Broadland

---

title: "Broadland" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["broadland", "non-metropolitan-districts-of-norfolk"] topic_path: "general/broadland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadland" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
	timezone
utc_offset	0
timezone_DST	BST
utc_offset_DST	+1
	settlement_type
subdivision_type	Sovereign state
subdivision_type1	Constituent country
subdivision_type2	Region
subdivision_type3	Non-metropolitan county
subdivision_type4	Status
subdivision_type5	Admin HQ
subdivision_name	United Kingdom
subdivision_name1	England
subdivision_name4	Non-metropolitan district
government_type	Non-metropolitan district council
leader_title	Leadership
leader_title1	MPs
established_title1	Incorporated
population_density_km2	auto
blank1_name	ONS code
blank2_name	OS grid reference
	official_name
image_skyline	Thorpe St Andrew's converted hospital chapel - geograph.org.uk - 2254815.jpg
imagesize	280px
image_caption	Thorpe St Andrew
image_map	Broadland UK locator map.svg
mapsize	frameless
map_caption	Broadland shown within Norfolk
subdivision_name2	East of England
subdivision_name3	Norfolk
established_date1	1 April 1974
governing_body	Broadland District Council
leader_name1	Jerome Mayhew
Alice Macdonald
area_total_km2	552.4
area_rank	(of )
population_total
population_as_of
population_rank	(of )
blank1_info	33UC (ONS)
E07000144 (GSS)
blank2_info
demographics_type1	Ethnicity (2021)
demographics1_footnotes
demographics1_title1	Ethnic groups
demographics_type2	Religion (2021)
demographics2_footnotes
demographics2_title1	Religion
::

::callout[type=note] the district of Norfolk ::

| timezone = GMT | utc_offset = 0 | timezone_DST = BST | utc_offset_DST = +1 | settlement_type = Non-metropolitan district | subdivision_type = Sovereign state | subdivision_type1 = Constituent country | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_type3 = Non-metropolitan county | subdivision_type4 = Status | subdivision_type5 = Admin HQ | subdivision_name = United Kingdom | subdivision_name1 = England | subdivision_name4 = Non-metropolitan district | government_type = Non-metropolitan district council | leader_title = Leadership | leader_title1 = MPs | established_title1 = Incorporated | population_density_km2 = auto | blank1_name = ONS code | blank2_name = OS grid reference | official_name = Broadland District | image_skyline = Thorpe St Andrew's converted hospital chapel - geograph.org.uk - 2254815.jpg | imagesize = 280px | image_alt = | image_caption = Thorpe St Andrew | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | shield_link = | image_map = Broadland UK locator map.svg | mapsize = frameless | map_alt = | map_caption = Broadland shown within Norfolk | subdivision_name2 = East of England | subdivision_name3 = Norfolk | subdivision_name5 = | established_date1 = 1 April 1974 | governing_body = Broadland District Council | leader_name1 = Jerome Mayhew Alice Macdonald | area_total_km2 = 552.4 | area_rank = (of ) | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_rank = (of ) | blank1_info = 33UC (ONS) E07000144 (GSS) | blank2_info = | demographics_type1 = Ethnicity (2021) | demographics1_footnotes = | demographics1_title1 = Ethnic groups | demographics1_info1 = | 96.3% White | 1.4% Asian | 1.4% Mixed | 0.5% Black | 0.4% other | demographics_type2 = Religion (2021) | demographics2_footnotes = | demographics2_title1 = Religion | demographics2_info1 = | 47.7% Christianity | 44.5% no religion | 7.3% other | 0.5% Islam | name =

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 Acle, 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.

The neighbouring districts are North Norfolk, Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk, Norwich and Breckland.

In 2013, Broadland was ranked as the most peaceful locality within the United Kingdom, having the lowest level of violent crime in the country.

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:

• Blofield and Flegg Rural District (parishes lying generally south-west of the River Bure, rest went to Great Yarmouth)
• St Faith's and Aylsham Rural District

The new district was named Broadland after the Broads.

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.

Governance

| name = Broadland District Council | native_name = | transcription_name = | legislature = | coa_pic = | coa_res = | logo_pic = Broadland District Council logo.svg | logo_res = 180px | house_type = Non-metropolitan district | body = | houses = | leader1_type = Chair | leader1 = Caroline Karimi-Ghovanlou | party1 = Liberal Democrat | election1 = 22 May 2025 | leader2_type = Leader | leader2 = Sue Holland | party2 = Liberal Democrats | election2 = 25 May 2023 | leader3_type = Managing Director | leader3 = Trevor Holden | party3 = | election3 = 2019 | members = 47 councillors | structure1 =Broadland_District_Council_2025.svg | structure1_res = 250px | political_groups1 = ;Administration (25) : : Labour (7) : ;Other parties (22) : Conservative (21) : Reform UK (1) | last_election1 = 4 May 2023 | next_election2 = 6 May 2027 | session_room = | session_res = | meeting_place = The Horizon Centre, Broadland Business Park, Peachman Way, Norwich, NR70WF | website = | footnotes =

Broadland District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Norfolk County Council. The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

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.

Political control

The council has been under no overall control since the 2023 elections, being run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, Labour, and Greens, led by Liberal Democrat councillor Sue Holland.

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: ::data[format=table]

Party in control	Years
	1974–1976
	1976–1994
	1994–1999
	1999–2023
	2023–present
::

Leadership

The leaders of the council since have been:

::data[format=table]

Councillor	Party	From	To
Simon Woodbridge			May 2011
Andrew Proctor		19 May 2011	Jul 2018
title=Council minutes, 12 July 2018	url=https://www.southnorfolkandbroadland.gov.uk/asset-library/imported-assets/july-12-2018-minutes-council.pdf	publisher=Broadland District Council	access-date=5 June 2025}}
Sue Holland		25 May 2023
::

Composition

Following the 2023 election, and subsequent by-elections up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:

::data[format=table]

Party	Councillors	Total	47
	21
	14
	7
	4
	1
::

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

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.

