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My Norwich

Citizen - summer 2024

Published 12 August 2023

Contents

Intran

If you would like this information in another language or format such as large print, CD or Braille please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/Intran or call 0344 980 3333.

Message from the leader, Mike Stonard

We are digesting the implications of our new political landscape and, in particular, looking forward to new opportunities it presents for the city.

No one can have failed to notice that change is in the air, following the election of a new government. We are digesting the implications of this new political landscape and, in particular, looking forward to new opportunities it presents for the city.

This is always a time for the council to look forward, as we enter the new civic year. We have a new community-led plan for the city, called ‘We Are Norwich’. This sets the direction for the next five years. It’s full of big ideas and unashamedly ambitious plans for the city and its residents.

It was developed by wide-reaching engagement. We had over 900 conversations with individuals, and a diverse range of organisations across the city. This was very likely one of the council’s largest ever public consultations. It included street conversations, public and employee surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups. We asked people what they love about Norwich. We wanted to get a sense of what people really value about the city and want us to protect, as well as what needs to change to make the city a better place to live, work and visit.

You told us that Norwich offers all the advantages of city living while nurturing a genuine and unique sense of belonging. I strongly identify with this. Norwich is where my roots are, and where I’ve chosen to call home.

I hope everyone shares this bond with Norwich. However, I am acutely aware many among us live markedly different lives. Too many residents are grappling with making ends meet, managing their health and feeling disconnected within our community. That means certain people across our communities are sometimes therefore missing out on what Norwich has to offer. But I firmly believe it is within our collective ability to transform Norwich into the best possible place for everyone.

‘We Are Norwich’ wants the very best for everyone, protecting all we love about our amazing city and working to make improvements where needed. It provides the vision, and the framework to make this a reality.

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News in brief

Putting a spotlight on 'The Norman Centre'

We wanted to give a shout out this issue to The Norman Centre on Bignold Road. This leisure centre has lots of activities and facilities for all families and residents to enjoy as well as The Meeting Place Coffee Shop, rooms for hire and community support groups. The centre has a range of facilities including: the Xtra Mile Gym, an indoor bowling centre, badminton, short tennis, table tennis, and fitness and activity classes.

The centre also houses an impressive range of different support groups for the community including:

  • King’s Community Church – offering free, confidential and impartial debt advice.
  • Milestones Day Nursery – an Ofsted approved nursery providing quality care and education for children from three months to five years.
  • Assist Trust – which supports people with learning difficulties to find work, access communities and to become more independent.
  • Mile Cross IT Centre – The Adult Education Information Technology Centre offering a range of computer courses for all abilities.
  • Norwich Fringe Project – a locally funded management partnership working with volunteers to enhance, protect and manage the countryside on people’s doorsteps.

For more information please email NormanCentre@norwich.gov.uk call 01603 408140 or check them out on their Facebook page.

Save up to 50% at popular Norwich venues

If you are a full-time student, have a national bus pass or receive Universal Credit, you could be entitled to discounts across the city using a Go4Less card.

The Go4Less card is a free sport, leisure and culture card which allows up to 50% discount at council facilities, as well as various activities and events around the city.

Go4Less discounts are offered at:

  • Cinema City
  • Eaton Park Pitch and Putt/foot golf
  • Norwich City Council allotments
  • Norfolk & Norwich Festival
  • Norwich Arts Centre
  • Norwich Puppet Theatre
  • Norwich museums
  • Riverside Leisure Centre
  • The Garage
  • The Norman Centre
  • The Waterfront
  • Wensum Sports Centre
  • Sportspark.

Visit www.norwich.gov.uk/Go4Less to apply and find out more about eligibility.

Don't miss out on pension cedit

Are you over state pension age?
You could be missing out on Pension Credit worth an average of £3,900 per year.

Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. If you’re of state pension age, you may be entitled to Pension Credit even if you have modest savings, a retirement income or own your home. 

An award of Pension Credit can also provide access to a range of other benefits such as help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and for those aged 75 or over, a free TV licence.

Check your eligibility at gov.uk/pension-credit

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Meet the cabinet

Norwich City Council’s 2024-2025 cabinet members have been appointed following the local elections in May. 

