Spotlight on Europe in South Norfolk

Hundreds of South Norfolk residents have signed up for a postal vote in the European elections on June 10th and more are expected to join them.

So far more than 300 residents have returned postal vote forms, which went out as part of the council’s community magazine The Link over a month ago – the total number of postal votes requested has now more than trebled compared with the last European election in 1999.

South Norfolk District Council is also preparing to mark Europe Day, which is this Sunday.

Tomorrow, May 7th, the council is jointly organising a business breakfast at the John Innes centre at 8.30am, which is also being sponsored by Norwich City Council and the Shaping The Future Partnership of businesses and local authorities.

And today, the council has raised the European flag over its Long Stratton offices.

Councillor John Halliday, Cabinet member responsible for the economy said:

"With the recent accession of new countries, the announcement of a referendum on the European constitution and the coming elections, Europe is back on the political agenda. Whatever the arguments for and against, the European Union has a big impact on our district and the region.

"By 2006, South Norfolk district will have had over £1.5m invested through an EU funding programme to back our economic development and environmental projects, called LEADER+. For an area like this, which is not considered ‘deprived’, that’s a serious investment, and there is scope for more.

“Better links with European neighbours improves trade and helps influence EU policy. That is what our manufacturers and farmers need.”

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