NORFOLK's BIG CONVERSATION

Extract of an email from James Carswell our local ward Norfolk County Councillor

I have tried to get to as many of the parishes and will certainly get to Wroxham on Thursday and Hemblington at the end of the month. Below is some key information and a link to Norfolk’s website regarding Norfolk’s big conversation. Please do pass on to all your parish councillors, community groups, sport groups, village committees anyone you can think of. This conversation is one of the most important documents that we as an authority have put to you the people of Norfolk. This is your council and we welcome your views, your ideas, to understand your worries and concerns and together we can take Norfolk forward through difficult times.

The council is predicting a budget gap of at least £155 million over the next three years unless we act to change things. That is because if things continue as they are, the combination of increasing council costs, increased demand for services, inflation and a cut in Government funding means we would need to spend at least £155 million more than we can expect to receive in income.

Exceptional times demand an exceptional response and only a fundamental reform of what the County Council does and the way in which it does it will do. So this conversation is about how, with your help, we can create a new chapter for some of the county’s public services. We would like your views about what the County Council should be expected to do and provide in the future, paid for through your taxes, and what we should support, encourage or expect individuals or communities to do for themselves.

We want to hear views about creative and innovative ideas for providing the services of the future and meeting important local priorities. We welcome all ideas on where and how we can do this.

And in particular we want to hear your views on our proposed new core role and on our strategy for helping to balance the books over the next three years.

With your help, views and suggestions we can maintain and improve priority public services. So please, join the conversation now.

If any clerk or resident or parish councillor would like me to talk you through what is happening I will be more than happy to do so. We can arrange a meeting with the parish and go through each section or I can come round for a cup of tea and we can go through items on a one to one basis. I am happy to help where ever possible, so I can make sure that everyone has had the chance to raise their views. Please see the link below.

http://www.norfolk.gov.uk/Council_and_democracy/Have_your_say/Norfolks_big_conversation/index.htm