Henry Durand

Reform-led Norfolk County Council will not attend a taxpayer-funded event costing up to £1,000 to discuss the county’s planned replacement by three unitary authorities in 2028. Reform councillors criticised the expense while the council pursues a judicial review of the reorganisation. Organisers defended the lunch as a practical working meeting and said the cost was modest compared with the county’s estimated £500,000 legal challenge, £2.3 billion annual spending and £900 million debt. The event is intended to help councillors shape the proposed West Norfolk authority rather than debate whether reorganisation should proceed.

Lidl's proposal for Swaffham's first store has received a third objection from Norfolk County Council over inadequate flood-risk and drainage information. Anglian Water has also objected, saying Lidl has not demonstrated that it explored alternatives before proposing to discharge surface water into the utility network. Swaffham Town Council raised concerns about impacts on independent businesses and the accuracy of traffic modelling. The proposed 1,947-square-metre supermarket, with 120 parking spaces and 12 electric-vehicle chargers, is awaiting a decision by Breckland Council's planning committee, with the application deadline extended to September 18, 2026.

Serco cleaner James Jobson, 62, of Costessey, has been charged with misconduct in public office over the alleged release of information identifying homes occupied by asylum seekers in Thetford. Prosecutors say images and videos posted to the Facebook page The HMO Inspector enabled people to identify the properties and contributed to violent disorder on August 4, 5 and 6. Jobson had reportedly cleaned or overseen cleaning at all three properties targeted by police and crowds. He was remanded in custody after appearing at Ipswich Magistrates' Court and is due at Norwich Crown Court on September 14. Norfolk Police have made around 20 arrests in connection with the disorder, while Serco said it is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Residents near Cranswick sites in Stow Bedon and Watton, Norfolk, say persistent odours have caused eye, throat and breathing problems and accuse Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman of ignoring more than 60 emails. Freeman says he visited Stow Bedon, established a community liaison group and has pressed environmental authorities for monitoring and enforcement. At Cherry Tree Farm, the Environment Agency issued an enforcement notice and Breckland Council rejected a retrospective planning application for expanded pig sheds; Cranswick is appealing, while residents are raising funds for the case. Complaints about the Watton site have also increased, although councillor Tina Kiddell says the smell there may instead be linked to a sewage treatment plant or collapsed drain. Cranswick says it has reviewed its operations and found no evidence that its activities caused the reported odours.

A dispute between the Walking Football Association and the Federation of International Walking Football Associations has led to England being barred from the European Championships. Norfolk councillor Paul Carr, who leads both organizations, opposed WFA discussions about closer links with the Football Association and later rejected complaints concerning his conduct. FIWFA suspended the WFA after a dispute over claims involving referees, while the WFA said the action was disproportionate and that proper complaints procedures were unavailable. England’s teams, reigning world champions in most age categories, will therefore miss the tournament in Spain.

Thetford saw a third consecutive night of unrest over the accommodation of asylum seekers, with police evacuating residents from properties targeted by crowds and making two further arrests, bringing the total to six. Eggs and stones were thrown, doors and windows were damaged, and dispersal and face-covering orders were imposed, although the violence was less severe than on previous nights. Residents were divided between opposition to asylum-seeker housing and condemnation of the disorder. Concerns also focused on plans to house more than 1,000 migrants at RAF Barnham, a perceived lack of transparency, and possible effects on schools and local services. Norfolk Constabulary, the town mayor and the local MP condemned the violence, while police powers remained in force amid fears of further protests.