Town of 47,000 could finally get own council

6 days ago

Paul MoseleyNorfolk political reporter

News image — While smaller places like Downham Market and Hunstanton have their own town councils, King's Lynn does not

Geograph A statue of Captain Vancouver stands on a plinth. The bronze statue is wearing a tricorn and clutching a scroll. Behind him is the Custom House, a 17th century three storey building, topped by a white tower. — While smaller places like Downham Market and Hunstanton have their own town councils, King's Lynn does not

A town with more than 47,000 people could get its own council amid concerns over the loss of local democracy.

King's Lynn does not have its own governing authority, with it currently run by the wider Borough Council of West Norfolk.

But that is due to be abolished and replaced by a larger unitary authority, under local government reorganisation for Norfolk.

West Norfolk councillors have agreed to push forward proposals to see if people in King's Lynn would like to have their own town council – although that would add to their tax bills.

Andrew Turner/BBC Alistair Beales is standing next to a construction site. He is clean shaven, is wearing a tweed flat cap, and a high viz orange jacket, with a fleece and checked blue and white shirt beneath. — Council leader Alistair Beales said any consultation should be kept relatively simple

One of the main concerns about scrapping existing district councils and replacing them with bigger organisations is that local people will have less of a voice on issues that matter to them.

West Norfolk councillors are looking into whether King's Lynn should have its own council - similar to other places in the area, such as Hunstanton and Downham Market.

If one was created, members would be elected locally and they would be responsible for services such as parks, playgrounds, cemeteries and community halls.

The council would also play a consultative role on planning matters.

However, setting up one would come at a cost, meaning an increase in council tax for people in King's Lynn.

Alexandra Kemp smiles at the camera as she sits in a cream coloured chair. She is wearing a cream jacket and top. Her hair is worn in a dark brown bob. — Alexandra Kemp said the council needed to be honest with voters about the potential costs of a new authority

A meeting of the borough's electoral arrangements committee heard the first step toward setting up a new council would involve a public consultation.

Concerns were raised that people might not have enough information to make a decision or simply not care.

Much of the debate focussed on what questions would be asked in a consultation.

"People need to know what the financial implication would be of having a town council…what the responsibilities might be," said the Progressive Group's Alexandra Kemp.

Alistair Beales, leader of the Independent Partnership which runs the council, warned that "overcomplicating" matters could be a turn-off for the public.

However, he added that "we should be guided very strongly by the outturn of that consultation".

But his deputy, Simon Ring, argued that councillors had been "elected to make decisions for this Borough".

"If we believe the outcome of this consultation isn't right, I'm afraid we might have to go against that," he added.

The committee backed the idea of moving forward with plans to create a new authority for King's Lynn.

If that idea is supported by the borough's full council, a consultation would be expected to start next month.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.