Norfolk County Council

Last updated

Norfolk County Council
Arms of Norfolk.svg
Coat of arms
Norfolk County Council.svg
Council logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Chair of the Council
Penny Carpenter,
Conservative
since May 2021
Leader of the Council
Andrew Proctor,
Conservative
since June 2018
Head of service
Tom McCabe
since May 2019
Structure
Seats84 councillors
Norfolk County Council composition.svg
Political groups
Administration
  Conservative (58)
Other parties
  Labour (12)
  Liberal Democrat (9)
  Green (3)
  Independent (2)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
4 May 2021
Next election
4 May 2025
Meeting place
Norfolk County Hall, Martineau Lane - geograph.org.uk - 153348.jpg
County Hall, Norwich
Website
www.norfolk.gov.uk

Norfolk County Council is the top-tier local government authority for Norfolk, England. Its headquarters are based in the city of Norwich.

Contents

Below it there are 7 second-tier local government district councils: Breckland District, Broadland District, Great Yarmouth Borough, North Norfolk District, Norwich City, King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough, and South Norfolk District.

History

Sir William ffolkes, chairman 1902-1912 W-h-r-ffolkes-1880.jpg
Sir William ffolkes, chairman 1902–1912

In 1902, the council consisted solely of landowners. [1]

Chairmen of the council prior to 1974

1889-1902 Robert Gurdon, 1st Baron Cranworth

1902-1912 Sir William Browne-ffolkes

1912-1920 John Holmes

1920-1925 Ailwyn Fellowes, 1st Baron Ailwyn

1925-1941 Russell Colman

1941-1950 Sir Henry Upcher

1950-1966 Sir Bartle Edwards

1966-1969 Douglas Sanderson

1969-1974 John Hayden  : From this point onwards the role of Chairman became ceremonial with the council being run by a Leader.

The council, as currently constituted, was established in 1974 following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972, which replaced the two previous county authorities (the County Borough of Norwich and the County of Norfolk) with a single top tier authority for the whole of Norfolk.

Politics

Norfolk County Council is currently (since May 2016) run by a Conservative Administration.

Norfolk County Council has traditionally been known as a Conservative stronghold, being run by them from its formation until 1993.

For the period 1993 until 2001 no one party had overall control.

The Conservatives won a majority in the 2001 local elections and held the authority until 2013.

The countryside is almost all Conservative territory, with few areas being strong for the Liberal Democrats. [2] The urban areas of Norfolk have always been more mixed in their loyalties, however, and seats in Norwich, Great Yarmouth, and King's Lynn are often held by the Labour Party. From 2009 to 2013 the Greens held the greatest number of Norfolk County Council electoral divisions within the city of Norwich.

Following the county elections of May 2013, Norfolk County Council was under no overall control, Norfolk County Council's ruling administration was made up of an alliance of non-Conservative councillors (14 UKIP, 15 Labour, 10 Liberal Democrat, 4 Green and 1 independent) with a Labour leader until May 2016. The alliance collapsed in May 2016 when the Green Party withdrew its support resulting in the Council electing a Conservative Leader, and that in turn lead to a minority Conservative administration running the council until May 2017.

In the Local Elections of May 2017 the Conservatives won an overall majority of the seats and were able to form a majority administration. The results were Conservative 55, Labour 17, Liberal Democrats 11 with both UKIP and the Green Party losing all their seats on the council.

In the Local Elections of May 2021 the Conservatives increased their number of seats to 58 and remained in control of the Council.

In April 2014 a project to establish an incinerator at King's Lynn was scrapped by the Labour lead alliance under George Nobbs when the members of the council voted by 48 to 30 to end the authority's contract with the firm Cory Wheelabrator after a heated debate at County Hall in Norwich on 7 April. That decision was directly followed by a cabinet meeting, in which the administration voted unanimously to axe the scheme. [3] This decision meant the council had to pay compensation to the company of several million pounds.

In May 2018 just one week after being re-elected Leader of the council for a further year Cllr. Cliff Jordan resigned from his position and his seat on the council due to ill health. The following month at an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council Cllr. Andrew Proctor was elected Leader.

