politics

PUBLISHED: 15:56 22 May 2019 | UPDATED: 16:07 22 May 2019 Taz Ali A group of young climate change activists presented handwritten letters about the state of our enviroment to City Hall. Pictured here with Green councillors Jamie Osborn and Lesley Grahame and Labour councillors Ian Stutley, Kevin Maguire and Marion Maxwell. Picture: Ella Wilkinson Archant A team of mini activists have been quizzing councillors and suggesting ways in which Norwich can be a more environmentally-friendly city. A group of young climate change activists presented handwritten letters about the state of our enviroment to City Hall. Picture: Ella WilkinsonAround 20 home-educated youngsters from across the county, aged between three and eight years old, presented handwritten letters to City Hall councillors to express their concerns on climate change, Mum Toyah Dye, 38, from East Runton, said the children were inspired by the recent demonstrations of the environmental movement … [Read more...] about Young climate change warriors meet with councillors at City Hall

Video PUBLISHED: 07:17 22 May 2019 | UPDATED: 07:17 22 May 2019 Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman. Picture: Keiron Tovell Keiron Tovell Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman has written a set of values tory leadership hopefuls must be tested against, as prime minister Theresa May's days look numbered. Mr Freeman, and fellow Conservatives in the One Nation Conservatives Group, met on Monday and agreed to go against any leadership candidate who could bring a no-deal Brexit.It puts Mr Freeman at odds with his fellow Norfolk MP Liz Truss, who has been tipped as a leadership contender, who told BBC Newsnight last week that if MPs faced "a straight choice between revoking Brexit and no dealing, we have to no deal."It comes as the prime minister's deal, which opens up the possibility of a second referendum, was described as "dead on arrival", with the prospect of a larger Tory revolt than her previous failed attempt to get a Brexit agreement through parliament. You may also want to watch: … [Read more...] about New Tory leader must not bring in no-deal Brexit

PUBLISHED: 10:02 21 May 2019 Simon Parkin Plans have been submitted to turn the second floor of Navire House, on Mere Street in Diss, into apartments. Picture: Simon Parkin Archant Plans have been submitted that would see the upper floor of a town centre office building converted into apartments. Navire House, located on the junction of Mere Street and Park Road in Diss, is on the edge of the town conservation area. Picture: Simon ParkinOffices in Navire House, located on the junction of Mere Street and Park Road in Diss, have recently been advertised for rent.However new plans submitted to South Norfolk Council would see the second-floor in the modern three-storey building, located on the edge of the town's conservation area, turned into two apartments with developers seeking a change of use from office to residential use.The submitted plans state that the flats would have no parking. It adds: "Occupants of the proposed flats will not be reliant on cars … [Read more...] about Plan to turn offices into town centre apartments

PUBLISHED: 08:55 21 May 2019 David Hannant: Local democracy reporter A bid to turn the King's Arms in South Walsham into houses has been dismissed by a planning inspector: Picture: Google Google A building which for more than 200 years served as a village pub has been spared a future as housing. Pints were first pulled in The King's Arms on Paxworth Road in South Walsham back in 1789, however it is now several years since it was last a pub.It had been subject to a housing bid from Elizabeth Estates, with the Suffolk-based company hoping to convert it into two homes and build a third on the car park.Broadland Council refused the scheme, but the decision was taken out of the council's hands after the company appealed the decision.However, this appeal has now been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate, sparking new hope that it could once again be used as a pub.Richard Dixon, pub protection officer for the Norwich and Norfolk branch of the Campaign for Real … [Read more...] about Could this 230-year-old pub be brought back into use?

PUBLISHED: 07:54 21 May 2019 | UPDATED: 07:54 21 May 2019 Photos show the inside of homes in 2017 where Norfolk County Council paid a firm to place teenagers in their care. Photo: Submitted Archant Record numbers of children are being placed in unregulated housing by Norfolk and Suffolk councils, amid national concerns about their vulnerability to criminals. A BBC Newsnight report called Britain's Hidden Children's Homes, broadcast on Monday night, found 5,000 children in care are now living in unregulated accommodation, up 70pc in the past decade.The children are placed in the homes by councils to encourage them to live independently.They have support workers either living on the site or paying visits, but are not subject to the same inspections as regular children's homes.An investigation by this newspaper in 2017 revealed the squalid state of some of the unregulated accommodation which Norfolk County Council was paying a private firm millions of pounds to provide.In response the … [Read more...] about Probe reveals thousands of children placed in ‘hidden homes’