our
parks’ facilities.
06 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021
Your guide to
recycling right at home
A
cross the city, households So, what can you recycle? It is important that you Recycle
are recycling nearly 40 ✔ Paper, including newspapers, Right, so please make sure the
per cent of the waste white and coloured paper, following are NOT placed in
they produce. This is a fantastic greeting cards (without glitter, your blue bin (if in doubt
effort, but we’d love to see even bows or 3D elements), junk about whether something is
more of the right materials mail, envelopes, directories recyclable or not, leave it out).
going into your blue bin. and wrapping paper (without ✘ Nappies – the cardboard box
glitter or tape) your disposable nappies come
The Norfolk Waste Partnership, in is recyclable, but in Norfolk,
which Norwich is a member ✔ Cardboard such as cereal and
the nappies are not
of, has launched its ‘Recycle egg boxes, tubes (not Pringles
tubes), packaging and carrier ✘ Tissues and used kitchen wipes
Right’ campaign to help
people boost recycling rates trays and corrugated cardboard ✘ Soft plastics including crisp
and reduce contamination. ✔ Food and drink cartons packets, sweet wrappers,
toothpaste tubes, carrier bags,
✔ Aluminium and steel tins, food wrapping, cling film,
It asks residents to follow cans and aerosols
these simple rules when shrink wrap, bubble wrap and
recycling at home: ✔ Aluminium foil and trays baby and pet food pouches
including ones used for ✘ Hard plastics – toys or broken
• Clean – make sure containers takeaway food garden furniture, plant pots
are empty and rinsed ✔ Glass bottles and jar-shaped and polystyrene
food and drink containers ✘ Sharps items
•D
ry – after rinsing, shake
off excess water, as liquids ✔ Plastic bottles such as ✘ Glass cookware and
can make other things in those that contain drink and ovenware, drinking glasses
your blue bin soggy and food, hygiene and beauty or ceramics
not fit for recycling products (including roller ball ✘ Cutlery, crockery, pots and pans
deodorants), cleaning products,
•D
on’t bag it – all your cooking oil and medication
recycling needs to go loose ✔ Plastic food tubs, pots and trays
into your blue bin. Please
don’t put it in carrier bags,
bin bags or boxes, as they
won’t be opened at the
recycling centre and will end
up with the general waste
For full details on what For more information
• L eave metal lids on about what you can
happens to your recycling, why
glass jars and bottles recycle in Norwich, visit
some items are not recyclable
•D
on’t forget to recycle items and why it is important www.norwich.gov.uk/
from all rooms in your house to ‘Recycle Right’ visit recycling
(eg shampoo bottles from www.norfolkrecycles.com
the bathroom)
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 07
Keeping active
Over the last year or so, many people found keeping active a bit more of a challenge than usual.
For some, however, while there were stay at home orders in place, going on a daily walk became
a cherished routine. Social media was awash with comments from people who said they were
discovering or re-discovering their local open spaces, parks, or natural areas including meandering
on Mousehold Heath or Marston Marshes, wandering around Waterloo or Wensum parks or even
sauntering in Earlham and Rosary cemeteries. Now, as many restrictions have been lifted and
further easing is planned in late June, as outlined in the government’s roadmap, we wanted to
feature some of our facilities that might help anyone who’s wanting to get fitter or just keep
moving. There are too many to list them all, so here are just some of the highlights.
Tennis Riverside Norman Centre
There are 11 hard courts across Leisure Centre On Bignold Road in the heart of
Eaton, Harford and Waterloo Based at Wherry Road, this Mile Cross, the Norman Centre is
parks. Managed by Norwich centre, with its fantastic gym far from your usual leisure centre.
Parks Tennis, annual household and swimming pools, is managed With a real focus on community,
membership is just £35, giving by Places Leisure and is open it boasts itself as a centre ‘for
you access to high quality for household and individual everyone’ with activities ranging
facilities and an affordable bookings. Group bookings and from art classes to martial arts
coaching programme all year classes – including Swim England or after-school clubs for kids, to
round. Find out more or join accredited swimming lessons – exercise sessions tailored to senior
www.norwichparkstennis.org.uk will return when restrictions visitors. Many are free or low cost.
are eased further.
