Parish Partnership bids open

Posted on by

Your Parish Council has been sent a letter by Norfolk County Council setting out how they can apply for a Parish Partnership grant for highways-related items. Here’s the letter they were sent:

The County Council has provisionally allocated £300,000 on a 50/50 basis (There is an upper limit on Norfolk County Council funding support of £25,000 per bid) to fund schemes put forward by Town and Parish Councils to deliver projects that are priorities for local communities.  We are particularly keen to encourage and support first-time bids.

This letter provides more information on the process, invites you to submit bids, and explains how the County Council can support you in developing your ideas.  The closing date for submissions will be 01 December 2025. Please contact your local Highway Engineer based at the local Area Office for agreement as early as you can, ideally by the end of September, to get costs and any advice in developing your ideas, especially around the practicalities and cost estimates.

Once all bids have been received, we will assess them and inform you of our decision in March 2026 following approval by the Norfolk County Council Cabinet.

To encourage bids from Town and Parish Councils with annual incomes (precepts plus any another income) below £2,000, we are offering the following support;

  • 75% County Council contribution
  • £5,000 maximum bid value
  • Offer available only once to any bidder

We will also accept bids from unparished County Council Wards.  Such Wards can always opt to become a formal Parish Council, but otherwise we are offering support on the basis that the Ward raises the required 50% funding.  Kings Lynn Borough Council, Great Yarmouth Borough Council and Norwich City Council have kindly indicated their willingness to consider proposed schemes and potential funding for them.  Further details are in the relevant committee report on our webpage.

What sort of schemes would be acceptable? 

  • Small lengths of formal footway
  • Surfacing improvements including trods (a simplified and low-cost footway/footpath).
  • Improved signage/wayfinding and information panels to promote walking, wheeling and horse-riding routes on the Norfolk Trails Network
  • Access improvements to Public Rights of Way/Norfolk Trails network including gates, stiles, seating, steps, small bridges and passing places.
  • Improved crossing facilities
  • Improvements to Public Rights of Way / Norfolk Trails.
  • Flashing signs to tackle speeding. We would encourage you to consider Speed Awareness Mobile Signs (SAM2 / and new SAM3) – which flash up the driver’s actual speed rather than fixed signs (VAS) – which flash up the speed limit.  The number of VAS in Norfolk has grown, and checks show that speed reduction benefits can be minimal.  Whilst we will still consider bids for fixed VAS, we will only consider these if there is a known and recorded personal Injury accident record and must be agreed by NCC’s Network Safety Team.  We consider that SAM2 mobile signs, which are moved around on an agreed rota, are better at reducing speed; SAM2/SAM3 can be jointly purchased with neighbouring Parishes and would be owned and maintained by the Parish/Town Council.  Please note, in line with our Speed Management Strategy, SAM2/SAM3 signs can only be used on roads subject to 30mph speed limit or less. More information can be found on our webpage.
  • Part-time 20mph signs with flashing warning lights, outside schools. The County Council generally supports these as they do show a moderate reduction in average speeds during peak times.
  • “Keep Clear” carriageway markings outside schools. Applications will be considered for new school keep clear carriageway markings (which must be supported by the local school).
  • New Bus Shelter. A copy of Norfolk County Councils guidance for new bus shelters is available on our web site (click on this link). Any new shelter would be owned and maintained by the Parish/Town Council. Please note, for 2025/26 only, that a bus shelter grant for 80% funding grant is currently available.  Please email busshelters@norfolk.gov.uk for more information.
  • Electric Vehicle Charging Points. In the first instance we would expect Parish/Town Councils to investigate available grants, for more information please email evehicles@norfolk.gov.uk – A webpage containing useful information is now live.

Schemes can be within or immediately adjacent to the highway.  If they are off highway the future responsibility for the maintenance will fall to the Parish or Town Council.

Schemes should be self-contained and not require other schemes or works to make them effective.

Schemes that support the Local Transport Plan (LTP) objectives will have a higher priority for funding.  The LTP can be found on our webpage.

With the County Council’s agreement Parishes can employ private contractors to deliver schemes.  However, any works on the highway would be subject to an agreed programme, inspection on completion, and the contractor having £10m public liability insurance.

Schemes which will not be considered

  • Bids for minor traffic management changes which require a Traffic Regulation Order for example;-
    • Speed Limits
    • Waiting restrictions
    • Weight restrictions
  • Bids for installation of any streetlighting
  • Mirrors in the highway
  • Protection of private land from travellers
  • Quiet Lane zones

Information you must include in your bid

  • The objective of the scheme
  • Details of the scheme, its cost (and outline estimate – not just a summary) and your contribution.
  • A plan/map of the extents of the scheme
  • Who, and how many people will benefit.
  • Local support: –
    • essential from your Local Member
    • frontages and landowners.
    • your local highway engineer
  • For ‘off highway’ schemes, your proposals for future maintenance.

When assessing your bid, we will consider the points above, but also:

  • The potential for casualty reduction.
  • Any ongoing maintenance costs for the County Council.