Consultation Hub

Between 27 October and 15 December 2025, Norfolk County Council (NCC) ran a consultation asking residents and stakeholders what they thought about our budget proposals for 2026-2027.  

We outlined fifty saving proposals as well as a proposal to increase council tax by different amounts (3%, up to 5% and more than 5%). We also asked respondents for their ideas to help close our budget gap. 

We received 261 responses from a variety of respondents. The five main cross-cutting themes related to: comments about managing NCC more efficiently (205 comments), people’s challenging financial circumstances (162), comments about the proposed increase in council tax being fair (111), comments about the number or functions of council staff and Members (99), comments about the proposed increase in council tax being unfair (91).  

Following the feedback that was received we analysed the results and produced a report which was reviewed by decision makers. The Budget Consultation Findings Report 2025 can be viewed on the Council website from page 290.   

NCC’s Budget for 2026-27 was approved at full council on 17 February 2026. The budget delivers £42.3 million in savings and efficiencies, and £76.3 million of targeted investment to support essential services and strengthen Norfolk’s economy. 

Councillors also agreed a 4.998% increase in council tax, which takes account of the expected funding from Government and continuing reliance on local tax income to maintain core services. 

Between 24 September and 5 November 2025, Norfolk County Council (NCC) ran a consultation asking residents and stakeholders what they thought about our new transport strategies for Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn.  

The previous strategies were published in 2020 but changes to local and national policy, as well as lifestyle habit changes since Covid-19, prompted the decision to develop new strategies that reflected local needs and wider policy goals.  

The new strategies were developed through engagement with Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk (KLWN). Each strategy includes a vision, objectives, policies and targets and lists of schemes that would deliver the strategy objectives. 

We received 268 responses from a variety of respondents mostly those that live, work, or spend leisure time in the Great Yarmouth and/ or King’s Lynn area. There were 100 responses to the Great Yarmouth consultation and 168 to the King’s Lynn consultation.  

Results from the Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy consultation show that the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed (78%) with the overall vision. Common comments related to issues with accessibility, public transport, rail, safety, and links to villages outside Great Yarmouth. In terms of transport projects, support was highest for Acle Straight dualling, improving the frequency of the rail service between Great Yarmouth and Norwich and Vauxhall Roundabout improvements.  

Results from the King’s Lynn consultation show that the majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed (61%) with the overall vision. The most common comments were on issues with the roads in and around King’s Lynn with particular focus on congestion, public transport, and key highways schemes. In terms of transport projects, upport was highest for A17/A47 Pullover roundabout improvements, A149 improvements and Ely Area Capacity Enhancements.  

Following feedback from residents and other key stakeholders, we analysed the results and produced two consultation reports which were reviewed by decision makers.  

Norfolk County Council adopted the new strategies at Cabinet on 2 March 2026, KLWN on 3 March and GYBC on 10 March. The full Cabinet papers, including the strategies and the public consultation reports, can be viewed on the Council website from page 456. The adopted strategies will be published on the Norfolk County Council website shortly, on the following pages: Great Yarmouth Transport Strategy and King’s Lynn Transport Strategy. 

Norfolk County Council asked for feedback on proposed improvements to the Market Place in Dereham. The aim of the scheme is to improve how buses serve the town, including the capacity, safety and accessibility of the busy bus stops, as well as reducing congestion in the town centre area for everyone. Making it easier for people to cross over the Market Place to access shops, amenities and bus services. 

57% of responders liked or liked very much the BSIP objectives of improving bus journey times and reliability of services and with the majority (54%) of respondents saying the agreed or strongly agreed with our proposals.

Stakeholders including Dereham Town Council and local bus operators were in favour of the proposals.

The main objections raised were the proposed new location of the disabled bays, and the reduction of the taxi rank.

There were suggestions that we should reduce parking further, pedestrianise the Market Place and create a new bus station in a different location so the buses would not be in the market place.

A small number of people requested a widening and decluttering the pavements and to move the market to another location.

Location of the disabled bays and taxi rank

Following further investigation, and considering the consultation feedback, it has been decided to amend the proposal to relocate the disabled parking bays to the south side of Church Street. This will allow the disabled bays to be improved with the addition of a hatched loading area around the parking bays.

This will also mean the taxi rank will no longer require shortening as the disabled bays have been relocated elsewhere.

Pedestrianise the Market Place

The scope of this scheme is to improve the bus stops and there is not sufficient funding to pedestrianise the Market Place at this current time.

Relocate the bus stop

It is also outside the scope of the proposals to construct a new bus stop at a separate location.

Further reduce parking

Our proposals to remove two bays from the Market Place will improve pedestrian safety, however, removing any more parking at this time may have an adverse impact on the local amenities, including the market traders, so only the changes proposed will go ahead.

Decluttering pavements/relocating the market

The proposals seek to widen and declutter the pavements in the vicinity of the Market Place where practical, however, due to the historic nature of Dereham town centre there is limited space to do so.

Moving the Market is beyond the scope of the proposal and funding.

Next steps

Work is scheduled to start in early 2026.