Garden Wildlife Competition
The 2026 competition closed to entries on 17 July 2026. This year’s competition has two categories: small gardens up to 500sqm and large gardens over 500sqm. We have had 21 and 15 entries respectively and shortlisting, visits and judging will take place during the remainder of July. The awards event is planned for 15 September 2026.
Vehicle Fleet Review
Following a successful bid to a national grant scheme, five chargers have been installed at the Oldmedow Road site.Consideration will be given to a further grant application later in 2026.
Switch Together (previously Solar Together)
Installations for the customers that participated in the 2025 scheme are now complete. A total of 29 customers installed solar panels via the scheme and preparations are underway for the 2026/27 scheme. A targeted mailshot commenced on 17 August 2026 with registration closing 25 September 2026. Installations will run through to May 2027.
School Climate Champions
Work to develop the 2026/2027 scheme is underway alongside Norfolk Museums Service and its Gressenhall based team. Invitations to schools have been issued.
Carbon Audit
The 2023/24 carbon audit is available on our website and work is underway on the 2024/25 and 2025/26 audits. We are looking at processes to speed up and automate this and any data collection it requires.
Carbon Literacy Training
The council has adopted a new e-learning platform. Cost information is being evaluated on various options for the module’s development.
Ferry
Officers are in dialogue with Norfolk County Council to determine the remaining funding, following the £800,000 CIL Spending Panel and Regeneration & Development Committee recommendations.
Village Green, South Lynn
The Town and Village application for South Lynn is being processed by Norfolk County Council. Given part of the area is covered by the Doorstep Green, Hardings Pits, consent was required from Natural England (previously the Countryside Agency) and this has been received.
Norfolk Climate Change Partnership (NCCP)
Whilst local authorities focus on local government reorganisation, administration of the partnership will be undertaken by the Tyndall Centre, University of East Anglia. The partnership’s July meeting focused on the theme of adaptation.
Streetlighting Phase II
As work has progressed some changes in scope have been recommended primarily with our ornate heritage lanterns on Hunstanton Seafront and The Walks amongst other areas.
Re:Fit
Panasonic and Finn Geotherm are working together to resolve issues with heat pump reliability as well as visibility via the Building Management Systems.
Solar Panels
Officers are awaiting authorisation from finance to proceed with the photovoltaic installations at KLIC and the Corn Exchange.
King’s Lynn Hanse Festival
Following this year’s Hanse Festival, we have taken time to review what worked well and identify opportunities for improvement. Planning for next year’s festival is already beginning, with the Festival Committee keen to build on this year’s success, enhance the programme and further promote King’s Lynn’s rich Hanseatic heritage.
Norfolk Arts Forum
The Forum received updates from a range of cultural organisations across the region.
Presentations highlighted the work of the Norwich Cultural Compact, an Arts Council England initiative supporting a place-based cultural strategy through community engagement, pilot projects, a Culture Pass, Fair Ticket Bank and a creative freelancers’ database.
The Kick the Dust programme, delivered by Norfolk Museums Service, continues to engage young people aged 13–25 with heritage through exhibitions, events, environmental projects and archive placements, helping to develop skills and encourage participation in the cultural sector.
Norwich Theatre outlined its Creative Intent Strategy, focusing on skills development, long-term partnerships, social impact, inclusion and its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality.
The Norfolk & Suffolk Culture Board provided updates on post-16 education reforms, including the introduction of new vocational V Levels from September 2027. The Board also reported progress on the Survive to Thrive programme, work around Cultural Environmental Responsibility in partnership with the Nature Recovery Partnership, and welcomed significant Place Partnership funding for Creative Health.
Hanseatic Water Ski Weekend
The annual Hanseatic Water Ski Weekend once again proved to be an outstanding event. Alongside powerboat racing and waterskiing competitions for all ages, this year’s event included qualifying rounds for World Championship ranking points, further raising King’s Lynn’s international profile.
The weekend also featured live music, fireworks and award presentations.
Guildhall Creative Programme
Work continues to progress on the Guildhall redevelopment, alongside an expanding creative outreach programme. Schools and libraries across the borough are participating in Play in a Day workshops and other creative
activities, giving children the opportunity to create and perform their own dragon-themed plays through storytelling, games, crafts and drama.