;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.

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.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Broadland_District_Council_Offices_Thorpe_Lodge.jpg" caption="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.

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. 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.

The district contains the following civil parishes:

• Acle, Alderford, Attlebridge, Aylsham
• Beeston St. Andrew, Beighton, Belaugh, Blickling, Blofield, Booton, Brampton, Brandiston, Brundall, Burgh and Tuttington, Buxton Lammas, Buxton
• Cantley, Cawston, Coltishall, Crostwick
• Drayton
• Felthorpe, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Frettenham
• Great Plumstead, Great Witchingham, Guestwick
• Hainford, Halvergate, Haveringland, Hellesdon, Hemblington, Hevingham, Heydon, Honingham, Horsford, Horsham St Faith, Horsham St Faith and Newton St Faith, Horstead with Stanninghall
• Lingwood and Burlingham, Little Plumstead, Little Witchingham
• Marsham, Morton on the Hill
• Old Catton, Oulton
• Postwick with Witton
• Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, Ringland
• Salhouse, Salle, South Walsham, Spixworth, Sprowston, Stratton Strawless, Strumpshaw, Swannington
• Taverham, Themelthorpe, Thorpe St. Andrew
• Upton with Fishley
• Weston Longville, Woodbastwick, Wood Dalling, Wroxham

Climate

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). |location = Broadland, UK |single line = Yes |metric first = Yes |Jan high F = 45 |Feb high F = 46 |Mar high F = 50 |Apr high F = 55 |May high F = 61 |Jun high F = 66 |Jul high F = 70 |Aug high F = 72 |Sep high F = 66 |Oct high F = 59 |Nov high F = 50 |Dec high F = 44 |year high F = 57 |Jan low F = 34 |Feb low F = 34 |Mar low F = 36 |Apr low F = 37 |May low F = 43 |Jun low F = 48 |Jul low F = 52 |Aug low F = 52 |Sep low F = 48 |Oct low F = 41 |Nov low F = 36 |Dec low F = 34 |year low F = 41 |Jan precipitation inch = 1.9 |Feb precipitation inch = 1.7 |Mar precipitation inch = 1.7 |Apr precipitation inch = 1.7 |May precipitation inch = 1.6 |Jun precipitation inch = 2.4 |Jul precipitation inch = 2.1 |Aug precipitation inch = 2.4 |Sep precipitation inch = 2.5 |Oct precipitation inch = 2.7 |Nov precipitation inch = 2.9 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.6 |year precipitation inch = 26.2 |source 1 = Weatherbase |url =http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591033&cityname=Broadland-England |archive-url =https://archive.today/20130630142904/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=591033&cityname=Broadland-England |url-status =dead |archive-date =30 June 2013 |title =Weatherbase.com |publisher=Weatherbase |year=2013 |access-date=5 June 2013 |date=June 2013

Controversies

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.

Arms

|title = Broadland District Council |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. |crest = On a wreath of the colour 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. |badge = On a roundel Azure fimbriated Or issuant therefrom six fleurs-de-lys Azure a Broadland Sailing Cruiser as in the arms. |motto = God Keep Our Broad Land |notes = Granted 16 January 1979 by the College of Arms.}}

References

References

1. "Broadland Local Authority".
2. "Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 10.49.34 AM.PNG | View photo - Yahoo! News UK".
3. {{cite legislation UK. (1972)
4. {{cite legislation UK. (1973)
5. "Broadland District Council and South Norfolk Council".
6. (18 May 2023). "Broadland and South Norfolk councils set to move into old Aviva office". BBC News.
7. "New Chair elected by Broadland District Council". Broadland District Council.
8. (5 October 2018). "Holden to leave Luton for joint district role". Local Government Chronicle.
9. {{cite legislation UK. (1972)
10. "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey.
11. "Who we are".
12. (26 May 2023). "Broadland Rainbow leadership takes charge but tensions rise". Eastern Daily Press.
13. "Compositions Calculator". University of Exeter.
14. "Broadland". [[BBC News Online]].
15. (10 May 2011). "Outgoing leader has eyes on Norfolk police commissioner's job". Eastern Daily Press.
16. (25 March 2023). "Norfolk County Council boss steps back from job for health reasons". Rayo.
17. "Council minutes, 12 July 2018". Broadland District Council.
18. (5 May 2023). "Local elections 2023: Conservatives lose Norfolk councils and seats". BBC News.
19. "Council minutes, 25 May 2023". Broadland District Council.
20. "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
21. "Broadland". Thorncliffe.
22. {{cite legislation UK. (2003)
23. "Members of Youth Parliament - Norfolk County Council".
24. "Your Norfolk -".
25. Cope, Lauren. "Norfolk's four new Members of Youth Parliament are announced".
26. (18 May 2023). "Broadland and South Norfolk councils set to move into old Aviva office". BBC News.
27. {{NHLE
28. "Broadland District Council Parish Clerks".
29. "Broadland".
30. "Towns and cities, characteristics of built-up areas, England and Wales: Census 2021". Office for National Statistics.
31. [https://archive.today/20130630142108/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=591033&cityname=Broadland,+England,+United+Kingdom&units= Climate Summary]
32. Private Eye, Issue 1532, p. 21
33. "Armorial Bearings". WhatDoTheyKnow.
34. "East of England Region". Civic Heraldry of England.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::