Who runs local services
Most of King's Lynn has two tiers of local government. The Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, based at Kings Court on Chapel Street, handles bin collections, council tax, planning, housing, parks, markets and car parks. Norfolk County Council looks after roads and pavements, schools, libraries, social care and public health.
Unlike the surrounding villages, the town itself is currently unparished, so it has no town council. The borough council has been consulting residents on whether one should be created, ahead of planned changes that will replace Norfolk's current councils with new unitary authorities.
Village parish councils
Villages such as South Wootton, North Wootton, Castle Rising, Clenchwarton, Terrington St Clement, West Winch, Middleton and Watlington each have their own parish council. They look after local matters like allotments, playing fields, village halls and comments on planning applications, and they are usually the best first contact for something in your own village.
The borough council's democracy pages carry details for each parish council in West Norfolk, and many villages publish meeting dates and minutes on a Norfolk Parishes website.
Libraries
King's Lynn Library is part of Norfolk Libraries, with book loans, computers, family activities and help with council services. Norfolk Libraries also runs mobile library routes for many villages.
Volunteering and local charities
Community Action Norfolk supports voluntary groups across the county and runs Get InVOLved Norfolk, where you can search for volunteering roles near King's Lynn - from museum guides to befriending and conservation work.
Reporting problems and getting help
Missed bins, fly-tipping, noise and abandoned vehicles are reported to the borough council, while potholes, broken street lights and blocked drains on the road are usually for Norfolk County Council. Both councils have online forms, which are often quicker than phoning. If you are not sure which council is responsible, start with the borough council and they will point you in the right direction.
Essential numbers
Emergencies: 999. Non-emergency police: 101. Urgent medical advice when it is not an emergency: NHS 111. For power cuts anywhere in the UK, call 105.
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