North Norfolk

Last updated

North Norfolk District
Cromer, Norfolk, with pier (51725911023).jpg
Cromer, the administrative centre of North Norfolk and the second-largest settlement
North Norfolk UK locator map.svg
Shown within Norfolk
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region East of England
Administrative county Norfolk
Formed1 April 1974
Admin. HQ Cromer
Government
  TypeNorth Norfolk District Council
   MPs: Steffan Aquarone (LD)
Jerome Mayhew (C)
Area
  Total373 sq mi (966 km2)
  Rank 28th
Population
 (2022)
  Total103,227
  Rank Ranked 233rd
  Density280/sq mi (110/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
   Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
   Religion
List
Time zone UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
  Summer (DST) UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
ONS code 33UF (ONS)
E07000147 (GSS)

North Norfolk is a local government district in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in Cromer, and the largest town is North Walsham. The district also includes the towns of Fakenham, Holt, Sheringham, Stalham and Wells-next-the-Sea, along with numerous villages and surrounding rural areas.

Contents

The district lies on the north coast of Norfolk, facing the North Sea, with much of its coastline lying within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Some south-eastern parts of the district lie within The Broads. The neighbouring districts are Great Yarmouth, Breckland, Broadland and King's Lynn and West Norfolk.

History

The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering seven former districts which were all abolished at the same time: [2]

A committee of the outgoing councils drew up a list of possible names for the new district to be considered by the Local Government Boundary Commission. Suggested names included North Norfolk, Seafields, Pastonacres, Norfolk Coastal and Cromer. [3] The commission chose the name Pastonacres, which had been coined by a member of Smallburgh Rural District Council in recognition of the extensive landholdings in the area of the Paston family in medieval times. [4] The name was not a popular choice locally, and at the very first meeting of the shadow Pastonacres District Council elected in 1973 it was resolved to change the name to North Norfolk, which was agreed by the government in September 1973, before the new district formally came into being in 1974. [5] [6]

Governance

North Norfolk District Council
North Norfolk District Council logo.svg
Type
Type
Leadership
Sarah Bütikofer,
Liberal Democrat
since 17 May 2023 [7]
Tim Adams,
Liberal Democrat
since 9 February 2022
Steve Blatch
since 2020 [8]
Structure
Seats40 councillors
Political groups
Administration (25)
  Liberal Democrats (25)
Other parties (15)
  Conservative (12)
  Independent (3)
Elections
Last election
4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
North Norfolk District Council HQ, 16th August 2008 (2).JPG
Council Offices, Holt Road, Cromer, NR27 9EN
Website
www.west-norfolk.gov.uk
Fakenham, best known for Fakenham Racecourse and is the third-largest settlement Market Place, Fakenham - geograph.org.uk - 2682721.jpg
Fakenham, best known for Fakenham Racecourse and is the third-largest settlement

North Norfolk District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Norfolk County Council. The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government. [9] [10]

In the parts of the district within The Broads, town planning is the responsibility of the Broads Authority. The district council appoints one of its councillors to sit on that authority. [11]

Holt, the fourth-largest town in the district War Memorial, Holt - geograph.org.uk - 3330824.jpg
Holt, the fourth-largest town in the district

Political control

The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 2019.

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: [12] [13]

Party in controlYears
Independent 1974–1991
No overall control 1991–2003
Liberal Democrats 2003–2011
Conservative 2011–2017
No overall control 2017–2019
Liberal Democrats 2019–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2004 have been: [14]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
John Sweeney Liberal Democrats 2004
Simon Partridge Liberal Democrats 20042008
Virginia Gay [15] Liberal Democrats 2008May 2011
Helen Eales [16] Conservative May 201130 May 2012
Keith Johnson [17] Conservative 30 May 20122 Dec 2012
Tom FitzPatrick [18] Conservative 19 Dec 201221 Feb 2018
John Lee [19] Conservative 21 Feb 201821 Nov 2018
Sarah Bütikofer [20] Liberal Democrats 21 Nov 20189 Feb 2022
Tim Adams Liberal Democrats 9 Feb 2022

Composition

Following the 2023 election the composition of the council was: [21]

PartyCouncillors
Liberal Democrats 25
Conservative 12
Independent 3
Total40

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 40 councillors representing 32 wards, with each ward electing one or two councillors. Elections are held every four years. [22]

Premises

The council is based at the Council Offices on Holt Road in Cromer. The building was purpose-built for the council and opened in 1990. [23]

