2+ mon, 6+ day ago (1274+ words) Norfolk has a higher proportion of children getting extra support for special educational needs than almost anywhere else in the country, prompting new fears for the county's finances. Among comparable councils, only one other area in England has a higher rate of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). An aerial view of Norwich(Image: Mike Page) Once a child is judged to require such a plan, they become eligible for special measures to support their education, such as one-to-one teaching, extra therapy and equipment. This places additional costs on the county council, which has seen its spending on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) soar in recent years. National politicians have warned the system is no longer sustainable and is overwhelming councils' finances, reducing their ability to spend in other areas. Last year, the number of Norfolk youngsters…...

10+ mon, 4+ day ago (749+ words) Millions of pounds of grant funding will be made available to businesses across Norfolk as part of an ambitious new five-year economic plan for the county. Norfolk's new Local Growth Plan aims to position the county at the forefront of the UK economy. A new "1.1m Business Growth Fund will offer businesses grants between "5,000 and "50,000, with an intervention rate'of 30pc'from April 1 this year. The Made Smarter Adoption programme for the East of England, meanwhile, will provide a boost for the advanced manufacturing and engineering sector, with grants of up to "20,000 and an intervention rate of 50pc. The plan hopes to build'on Norfolk's influence in key sectors like clean energy and agri-tech, as well as the'cutting-edge research taking place across'the county.' The launch of Norfolk's new Local Growth Plan at Norwich Playhouse'(Image: Lesley van Dijk) NORFOLK'S LOCAL GROWTH PLAN Norfolk's new Local…...

11+ mon, 3+ week ago (186+ words) A new professional network has been launched to boost learning and development in Norfolk and Suffolk. Elevate East was unveiled at a sold-out event at the Norfolk Showground in late November, attended by around 30 people. The network was founded by Michael Casanova, Nadine Tapp'and Margaret Burnside. Ms Tapp said: "The energy in the room was fantastic and truly inspirational. "We identified a real shared cause to be the basis of our new community'and, with the insights shared by Andy Lancaster, we feel that we truly could elevate the east." Attendees deep in discussion at the launch event for new East Anglian learning and development network Elevate East (Image: Flagship Group) Mr Casanova said: "This launch event was a powerful reminder of the passion and purpose within our profession. "The turnout and shared insights confirmed that this community has long been…...

1+ mon, 1+ week ago (648+ words) Norfolk is among the top 10 worst places for mobile phone signal, sparking calls for companies to do more to boost connectivity in rural areas. Signalchecker, which measures mobile phone coverage in the country, has found the county is the 86th worst area in the UK out of 96 regions. A local initiative, using bin lorries to track mobile phone use, has also identified "not spot" areas, with north Norfolk communities bearing the brunt of poor coverage. Itteringham village shop owner Mike Hemsley complained of poor phone signal in 2013, but issues remain (Image: Newsquest) The worst-affected areas are the villages sitting between Norwich and Holt, and Fakenham to the west. Villages like Banningham and Itteringham have complained of having little signal, leaving some people feeling isolated. It can be problematic at times of emergency, causing problems with connecting to emergency services. Staff at…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (486+ words) People have been urged to put pressure on their MPs to help get Norfolk's long-awaited dental school off the ground - so people can access NHS dentists. Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig said the future of the proposed University of East Anglia school'is hanging in the balance because the government has yet to allocate places for students at the facility. Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig (Image: Denise Bradley) She called on people to put pressure on the county's MPs, so they, in turn, will help persuade the government to confirm that students will be able to begin courses from September. The University of East Anglia's application to train dentists at the new facility - housed in a new'extension to the Edith Cavell Building at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital - has been approved by the General Dental Council....

4+ mon, 4+ week ago (345+ words) A new programme has been launched to amplify the voices of businesses in Norfolk - ensuring'the region receives the national and international recognition it deserves. The Norfolk Business Board's Norfolk Ambassador Programme brings together respected leaders from business, education, and public life who will use their influence to promote the county as a place to live, work and invest.' The programme was launched at reception'jointly hosted by Norfolk Chambers of Commerce on the opening day of this year's'Royal Norfolk Show.' From left: Candy Richards, Federation of Small Businesses; Nick Steven-Jones, CEO of Jarrold Group; Jon Barnard, Greyfriars Project Management; and Alex Till, MENTA (Image: Supplied) While its first 30 ambassadors each have their own areas of expertise, they all have one thing in common: pride in Norfolk.' The ambassadors will champion Norfolk as a place to do business, speaking at events to…...

4+ mon, 4+ week ago (146+ words) Were you one of the lucky winners in last month's Postcode Lottery? Norfolk won big throughout June, with seven different locations getting lucky in the national draw. In the Norwich area, winning spots included NR5 8FS, Lapwing Drive in Costessey, and NR5 8AN, Beverely Road, which both took home "1,000. The nearby villages of Mulbarton and Taverham also won big, with'NR14 8JH,'Forge Orchards, and NR8 6HS, Fakenham Road in Taverham, scooping a grand each. Heading to the seaside, players from'NR31 9BE, Station Road in Great Yarmouth, and NR29 4HS, Beach Road in Hemsby, also scooped "1,000 each in winnings,' And in north Norfolk, contestants living in NR28 0BB, Beatrice Close'in'North Walsham, also bagged "1,000. Playing the Postcode Lottery costs "12'per month, with 33pc of the ticket money going to good causes. There are 20 draws each month'and winning postcodes are'announced daily....

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (318+ words) More bin lorries are to be kitted out with'monitoring technology'to gather further data on Norfolk's mobile phone 'notspots'. Norfolk County Council's Streetwave project has seen'devices installed on 14 refuse vehicles to'gather data on signal strength and download speed, to create maps of coverage quality. And the county council has been so impressed by the results of the scheme, run in partnership with mobile analysts, that it has extended the scheme for a further year. The Conservative-controlled council intends'to install devices on more bin lorries - at about "3,000 per vehicle - to build up an even better picture of coverage. Devices have been installed on bin lorries (Image: Newsquest) Council officials said the data collected is crucial, because it allows the council to present evidence to mobile phone operators to encourage them to invest to improve coverage. Councillors agreed to the extension at a…...

7+ mon, 2+ week ago (235+ words) The Aylsham Show committee has'launched its'annual search'to celebrate'Norfolk's best farmers through the 2025 Norfolk County Farm Business" Aylsham Show launches 2025 Norfolk farm business competition The Aylsham Show committee has launched its annual search to celebrate the best of Norfolk's farming businesses. The 44th Norfolk County Farm Business Competition is now opened for entries for 2025. Rob Norman, who chairs the competition's organising committee for the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, said he hopes to encourage a wider pool of entries this year - particularly from the west of the county. "This is for anyone who farms in Norfolk," he said. "One of the positives last year was we had a lot of new people entering, and we had a new winner. This year, we want even more new entries, and we never really have that many from west Norfolk, so it would be good to…...

5+ mon, 6+ day ago (317+ words) Businesses and organisations across Norfolk's market towns have been invited to apply for grants. The grants, ranging from "1,000 to "5,000, are part of an initiative designed to boost sales and footfall. The Love Your Market Town fund's Pride of Place grants are open to all ideas that will encourage people to visit and shop in their local towns more often. The initiative is backed by Norfolk County Council and the district councils. Interested parties have until August 31 to submit their proposals. A variety of projects have previously benefited from the pilot version of the fund. These include Lydia Bustin, a florist who will stage an exhibition at St Mary's Church in Attleborough this month. The exhibition will feature five large-scale floral installations, each representing a significant era in the town's history. Ms Bustin said: "Having been awarded with the Love Your…...