Social Value Ideas for Breckland Council

Reg 19 local plan approved

Cabinet approved the Regulation 19 draft local plan for consultation, including updated housing allocations, policy changes, and evidence documents. The plan is to go out for at least six weeks and, i…

“So, item five has four recommendations. Um our recommendation one, that the cabinet approves the local development scheme for July 2026 for the full u…”

Housing target increased sharply

Members repeatedly stated that central government doubled Breckland’s housing target, creating significant pressure to find more sites and shorten the plan period. The increase forced a reworking of t…

“And to increase it by nearly 50% um caused us huge problems because A, we didn't have enough land put aside in terms of the local plan. We didn't have…”

Updated local plan timetable approved

Cabinet approved the July 2026 updated local development scheme for the full local plan update and delegated authority for publication and submission. This sets the timetable and formal process for th…

“So I'll move straight to item five which is the Breckland local plan full update, updated local development scheme and I'll ask Councillor Morrison on…”

Local plan consultation timetable

Cabinet agreed to publish the Regulation 19 Local Plan for consultation from 31 July 2026 for six weeks to 16 September 2026. Officers also confirmed a revised local development scheme changing the pl…

“Thank you very much. Uh chairman, as um you will know, there was a cabinet held yesterday morning to consider the regulation 19 um local plan update a…”

Gypsy and Traveller call for sites

Cabinet approved a further call for sites exercise to identify land for Gypsy and Traveller pitches, after two previous unsuccessful attempts. The exercise runs over the summer and the resulting sites…

“Um this the second local plan item uh deals with a single issue, the challenge of addressing our evidence need for Gypsy and Traveler sites. Addressin…”

Affordable housing reduced on small sites

To improve viability and support small builders, the draft local plan reduces affordable housing requirements on developments of 10 to 20 homes from 25% to 20%. Larger schemes remain at 25%. This is i…

“We are proposing adding six new sites for housing that weren't in the regulation 18 draft and these are set out on page 47. The draft plan has a small…”

Great Hawkham refused

Members refused the Great Hawkham outline application for up to 12 dwellings after hearing officer advice that the scheme conflicted with settlement policy, lacked demonstrated drainage certainty, and…

“This one we have recommended for refusal for the reasons set out in the officer report. Thank you chairman.”

Local Plan Regulation 18 Consultation Launch

The Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation was approved by special cabinet on 20 October 2025 and formally opened for public consultation on 31 October 2025 for a period of no less than six weeks. The …

“The local plan reg 18 consultation went to special cabinet on the 20th of October where it was voted to approve that version of the plan with minor ty…”

Council AI policy approved

Members approved a new AI policy setting rules for safe, responsible and lawful use of AI across services, including restrictions on sensitive data, mandatory data protection impact assessments, and h…

“Good morning everybody. Um, thanks ever so much. Uh, really good to be here to present to you today uh, our new AI policy. So, can I just have the fir…”

New Contract Procedure Rules Alignment

Contract Procedure Rules have been completely rewritten to align with the Procurement Act 2023 (effective 24 February 2025). Rules now use simplified terminology, removed old EU-aligned language, and …

“The procurement act 2023 became law on the 24th of February 2025 delivering a completely new set of procurement regulations... The contract procedure …”