12/01/2026: Breckland Council begins the transfer of car parks to town councils

Breckland Council has begun the process of transferring a number of the district's car parks into the ownership of local town councils.

Breckland's Cabinet gave the green light to officially start the transfer after receiving an update on the latest engagement with the district's town councils.

In September, Breckland invited the town councils in Dereham, Swaffham, Watton, Thetford and Attleborough to consider taking on the management of car parking provision in the towns.

At their meeting today (January 12), Councillors heard that Dereham, Watton, Attleborough and Thetford Town Councils have all confirmed their interest in taking on a number of local car parks. Swaffham Town Council has chosen not to pursue a transfer at this time.

Cllr Paul Hewett, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Property, Projects and Procurement, commented: "Today's decision is a major milestone in securing the future of car parking provision in the district. We have been working closely with the town councils over the last year and are committed to completing this transfer as quickly as possible to give long-term stability to the district's car parks."

Work will now begin to complete the legal process of transferring the assets from one authority to another, which will help to keep decision-making about car parking provision as close to communities as possible.

The councils want to complete the transfers ahead of the Government's reorganisation of Local Government. Along with Norfolk's county council and other district councils, the Government is planning to replace Breckland Council with larger unitary authorities, which means any car parks which have not already been transferred into town council ownership will instead become owned and controlled by the emerging unitary authority for the area. However, transferring ownership to the town councils should protect these car parks from a potential new unitary charging regime.

The full report is availableon the Breckland website. (opens new window)