By Cllr Greg Peck
As we continue to struggle with this awful pandemic and try to fend off a dreaded second spike, the county council is working hard on its Covid-19 recovery plan, to ensure we continue to support local businesses and the Norfolk economy so the recovery is as quick and as strong as possible.
We are also looking at our own activities: Covid has forced our own staff into different ways of working. Working from home and using IT solutions, such as videoconferencing, is the new normal.
We expect a lot of this to continue beyond Covid. That means we will be able to reduce our property portfolio throughout the county and consolidate more staff into County Hall, along with some partner organisations, which will produce both revenue savings and capital receipts.
This leads me to another major challenge we are facing right now: we are working on producing a balanced budget, which is something we have to do by law. It is increasingly difficult, as the funding from central government reduces year on year, but the demand on services increases.
Adult social services and children’s services, account for around 70% of all county council total spending. Norfolk’s demographic, with an increasingly ageing population, means we need a national resolution to the funding for adult social care going forward.
In addition to these challenges, we are still progressing the Western Link, which will relieve the disruption caused by rat running experienced by a number of villages in my division.
I am also continuing to press for a solution to the problems caused by the cable routes of the three offshore wind farm projects, which are coming through our area.
In particular, I am fighting to get a traffic management plan that avoids Cawston and the surrounding narrow road network. Even villages not directly affected by the cables coming through or near them will suffer from the extra 1,000 truck movements a week for up to 11 years on our local road network.
Libraries Week
This week, Norfolk Library and Information Service is celebrating Libraries Week (5–10 October). There are free books for children, a new adult “Big Read” and online reading activities.
Throughout the week, Norfolk Libraries will be highlighting on social media all the exciting ways people across the county can access books, online reading activities and free support for adults who struggle with reading.
This year’s theme celebrates books and reading, showcasing the vital contribution that libraries across the UK make towards building a “nation of readers” and acknowledging their remarkable efforts to keep the country reading, providing comfort, companionship and escapism during challenging times.
Our libraries have been a lifeline for many people in lockdown, keeping them connected to a world of books and reading, and continuing to provide vital digital services.
While events in libraries are on hold due to the pandemic, library staff have been recording Baby Bounce and Rhyme, Storytime and Coding Club videos, which can all be accessed for free on the Norfolk Libraries’ YouTube channel.
There are also plenty of live events for adults via Zoom, which continue to prove popular, including Knit & Natter, author Q&A sessions and weekly Reading Friends shared reading. To find out more visit the Norfolk County Council website.
Cllr Greg Peck, Norfolk County Council, Reepham Division
Tel: 07972 230282
Email: greg.peck.cllr@norfolk.gov.uk