Page 4 - Town & Around - April 2025

4 Town & Around April 2025 Tel: 01485 540620 email: editor@townandaround.net
Residents’ interests the priority for West Norfolk in local government reorganisation
n independent report into local The report was produced by the
government reorganisation, consultants Deloitte, who have developed,
Acommissioned by the seven district maintained and continue to build a specialist,
councils in Norfolk, was published on 10th dedicated team to serve local and regional
March. government for more than two decades.
Leader of the Borough Council of King’s A wealth of evidence was analysed, and a
Lynn and West Norfolk, Councillor Alistair number of options considered.
Beales, said that the interests of local Key considerations in the formulation of
communities must come first in any the report included:
discussion about the proposals. • Ensuring that local place identity was
“My starting point and my finishing point preserved
is what is best for our communities. That • Access to services
must lie at the heart of any debate about local • The best options for service delivery
government reorganisation. Deloitte were asked to produce an
“I know questions have been raised over independent, expert assessment of the
whether reorganisation is a good idea in solution that would best meet these needs.
principle but that is now a redundant point. Taking everything into account, Deloitte
We have been told by the Government to have proposed that three unitaries would
reorganise so our priority is to get the best provide the best mix of services, access and
deal we can. value for local people.
“Obviously I have the interests of West All the districts will now debate the
Norfolk in my mind, but this is also about Councillor Alistair Beales proposal before submitting a proposal to the
how the interests of all of the communities Leader of BCKLWN Government later this month.
across Norfolk can best be served. formulate a proposal to put to the The Borough Council of King’s Lynn and
“The people who live and work in this area government, in response to its instruction for West Norfolk will debate the proposal at
are its foundation and they must come first.” the districts and county council to be panels on Tuesday 18 March, before the
The independent report was jointly abolished and reorganised into unitary council’s Cabinet and Full Council debate it
commissioned by the seven districts to help authorities. on 19 March.
New programme aims for better health across West Norfolk’s communities

major new programme, aiming to Council, said: “We are one of few district access schools, GP surgeries and other public
achieve better health across West councils leading a Marmot Place programme facilities. The learning created from King’s
ANorfolk’s communities, has been in the UK. With the support of our partners, Lynn and West Norfolk will form a vital part
formally launched with a visit by world- we are committed to this great opportunity to of our growing knowledge to share with other
renowned academic, researcher and help improve the healthy life expectancy and places on specific actions needed in specific
campaigner, Professor Sir Michael Marmot. life chances of people across our places.”
As Norfolk’s first “Marmot Place”, West neighbourhoods, including narrowing the gap Tracey Bleakley, Chief Executive of NHS
Norfolk is adopting eight evidence-based between the most and least affluent Norfolk and Waveney ICB, said: "This is a
principles* to reduce health inequalities, communities and groups. fantastic opportunity for us to improve the
developed by Sir Michael and his team from “We all want to ensure the conditions in health of people living in West Norfolk. Vital
the University College London’s Institute of which someone is born, raised, lives and though it is, the NHS only accounts for a
Health Equity (IHE). Health inequalities are works can provide a solid foundation for good fraction of our physical and mental health. All
the unfair and avoidable differences in health health. As a rural borough, we are particularly the rest depends on other things, such as
across a population or groups. interested in the impact of rurality on health whether we have decent work, enough money,
Led by the Borough Council, in partnership and health inequalities. Drawing on the a warm home and clean air. With local
with Norfolk County Council Public Health, expertise of the Marmot team, we look organisations working together like this, we
and Norfolk & Waveney Integrated Care forward to working closely with our partners will have a much bigger impact on improving
Board, the Marmot Place Programme will to understand, develop and embed new and people's health."
tackle health inequalities between innovative ways of working to address the These are eight broad policy objectives
communities through action on the “social avoidable, unfair and systematic differences. aimed at reducing health inequalities by
determinants” of health – those wider, social Together we can make a difference to ensure improving the conditions of everyday life and
and economic conditions in which we live, fairer health outcomes and improve lives.” reducing socioeconomic inequalities,
grow, work and age. Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Director, introduced in the Marmot Reviews:
Over the next two years, working with other UCL Institute of Health Equity explained: “We • Give every child the best start in life
partners across West Norfolk, the programme are delighted to be partnering with the • Enable all children, young people and adults
will first identify priorities for system changes, Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West to maximise their capabilities and have control
which longer-term will help improve health Norfolk, which is one of the few district over their lives
equity across all sectors, including housing, councils in our growing family of Marmot • Create fair employment and good work for
education, early years, health care, business Places. We are working with more than 50 all
and the economic sector. places across the UK, which are doing • Ensure a healthy standard of living for all
In West Norfolk, around 23,300 people are phenomenal work, against huge budget • Create and develop healthy and sustainable
living in areas that are amongst the 20% most restrictions, to improve local residents lives by places and communities
deprived in England. Starkly, the gap in life addressing the social determinants of health • Strengthen the role and impact of ill-health
expectancy between the most deprived areas (where we are born, grow, live, work and age). prevention
and least deprived communities is 11.5 years It is particularly challenging to promote • Tackle discrimination, racism and their
– the largest of any Norfolk district.** health equity in rural areas, as public services, outcomes
Councillor Jo Rust, Cabinet Member for which help ameliorate health inequalities, are •.Pursue environmental sustainability and
People and Communities at the Borough less accessible. Public transport is needed to health equity together