What is a County Councillor ?

As the County Councillor for Diss and Roydon I am YOUR representative for Norfolk County County matters in particular.  However, I have good links with the Town, Parish and District Councils as well as with Richard Bacon MP, so feel free to pass on any queries via this Blog.

Norfolk County are responsible for Childrens Serv ices (which includes schools), Adult Social Services, Roads, the Fire Authority and many other services………..the Corornor, for instance.  You can see the full scope of wehat we do on the websiote.

I represent the people of my Division at County Hall, but collectively the Councillors help manage the County services.  I try to attend the Town and Parish meetings and also other local events to enable good liaison between

Diss Railway Station

Locals will know that you cannot easily access the platform for the Norwich-bound trains at Diss station. I intend to start a blog-petition to inspire both Railtrack and ONE-rail to address this problem. You can see how steep the steps are.

Travellers alighting from London or bound for Norwich can only access the platform from the West by using these steps, or from over the bridge. There is a ramp from the entrance to the other side of the line, where the ticket office is. The “disabled” access is across the track!

The steps are difficult enough if you are without luggage, but if you have a pram or large case they are very awkward ……….. but access, of course, is impossible if what you need is a ramp!

HURRAH! seems someone has been listening!! Norfolk County Council applied for an “Access For All” grant and I learnt on 11th February that £50,000 has been awarded to help get this job done……………..now I wonder how long it will take?  In the meantime, South Norfolk District Council are putting on the pressure to get the rubbish cleaned away from the access road, and also to get the 2 railways bridges smartened up.  The station is, after all, one of the main entrances to the town.

Local Government Review

Central Government (Hazel Blears’ dept) have a mind to get rid of a tier of local government. Currently there are 3 tiers in Norfolk, the County the District and the Town or Parish. Norwich City Council kicked off the debate by saying they wanted to be rid of NCC. NCC responded by saying they could look after the whole of Norfolk! Central Government have now halted, or at least slowed, proceedings whilst they have a re-think.

At 11th February we heard that the Boundary Committee are no longer going to “consult” but are going to make up there own minds about how local Government should be run in Norfolk and Suffolk (AND Devon, for those who are interested).  So, still watch this space – and I’ll let you know as much as I know!