Geography

North Walsham, the largest settlement in the district Centre of North Walsham - Market Cross - geograph.org.uk - 3286314.jpg
North Walsham, the largest settlement in the district

At the time of the 2001 census, the district had an area of 994 square kilometres (384 sq mi), with a population of 98,382 in 43,502 households. [24]

Demography

North Norfolk population pyramid North Norfolk population pyramid.svg
North Norfolk population pyramid

The 2021 census results found that the local authority area had the highest proportions of population over 65 in the England and Wales, at 33.5%. [25]

Wells-next-the-Sea, one of the many coastal towns in the county The Quayside at Wells Next The Sea - geograph.org.uk - 2891597.jpg
Wells-next-the-Sea, one of the many coastal towns in the county

Towns and parishes

The district is entirely covered by 121 civil parishes. The parish councils for Cromer, Fakenham, Holt, North Walsham, Sheringham, Stalham and Wells-next-the-Sea have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council". [26]

Controversies

Almost £389,000 was given to the council's "joint head of paid services", Nick Baker, in the form of an "exit package", reported Private Eye in October 2020. This was £89,000 more than the council had spent purchasing dwellings to support homeless people in 2019/20, the Eastern Daily Press reported. The council's opposition leader, Christopher Cushing, was quoted describing the payment to Baker as "extraordinary". The Press also reported the total cost of so-called "golden goodbyes" for senior council staff had risen to £1.8 million. [27] [28]

Cultural references

The 2013 movie Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa was filmed in the area.

The World of Darkness parody web series, Hunter: The Parenting, is set in the area.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Norfolk Railway</span> Heritage railway in Norfolk, England

The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) – also known as the "Poppy Line" – is a 5+14-mile (8.4 km) heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the towns of Sheringham and Holt. The North Norfolk Railway is owned and operated as a public limited company, originally called Central Norfolk Enterprises Limited. The railway is listed as exempt from the UK Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2000.

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

Sheringham is a seaside town and civil parish in the county of Norfolk, England. The motto of the town, granted in 1953 to the Sheringham Urban District Council, is Mare Ditat Pinusque Decorat, Latin for "The sea enriches and the pine adorns".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1868 onwards

North Norfolk is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Steffan Aquarone, a Liberal Democrat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Walsham</span> Town and civil parish in Norfolk, England

North Walsham is a market town and civil parish in Norfolk, England, within the North Norfolk district. The town is located 8 mi (13 km) south of Cromer and Norwich is 15 mi (24 km) south.

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

Cromer is a coastal town and civil parish on the north coast of the English county of Norfolk. It is 23 miles north of Norwich, 116 miles north-northeast of London and four miles east of Sheringham on the North Sea coastline. The local government authorities are North Norfolk District Council, whose headquarters is on Holt Road in the town, and Norfolk County Council, based in Norwich. The civil parish has an area of 4.66 km2 and at the 2011 census had a population of 7,683.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fakenham</span> Town and civil parish in Norfolk, England

Fakenham is a market town and civil parish in Norfolk, England. It is situated on the River Wensum, about 25 miles north-west of Norwich. The town is at the junction of several local roads, including the A148 from King's Lynn to Cromer, the A1067 to Norwich and the A1065 to Swaffham.

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

Ingworth is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is 1.7 miles (2.7 km) north of Aylsham, 14.3 miles (23.0 km) north of Norwich, 7.3 miles (11.7 km) east of North Walsham and 9 miles (14 km) south-southwest of Cromer. The nearest railway station is at North Walsham, which is located on the Bittern Line between Sheringham and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport. The village is bypassed by the A140 road, 0.9 miles (1.4 km) to the west. The village and parish of Ingworth had, in the 2001 census, a population of 94. For the purposes of local government, the village falls within the district of North Norfolk. The population taken at the 2011 census remained less than 100 and was included in the civil parish of Erpingham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broadland and Fakenham (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2010 onwards

Broadland and Fakenham is a Norfolk constituency, which has been represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since the 2019 general election by Jerome Mayhew, a Conservative.

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

Mundesley /ˈmʌn.dzli/ is a coastal village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is 20.3 miles (32.7 km) north-north east of Norwich, 7.3 miles (11.7 km) south east of Cromer and 136 miles (219 km) north east of London. The village lies 5.6 miles (9.0 km) north-north east of the town of North Walsham. The nearest railway station is at North Walsham, for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich Airport. The village sits astride the B1159 coast road that links Cromer and Caister-on-Sea, and is at the eastern end of the B1145 a route which runs between King's Lynn and Mundesley. Mundesley is within the Norfolk Coast AONB. It has a resident population of around 2,695, measured at 2,758 in the 2011 Census. The River Mun or Mundesley Beck flows into the sea here. On 5 September 2022 Mundesley beach won the North Norfolk District Council Battle of the Beaches to be recognised as the top beach in North Norfolk in a close run off against West Runton beach.

