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. 

We asked for your comments on the proposed school term dates for 2027-28

We received 32 responses, an increase from the 23 received during the previous consultation. The majority of responses were from school staff (78%), alongside contributions from parents (19%), governors (3%) and pupils (3%). Two respondents (6%) did not indicate which group they represented.  We also received feedback from the Norfolk CEO’s forum.  

Following careful consideration of the consultation responses, it has been agreed that the Eastern Regional Model calendar for 2027–28, as published during the consultation, will be amended to increase the number of full teaching weeks:

• Thursday 2 and Friday 3 September will be school closure days, with pupils returning to school on Monday 6 September.  
• Pupils will attend school on Monday 1 November and Friday 21 July 2028
• INSET days can be taken on any day a school is closed to pupils.  Revised suggested dates can be found on the bottom of the model calendar.

For more detailed information please see the results section and the attached analysis in the consultation report.

We have agreed the school term dates for 2027-28 and they are now published on Norfolk County Council's website.  Click here.

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.