Broadland is a local government district in Norfolk, England, named after the Norfolk Broads. Its council is based at the Broadland Business Park on the outskirts of Norwich. The district includes the towns of Aylsham, Reepham, Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew. Several of the district's settlements (including Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew) form part of the Norwich built-up area, lying outside the city's boundaries to the north-west and north-east. The district also includes numerous villages and surrounding rural areas. Some eastern parts of the district lie within The Broads.
In 2013, Broadland was ranked as the most peaceful locality within the United Kingdom, having the lowest level of violent crime in the country.[1]
History
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the whole of one former district and parts of another, which were both abolished at the same time:[2]
The new district was named Broadland after the Broads.[3]
The council appointed a shared managing director with neighbouring South Norfolk Council in 2018. The two councils' staff were merged in 2020 and the councils moved to a new shared building in 2023.[4][5]
In the parts of the district within The Broads, town planning is the responsibility of the Broads Authority. The district council appoints one of its councillors to sit on that authority.[10]
The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[12][13]
Since the last full review of boundaries in 2004 the council has comprised 47 councillors representing 27 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[17]
UK Youth Parliament
Although the UK Youth Parliament is an apolitical organisation, the elections are run in a way similar to that of the Local Elections. The votes come from 11 to 18-year olds and are combined to make the decision of the next, 2-year Member of Youth Parliament. The elections are run at different times across the country with Broadland's typically being in early Spring and bi-annually. Due to the large scale nature of Broadland's and its bordering with all other districts, the district is represented by all four MYPs for Norfolk for ease and true representation.[18][19][20]
Premises
In 2023 the council moved to the Horizon Centre, a modern office building at the Broadland Business Park on the outskirts of Norwich (in the parish of Postwick with Witton). The council shares the building with South Norfolk Council as part of their joint management and staff arrangement.[21]
Thorpe Lodge: Council's headquarters until 2023.
Prior to 2023 the council was based at Thorpe Lodge at 1 Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew, a converted 1820s house with substantial 1970s extensions.[22]
Towns and parishes
The district is divided into 65 civil parishes. The parish councils for Aylsham, Reepham, Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council". Some of the smaller parishes have a parish meeting rather than a parish council.[23] The three most populous parishes at the 2021 census were Sprowston, Thorpe St Andrew and Hellesdon, all of which form part of the Norwich built-up area.[24][25]
The district contains the following civil parishes:
Climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfb". (Marine West Coast Climate/Oceanic climate).[26]
A total of £357,000 was paid to two managers leaving Broadland council as a result of the merger of two management teams at Broadland and South Norfolk councils, reported Private Eye in October 2020. (A further £594,000 in termination payments was to be shared between three managers leaving South Norfolk council due to the merger.) The councils reportedly claimed these so-called "golden goodbyes" would actually save money, as they would have fewer highly paid senior officials after they departed.[28]
Arms
Coat of arms of Broadland
Crest
On a wreath of the colours a mount Vert thereon a griffin sejant Or the body and underside of the wing each charged with three fleurs-de-lys Azure resting the dexter foreleg on a mitre affronty Or.
Escutcheon
Azure in chief two broadland sailing cruisers and on a mount issuant in base a Norfolk Drainage Mill all Proper on a chief wavy Or between two ostrich feathers Ermine the quill of each piercing a scroll Argent a dexter arm embowed in a maunch Gules the hand proper grasping a rose Gules barbed seeded and slipped Proper.
