The latest “Traffic Modelling” indicates that the current “Rat Run” traffic that blights Crostwick Lane, Buxton Road, Church Lane Spixworth and Spixworth Road, Manor/Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, will be reduced by between 35 and 65%, because traffic is expected to use the NDR, via the Cromer Road and the North Walsham Road junctions, rather the current “Rat Runs”, to get round northern Norwich.

This vital project has been delayed by two years, originally planned for completion 2013 it will now open in 2015, because the Labour Government has delayed key aspects of funding. 

The Norwich Area Transportation Strategy (NATS) will consider how both public transport and “Green” transport in the area can be further improved following the benefits that the NDR will bring, making Norwich North and its outskirts a better place to live.  Consultation will continue including exhibitions of proposals in affected villages. 

So far every one I have meet recently, who has expressed a view, has been in favour of the NDR. Two years ago we amended the route (agreed by a Spixworth Parish meeting) as it crossed Buxton Road to reduce its effect on the houses at that crossing.

While we live in difficult times none the less, the County Council has performed well in delivering services to you our citizens in fact we are one of the best performing councils in the country

By voting conservative you will ensure the success continues as I intend to:

• Provide choice in further education for our young people, with a local sixth form in Reepham
•  Further improve safety on our roads
• Continue to represent your concerns within the County Council regarding the condition of local roads, ensuring the County Council delivers further improvements
• Continue to pursue the efficiency programme without reducing services to the public, seeking to achieve at least the same level of savings as before - £58 million over four years and thereby keeping council tax increases to a minimum
• Continue to develop the companies so they provide jobs in Norfolk
• Support the companies to bring more investment into Norfolk
• Ensure the companies continue to provide better value across local government  

Please   Don’t rely on others to vote, they may be relying on you

While we live in difficult times, none the less the County Council has performed well in delivering services to our citizens, in fact we are one of the best performing councils in the country, examples include:

• We have saved £58 million over the last four years by focusing on the efficiency of our services.  We have made these savings without cutting front line services, such as teachers, care workers and the transport network
• Our Adult Social Services are now independently rated, as one of the best in the country
• Norfolk children have bettered the GCSE national average
• We have less schools in special measures than at any time in the last ten years
• We have increased council tax by less than inflation each year
• We have balanced the budget, indeed achieving a small under spend last year

 If you wish to continue this success, it is important that you vote Conservative on June 4th.

Please don’t rely on others to vote they may be relying on you

Local Government Review

Following a proposal in 2008 from Norwich City Council the Boundary Committee commenced a review of the way local government is organised in Norfolk.

Currently we have three levels of local government:

• The County Council provide services including schools, social care, roads and libraries
• District Councils provide services such as refuse collection, housing and planning
• Parish and Town Councils represent their local communities and lobby both County and District Councils on issues that are important to their communities

The Boundary Committee are considering two potential options and will make recommendations to government.  Both potential options are based on a “Unitary Model” which means that a single council would provide all the services currently provided by the County and District Councils in the area. 

Proposed by Norfolk County Council the first option would create a single council for the whole of Norfolk.  The alternative proposed by Norwich City Council involves two councils, one covering Norwich and surrounding areas, with the remainder of Norfolk covered by a second Unitary Council.  This would see the current area covered by Broadland District Council split between the two.

Our Parish Councils have told me they would prefer things to stay as they are, but if this is not possible they favour the first option – a single Unitary Council for Norfolk, so let’s looks at that option in more detail:

Key Features

·        A single Council Leader elected by all other councillors

·        Cabinet Members accountable for specific geographical areas, they will ensure the varied needs of different Norfolk communities are represented.  The needs of city like Norwich are different to those of a rural community like Hainford

·        Frontline unitary councillors for each area

·        Stronger scrutiny that includes democratically elected neighbourhood input

·        Area scrutiny powers and accountability for planning, licensing and building control

·        A single council that recognises and builds on the very strong affinity that Norfolk people feel with Norfolk 

What Will Change?

·        Residents consulted more on matters which affect them and well informed about what’s going on in the area, with clarity on who represents them and where to go for services

·        Local communities seeing their own aspirations appearing in county strategies and money spent in ways that make a difference from delegated local budgets

·        Parish Councils with a more influential role in development planning, licensing and highways decisions for their area

·        Local councillors will have a pivotal role between the council and local people, as community leaders with more powers to support their local community and the powers to determine budget allocations to local groups and projects and to promote local regeneration and affordable housing

Benefits of a single unitary:

·        Strategic grip on what matters to Norfolk, and wider influence, in the regional and nationally

·        Strategic leadership and vision to deliver economic success, including the wider regional economy

·        Better, simpler and faster decision making and more resilience to cope with any emergency

·        The most cost effective option for Norfolk

Why would two Unitary Councils be a problem?

If two Unitary Councils are formed:

·        It will be harder to achieve the join up possible from a single Unitary Council

·        The provision of key services currently provided by the County Council will be split up, for instance Social Services and schools

·        It will also involve some degree of duplication and therefore cost more

Your vote counts, so if you’re not on the Electoral Register please contact your District Council to make sure you have the right to vote.  Remember postal voting is a good option, if getting to the Polling Station on the 4th June is a problem for you.

During my time as your County Councillor, I’ve found that all our Parish Councils have worked hard to make sure that what matters to you has been brought to my attention and therefore to Norfolk County Council.

This has lead to:-

• A new 7.5 ton weight restriction on some local roads
• Safety resurfacing
• Flashing speed signals
• New footpaths in Hainford and Spixworth
• Road junction improvements in Stratton Strawless

At recent Parish Council meetings we’ve talked about the extra cost of gritting and pothole repairs this winter, I’ve also updated everyone on where we see the Unitary Council debate – more on that in the future.

Hainford Parish Council have been considering Broadland planning issues about the siting of any future housing in the village.

I’ve met with Shortthorn Road residents recently to discuss the planning application for traveller homes.

A date for your diaries – this year the show will take place on 31 August with some wonderful attractions, sure to provide a great day out for the whole family, especially if the sun shines.

I am chairman of the Finance committee Reepham High School and am delighted to say that building work is nearing completion on the new sixth form college.  This £6 million project will be complete later this year and will see 130 local young people benefit from this September, that number will double next year.

At the finance committee we have been over seeing financial aspects of the project.

The council’s companies make a significant contribution to the economy, by providing 6,000 jobs, spending £100 million a year in Norfolk and contributing £5 million a year to council funds.

As Director of NORSE I attended the Council meeting at North Norfolk District Council in April.  One of our companies, NORSE Commercial Services provides street cleansing services for North Norfolk District Council.  Recently, out of 63 entrants, North Norfolk won the UK Winners Trophy at the Britain’s Cleanest City Awards, everyone is absolutely delighted and much recognition is due to the 27 staff involved in this cleansing contract.

There’s been more good news, NORSE and May Gurney have worked together to win the contract for Building Schools for the Future in North Lincolnshire which will bring a lot of work back into Norfolk.

All local authorities are required to make efficiencies.  As Cabinet member, it is my responsibility to ensure we reach our targets.

Norfolk County Council’s Efficiency Programme has delivered £58 million savings in the last four years and continues to drive out savings to keep council tax down.

I recently attended a Local Government Conference in London on improvement and efficiency.  This made me realise how far ahead of the pack Norfolk is in these areas, as we could have put on the conference ourselves with better examples. We can sometimes “hide our light under a bushel”.