We’ll be investing in tennis This is a place to meet up with
facilities at Lakenham and Norwich was one of 266 local friends, new and old, and you’ll
Heigham parks and adding the authorities to receive a share always get a cheery welcome
courts into the Norwich Parks of £100m of funding from Sport from our staff. You can find out
Tennis family this year; a project England’s National Leisure Recovery more about the activities on offer
which has received a significant Fund to support the reopening. by visiting the centre’s Facebook
external funding boost. page – just search ‘Norman
www.placesleisure.org Centre’. Or you can give the team
a call on 01603 408140 to find the
perfect activity for you, whether
that’s indoor bowls, Egyptian belly
dancing, arts and crafts or circuits.
Remember: there’s a smaller
programme of activities while
restrictions are in place, but
we hope to have our full
schedule when they lift later
in June as detailed in the
government’s roadmap.
08 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021
New hobbies Our growing
There have been various articles community
in the local and national media Some people have been getting
about people starting new their exercise in while gardening
activities, or returning to or working their allotment. Our
ones they did as a child. Roller allotment sites have been open
skating is one of those, with throughout the pandemic
communities like Norwich Roller – recognised as an important
Girls popping up on social media food source for growers, as
to share tips on things like the well as the added benefits
best skates to buy, and how of providing a good workout.
to skate backwards. Our skate
facilities at Eaton Park are To find out more about our
often featured as a backdrop sites or to apply for a plot visit
to videos of tips and tricks. www.norwich.gov.uk/allotments
June 2021
Run with Pride 2021
We can’t wait to see the photos from this month’s Run with Pride,
organised by Exercising
Run or walkPeople
of any distancein Communities
during Pride Month (1-30 June).(Epic) Norfolk – a
run, or walk, to raise funds for LGBTQ+ organisations and projects.
2020 was a sell-out event!
Make your run/walk colourful and wear your brightest clothes and face paint.
Share your runs/walks with #RunWithPride on Facebook and Instagram. Tag us
Don’t forget to@runwithprideuk.
make your run or walk colourful, with your
Individual or Team Entry
brightest clothes and facepaint and post with the #RunWithPride
You can enter individually or a team of 30* (for your running club, gym, workplace
and tag @RunWithPrideUK if posting
30 medals + a personalised on
collage print of yourFacebook
colourful photos. and Instagram.
or social group etc) where each person represents a day of June. We will post you
*only details of one person required when entering a team.
Cost
UK Individual: £10.00 + booking fee. UK Team: £300 + booking fee.
Non-UK Individual: £14.00 + booking fee. Non-UK Team: £360+ booking fee.
All entries will receive a bespoke enamelled #RunWithPride medal.
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 09
Organised by EPIC Norfolk Ltd, 100% of profits will go to supporting LBGTQ+ organisations and projects.
ENTER AT: www.totalracetiming.co.uk/race/252
“Everyone has
been playing
their part to help
protect Norwich”
Covid-19 support officers in
front of St Gregory’s Church
Working together to #ProtectNorwich
M
onths of hard work reopen their doors and people Throughout the pandemic,
took place behind the return to the city. government has assigned funding
scenes so that after to local councils to draw up and
lockdown, Norwich was ready “We know this has been a really administer grant schemes to help
to welcome people back in a difficult year and the feedback we struggling businesses; either those
Covid-secure way. have had from businesses is that no who had to shut during lockdowns,
one wants to see another lockdown. or others which found their trade
On the day that many of the had been seriously affected.
city’s businesses were allowed “We’d like to thank all the
to reopen their doors, just businesses that have been To date, the city council has
under 50,000 people returned putting safety measures in place paid almost £60m to around
to the centre of Norwich. and all the members of the 3,000 businesses. Details of
That was compared to just over public, who have been following grants still open for application
9,000 people the week before. the guidance by wearing face can be found at www.norwich.
coverings, where needed, gov.uk/BusinessGrants
The city council’s environmental regularly washing or sanitising
health and public protection teams their hands and keeping space One business owner, Richard of
worked with businesses to provide between themselves and others. Richard Jarmy Photography said:
support and guidance on putting “You are all amazing! Without
safety measures in place. And “Everyone has been playing their these grants, my business would’ve
the council’s Covid-19 support part to help protect Norwich.” drastically suffered, so I thank you
officers continued to work in the all for looking out for us! I honestly
city centre, reassuring members of The city council also issued cannot thank you enough!”