Members of the cabinet have responsibility for overseeing particular areas of the council’s activities. They report to the full council on developments in their areas of responsibility and answer questions from other councillors and the public.

Mike Stonard, leader of the council, said: “I wanted my new cabinet for this year to really focus on reflecting our new corporate priorities. That’s why I’ve been working closely with colleagues, to purposely align our priorities with the portfolio titles of some cabinet members.

“Our new community-led plan has a clear vision for the city and five equally clear priorities which we are firmly committed to.

“By establishing a closer link between our priorities and cabinet members’ portfolios, it will help to drive and shape all that we do for the council, our city and throughout our communities.”

  • Leader of the council: Councillor Mike Stonard
  • Deputy leader and cabinet member for a climate responsive Norwich: Councillor Emma Hampton
  • Cabinet member for housing: Councillor Beth Jones
  • Cabinet member for a fairer Norwich: Councillor Adam Giles
  • Cabinet member for an open and modern council: Councillor Paul Kendrick
  • Cabinet member for a prosperous Norwich: Councillor Claire Kidman
  • Cabinet member for planning and regulatory services: Councillor Matthew Packer

The cabinet meets on a monthly basis to make key decisions for the council. A meeting schedule and record of decisions can be found at www.norwich.gov.uk/cabinet

Read more about the local election results 

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Shaping the future of Norwich's Livestock Market

Hall Road in Norwich has been the location for local farmers to trade in the sale of cattle and sheep since the 1960s, acting as the base for the city’s livestock market for around 60 years or so.

Fast forward to 2024: while the council continues to have a legal obligation to provide a livestock market, it is looking at the possibility of relocating it outside the city’s boundary to better suit the needs of those it serves.

But a relocation outside the city boundary requires a change to the existing law on the provision of a livestock market in Norwich. As a result, the council is seeking to get the necessary change in law with the help of a legal expert who can guide us through the parliamentary process.

Mike Stonard, leader of Norwich City Council, said: “We’d like to hear from all our communities throughout Norwich, and the wider region, about our proposals to relocate the livestock market.

“There are many really important factors to take on board when considering relocating this facility. A key aspect of this is the public consultation we are now doing so we can take lots of different views into account. Please do take a few minutes out of your busy days to tell us what you think.”

As one of the last livestock trading markets in the East Anglia region, the Hall Road site provides an important facility for famers across Norfolk, Suffolk and the wider East Anglia region.

Feedback from those most closely affected by the market confirmed a preference for a relocation outside the city boundary near major transport routes such as the A11 or A47.

Relocating the market to a new site outside the city boundary would maintain access to a local market, allow the introduction of new systems to meet new environmental requirements, reduce food miles, increase local food provenance, and increase food security at a time when there is more global uncertainty around food chains.

For more information visit GetTalking.norwich.gov.uk/LivestockMarket

The consultation is open for feedback until 9am on Monday 26 August.

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Work gets under way at The Halls

Building work has started on the major refurbishment project taking place at Norwich’s historic medieval cultural complex and one of the city’s largest concert venues, The Halls, which is owned and run by the city council.

The work includes a comprehensive upgrade of technical equipment, with significant improvements to accessibility and infrastructure. The redesign will improve the exterior and interior areas to create a more welcoming space, including an enhanced café and bar offer.

The spectacular roof of St Andrew’s Hall is also being re-clad in new copper as part of essential structural repairs. Work is to be carried out on its stained-glass windows and the windows of Blackfriars’ Hall.

Recently announced funding for the project has been an investment of nearly £500,000 from the Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme, adding to grants from The Geoffrey Watling Charity, The John Jarrold Trust and Paul Bassham Charitable Trust Fund. A major part of the project’s cost is covered by a substantial contribution from the council’s £3.6 million Town Deal funding secured in 2020.

The 700-year-old complex of buildings is currently closed with N.D. Willan builders now on-site. The city-based family-run contractor has extensive experience of renovating listed buildings.

Decorative hoardings, telling the story of The Halls from medieval days to the present, have been designed by graphic designer and art director Ben Wilson of Norwich-based agency Ben Wilson Creative.

