Do you think Lynn needs its own town council?

Now is the chance to have your say, as West Norfolk Council is looking ahead to when local government is reformed across Norfolk.

The Government is looking at options to reorganise Norfolk’s councils, replacing the split of services between the county council and seven districts with one, two or three big ‘unitary’ councils that will run all council services across larger areas.

Apart from Lynn, every other part of West Norfolk has its own parish/town council, including Hunstanton and Downham.

Parish and town councils will not be impacted under the Government’s reorganisation plans.

As Lynn currently has no town council, this means that when the borough council is replaced by the new unitary council or councils in April 2028, only unitary councillors covering large areas would be representing the town.

A new parish and/ or town council could give a local democratic voice to the people of Lynn.

Special arrangements will also be needed to maintain Lynn’s Mayor and proud civic traditions when the borough council is replaced.

If a parish is established for Lynn, these centuries-old functions would become part of the parish’s responsibilities.

To help borough councillors decide next steps, the borough council first wants to hear if residents want Lynn to be parished.

A public consultation is running until Friday, March 27 and letters are being sent to every home within the unparished area – around 20,000 properties – to invite people to share their views on this important issue.

Community groups, businesses, partner organisations and others are also welcome to take part.

Cllr Alistair Beales, leader of the borough council, said: “The Government’s ambition to reorganise Norfolk into larger local government areas rightly raises questions around maintaining localised democratic representation and our civic identity in Lynn, Norfolk’s largest town, because currently we do not have a town council.

“Across Norfolk, nearly every market town already has its own council, including Thetford, Holt, Wymondham and North Walsham.

“Parish/town councils can represent their residents, giving their community a more local democratic voice with larger authorities, local police, health services and national government. They run additional bespoke services in their local areas, based on parish needs and priorities.

“As borough councillors, we would like to hear your views to help us decide whether, or not, to set up a parish/town council for Lynn, introducing a level of local democracy that does not currently exist in the town, and which could also be one way of continuing to have a local Mayor as we have had since around 1285.

“No decisions have yet been made, and we intend to be strongly guided by the outcome of this consultation. Your voice matters, so please take part and share your views.”

There is a consultation online, where there is further information and a detailed map of the unparished area of Lynn.

If you don’t have online access, people are welcome to use the public-access computers at the council offices at King’s Court reception, or call Customer Services on 01553 616200 for a paper copy of the survey form to post back.

Paper copies of the survey form and submission boxes are also available at King’s Court reception and the Lynnsport entrance area.

People can also write with comments, making sure you state your postcode, to: Corporate Governance Team, Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1EX.