the public and offering advice. a mixture of temporary and
long-term licences, to enable For more information
Christopher Gooding, many of the city’s pubs, on Covid-19 guidance,
environmental health manager restaurants, cafes and bars to including advice and
at the city council, said: “It was serve customers outdoors before support for businesses, visit
great to see so many businesses they were able to trade indoors. www.norwich.gov.uk/covid19
10 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021Building for the city’s future
A
really important, yet us on a fairly frequent basis and can continue our proud
frequently unseen area it all looks pretty effortless. century-long legacy of providing
of council work, is its council homes. Finding suitable
effort to maintain a pipeline of But there’s a large and sites also allows us to build
sites suitable for development. concentrated effort to properties for private sale
continually identify a steady and rent as well as work closely
This helps us deliver the things stream of sites which, subject with housing associations to
that most of us hold very dear to jumping through all provide affordable housing
indeed because it results in the necessary for the city and
homes being built which some hoops, can “...work closely with our residents.”
of us end up living in and in then be taken housing associations One of the large
other cases it leads to jobs forward for to provide affordable scale programmes
being created which we end development. housing for the city the council is
up being employed to do. and our residents.” currently involved
When the site is with stems from
In its simplest form, a pipeline council-owned the successful bid
of sites is just that – staff at the or managed (eg the Three made to the government for a
city council are continually on Score site in Bowthorpe and share of Towns Fund money
the look-out for land within the RIBA award winning housing which identifies ways to
Norwich which is suitable for development on Goldsmith regenerate the city, boost
building homes, premises for Street), it must get all the necessary businesses and improve
business purposes and various conditions, including planning infrastructure.
other neighbourhood amenities permission to name just one,
and facilities. to progress onto the stage of A landmark project within
actually building new homes. this includes our plans to
The complexity of what sits transform the former industrial
behind it to make it all happen, A council spokesperson said: area of east Norwich into a highly
understandably, isn’t something “We remain deeply committed sustainable quarter for the city.
most of us are even aware of as to finding suitable sites to take
new developments pop up around forward for development so we This involves producing
a masterplan for the area –
which is being steered by
the East Norwich Partnership
(ENP) – a public-private body
composed of a number of
key stakeholders.
As part of the engagement
strategy for the project we
will be consulting partners,
stakeholders and local residents
over the coming months.
For more information visit
www.norwich.gov.uk/TownDeal
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 11Election news across the city and county
We coordinated three elections in May – not an easy task at
the best of times, but ensuring they were covid-secure certainly
added to the challenge. However, all went smoothly thanks to
the huge effort of the election team, as well as the hard work
of the 500 plus extra staff, such as poll clerks and counters.
Your city council Councillors elected by ward
City electorate: Bowthorpe ward Town Close
101,739 Sue Sands, Labour Party Ian Stutely, Labour Party
Total number of votes cast: Catton Grove ward University ward
36,862 Mike Stonard, Labour and Emma Hampton, Labour Party
Co-operative Party Wensum ward
Overall percentage turnout:
36.2 per cent Crome ward Martin Peek, Labour and
Adam Giles, Labour Party Co-operative Party
We will not have a complete Eaton ward
picture of the political make-up James Wright, Liberal Democrats
Councillors make up the city
of the council until 17 June when Lakenham ward council’s decision-making body,
the Sewell election will take Rachel Everett, Labour Party representing the people of
place – this was postponed Mancroft ward Norwich and promoting the
following the sad death of Martin Schmierer, The Green Party interests of the local community.
one of the candidates, Evelyn
Collishaw, who was standing Milecross ward To find out more about
for election for both city and Vaughan Thomas, Labour Party our councillors and how
county in Sewell. Nelson ward to contact them go to
Lucy Galvin, The Green Party www.norwich.gov.uk/
The current political make-up Thorpe Hamlet councillors
after the 6 May election, is Ash Haynes, The Green Party
Labour 26 seats, Green 9 seats,
Liberal Democrats 3 seats. Labour
has a majority of the seats and Catton Grove
therefore has overall control.
