James Wild MP urges residents to participate in new ‘Let’s Talk West Norfolk’ survey. The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has launched 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 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.
You can take part in the survey until 1 December 2024 at letstalkwestnorfolk.co.uk. If you don’t have online access, you can 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.
James Wild MP stated:
“It’s important that decisions take into account the views of residents so I would urge anyone with an interest to fill in the short survey.”
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.
“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.”
