Boughton Parish Council

Good afternoon,

I am writing on behalf of renewable energy company Vattenfall. You may or may not be aware, we are in the process of developing two world class offshore wind farms off the Norfolk coast – some 45 and 70km away from land (too far away to be visible from the coast). These will generate the equivalent electricity to power 3.9 million UK homes, and make a significant contribution to the Government’s green energy targets.

As a parish council within Norfolk, I am writing to share the news that Vattenfall has launched a dialogue aimed at shaping our Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Projects’ Community Benefit Fund – we’re inviting everyone in Norfolk to “have your say”. The fund will be worth several million pounds over many years and community involvement will help ensure the fund provides a lasting legacy of locally appropriate initiatives and support.

What is a Community Benefit Fund?

Our coordinated offshore wind farms are poised to deliver benefits beyond contributing to the UK’s home-grown, low-C energy supply, and to combatting climate change. They will also deliver investment and opportunities to the local supply chain, local port facilities, bring construction and 25 year long, quality careers, and open export markets via Vattenfall’s wider portfolio. Vattenfall is committed to local communities benefitting from the Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas projects. We can’t deliver our projects without the involvement of local communities, any more than the nation can deliver a climate smarter future without everyone being on board. That is why we are establishing a Community Benefit Fund community fund, as a lasting legacy, supporting climate-smarter living initiatives in the region over the lifetime of the projects, which will support locally appropriate climate action – for example, greener local transport and connectivity initiatives, local energy efficiency or renewable energy schemes, local nature restoration and so on.

These benefits are contingent on the projects progressing, and the first funding will be available from 2023, but we are starting the conversation to shape the fund now, because we know from having set up highly successful funds elsewhere that it takes time. Great funds are based on community interests, needs and aspirations, and have the flexibility to adapt, to keep working effectively for communities over their decades-long lifetime.

This is your opportunity to influence how future community funds will be spent and managed in the region. It is important that we hear your views, at the start of the process. This will ensure you have time to fully consider what’s required and to prepare winning applications.

How do I and others take part?

Just take part in the poll by following this link, it is quick and easy to do: http://bit.ly/GMVNorfolk

We would be grateful if you could share the link to our poll widely, to encourage as many people as possible to get involved in this first phase. We have 700 responses already, and would like to hear from more people in your parish. We have noted some practical ways you can help to increase participation in your area:

• Share the poll with your local councillors and encourage them to complete and circulate the poll among their own contacts
• Include a link to the poll on your parish council website
• Share a link to the poll on your social media channels
• Share the poll in your local parish newsletter
• Post a note of the link or QR code on your parish noticeboards

If you would like any support or guidance on how to promote the survey in your area, please do let us know and we would be happy to help. If you have any other suggestions for how we might be able to increase participation in our poll across Norfolk then we would also welcome your feedback.

What will happen next?

The poll will run until mid-June. We’ll share the results widely, and then set up opportunities to explore the themes that participants highlighted. We’ll also then start looking at the best governance structures and administration to support the delivery of the communities’ priorities.

Please find attached an information sheet which you can also pass on, and an information poster suitable for sharing on social media. If you’re interested and would like to find out more information about Vattenfall in Norfolk, please visit our dedicated projects’ website: https://group.vattenfall.com/uk/what-we-do/our-projects/vattenfallinnorfolk.

If you have any questions, or would know someone who would like a paper copy of our poll, contact info@norfolkvanguard.co.uk or freephone 0800 019 3517. We look forward to hearing your views.

Kind regards,

Catrin Jones

Community and Stakeholder Engagement Lead

Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas Offshore Wind Farm Projects

May I re-iterate my plea from earlier this year that residents not light garden bonfires during times where children are playing, or washing may be hanging up, or people are simply enjoying their gardens. Smoke drifting across the village is a nuisance and may be reported to the Borough Council as such. Please dispose of garden waste at the recycling centre once it re-opens, or if you must burn it, please do so later in the day.

The Boughton Annual Parish Meeting is on 14th May. All welcome. See poster.

The Notice of Poll for the Wissey Ward Borough Council Elections has been posted.

FANCY A FUN RUN, OR A WALK IN THE PARK?

Calling all athletes, fun runners and families who’d like a day out in the country. The Magpie Centre, home of West Norfolk Riding for the Disabled Association, is hosting a Fun Run and Walk, organized by Trinity Rotary Kings Lynn, on Sunday, 2 June at Wallington Hall, South Runcton, PE33 0EP.
This is a great chance for individuals or families to enjoy the fabulous grounds of Wallington Hall at their own pace and there’s a choice of a 5 km or 10 km trail, plus refreshments available.
Proceeds will be split between West Norfolk RDA and the Norfolk Accident Rescue Service (NARS). Entries must be received by 27 May. To find out more, and to enter, log on to www.trinityrotarykingslynn.co.uk or email trotarykl@gmail.com.
Moving on to future events, might your company/workplace/ be able to help with setting up our Horse Show and Country Craft Fair? We need a team on Wed 3 July to put up marquees, knock stakeposts in and perform lighter, cleaning duties, in preparation for the Magpie Open Horse Show on Sun 7 July, and on Wed 14 August to set up for our Craft and Country Fair on Sunday 18 August. Your team will be sure of a warm welcome and lunch will be provided.
Previous teams have much enjoyed their day and the experience has boosted staff morale significantly. If you’d like to find out more, call our Chairwoman Rosie O’Grady on 01553 500104.
For a more regular role, the |Magpie Centre needs volunteers, especially on a Monday, for paddock maintenance duties. If you want an activity that gets you out into the fresh air, while forming part of a friendly team, this one’s for you! If you’d like to find out more, even if you are available on other days, call Sarah or Natalie on 01553 810202 for more information.
And if Health & Safety’s your thing, or you think it might be – we still need a Trustee who is willing to take on that role. Just call Chairwoman Rosie O’Grady on 01553 500104 for an informal chat.

Information about West Norfolk Community Transport here.

The election of parish councillors was uncontested. Notice here.

Find out more about the role of being a Special Constable in your community by attending one of the local recruitment events

The Statement of Persons Nominated for Boughton Parish Council has now been published.