Norfolk County Council
Heritage Open Days in Norfolk, 11–20 September
Norfolk Heritage Open Days give residents and visitors the opportunity to explore buildings, historic places and cultural sites across Norfolk, including places that are not usually open to the public. The printed Norfolk listings brochure for 2026 is now available at venues across the county, including The Forum, Norfolk libraries and museums.
All the events are free. Some have limited capacity and must be booked in advance. There are also almost 200 drop-in events that do not require booking. The free open days and activities include several events at Norfolk Museums. Norwich Castle will be taking part on 19 September – this event must be booked in advance.
Further information, brochures and online booking are available on the HOD pages link Everything you need to know.
Flu Vaccinations – NHS Norfolk & Suffolk Integrated Care Board
Eligible residents in Norfolk can book their flu vaccination at a local pharmacy now via the National Booking system, as the NHS begins preparations for winter earlier than usual. Pregnant women and some other eligible groups can receive their vaccination from 1 September, while most eligible adults will be vaccinated from 1 October.
However, residents will likely find it easier to obtain their vaccination from their local GP surgery, and from September local NHS services will contact eligible residents through GP practices, the NHS App or by letter.
Eligible adults do not need to wait for an invitation before booking through the national system. Residents can check eligibility and book via the NHS flu vaccine webpage.
National Updates
Homelessness in county and rural areas – County Councils Network analysis
New County Councils Network (CCN) analysis highlights a sharp rise in homelessness and the use of temporary accommodation in county and rural areas. It finds that more than 23,000 children were living in temporary accommodation in March 2026, while council spending on temporary accommodation more than tripled between 2019/20 and 2024/25.
CCN says rising demand, higher accommodation costs and a shortage of affordable housing are putting growing pressures on councils. It is calling on the Government to ensure that homelessness funding and affordable housing investment meet the needs of county and rural areas, as well as urban areas.
CCN is thus concerned that almost all the first £10 billion recently allocated through the Social and Affordable Homes Programme (outlined below), will go to England’s major cities rather than county and rural areas.
Social and Affordable Homes Programme
The Prime Minister and Secretary of State Angela Rayner have announced nearly £10 billion for the first wave of the Government’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme, to support more council, social and affordable homes across England.
More than £2 billion is expected to be invested in mayoral areas outside London, with Homes England administering the programme (outside London).
The funding is expected to help to cut the number of families in temporary accommodation, delivering more than 70,000 homes. The funding will be allocated to 33 Strategic Partners, including councils and housing associations.
This is the first stage of the £39 billion, ten-year programme. At least 60% of homes delivered through the programme are expected to be for Social Rent. More than £16 billion remains to be allocated outside London.
Air pollution warnings – new alert system
The Government has launched a free text message and email alert system to inform people about high levels of air pollution in their local areas.
Users can opt to monitor specific locations, such as their home or workplace, and receive direct alerts when pollution levels are elevated. It aims to help individuals, especially those with health conditions, take practical steps to reduce their exposure to harmful air pollutants.
People can sign up at Check air quality – GOV.UK
Local Government East – wastewater capacity and housing growth issues
A new report from Local Government East warns that wastewater infrastructure is becoming a significant barrier to housing delivery across the East of England.
For Norfolk, this matters because wastewater capacity constraints can affect whether planned homes, local infrastructure and economic growth can be delivered in the right places and at the right time.
The report highlights concerns that treatment works and sewerage networks are reaching capacity in parts of the region, creating uncertainty for communities, councils, developers and those preparing or responding to Local Plans.
Local Government East calls on Government to accelerate investment in wastewater infrastructure, prioritise schemes that unlock housing and economic growth, strengthen collaboration between councils, regulators and water companies, and ensure that environmental improvements and housing growth are planned together.
Environment Agency consultation responses to water management issues
The Environment Agency’s Significant Water Management Issues consultation ran from November 2025 to May 2026, with responses from environmental groups, water companies, farmers, businesses, councils, partnerships, community groups and residents. The responses will inform the next river basin management plans, with draft plans due for consultation from December 2026.
The main message was the need for faster progress, stronger collaboration, better evidence, clearer funding and action that tackles the causes of environmental decline, linking water, nature, climate, communities and growth.
Key concerns included wastewater pollution, agricultural and urban runoff, chemicals, plastics, PFAS, road pollution and other emerging contaminants.
Respondents also supported nature-based solutions, including wetlands, river restoration, sustainable drainage, peatland recovery, floodplain reconnection and coastal habitat restoration.
Disabled people to get free 24 hour travel on buses
From April 2027, disabled individuals in England will be able to use their free bus passes at any time, as the Government removes existing weekday restrictions. This change aims to improve access to transport for disabled people, helping them with work, education, and healthcare.
National Planning Policy Framework update
The Government has published a revised National Planning Policy Framework, effective immediately, alongside wider reforms intended to create a clearer, more rules-based planning system, increase housing delivery and support economic growth.
The revised framework introduces a stronger presumption in favour of sustainable development, places greater emphasis on housing growth and development around well-connected railway stations, increases the weight of national policy in planning decisions, and is intended to speed up delivery of homes, infrastructure and economic growth across England
For Norfolk, a key issue is to ensure that increases in housing delivery are matched by timely investment in infrastructure and local services.
Tackling rough sleeping this winter
The Prime Minister has announced a national drive to offer everyone sleeping rough a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by a £442 million package. The new accommodation and support will be rolled out this winter, with areas facing the greatest pressures receiving the largest share of support.
The government says that research from Crisis suggests preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year could save taxpayers around £370 million.
Alongside emergency accommodation, the programme will provide practical help with housing, health and other needs. The Government has said the programme will be fully funded within Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government budgets.
In Norfolk, homelessness and rough sleeping are linked to wider pressures including housing supply, health and mental health needs, substance misuse, domestic abuse, care leaver support, financial hardship, and temporary and supported accommodation. The Government’s emphasis on joint working reflects Norfolk’s existing partnership approach between the County Council, district councils, health partners, police, housing providers and the voluntary sector.
The announcement sits alongside a wider five-year government programme to provide homes and support for people facing the most severe and long-term homelessness.
Support for Care leavers
A government-commissioned review into early deaths among care leavers has found that young people face a sharp reduction in support at age 18, leaving some isolated and without a reliable safety net.
The review, led by Ashley John-Baptiste and Clare Chamberlain, was commissioned after 91 care leaver deaths were notified in 2024/25.
Its central finding is that many young people leaving care are profoundly isolated. While services may respond to a young person’s wish for their own place, independence can bring unexpected loneliness, with too few trusted adults close enough to notice when things go wrong.
The report identifies three priorities for change: better preparation for adulthood, reducing the drop in help at 18, and strengthening the skills of the workforce supporting care leavers.
In response, the Government says it is rolling out connected housing options for care leavers, starting with £25 million this year, to increase access to homes that provide community and connection rather than inappropriate or isolating accommodation.