The Guildhall’s Creative Director has also been promoting the vision for the project
both nationally and internationally, delivering presentations in the UK, USA, Austria and Poland to strengthen its ambition of becoming an internationally recognised centre for culture, arts and heritage.
Over the summer, the Borough Council’s Events Team is delivering the Summer of Dragons programme as part of the National Year of Reading. Taking place in libraries across West Norfolk and at Stories of Lynn, the programme offers a range of dragon-themed activities designed to inspire young readers and encourage families to engage with books, storytelling and creativity.
Hunstanton Events Programme
Hunstanton’s summer events programme is now in full swing. The inaugural Beer & Gin Festival was a great success, and popular favourites including the Open Air Cinema and Family Fun Days have returned. The programme continued throughout August and September with Peter Piper Picked Some Litter, Swim Safe sessions, the Mad Tea Party celebrating Afternoon Tea Week, Beats by the Beach, Battle of the Bands and the ever-popular Soap Box Derby.
Events Team
Our Events Team continues to deliver an extensive programme of free events throughout the summer. Alongside organising Borough Council events, the team provides significant in-kind support to community organisers through event planning, health and safety advice, stewarding, licensing support and post-event clean-up.
Following another successful Festival Too, attention now turns to the King’s Lynn Festival, which will showcase an exciting programme over the coming weeks.
Planning and Discharge of Conditions applications received
Application numbers at the end of June are down slightly compared to the same period last year, 1112 applications, 40 fewer.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
FY25/26 CIL Close of accounts
CIL Officers are now in the process of producing the Council’s Annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) which will be sent to MHCLG and published on our webpages.
CIL Income
FY25/26 Total Income received within the FY £4m:
Income received between:
1 April 2025 – 30 September 2025 £2,133,881.84
1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026 £1,913,457.64
Annual Income Total: FY 25/26 £4,047,339.48
CIL Income is distributed as follows:
1. 5% – CIL Admin – Staff wages & on-costs, Legal & Court Costs, IT licences/upgrades and annual software maintenance
2. 15 or 25% – Neighbourhood CIL – Payments are made automatically to Parishes twicea year where development has commenced and payment has been received.
3. Remaining – Borough CIL – used to fund projects in the Borough
1. CIL Admin
In the financial year £202,784.08, the CIL administration funds, covered all staff costs and also allocated £66,702.77 toward the Local Plan Viability Study.
2. Neighbourhood (Parish) CIL Payments
To date over £2m has been paid directly to Parishes linked to CIL payments in their area, this table shows the payments made in the financial year:
Apr-25 £252,699.71
Total paid to Parishes to date £2,216,850.92
Oct-25 £372,424.42
Total FY 25/26 £625,124.13
3. Borough CIL – Used to fund Projects
CIL was adopted in 2017, with the 1st projects funded by CIL being allocated in 2021. The
table below shows how the Borough CIL has been allocated and spent to date:
TOTALS
Borough CIL Infrastructure (Project Funding) Received to date: £11,211,133.18
Total Funds Allocated £6,142,352.26
Spent £4,242,073.21
Allocated – Not Spent £1,900,279.26
CIL funding has been allocated to 294 Projects within the Borough, of which 257 have been completed.
CIL Funding Application Process 20% Community Projects – Completed
The first round of CIL funding has been completed under the revised CIL Spending Strategy relating to funding applications for community projects between £10k and £100k.
On Monday 22 June the CIL Spending Panel allocated a total of £759,875.26 CIL funding.
The allocation of CIL has allowed projects with a Net total cost of £1.2M to be taken forward by community groups to support new development and has also levered in £480K match funding.
Strategic CIL Funding 80% Council Projects- In progress
There is £4.25M CIL Funding available to be allocated to Corporate Strategic Projects.
Infrastructure projects were selected based on the revised spending strategy, with input from members, finance and lead project officers. Projects were reviewed by the CIL Spending Panel on 18 May and funding recommendations were made. The proposed
projects have been reviewed by R&D with further recommendations for Cabinet. Based on the outcome from CIL Panel and R&D these are the projects that were considered by Cabinet on the 23 July:
• Hunstanton Coastal Defences Capital Works Project
• West Lynn Ferry – Infrastructure Improvements
• Redesign and refurbishment of Cliff Top public convenience facilities in Hunstanton.
