politics

Updated Boris Johnson speaks at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London after being announced as the new Conservative party leader and next Prime Minister. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire Boris Johnson has been elected as leader of the Conservative Party and will become the country's prime minister tomorrow. Boris Johnson leaves his office in Westminster, London, ahead of the announcement of a new leader for the Conservative party, and Prime Minister. Photo: Yui Mok/PA WireMr Johnson won 92,153 votes in the contest, where 159,320 Tory members cast their ballots - a turnout of 87.4pc.He said it was an extraordinary honour and privilege" to be elected Tory leader.He added: "I know that there will be people round the place who will question the wisdom of your decision, and there may even be some people here who would wonder what they've done."But he doubled down on his commitment to leaving the EU in the speech, made at the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre in London.Later … [Read more...] about Boris Johnson to become country’s prime minister

PUBLISHED: 11:53 23 July 2019 | UPDATED: 11:53 23 July 2019 Simon Parkin Illegally dumped waste at Kilverstone that led to a Thetford man being fined. Picture: Breckland Council Breckland Council A man has been fined for illegally dumping house clearance waste on a country lane that he had been paid to take to the recyling centre. Illegally dumped waste at Kilverstone that led to a Thetford man being fined. Picture: Breckland CouncilIt comes as the result of a successful investigation by Breckland Council, which was prompted by a member of the public reporting the flytipping in Kilverstone. A council enforcement officer investigated the site and was able to link the waste to the offender, a man from Thetford, who had been hired by another local resident to clear household furniture and take it to the local recycling centre, but instead dumped it on a nearby open patch of land.After the man was interviewed under police caution, he was issued him with a … [Read more...] about Man fined for illegal dumping after council investigation

PUBLISHED: 12:25 22 July 2019 | UPDATED: 12:25 22 July 2019 David Hannant: Local Democracy Reporter Anne Martin, of Great Eastern Models railway shop on Plumstead Road. Picture: Archant Archant Months of work to replace gas mains on a busy route in and out of the city begin next week - and look set to continue until the beginning of 2020. Plumstead Road in Norwich, where months of roadworks will begin on Monday. Picture: ArchantCadent begins a project to improve gas connections in the Plumstead Road area of Norwich on Monday, with the closure of a 100m stretch of the road close to the Heartsease Lane roundabout for three weeks.However, this closure is merely the tip of the iceberg, with the works scheduled to continue in phases until January 2020.The works will see intermittent closures on sections of Plumstead Road, Lionwood Road and Hilary Avenue, along with the use of temporary traffic lights as the scheme progresses.With the first phase being carried … [Read more...] about ‘Here we go again’

A motion will today call for Norfolk County Council to ditch prayers before full council meetings. Pic: Getty Images/Stockphoto Archant A decision will be made today on whether Norfolk County Council should scrap prayers at full council meetings - and a number of councillors have said they will not back the move. Mick Castle. Picture by James BassA short prayer is currently said at the start of each full council meeting at County Hall.But, as reported, Mick Castle, independent county councillor for Yarmouth North and Central, has tabled a motion calling for it to be scrapped - and the council will vote on it at today's meeting.Mr Castle said: "I have no disrespect towards anybody who has strong religious beliefs, but to me it feels they are now a bit of a minority."When I stand during them I try to be respectful, but in all honestly I don't feel especially marvellous about it. I think there is a time and a place for it and the council chamber isn't one of them."County councillor … [Read more...] about Let us pray

Norfolk chief constable Simon Bailey. Picture: Jamie Honeywood Jamie Honeywood Archant Norwich Norfolk Norfolk's most senior police and fire officers will take questions from the public in a special consultation event tonight. Stuart Ruff, Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer. Pic: Norfolk County Council.The county's police and crime commisioner Lorne Green will host the session with chief constable Simon Bailey and chief fire officer Stuart Ruff at Fakenham Community Centre in Oak Street, 5.30pm. County council cabinet member with responsibility for fire services, Margaret Dewsbury, will also attend.Norfolk Police and Crime Commisssioner Lorne Green. Picture: ANTONY KELLY You may also want to watch: Mr Green said: "The regular policing and crime Q&A events are part of ensuring Norfolk's policing service remains visible, accessible and accountable. They've proven hugely successful, with the Norfolk public taking good advantage of the unique opportunity to address … [Read more...] about Your chance to quiz Norfolk’s police and fire chiefs