His designs detail the long history of the Grade I listed Scheduled Monument which dates back to the 14th century. In addition to St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Halls, the complex includes The Crypt, Becket’s Chapel, The Cloisters and the remains of the Chapter House, The Garth courtyard and the St George’s suite of meeting rooms. It is the most intact medieval friary in England in secular use.

The impressive buildings were purchased for use by the city ‘for the mayor and his bretheren... for their common assemblyes’ during the Reformation following a petition to King Henry VIII in 1538.

Already a successful venue, The Halls present day role as a multi-use venue has seen it host beer festivals, record fairs, weddings, exhibitions, dinners, conferences, music events and classical concerts. Famous visitors have included author Charles Dickens and songstress Jenny Lind, rockers AC/DC, The Pretenders and The Cure.

More information can be found at www.norwich.gov.uk/TheHalls

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Norwich City Council local election results

It’s been a busy time for democracy, with the city’s local election taking place in May followed by the General Election in July. Here’s all you need to know about how Norwich voted.

One-third of the council’s seats were up for election in May. The 13 newly elected councillors, representing each of the city’s 13 electoral wards, have joined the 26 other elected councillors who collectively make up full council (39 councillors in total).

Following the election, Labour remains the largest party at Norwich City Council, but has no overall control.

The overall political make-up of Norwich City Council is now:

  • Labour, 19 seats
  • Green, 15 seats
  • Liberal Democrats, 3 seats
  • Independent, 2 seats.

Bowthorpe ward
Sue Sands, Labour Party
Turnout: 27.45%

Catton Grove ward
Mike Stonard, Labour Party
Turnout: 27.72%

Crome ward
Adam Giles, Labour Party
Turnout: 28.58%

Eaton ward
James Wright, Liberal Democrats
Turnout: 49.23%

Lakenham ward
Carli Harper, Labour Party
Turnout: 31.51%

Mancroft ward
Martin Schmierer, Green Party
Turnout: 32.58%

Mile Cross ward
Charlie Caine, Green Party
Turnout: 30.26%

Nelson ward
Lucy Galvin, Green Party
Turnout: 46.84%

Sewell ward
Gary Champion, Green Party
Turnout: 36.9%

Thorpe Hamlet ward
Ash Haynes,
Green Party
Turnout: 36.11%

Town Close ward
Chris Smith, Labour Party
Turnout: 43.66%

University ward
Emma Hampton, Labour and Co-operative Party
Turnout: 27.75%

Wensum ward
Toby Bolton, Green Party
Turnout: 33.4%

Ward councillors represent the people of Norwich and promote the interests of the local community. To find out more about any of the councillors, including how to get in touch with them, visit www.norwich.gov.uk/MyCouncillor

General election results

There are two constituencies in the city: Norwich South and Norwich North.

Clive Lewis (Labour) was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Norwich South with 21,484 votes. You can view the full result at www.norwich.gov.uk/ElectionResult

Alice MacDonald (Labour) was elected as the Member of Parliament for Norwich North with 20,794 votes. Visit www.SouthNorfolkAndBroadland. gov.uk/elections for more details.

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Discover the joy of Pitch and Putt at Eaton Park

Are you a Norwich resident looking for a fun and affordable way to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors? Look no further than the Eaton Park Pitch and Putt Club, a welcoming community of golf enthusiasts using the beautiful council-run course in Eaton Park. With our Go4Less scheme, you can save up to 50% on some council facilities and activities, making it easier than ever to get involved.

Recently, the Eaton Park Pitch and Putt Club celebrated the achievements of its members with the awarding of trophies for the winners of our 2023 competitions.
 
The club, which has been a staple of the community for many years, offers a variety of monthly competitions that cater for all skill levels. Whether you’re playing for fun or vying for a trophy, our handicap system ensures everyone has a fair chance to win.

Alan Hough, the club secretary, told us: “During the pandemic, we all came to appreciate the importance of fresh air and exercise. Pitch and Putt, a quicker and more accessible form of golf, is the perfect way to enjoy these benefits. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities, making it an excellent activity for families, friends, and individuals alike.
 
“Every Monday morning at 9:30am, club members gather for a friendly round of golf. It’s a fantastic way to start the week, meet new people, and improve your game.”

