Responsibilities of different organisations
There are three levels of Local Government in West Norfolk – Parish, Borough and County. Each have their own areas of responsibility, and it can help to explain who does what, so you can contact the correct Council in the first instance. Online, both Borough and County Councils ask you to register, though you can report as a “guest”. By registering, your query will receive updates directly to you.
There are also other agencies for specific matters. It is also worth remembering that they hold very little power over private landowners.
It is also worth stressing that, when reporting a problem, you need to be as accurate as possible in giving locations, as not everyone is familiar with local names. What3Words can be useful, and photos can help.
Finally, in an emergency, always call 999.
This list tells you which Council or organisation is responsible for what:
- Cemetery/Churchyards – Church/PCC via Rural Dean (01485 517157 – Sep 23)
- Electricity Power Cut/damaged cables etc. – report (tel 105)
- Flooding – Norfolk Strategic Flood Alliance (0344 800 8013) or County
- Footpaths/Footways – e.g. overgrown hedges/impassable – Highways (County Council)
- Greens/Commons – landowner – not PC except for Brancaster opp Church
- Housing Provision – Borough Council
- Potholes – Highways (County Council)
- Signs (roads) – Highways (County Council)
- Signs (street names) – Borough Council
- Street Lighting – all streetlights in Brancaster Parish are Parish Council
- Trees – generally landowner
- Village Halls – private organisations
Contact details are:
County – general: https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/ – 0344 800 8020
County – Highways/footpaths etc: Report a highways problem – Norfolk County Council
Borough: https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/ – 01553-616200
Parish: https://www.brancaster-pc.gov.uk/ email: clerk@brancaster-pc.gov.uk
Highways
Roads and other Public Rights of Way, such as Public Footpaths/Bridleways etc., are generally the responsibility of Norfolk County Council Highways department.
They deal with maintenance, signage etc., and can be contacted on their website. There is a form which you can fill in to report problems (potholes, overgrown hedges etc.), and they will then keep you updated with progress. As they are not the responsibility of the Parish Council, reporting to us simply adds in a delay – please do report these directly to NCC.
Their website gives all road closures and roadworks in the County. Local ones are published on our Facebook page as we receive them.
As most road verges are also the property of Highways, you should consult them regarding any planting or advertising you wish to do at the roadside.
Traffic Regulations Orders – “TROs”
Any change to the Highway or its markings require consultation processes, before the TRO is implemented. These consultations are usually public.
These tend to relate to speed limits, alterations due to new development, or wider plans requested by the local community.
We have been informed that the proposed TRO in Brancaster Staithe outside the Freebridge Development near the Village Hall is now out for public consultation:
There has been a long-standing proposal for double-yellow line restrictions in various areas across the Parish. This was requested to assist with parking issues which have caused problems generally, and particularly with buses and emergency services during busy periods.
This is approaching the formal consultation, and we will present all the information here, including how you can respond to the proposals. Please note Council has no role in the timing, and we have been pushing for this to move on as quickly as possible.