• Technical Training Infrastructure – King’s Lynn South Fire Station
The next round of applications for the local CIL monies will open later this year.
Local Plan and Planning Policy
Next Local Plan
The Borough Council has published its formal Notice of Intention (NoI) to commence the next Local Plan. Alongside this the initial Local Plan Timetable and some further supporting information has also been published.
The new local plan system requires the Borough Council to complete the process within 34 months. Work continues at pace to meet the new statutory timescales. This includes on the evidence base utilising external expert consultants and in-house expertise. We will shortly be analysing the 750+ sites received through the Call for Sites through the Housing & Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) and then the SEA (Strategic Environmental Assessment) combined with Site Assessment (SA). To inform this will be comments from statutory consultees, officer site visits to each, and the use of emerging AI technology.
To assist with Local Plan preparation the Borough Council has appointed a dedicated Local Plan Support Officer to compliment the Planning Policy Team.
The Governance Arrangements for ensuring the Borough Council meets the deadlines has been agreed. In addition, the Terms of Reference for the Local Plan Task Group have been updated.
Scoping Consultation
The next formal stage for the Borough Council to carry out, as part of our next Local Plan, is the Scoping Consultation (for a minimum of 21 days). This is proposed to take place in September. It is a new stage in the process, and it is designed to be relatively high-level
and light touch. This is not asking for views on draft proposals, like most consultation exercises, but is an early-stage consultation aimed at asking those with an interest in the next Local Plan what they consider should be included within it, and how they would like to
be engaged/kept up to date as preparation progresses. Whilst it is of course not a blank sheet, as there are certain things we can do and cannot legally and policy wise do, comments will be considered and inform the content of and the engagement strategy going forward. Alongside this we will also publish an interactive map of the sites received through the Call for Sites process and allow people/bodies to comment on them. The Call for Sites will also be re-opened to provide another opportunity for sites to be submitted.
Consultation will also take place with the three main environmental statutory consultation bodies (Natural England, Historic England, Environment Agency) on our Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Scoping Report.
LICENSING
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and is now the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026. This will introduce a “smoke-free generation” by banning tobacco sales to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. It strengthens rules on vapes and nicotine
products (including under 18 sales bans, proxy purchasing offences, and vending machine restrictions), introduces a comprehensive ban on advertising and sponsorship, and allows tighter controls on packaging, flavours and displays. It also creates a retail licensing scheme,
and enables the expansion of smoke-free and vape-free public areas.
Implementation is expected to begin in late 2026, with the main age of sale change expected to take effect from 1 January 2027.
We have completed all inspections at all Gambling premises licensed within the borough. Premises includes – Adult Gaming Centres, Betting shops, Family Entertainment Centres & Bingo Premises. We are continuing to carry out a review of gaming machines within licensed Club premises.
Government’s consultation on the proposal to move the taxi licensing regime from Local Authorities to Local Transport Authorities ran from 8 January to 1 April 2026.
No update from Government at this time.
The Government has announced a draft Taxi and Private Hire Vehicle (PHV) Bill in the King’s Speech, setting out the most significant overhaul of taxi and PHV legislation in more than a century. Ministers say the reforms will modernise an outdated and fragmented system, strengthen public safety, and ensure passengers receive consistent, reliable services wherever they travel in England.
Recycling
Electrical items and batteries can now once again be accepted at Norfolk Recycling Centres.
Food Safety:
The Environmental Health team is also attending a number of summer events across the borough to undertake food safety spot checks on event traders. These visits help to ensure food businesses are complying with food hygiene requirements and operating safely, while also providing an opportunity to offer advice and support where needed.
The team produce regular newsletters for food business with helpful advice and information on food safety.
Public Open Space:
We have been awarded 5 Green Flag Awards for our parks and open spaces. Boston Square Sensory Garden and Heritage Gardens in Hunstanton, along with Mintlyn Crematorium, The Walks and Tower Gardens in King’s Lynn have all been recognised as being some of the
best in the country.
GRANTS
Our small grants application process is underway and sums covering both 26/27 and 27/28 are being assessed for those needy community causes that have signed Service Level Agreements for usage and reporting of outcomes.
Our new Community Projects Fund of £0.5m, agreed by Council in February 2026 is now available for bids shortly and with full application and evaluation details.