Election results

Economy and business

The council spends an average of £56.5 million a month with suppliers. [4]

Education

See also List of schools in Norfolk

The council is in charge of all Nursery, Primary and Secondary state schools throughout Norfolk which are not academies, but not Tertiary education. There are three nursery schools, 359 primary schools, 35 secondary schools, one all-through school, one free school, one short stay school and 11 special schools. [5]

The council provides a school finder for parents to find children a school. [6] The primary school curriculum is set by the government, and recorded on Directgov. [7] The secondary (high) school curriculum is set by the government, and recorded on Directgov. There are compulsory subjects which are needed to be followed in Norfolk and England. [8] [9] [10] [11]

In Year 9 (sometimes Year 8), children are required to pick their GCSE options for the forecoming year. [8] [10] [11] [12] [13] In England, a student must take at least two optional choices. [10] [13]

In February 2013, Ofsted inspectors judged that vulnerable children in the county were at risk. [14] Shortly afterwards, the regulator expressed concern about the county's educational provision. [15] Three years later, in August 2016, Ofsted found that Norfolk County Council had still failed to address the regulator's earlier judgements (in February and August 2013, respectively) that the council's arrangements for the protection of children and for services for looked after children were 'inadequate'. [16] In 2017 after further inspection the rating was raised to 'requires improvement' after considerable progress in the department.

Health and Social Care

The council is responsible for coordinating and managing the Adult Social Care of the population of Norfolk. This work was overseen by the Adult Social Care Committee based at County Hall. However, in May 2019 the committee was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Prevention.

Since 2012 the Health and Wellbeing Board for Norfolk and Waveney has been responsible for Public Health in the county. The board has been chaired by Cllr. Bill Borrett since 2017, it comprises representatives from most NHS bodies such as the five Clinical Commissioning Groups and the three Norfolk Acute Hospitals as well as Norfolk and Waveney's County and District Councils.

See Healthcare in Norfolk for the details of the different NHS bodies charged with delivering health in the county.

Transportation

A bus stop sign managed by Norfolk County Council Norfolk County Council Bus Stop Sign.jpg
A bus stop sign managed by Norfolk County Council

Norfolk County Council is responsible for maintaining Norfolk's 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) road networks and bus routes. [17] They often go into schools and promote road safety to students. [18]

Conservation

Norfolk County Council public footpath signpost Norfolk County Council - geograph.org.uk - 611553.jpg
Norfolk County Council public footpath signpost

Norfolk County Council offered grant aid for landscape conservation, submitted to the Director of Planning and Transportation. [19] Many historic buildings in the county are protected by the Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust, established in 1977, which is under the guidance of the county council. [20] Between 1995 and 2000, the Trust played a major role in restoring the Denver Mill site, at a cost of over £1 million. [19]

Notable members

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norfolk</span> County of England

Norfolk is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea, with The Wash to the north-west. The county town is the city of Norwich. With an area of 2,074 sq mi (5,370 km2) and a population of 859,400, Norfolk is a largely rural county with a population density of 401 per square mile. Of the county's population, 40% live in four major built up areas: Norwich (213,000), Great Yarmouth (63,000), King's Lynn (46,000) and Thetford (25,000).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wymondham</span> Market town in Norfolk, England

Wymondham is a market town and civil parish in the South Norfolk district of Norfolk, England, 12 miles (19 km) south-west of Norwich off the A11 road to London. The River Tiffey runs through. The parish, one of Norfolk's largest, includes rural areas to the north and south, with hamlets of Suton, Silfield, Spooner Row and Wattlefield. It had a population of 14,405 in 2011, of whom 13,587 lived in the town itself.

Education in England is overseen by the United Kingdom's Department for Education. Local government authorities are responsible for implementing policy for public education and state-funded schools at a local level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Constituency represented in the UK Parliament

North West Norfolk is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by James Wild, a Conservative.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Edward VII Academy</span> Academy in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, England

King Edward VII Academy is a large, mixed comprehensive secondary school in Gaywood Road (A148), King's Lynn, Norfolk, England with around 1,300 pupils, including about 300 in sixth form education. Prior to the school year beginning in September 1979, KES was an all-boys state grammar school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirklees Council</span>

For the Governance of the area prior to 1974 see West Riding County Council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gayton, Norfolk</span> Human settlement in England

Gayton is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is located 6 miles (9.7 km) east of King's Lynn and 32 miles (51 km) north-west of Norwich, along the Gaywood River and the B1145 between King's Lynn and Mundesley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cawston, Norfolk</span> Human settlement in England

Cawston is a village and civil parish in the Broadland district of Norfolk, England. The village is approximately 11 miles (18 km) north of Norwich on the B1145 road, a route which runs between King's Lynn and Mundesley. Nearby towns are Reepham and Aylsham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telford and Wrekin Council</span> English unitary authority council in the West Midlands

Telford and Wrekin Council is the local authority of Telford and Wrekin in Shropshire, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined. The district of Telford and Wrekin was granted borough status in 2002, though the council does not ordinarily include "Borough" in its name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gillingham, Norfolk</span> Human settlement in England

Gillingham is a small village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The villages is located 1.5 miles (2.4 km) north-west of Beccles and 15 miles (24 km) south-east of Norwich, along the A146 between Norwich and Lowestoft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Norfolk County Council election</span>