North Norfolk District Council in Norfolk, England is elected every four years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honing, Norfolk</span> Village in Norfolk, England

Honing is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is 15 miles (24 km) north-northeast of Norwich, 13 miles (21 km) south east of Cromer and 4 miles (6.4 km) east of North Walsham.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A149 road</span> Road in Norfolk, linking Kings Lynn and Great Yarmouth

The A149 is commonly known as "The Coast Road" to local residents and tourists, as this road runs along the North Norfolk coast from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth, via coastal villages.

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

Ryburgh is a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The parish is 21.2 miles (34.1 km) south-west of Cromer, 23.1 miles (37.2 km) north-west of Norwich and 117 miles (188 km) north-east of London. The parish lies 4 miles (6.4 km) south-east of the nearby town of Fakenham. The nearest railway station is at Sheringham for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport. The parish includes the villages of Great Ryburgh and Little Ryburgh.

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

Smallburgh is a village and a civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is fourteen miles (21 km) south-east of Cromer, fourteen miles (21 km) north-east of Norwich and 132 miles (212 km) north-east of London. The village lies five miles (8 km) south-east of the nearby town of North Walsham. The nearest railway station is at Worstead for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport. At the 2001 census it had a population of 518 in 219 households. For the purposes of local government, it falls within the district of North Norfolk.

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

Stibbard is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. The village is 19.3 miles (31.1 km) south-west of Cromer, 21.2 miles (34.1 km) north-west of Norwich and 120 mi (190 km) north-east of London. The village lies 4.9 miles (7.9 km) south-east of the nearby town of Fakenham. The nearest railway station is at Sheringham for the Bittern Line which runs between Sheringham, Cromer and Norwich. The nearest airport is Norwich International Airport.

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

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">Erpingham Rural District</span>

Erpingham Rural District was a rural district in Norfolk, England from 1894 to 1974.

References

  1. 1 2 UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – North Norfolk Local Authority (E07000147)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics . Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. "The English Non-metropolitan District (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 17 November 2023
  3. "Schemes for new council". Lynn News and Advertiser. 2 February 1973. p. 15. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  4. "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  5. "Council seeks name change". Lynn News and Advertiser. 26 June 1973. p. 13. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  6. "Historical information from 1973 onwards". Boundary-Line support. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  7. "Council minutes, 17 May 2023" (PDF). North Norfolk District Council. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  8. Anderson, Stuart (16 April 2020). "Leadership shake-up sees familiar face take top job after report found 'serious concerns'". North Norfolk News. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  9. "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  10. "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  11. "Who we are". Broads Authority. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  12. "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  13. "North Norfolk". BBC News Online . Retrieved 3 October 2009.
  14. "Council minutes". North Norfolk District Council. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  15. Batson, Richard (25 February 2011). "North Norfolk council defends £1m consultancy bills". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  16. "Keith Johnson elected as the new leader of North Norfolk District Council after Helen Eales steps down". Eastern Daily Press. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  17. "Norfolk council leader abused wife and planned her murder, inquest hears". The Guardian. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  18. Batson, Richard (20 December 2012). "New leader chosen at North Norfolk District Council after shotgun death of predecessor". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  19. Anderson, Stuart (21 February 2018). "'Grow up and get on with it' - new leader's message as he takes over council reins". North Norfolk News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  20. Hannant, David (21 November 2018). "Political tide turns in North Norfolk as vote of no confidence is carried against leadership". North Norfolk News. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  21. "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  22. "The North Norfolk (Electoral Changes) Order 2017", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2017/1085, retrieved 10 December 2023
  23. The Buildings of England, Norfolk 1, Norwich and North-east, By Nikolaus Pevsner and Bill Wilson ISBN   0-300-09607-0
  24. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Census population and household counts for unparished urban areas and all parishes Archived 11 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine . Retrieved 2 December 2005.
  25. "Age - Census Maps, ONS". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  26. "Parish council contact details". North Norfolk District Council. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  27. Private Eye, Issue 1532, p.21
  28. "Eastern Daily Press".

52°56′N1°18′E / 52.933°N 1.300°E / 52.933; 1.300