These have to be submitted and signed off by the relative Borough Member.
Leisure, Sport and Healthy Communities
Our leisure facilities and Active Communities service continue to make an important contribution to prevention, health and wellbeing. During the period,
activity has focused on widening participation, supporting schools and community groups, strengthening partnerships and attracting high-profile sporting events to West Norfolk.
Hosted 750 children and 120 staff from the Ad Meliora Trust at Lynnsport to celebrate the Trust’s tenth anniversary in the borough, with a
programme delivered by the Active Communities Team.
Progressed the West Norfolk Rackets and Community Sports Hub through Cabinet, supporting future participation growth and improved access to community sport.
Granted a council lease to the Adapted Sports Hub and supported its formal launch at St Nicholas’ Chapel, enabling the next phase of fundraising and delivery.
Delivered Drowning Prevention Week activity across council pools with Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service and the RNLI, promoting water safety among children and families.
Supported Wave 17 of Swim England’s national campaign and hosted the Open Swimming Championships at St James Pool.
Launched the Jog On campaign in support of the White Ribbon initiative, using physical activity to raise awareness of violence against women and girls and to promote safer communities.
Hosted school sports days at Lynnsport and supported the Sunny Hunny Triathlon at Oasis, bringing participants and visitors into the borough.
Capital projects and infrastructure
Significant progress is being made across the sports infrastructure programme. The emphasis remains on creating facilities that are financially sustainable, capable of increasing participation and able to deliver wider health and social value.
Representatives from the LTA, England Netball, Norfolk Cricket and the Football Foundation visited the proposed KLA 3G site, demonstrating the project’s multi-sport potential and the opportunity to return school sports facilities to wider community use.
Work continued on the West Norfolk Rackets and Community Sports Hub as a major investment in local sporting infrastructure.
Sport England’s Place Expansion Team visited the borough to review partnership working and discuss opportunities to maximise future
investment and participation.
Culture, place and partnerships
Supported the launch of Create King’s Lynn at The Workshop, bringing cultural partners together to increase awareness of and access to
cultural activity over the next two and a half years.
Strengthened links with Creative Arts East and local cultural organisations to broaden participation and community engagement.
Provided technical and operational support to Festival Too, drawing on the wider expertise now available following the insourcing of Alive West Norfolk services.
Taken together, this work shows the value of our leisure venues as communityassets. They support physical activity, education, culture, community resilience and place-making, while also helping to raise the profile of West Norfolk as a trusted partner for regional and national organisations.
Business and Economic Development
The Economic Development Team continues to connect local businesses with investment, skills and supply-chain opportunities, while supporting the delivery of our wider economic strategy.
The Meet the Buyer event at King’s Lynn Town Hall attracted more than 70 local businesses and connected them with major regional projects including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sizewell C, the West Winch Access Road and St George’s Guildhall. With tier one contractors including Skanska and Costain now appointed, there is a significant opportunity to secure local supply-chain
benefits and social value.
National Manufacturing Day activity brought students into Palm Paper, SKF Cooper, Fosters Refrigeration and Mars. The 2026 programme, planned for 24 September, has already expanded to seven employers and more than 140 students from schools, colleges and other education providers.
Through the Rural England Prosperity Fund, nine rural businesses have been supported since April 2025 to develop products, improve premises and invest in equipment. A final application is being assessed before the fund closes on 30 September 2026.
One business has secured support from the Norfolk County Council Business Growth Fund, with a further five applications under consideration following facilitation by the council’s Economic Development Team.
Only one industrial unit remains available at King’s Lynn Enterprise Park following refreshed branding and the appointment of Brown & Co as agent. Serviced development plots are also generating strong interest.
The benefits of the Towns Fund programme are now becoming increasingly visible. The new King’s Lynn library has been completed, work is under way at St George’s Guildhall and will shortly commence at the Custom House, while the dry-side facilities on South Quay are due for completion in August. These improvements will strengthen the offer for leisure craft visitors and support the Sail
the Wash campaign.
The King’s Lynn and Hunstanton masterplans are also approaching their final stages following extensive public and stakeholder engagement. They will provide a long-term framework for investment and should help create greater confidence for private-sector partners.
Jim
Airfield Ward
Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing