Spooner Row Message Board

I thought Wednesday's Public Meeting with South Norfolk Council went well, but it is obvious that they are still a non-listening council.  Past behaviour is indicative of future behaviour, which in South Norfolk Council’s case is to totally ignore us.  We need to go higher, to the Ombudsman perhaps?  Anyone can lodge a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman (www.lgo.org.uk/) but you will need to put in a formal complaint with the council first.  This is easy - just follow the three steps below:

 1.  Send your Formal Complaint to South Norfolk Council by choosing one for the following methods:

Email:  complaints@s-norfolk.gov.uk

Website:  www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/haveyoursay/595.asp

Letter:  Complaints Department, South Norfolk Council, South Norfolk House, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, Norwich NR15 2XE

 2.  Object to the 'Gypsy & Traveller Sites & Policy Proposals Reg 25' and its consultation procedure.  There are many points on which you can complain, here are some examples to help you:

• We have not been listened to as there was no community involvement when they re-evaluated, scored and shortlisted the sites.  They have not been transparent and open as promised.
• All the shortlisted sites for the A11 are situated within the parish of Wymondham.  We had no representation from either the parish council nor from residents.  None of the proposed sites are anywhere near to where the Working Group live and looks like NIMBYism on their part. 
• The point scoring sysem is nonsense and not based on fact.  The Working Group were too subjective and missed many crucial facts.
• The questionnaire for the public survey is seriously flawed.  It is open to anyone and not just to the communities it involves. There is no check on the limit of how many you can return -  it only asks for your details if you wish to be kept informed.
• There are too many proposed sites on the A11 corridor.  The Ketteringham sites are closer to the A11 highway but they have been classed under the A47 corridor.  The 2006 ‘snapshot’ for gypsy movement showed only 4% along the A11 corridor against 57% in the Norwich fringe.
• There was no criteria for the effects on settled communites or envirnomental impact assessment on the sites. 

3.  Monitor your correspondence with South Norfolk Council and if you are not happy with their communication or findings contact the Local Government Ombudsman at: www.lgo.org.uk/.  If enough of us do this then perhaps they will listen.