Results 2021
Mile Cross
Sewell Crome
Wensum
Bowthorpe Key
Mancroft The election for
Green Party (9 seats)
Nelson
the remaining
Thorpe Hamlet Labour (26 seats) seat in Sewell
University
Liberal Democrats (3 seats) ward will be held
Town Close
on Thursday 17
Vacant seat June 2021
Lakenham
Eaton
12 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021Norfolk County Council
Election results 2021 Seats won by parties
County electorate: Conservative - 58
700,113 Labour - 11
Total number of votes cast: Liberal Democrats - 8
234,804
Green - 3
Overall percentage turnout:
33.54 per cent Independent - 3
Police and Crime Commissioner
Giles Orpen-Smellie (Conservative)
was announced as Norfolk’s new PCC following the
election. For more information on the election and
role go to www.Norfolk-pcc.gov.uk
You can find out more about the elections and
results at www.norwich.gov.uk/elections2021
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 13ADVERTISEMENT
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Case study
other commitments. For years, has a valid permit if you suspect
work has been done to make sure it’s parking illegally and wish Loraine didn’t have access to
those who are able to, and prefer to report it. the internet and was missing
the convenience of digital services, out on opportunities including
can access these with a few accessing local services,
Virtual council tax bills speaking with her therapist
clicks. And this has long been an You can now manage your
important priority, so we can make online and keeping in touch
council tax account online – with her friends and family.
sure our time and resources are check balances, view
channelled to those who can’t get correspondence and update
online. With constant advances Our digital inclusion team
contact details. Make the was able to give Loraine a new
in technology and changes to switch by going to www.
customer needs, we’re always smartphone and a skills support
norwich.gov.uk/MyCouncilTax session to download and create
looking at new ways to streamline
even more of our services. her WhatsApp account and
Extra support learn how to make video calls.
With the Covid-19 pandemic, this It’s not just accessing council
has been more important than services we’ve been helping with. Loraine said: “I didn’t have
ever, where in-person options have Through Good Things Foundation any internet skills until the
had to be limited even further and and its Everyone Connected council gave me the phone.
vulnerable customers may have project, we received 10 tablets It has been great as I could
needed more intense support. and 29 smartphones. We were video call my daughter and
Two services we have recently able to provide these devices, see my granddaughters. It
made digital are as follows. along with training on how to use made my day seeing them open
them, to people who needed their presents at Christmas.
them to apply for jobs or keep in
Paperless parking “I’ve also been in contact
touch with friends and family
permits – perhaps even more important with my best friend and
Our vehicle-specific parking than ever while people have my son has called me, as my
permits are now virtual, a switch felt more isolated orwhen granddaughter wanted to see
from paper. This means the process social interactions have me – so I video called him, too!
for applying and receiving a permit been restricted.
“Thank you so much for
your help. I’ve asked
my daughter to show
me how else I can use
the phone and what
else I can do online.
Now I can keep in
touch with all my
children and family.”
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 15Housing for all
We believe that everyone should have access to a home which
suits their circumstances and needs. New council houses and
private builds; helping people with complex lives find suitable
accommodation; and supporting private sector tenants are just
some of the ways we can achieve this.
Cracking down issues, but the landlord didn’t to simply fold his business
on rogue landlords follow our instructions to and get away with his activity.
bring his property up to
We recently became one of the
first councils in the country to acceptable standards. The case went to court earlier
use new legislation to successfully this year and the landlord pleaded
prosecute a rogue city landlord. Using new legislation under guilty to all charges. He also
the Housing and now has a criminal
As a housing authority for the Planning Act “Our private sector conviction.
city, our ambition is that tenants 2016, we pursued housing team have
in the private rented sector two cases worked tirelessly to Cases like these
have a safe, decent and against the bring this case to a are extremely time
affordable home, but when our landlord, Nick positive conclusion consuming and a
team investigated complaints Sutton, director huge amount of
and we’re delighted
from tenants living in privately of Faiths Lane work, however
rented accommodation near Apartments, with the outcome. ” we believe that
Prince of Wales Road – we which allowed Spokesperson for no-one should
found appalling conditions. us to fine him Norwich City Council get away with
personally, treating tenants in
Extreme mould and dangerous rather than just his company, this way and hope it will serve
electrics were just some of the so that he was not able as a warning to other landlords.
Each year we work with
around 700 landlords
and tenants to help
them resolve issues.
Find out more about
our private sector work
and how we can help
www.norwich.gov.uk/
Extreme mould and dangerous
PrivateSectorHousing electrics were just some of the issues
found at St Faiths Lane apartments.