Membership is just £15 per year. This fee not only gives you access to the vibrant community and monthly competitions but also entitles members to over 50% savings on rounds – and even greater savings if you have a Norwich Go4less card.

Why not give it a try? Simply turn up any Monday morning, or for more details, email Alan at EatonGolfip@gmail.com

Winners from the 2023 competitions. Ashley Judd, Margaret Gibson, Rick Thorne, Roshan Chetry, Peter Hardinge.

For more information visit www.norwich.gov.uk/PitchAndPutt

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Bluebell allotments are 100 years old!

Congratulations to the council’s Bluebell Model Allotment Gardens in Norwich which marked its 100th birthday with a celebratory event in May.

The allotments were designed by Captain Arnold Edward Sandys-Winsch (1888 – 1964) who was the city’s parks superintendent from 1919-1953.

The captain was a gifted horticulturalist who completed his training just before the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, when he served in the Royal Artillery and later as a fighter pilot with the Royal Flying Corps.

As parks superintendent, he recommended Norwich Corporation, as it was then called, purchase the four fields which became the Bluebell Model Allotments North and South. The city’s largest allotment site with over 400 plots, it is tended by green- fingered residents from the Earlham, Bowthorpe and Wensum areas, spearheaded by Bluebell Model Allotment Gardens Association.

The corporation used some of the land for housing and set out The Avenues, as well as building roads, erecting sheds, planting fruit trees and laying on water. The captain was also responsible for the planning and design of many of our Norwich parks, notably Eaton Park, as well as the planting of 20,000 trees across the city.

You can find out more at e-voice.org.uk/bluebellallotments

For information on the council’s range of allotments, see www.norwich.gov.uk/allotments
 

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City catches the colourful carnival vibe

The streets of Norwich were filled with vibrant colour, fluttering flags, sequins, feathers and huge puppets as hundreds took part and thousands cheered them on in the Lord Mayor’s Procession on Saturday 13 July.

Along with a full day of fun activities and an open-air evening concert in Chapelfield Gardens, followed on Sunday 14 July with the Great Norwich Duck Race on the River Wensum, the Lord Mayor’s Weekend 2024 proved a huge success.

All free to attend and provided annually by Norwich City Council, the theme of the event was Norwich Loves You, drawing on the city’s renown as a place where all feel safe and welcomed.

The weekend’s main attraction was the carnival procession where entrants were asked to come dressed in the carnival spirit.

This year it followed a new route from Norwich Cathedral through the city centre to Chapelfield Gardens, with 40 parade entries joining Lord Mayor Cllr Vivien Thomas and Sheriff of Norwich Sirajul Islam with the city’s Whifflers and Snap the Dragon

The winning parade entries were:

  • 1st Norwich City of Sanctuary
  • 2nd Catton Grove Primary School
  • 3rd Framtastics Gymnastics Club
  • Runners-up: The Garage, The Common Lot and NR5 Community Partnership.

Activities in Chapelfield Gardens ranged from a bar area and a food arena with delicious food and drink treats from across Norfolk. There were performances from The Garage and Young Norfolk Arts Festival including a flashmob, carnival headdress-making fun, dance workshops, comedy shows and a range of stalls from local organisations. Norwich Museums Service presented two performances of a specially- commissioned history play From Norwich With Love on Millenium Plain.

Musical entertainment came from local bands such as The Misfit Collective and a programme curated by Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom; while Norfolk music charity The Black Dog Music Project, which works with people with mental health issues or other disabilities, also ran sessions.

The evening music programme included collaborations between Beatbox Collective, Fat Brass and the Ayoub Sisters, finishing with headliners the UK Foo Fighters who wrapped up the evening to a fireworks finale.

Collections taken during the weekend will go to the civic charity, The Benjamin Foundation’s BOOM! Young Carers service.

This year’s event was Norwich City Council’s greenest yet. The procession was 100% carbon neutral with walking or pedal- propelled entries only. As well as the environmental benefits, this made the event safer for families, especially those with younger children. The events in Chapelfield Gardens were also powered by 100% green energy, except for one back-up emergency generator for lighting. All stages and all food vendors used 100% renewables, with the council looking at the
whole event being single-use-plastic-free for next year. 

