Cllrs Penny Bevan – Jones, Colin Heinink and Liz Withington
As Cllrs we have been pleased to support Viking Removals to be able to use the car park for their brilliant collections for Ukraine and the Lighthouse Community Church in setting up their vigils for the town as well. Sheringham’s response to this horrific situation, like the rest of the country has been amazing. We are very proud to represent such a caring community.
We are receiving contact from people who are already experiencing difficulties with the increased cost of living and need support to access help. We would like to highlight that as a teamwe can support with referrals to the North Norfolk foodbank for food parcels and fuel vouchers. You can now also self refer to a number of organisations for help. However, we know people are often very anxious about seeking help and often do and can also support with referrals to the North Norfolk Help Hub which can be found on NNDC’s website, or call 01263 516353 or email: social.prescribing@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Further support is available through the Norfolk Assistance Scheme, again we are happy to support with referrals. You can apply online at Norfolk County Council https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/care-support-and-health/support-for-living-independently/money-and-benefits/norfolk-assistance-scheme or telephone If you cannot complete an online application call 0344 800 8020. There are also 3 local Sheringham organisations who can help when residents are experiencing hard times and we do and can support with completing application forms if necessary.
Housing is an area we are having to support people with regularly due to an increased number of private rentals being sold and growing numbers of second homes and holiday lets. Again if you are in need of help you can contact the Housing Options Team Phone: 01263 516375 Email: housing@north-norfolk.gov.uk for Benefits support search council tax and housing benefit on the NNDC website or Phone: 01263 516349 or Email: benefits@north-norfolk.gov.uk
Domestic Abuse is an issue which we regularly support families with and there are 2 organisations we can access help with or you can self refer. NIDAS – Norfolk integrated Domestic Abuse Service is now up and running with a telephone triage system to get you to the right support quickly. Phone number 0300 561 0555 Email:referrals@nidasnorfolk.co.uk or https://nidasnorfolk.co.uk The Pandora Project also offer excellent support and have a live chat line from 1-3 pm Monday to Friday https://www.pandoraproject.org.uk/ If you or someone you know is in immediate danger please ring 999
Debt management and budgeting is also an issue for many. The Norfolk Money Support Service can help you. Telephone 01603 223392 and option 4. Email MSS@norfolk.gov.uk www.norfolk.gov.uk/mss
Other websites offering advice for debt and budget management are www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money
www.stepchange.org www.nationaldebtline.org and the www.nationaldebtadvice.org.uk
Over the last month, District Cllrs have supported officers at NNDC with dealing with Fly tipping on the Morris Street Car park and also wall collapses as a result of the recent storm and a vehicle collision. There has been a great deal of interest in the hedge replacement scheme on the Leas and in the War Memorial Garden. This has come about as a result of plants infected with an untreatable Scale disease, being removed and species which are resistant to this being replanted.
Children have also been involved in the planting of a Miyawaki Forest on a section of the Cooper Road Play park. As a team we are continuing to work with NNDC to try and find a way to make improvements to the park sustainable. At the Leas Play Park we have supported repairs being made to the equipment and are looking how to make the entrance safer. We have also started discussions with NNDC about the replacement equipment that is needed in this much used park by residents and visitors. Progress is now being made on this.
Highways has also continued to be busy and we have made reports about upcoming roadworks, street lights, several pot holes and also the spillage on Co-operative Street, which following our involvement officers attended from Norfolk County Council and North Norfolk District Council to support the clearing up of this area with the help of a local business as well. Overgrown pavements have also been a safety issue as well and reported to highways
in the road to school. Reported to Norfolk County Council
You can report highways issues for street lights, pot holes, pavement defects and overgrown hedges directly online at Norfolk County Council https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/roads/report-a-problem
Following concerns raised with our team about the loss of the Post Office in Sheringham and due to the hard work by Cllr Withington and our colleague Steffan Aquerone business premises (x2)have been found for the temporary location of the post office. It is now up to the Post Office Network team and the local business concerned to negotiate this. We continue to be involved with the PO team and are following closely. It is at the time of writing looking positive for a long term solution, with a business coming forward as a direct result of our work.
It has also been wonderful to see the works on the path to Skelding Hill completed ahead of schedule and to such a great standard. We have received many comments from people overjoyed to be able to get to the top of the hill again. This must be one of the best views in Sheringham, particularly for a sunset. Following its completion Cllr Withington has also agreed with NCC about additional no cycling signage as this is a public footpath, a bench and information board about the gun emplacement and also the possibility of further benches. NCC have funded the Golf Club to plant marram grass on the bunds (banks) which will help re vegetate the path area and also stabilise the bunds and cliff.
With partnership working with the Sheringham Sports Association (SSA)and NNDC and ourselves the repairs have been made to the road around the Reef and also the junction with the SSA and the Reef has been completed with improved drainage.
District Cllrs have also been central in initiating a group to support the families and households offering to host refugees from Ukraine. HUGS. This has been alongside Phil Bailey, Paula Prince, Charlotte Norton and supported by the Lighthouse Church for a venue. If anyone would like to know more about this please get in touch with us hostingukrainiansg@gmail.com or on our emails below.
Contact us:
Colin.heinink@north-norfolk.gov.uk liz.withington@north-norfolk.gov.uk Penny Bevan-Jones at NNDC Holt Road Cromer NR279EN