16 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021Homes for Building new homes 100 years of
prison leavers Building more homes and council housing
We’ve recently worked with the regenerating dilapidated We tracked down some of
Office of the Police and Crime parts of the city is a vital the trees we planted two
Commissioner on the Foundations aspect of our longer-term years ago across the city
project which provides supported recovery from Covid. to celebrate a century of
housing for prison leavers. providing social housing
The council’s wholly-owned for the city. Here’s one
Partnering with Broadland property company – Norwich of our sheltered housing
Housing Association, we Regeneration Ltd (NRL) – residents with one of the
have so far funded ten units continues to build high quality, trees, just coming into bud.
of accommodation. Match- energy efficient homes for private
funding from Norfolk and Suffolk sale and rent which generates
Probation Service has helped income for the council. The
fund the support side of the current build at Rayne Park in
project, which is being delivered Bowthorpe continues to take
by Pathways’ partner, St Martins shape and the vast majority of the
– they help people settle in, as 74 new homes there have now
well as begin to rebuild crime- been sold. After our CEO, Stephen
free lives outside of prison. Evans, visited earlier this year he
said: “I was really impressed to see
Reducing the number of people the changes made since my first
leaving prison who end up visit in February last year. What
sleeping rough is one of the aims was then a building site is now
in our rough sleeping strategy. In shaping up to be a high-quality Current plans will see around
addition, this project contributes new community for the city.” two hundred new homes added
to reducing crime and those to our existing housing stock across
affected by it in the city, as Alongside the development of developments at Threescore in
well as supporting people with homes for private sale and rent, Bowthorpe, Argyle Street and the
multiple and complex needs – our programme of council house former Mile Cross Depot site.
another one of our priorities. building is also progressing well. Read more about this on page 11.
A new community is taking shape
at Rayne Park in Bowthorpe.
Person-centred support officers from
St Martins help ex-offenders as they
move into accommodation
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 17ADVERTISEMENT
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www.norwich.gov.uk/LetNcc • e: pslt@norwich.gov.uk • t: 01603 989452Taking more control
over our services
W
e are now enjoying called Norwich City Services Ltd Hannah Leys, managing director
more direct control (NCSL), which will incorporate of NCSL, said: “We are very
of how some key all of this work going forward. proud to have started on the
services are delivered, after journey of delivering these
they came back under council This is the first step of an important frontline services
control in April. ambitious programme to bring for residents of Norwich.
a number of key areas back into
In recent years, our more direct council control – “This is the result of a huge
environmental and facilities our building maintenance and amount of hard work and
management services have repairs service will join NCSL dedication, and we look
been delivered in a joint venture in 2022, while our property forward to continuing our
arrangement with Norse, but services will rejoin City Hall journey to bringing more
we have formed a new company directly in the same year. services on board next year.”
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CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 19Green spaces need your help!
D
o you ever take a help out in your own way, do
walk in your local area, get in touch to find out more.
and pass some green
space or a communal garden Any project you would like to take
that needs some love? Imagine the lead on – from a single raised
if you could be involved in planter to a large resident-led
making the most of it! community project – is something
we want to hear about. There is
We want to give you the also an outdoor project network
opportunity to take the lead, which helps people to share skills,
being involved in your community learning and resources in this regard.
and creating closer local bonds
while doing so. Whether you’ve If you’re interested in exploring
chatted to a few neighbours opportunities around your local
about adopting green space green spaces, please contact
where you live, or you want to community@norwich.gov.uk
Improving community
safety for our residents
F
unding secured for measures in Midland Walk and Clifton Close, well as a range of other safety
to tackle burglary and and sheds to be upgraded with improvements.
antisocial behaviour in new Secured by Design doors
specific areas of Norwich has to protect against break-ins. Norwich resident Sarah Sellers,
helped pay for the installation of who had alley gates installed as
new alley gates, secure door entry Funding from the SSF and the part of the scheme, said: “They
systems and upgraded shed doors. city council’s SNI community look great and make the houses
fund, has paid for nine new feel more safe and secure. We
As part of the Safer alley gates in areas including are all so grateful – thank you!”
Neighbourhoods Initiative Constitution Hill and The
(SNI), Norwich City Council, Shrublands. The Safer Neighbourhoods
in partnership with the Initiative community fund
Office of the Police and Crime The Home Office set guidance is available this year to fund
Commissioner for Norfolk for the use of the SSF, limiting alley gates and other measures
(OPCCN), was granted more it to certain areas of the city, but to combat crime and antisocial
than £200,000 from the Home the community fund can support behaviour.
Office’s Safer Streets Fund (SSF). initiatives across the whole city.
Visit norwich.gov.uk/
This has so far paid for hi-spec The fund can pay for alley gates CommunityFund for more
secure door entry systems, installed on non-adopted highways, as information and to apply.