The council is working with ten other local authorities nationwide in a year-long pilot project to improve environmentally-friendly practices to ensure local council events are sustainable, reducing environmental footprint and conserving resources.   

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New home for local charity is mustard

The former home of the Colman family is soon to be occupied by a local charity, thanks to a creative solution brokered and  agreed by the city council in July 2024.

The news emerged after councillors approved a detailed agreement for Norwich Unity Hub (NUH), a charitable incorporated organisation, to take up a three-year lease on the grade II listed property, Carrow House.

This will act as a meanwhile use for three years while redevelopment options come forward as part of the wider East Norwich project – a brownfield area of the city earmarked for comprehensive regeneration to realise thousands of new homes and jobs.

A core aim of NUH is to provide affordable rented accommodation to charitable organisations in Norwich and fostering collaboration among their members.

Following approval by cabinet members at their meeting in July, the charity began preparing to move into their new temporary base.

Councillor Claire Kidman, cabinet member for ‘A prosperous Norwich’, said: “Our officers have done an amazing job to help turn this into reality. It’s a shining example of the work that local councils can do to positively influence things that really matter to people across our communities.

“We have been working hard in the background with NUH for a number of months to get to where we are today.

“This will soon mean NUH’s 25 to 30 strong member organisations can continue to deliver services in Norwich including mental health support, young people, disability and accessibility, environmental challenges, creative arts and skills development.

“This is something we can be collectively proud of.”

Alicia Howell, chair of trustees, Norwich Unity Hub CIO, said: “We are excited to work with Norwich City Council, setting up our first large-scale hub in Norwich. We will establish a dynamic and inclusive community hub that unites many charities and social enterprises under one roof in Norwich.

“We aspire to create a shared space where diverse organisations with common interests in skill development, making, arts, environmental sustainability and wellbeing can come together, collaborate, and thrive whilst working together to support  Norwich communities.”

For more information, you can read the July cabinet report by visiting www.norwich.gov.uk/committees  

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Norwich Lord Mayor and Sheriff: supporting our heroic young carers

First elected in 2010, our Lord Mayor Cllr Thomas became involved in politics to make a difference to the lives of people in the city. And hailing from humble beginnings in Bangladesh, our Sheriff Sirajul Islam is an accountant, with his own practice based here in Norwich.

Every year our Lord Mayor and Sheriff choose a charity that we actively support as part of our corporate values and this year we are pleased to announce that the Lord Mayor and Sheriff have chosen to support The Benjamin Foundation’s BOOM! Young Carers as their civic charity for 2024-25.

BOOM! Young Carers service is part of the Benjamin Foundation and provides a supporting arm to those young people who are working as carers for family members.

According to the last Norfolk census (2022-23), there are over 6,000 young people under the age of 18 with caring responsibilities for a family member. The 2023 Young Carers Survey found that one in three young carers struggle to balance caring with education which can limit opportunities for them to learn, earn and have a fulfilling life.

Cllr Vivien Thomas said: “We are delighted to choose BOOM! Young Carers as our civic charity for this year. There are many young people in Norwich and across Norfolk who sacrifice a lot for their responsibilities and struggle to find their independence and make friends.

“We want to support the good work that Boom Young Carers do for these heroic young people and give them the support they need and opportunities to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.”

Boom! Young Carers provides young carers with opportunities to take a break from the day-to- day demands of being a carer with fun activities. They also provide help and advice on the challenges that affect them and their families. They aim to bring hope, provide opportunities, and build stability in their journey towards independence.

BOOM! operates at the following drop-in centres:

  • Lakenham 8-16 year olds, Wednesday 6:30pm to 8pm
  • Marlpit 5-18 year olds, Wednesday 4:45pm to 6:15pm
  • North Walsham 8-18 year olds, every weekday 4:45pm to 6:15pm
  • Pilling Park 5-18 year olds, Thursday 6:30pm to 8pm
  • Taverham 8-17 year olds, Tuesday 6:30pm to 8pm
  • Watton 5-18 year olds, Friday 5pm to 6:30 pm and 6:45pm to 8:15 pm
  • Young Adults 16-21 in Norwich, Monthly.