The Norfolk County Council election took place on 4 June 2009, coinciding with local elections for all county councils in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections</span>

The 2012 police and crime commissioner elections were polls held in most police areas in England and Wales on Thursday 15 November. The direct election of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) was originally scheduled for May 2012 but was postponed in order to secure the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 through the House of Lords. The government considers the elected commissioners to have a stronger mandate than the "unelected and invisible police authorities that they replace". The elections took place alongside by-elections for the House of Commons in Cardiff South and Penarth, Corby and Manchester Central, and a mayoral election in Bristol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Midlothian Council election</span>

The 2012 Midlothian Council election took place on 3 May 2012 to elect members of Midlothian Council. The election used the six wards created as a result of the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with each ward electing three or four Councillors using the single transferable vote system form of proportional representation, with 18 Councillors being elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Norfolk County Council election</span>

The Norfolk County Council election took place across Norfolk on 2 May 2013, coinciding with local elections for all county councils in England. The results were announced the following day, Friday 3 May 2013. The result brought to an end 12 years of Conservative administration, who finished three seats short of a majority after losing 20 seats, leaving the Council in no overall control (NOC). UKIP and the Labour Party both made gains of 14 and 11 seats respectively. The Liberal Democrats and the Green Party both lost three seats each, whilst an independent won a single seat in North Norfolk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Norfolk County Council election</span>

The 2017 Norfolk County Council election took place on 4 May 2017 as part of the 2017 local elections in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Norfolk County Council election</span>

The Norfolk County Council election took place on 5 May 2005, coinciding with local elections for all county councils in England and the 2005 general election. It was the first election to be held under new boundaries.

The 2017 Highland Council election was held on 4 May 2017 to elect members of the Highland Council. The election used the 21 wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004; each ward elected three or four councillors using the single transferable vote system. A total of 74 councillors were elected, six less than in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Norfolk County Council election</span>

The 2021 Norfolk County Council election took place alongside the other 2021 local elections. 83 of the 84 seats to Norfolk County Council were elected. One seat, Sewell in Norwich, had its election delayed to June 17 after Eve Collishaw, the Conservative candidate, died during the election campaign

The 2022 East Renfrewshire Council election took place on 5 May 2022 on the same day as the 31 other Scottish local government elections. The election used the 5 wards created under the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004, with 18 councillors being elected. Each ward elected either 3 or 4 members, using the STV electoral system.

References

  1. Blue, Leonard Anderson (1902). The relation of the governor to the organization of executive power in the states ... University of Pennsylvania. p. 42.
  2. "Proposals for future unitary structures: Stakeholder consultation". Communities and Local Government. Archived from the original on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  3. "Norfolk County Council ends King's Lynn incinerator contract". www.lynnnews.co.uk.
  4. "Norfolk County Council ::: Spending Dashboard ::: Open Spending Data bought to life". spendnetwork.github.io.
  5. "Childrens Services – Schools". Norfolk County Council. 7 March 2012.
  6. "School Finder". Norfolk County Council. February 2012.
  7. "The National Curriculum for five to 11-year olds". DirectGov (DIRECT.GOV.UK). 8 September 2011.
  8. 1 2 "Your Child's Education". DirectGov (DIRECT.GOV.UK). 7 September 2011.
  9. "The National Curriculum for 11 to 16-year olds". DirectGov (DIRECT.GOV.UK). 8 September 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "Choosing subjects for Years 10 and 11: what's compulsory and what's optional". DirectGov. 1 April 2012.
  11. 1 2 "Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA)". QCA. 21 May 2012.
  12. "Choices in Year 9(/8)". DirectGov (DIRECT.GOV.UK). 1 April 2012.
  13. 1 2 "Choosing subjects for Years [9] 10 and 11: what's compulsory and what's optional". DirectGov (DIRECT.GOV.UK). 1 April 2012.
  14. "Vulnerable children in Norfolk 'put at risk', says report". BBC News Online . BBC. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  15. "Norfolk schools' Ofsted report raises 'considerable concern'". BBC News Online . BBC. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  16. Archer, Graham (5 August 2016). "Direction issued to Norfolk County Council". gov.uk/government/publications/. Retrieved 24 November 2016.
  17. "Travel and Transport". Norfolk County Council. 7 January 2012.
  18. "Road Safety". Norfolk County Council. 29 March 2012.
  19. 1 2 "STANDARD CONDITIONS APPLYING TO OFFERS OF NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL GRANT AID FOR LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION". Norfolk County Council. 2 April 2009.
  20. "Introduction". Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust. Retrieved 21 May 2012.