20 CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021Meet your new Lord
Mayor and Sheriff!
T
he city’s Lord Mayor Both donned their robes
and Sheriff of Norwich and chains of office for
have taken on their civic the first time when they
roles after being ceremonially were officially elected at a
sworn in during May. covid-secure mayor-making
ceremony at The Halls on
Due to circumstances 24 May.
caused by the Covid
pandemic, the former The Lord Mayor of Norwich,
incumbents Councillor Kevin Maguire said: “To take
Vaughan Thomas (Lord up this esteemed role is
Mayor) and Dr Marian a moment of immense
Prinsley (Sheriff) had served personal pride for me, and
in their respective roles for I would like to thank my
two years, a departure from predecessor for continuing
the usual yearly engagement. for longer than the typical the coming year, following
timeframe. on from the active and
After serving their extended dedicated tenure of my
term with distinction, they “It will be a privilege to predecessor.
have now moved on from begin serving in this position,
the roles and the council as we emerge from the “I am looking forward to
is hugely grateful for their challenges of the past year.” fulfilling the duties of this
time and dedication. historic position and hope
Norwich city councillor The Sheriff of Norwich, to be able to see local
Kevin Maguire will be the Caroline Jarrold said: “It is organisations in action
Lord Mayor for the 2021-22 a great honour to have been and participate in civic
civic year and Caroline asked to take on the role events, when the easing
Jarrold is Sheriff. of Sheriff of Norwich for of restrictions allows.”
Civic regalia: Maces and sword (top right), the sheriff’s chain (left), the Lord Mayor’s chain (right).
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 21ADVERTISEMENT
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For a full list of services and charges, please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/planningWe HEAR you: campaign
to tackle domestic abuse
L
ast year the HEAR So far around 40 public and
campaign was launched HEAR stands for: private sector organisations,
and organisations across representing nearly 25,000
Norfolk were asked to sign HELP – provide access to employees, have joined the
up to help any employees specialist organisations campaign. Along with the city
who might be experiencing EDUCATE – ensure council, this includes Norwich
domestic abuse. training is provided to City Football Club, Norfolk
support colleagues Constabulary and the UEA.
The campaign calls on The campaign now looks
employers to break the AWARENESS – aware of set to be extended to other
silence around domestic domestic abuse and not parts of the country as well.
abuse and provide the right tolerate it in any form
support on this important Please encourage your
RESPOND – ensure
issue by making internal organisation (large or small)
the right policies and
policy changes to help their to sign up to help support
processes are in place
staff. Employers play a crucial those facing domestic abuse.
to respond to domestic
role in helping to prevent
abuse reports.
domestic abuse where it For more information visit
impacts on the workplace. www.norfolk.gov.uk/hear
Tourist Information Centre closure
T
he Norwich Tourist the team in person. Closing
Information Centre the TIC will create a saving
(TIC) located at The for the council of around
Forum has officially closed £110,000.
its doors to the public.
VisitNorwich
The number of people using (www.visitnorwich.co.uk),
the service has been reducing the destination management
over the years with more organisation for the city,
information than ever before will continue to provide
being available online. When incredible local information
the centre was able to reopen about places to see, stay,
last summer there was a very eat and drink as well as
large decrease in people the best ways to explore
accessing information from our fine city.
CITIZEN - SUMMER 2021 23Head Out, Not Home, 2019
Summertime
is here again!
FREE events in Norwich city
centre this summer season…
Head Out, Not Home
11 July – 5 September
Every Sunday afternoon
Enjoy a great atmosphere in Norwich
with free live music and performance
across the city.
GoGoDiscover
12 July – 11 September
Dippy on Tour
13 July – 30 October
Look out for Break’s GoGoDiscover trail
of 20 huge hand-painted T.rex sculptures
throughout the city, and head to Norwich
Cathedral for ‘Dippy on Tour’: the Natural
History Museum’s famous Diplodocus cast
on display in one of our most iconic landmarks.
City Food Trail
12 July – 22 August For other events and more
Enjoy limited edition food, drinks, and special
information go to visitnorwich.co.uk
offers throughout Norwich as our favourite
restaurants offer dinosaur-themed menus! #cityofstories
Please note all information is correct at the time of
publishing. Some events may be affected by changing
Covid-19 regulations – please check visitnorwich.co.uk
ahead of visiting!You can also read