For more information and to get in touch: boom@BenjaminFoundation.co.uk, www.BenjaminFoundation.co.uk

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Raising the flag for our award-winning city parks and green spaces

We are very proud of our parks and green spaces, and we are lucky to have so many in our city.

We have recently received six new awards for the following parks and open spaces in Norwich. These have been recognised by the Green Flag award scheme as outstanding examples of green outdoor spaces for people to enjoy.

Cllr Emma Hampton, cabinet member with responsibility for our parks and open spaces said: “We have been awarded no less than six Green Flags this year, and three of these are new awards. A huge thanks to all our volunteers and staff who work tirelessly all year to maintain and improve all our parks and green spaces in Norwich. These spaces are vital for our communities to socialise, enjoy nature, and for children to play safely, and of course it provides important opportunities for park users to improve their physical and mental health.”
 
Kett’s Heights – a new winner and thanks to significant funding from The Greater Norwich Growth Board, this park overlooking the Cathedral and castle has had significant improvements to make it more accessible, including new ramped access and resurfaced pathways. The improvements were designed and managed by the council’s team of landscape architects who work with the Friends of Kett’s Heights and the Norwich Fringe Project to improve and maintain the site.

Jenny Lind Park – has also won an award for the first time this year. An important green space in the busy Town Close ward and cared for by the Jenny Lind Gardening Group.

Heigham Park – another new award and very timely as the park recently celebrated its centenary in June after a successful celebratory event held by the Friends of Heigham Park.

Mousehold Heath – we have retained our Green Flag status for Mousehold Heath for the third year running and received one of the highest scores across the UK. Volunteering opportunities are a major part of the work that is undertaken by the incredible wardens who work there.

Waterloo Park – we have also retained our Green Flag Awards and Green Heritage status for Waterloo Park and Eaton Park with major improvements to both play areas carried out earlier in the year. Upgraded equipment includes an adventure sensory den and dome, a pendulum rope swing and a five bay swing frame, with an array of seating styles to choose from. The improvements include learning panels which are incorporated across the equipment to help develop motor skills, abstract thinking, emotional development and hand-eye coordination. Look out for playful graphics inspired by nature as you explore the park.

Eaton Park – has retained its Green Flag status for the seventh year running. Improvements include a brand-new climbing frame, replacing the old wooden one, and the relocation of the well-known Thomas Browne sculptures, The Homage, known locally as the brain and the eye, as part of the Hay Hill Town Deal project.

Wensum Park – has also seen some improvements and upgrades to play areas, including a multiplay climbing castle, a wheelchair-accessible carousel, and a variety of sensory activities to encourage imaginative play and social interaction among children. The sand area has been replaced with a more accessible flat rubber surface, and new fencing will help ensure children can play safely.

The Dell – we have also been working on plans to improve The Dell, which is situated next door to The Black Horse pub in Earlham Road. We recently closed our public consultation on Get Talking Norwich, and we received some really good input, so a big thank you to everyone who took part. We will come back to you later in the year with next steps. Visit GetTalking.norwich.gov.uk/ TheDell to read our proposals.

To find out more about the city’s array of parks and open spaces and our programmes for improvement please visit www.norwich.gov.uk/parks 

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City council in discussions about buying Anglia Square

Plans to get Anglia Square redeveloped have been unveiled after the council confirmed it was in discussion with the site owner about the possibility of buying the site. The move came after site owners, Columbia Threadneedle, put Anglia Square on the market in June with a guide price of £8.5m. The site was offered in three lots with the main site as one lot and with each of the satellite car parks as separate lots.

At the time of going to print, discussions were still ongoing – and with the council remaining committed to doing all it can to maximise the benefits to residents, businesses and the wider city by pushing hard for whole-site regeneration.Leader of the council, Mike Stonard said: “We have had discussions with various partners who share our vision of regenerating Norwich which means creating a new Anglia Square featuring truly affordable homes, an eclectic mix of retail and leisure outlets and well-paid jobs for local people.

“As the most deprived area of the city, and within the top 10% of the most deprived areas in the UK, there is an undeniable need to regenerate the whole area.

“People who live there deserve better and we are committed to using all the levers we have to get this site comprehensively developed – in the right way and with the type of development that our city needs. No-one else knows that better than us.”

At a previous meeting of full council in July, there was cross- party political support for further work on redevelopment plans for Anglia Square.

This included an agreement to take forward steps to produce a plan to support businesses in Anglia Square and another report to explore options for future ownership, including the potential for the council to purchase the site.

The council expressed its interest in buying the site after news earlier this year that Weston Homes had pulled out of plans to develop the site, despite securing planning permission from the council.

The council has committed to invest £300,000 from its reserves to work up a business plan and carry out site assessments.

For more information visit www.norwich.gov.uk/committees and look for the cabinet meeting on 17 July where you can read the Anglia Square report.

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Love Norwich

Love Norwich is a campaign dedicated to working with our residents to help make Norwich the very best it can be. Below are someof the highlights of our recent work to make the most of where you live, work and play.

Fly-tipping

Dumping waste without thought to the impact on our communities and our wildlife is a crime. And one we take very seriously. We have issued 11 penalty notices, carried out nearly 100 investigations, issued over 50 warning letters and cleared 95% of reported incidents within 24 hours. We are also deploying 24-hour CCTV at rubbish dumping ‘hot-spots' which include: Normandie Tower, Springbank, Douro Place, Marlpit Lane, Bowers Avenue and Heathgate.

Recycling is a win-win

Fully enclosed bin storage units have been installed to make recycling easy and quick and Love Norwich is a campaign dedicated to working with our residents to help make Norwich the very best it can be. Below are some of the highlights of our recent work to make the most of where you live, work and play. will keep communal bin areas tidy. Douro Place, Knowland Grove and Gristock Place are the first to benefit from this new trial approach.

Grants

As part of our Love Norwich campaign, you can apply for a grant to improve your loved and local spaces. So far we  have issued 18 grants and allocated £24,000 to support local residents who want to make a positive impact in their neighbourhood.

This funding has already improved a number of projects; from community murals that tackle problems with graffiti, to installing raised beds and developing community gardens. One neighbourhood created a medieval styled garden to improve biodiversity and make spaces for neighbours to gather. And another improved their local speedway track to make it accessible and safe for the whole community.

Get involved

If you love your Norwich as much as we do and want to get involved, whether it’s to report an issue, get advice on recycling and waste or to apply for a grant to improve your local area, either visit GetTalking.norwich.gov.uk/LoveNorwich or email us at community@norwich.gov.uk for help to apply for one of our Love Norwich grants.

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Digital update

Here are just some of the ways you can make sure the digital world works for you.

Download your 2024 bin calendar

Do you rely on your neighbours to know which bin to put out? Simply type your postcode into the My Norwich section of our website to find out in seconds. You can also download your bin calendar for the rest of 2024, so you’ll never be caught out.

My Norwich can also be used to view a range of information tailored to your address: planning applications, find your local councillor and check parking regulations – and lots more.

Improving our online offer

The city council’s website is getting an upgrade. As more and more people access our services online, it is important that the
council’s website works for you. We want to deliver a clear, clean and accessible website and provide a seamless experience for residents, businesses and online users. That’s why we will be redesigning the current city council website. We ran a consultation earlier this year to get your views on this, and you can still submit your feedback through the Get Talking Norwich website.

While you’re there, why not check out other consultations currently underway or join a community conversation?

Help getting online

If you have trouble accessing a particular council service online, let us know and we will talk you through it.

Learning new digital skills can be daunting and sometimes you may not know where to start.

  • AbilityNet is offering free support from the comfort of your own home to assist with a range of IT challenges, from setting up new equipment to using online services. The service is completely free and requests can be made via email  enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk, or at the AbilityNet website.
  • Age UK have lots of online essential resources for those seeking support to develop their IT and digital skills, to help people communicate with their loved ones online and access financial savings through shopping and banking online  www.AgeUk.org.uk
  • The Norfolk Library Service also offers a number of initiatives to help with improving digital skills or getting the best out of online services. Step into your local branch to ask about the support available www.norfolk.gov.uk/libraries

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Creating an urban forest for Norwich

As well as being a beautiful addition to our surroundings, trees are a vital part of enhancing and protecting the natural environment. There are various initiatives underway to grow an urban forest around Norwich.

Miyawaki Forests

The fantastic team and volunteers from Norwich Fringe Project have planted two innovative mini Miyawaki Forests in Heartsease, created by planting 1200 trees of 15 different species closely together. This technique makes them grow quicker, stronger, and thicker while also providing a perfect habitat for wildlife and increasing biodiversity.

Biodiversity corridors through the city

Look out for more than 300 new trees in parks, open spaces and housing estates – locations include Cadge Road, Greenfield Park and Eaton Gardens. They are being planted by Norwich City Council as part of efforts to enhance the city’s biodiversity. The successful bids for funding were led by Norfolk County Council and will contribute towards the One Million Trees for Norfolk project.

Tree giveaways

Hundreds of trees have been given away to Norwich residents as part of the ambitious 7000+ Biodiversity Arts Project, managed by local charity, The Greenhouse Trust and funded by the city council.

The project aims to plant at least 7000 new trees in Norwich by 2030.

There was a huge response to the first promotional events that took place earlier this year, which also provided members of the public with information about planting and how to record the location of the tree. Look out for details of further tree distribution days which will be announced in the autumn.

Councillor Adam Giles, cabinet member for a fairer Norwich, said: “Trees are key to supporting biodiversity, increasing our resilience to the effects of a changing climate, improving air quality, and boosting wellbeing. We’re lucky to have access to lots of green spaces in the city where the council carefully manages our tree stock, from our housing estates and parks to larger woodlands like Mousehold Heath.

“The council is planting so many trees and recognising that while trees are key to tackling climate change, they are also susceptible to its impacts. That’s why we are adapting how and where we plant trees so they thrive and can benefit the city for decades to come.”

You can read more about the council’s Biodiversity Strategy at www.norwich.gov.uk/biodiversity

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Saving with solar at Riverside Leisure Centre

The city council has secured funding to install over 600 solar panels on the roof of Riverside Leisure Centre, as well as on new canopies that will be built over the car park.

By producing renewable energy on site, the project is set to reduce the electricity bills of the building by 33 percent and cut 75 tonnes of carbon emissions a year. These financial and carbon savings will help secure the future of this popular leisure centre, as well as supporting the council’s efforts to reach net zero.

The total funding of £895,000 will go towards installing solar panels on the flat roof area of the leisure centre and throughout the car park via a solar carport. Additionally, funds will be allocated to upgrade the building management system to optimise the site’s energy efficiency. Completion of the project is expected by the end of 2024.

Funding of £520,000 has been secured from the government and Sport England’s £60m Swimming Pool Support Fund, while the remaining £375,000 is being paid for by the city council.

The centre, which has been run by Places Leisure on behalf of the council since 2013, bounced back strongly after it was forced to close during the pandemic. Last year membership numbers surpassed pre-pandemic levels and 350,000 visits were recorded. A recently agreed new contract will see Places Leisure continue to manage the centre until 2029.

Councillor Emma Hampton, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to secure this funding to install such a large solar array and other energy efficient measures at Riverside Leisure Centre, future proofing the venue by reducing emissions and ensuring we continue to provide these much-loved community facilities for years to come.

“By placing solar panels on the roof and in the car park, we’re putting that empty space to good use – something we should aim to do more and more across the city as we work towards a net zero Norwich by 2045.”

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Fine parking!

Where to leave your car in the fine city.

Multi-storey car parks:

  • Right in the heart of the city: St Giles (330 spaces, including Blue Badge parking)
  • Two minutes’ walk from the city centre: St Andrews (1,084 spaces, including Blue Badge parking)
  • Five minutes’ walk from the city centre: Rose Lane (595 spaces, including Blue Badge parking)

Surface car parks:

  • Barn Road, St Swithins Road, NR2 4SH Colegate, Golden Dog Lane, NR3 1HS Magdalen Street, St Saviours Lane, NR3 1AA Queens Road, Queens Road, NR1 3PG Rouen Road, Rouen Road, NR1 1QU
  • St Crispins, Chatham Street, NR3 3DN
  • Westwick Street ,Westwick Street, NR2 4SZ

Eaton Park, South Park Avenue, NR4 7AU

Season tickets are available at all of the above, visit www.norwich.gov.uk/parking

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