Where to go for advice
Over the winter months we will be sharing on borough council social media channels related to information you may need from the borough council. This webpage can give you further information.
Christmas opening hours
The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk is closed from 2pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen at 9am on Friday 2 January 2026.
For emergencies, such as homelessness, whilst our office is closed, please call 01553 616601.
Mintlyn Crematorium
The crematorium office will close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and reopen at 9am on Monday 29 December. The office will be open from 9am to 5pm on 29 and 30 December. It will open from 9am until 4pm on New Years Eve. The office will be closed on Bank Holiday Thursday 1 January 2026. On all other days it will be open as normal (weekdays 9:00am until 5:00pm).
On the days the office is closed, the crematorium grounds are open.
The Gardens and Book of Remembrance room at Mintlyn will open as follows:
- Christmas Eve 9am to 5pm
- Christmas Day 9am to 4.30pm
- Boxing Day 9am to 4.30pm
- 27-31 Dec 9am to 5pm
- New Years Day 9am to 4.30pm
Funeral directors can continue to book funerals online, and members of the public can email mintlyn@west-norfolk.gov.uk while they are closed. Emails will be responded to when the office is next open.
Waste, recycling, food waste and garden waste advice
There are no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.
Festive waste, recycling, food waste and brown garden bin collections will take place on a different day during this period. Please check your bin collection dates during this time by putting your postcode into the search on the link above. Please ensure that your correct bin is left out for collection by 7am on collection day.
Food waste collections are carried out every week on the same day as your waste or recycling collection. Information about what you can and can't put in your food bin can be found on the above link along with details about how recycling your food waste helps the environment.
Typically, a household produces thirty percent more waste during the festive period than at any other time, some wrapping paper CAN be recycled. All you have to do is SCRUNCH IT, TO SORT IT. More details on the link above.
If you're finding that your black bin is full, you can put any extra general waste into a standard black plastic sack no bigger than 70 litres volume (i.e. we will not collect "Jumbo" bags). You must seal each bag with a pre-purchased pink or red tag. We ONLY remove bags that have these tags on them. They are posted out first class. To receive them in time for Christmas we must receive a request through the link above by Thursday 18 December 2025.
Additional recycling can be left in any clear bag and put it out with your green recycling bin on collection day. Click the link above to find out what you can recycle and further guidance.
Brown bin collections will continue to take place during the festive break. If you have paid for a brown bin, then it will be collected. Click the link above to see when your collection will take place.
You can also dispose of any excess waste by taking it to the Norfolk County Council managed household waste recycling centres – check norfolk.gov.uk for locations, opening times and how to book entry.
For more waste and recycling guidance please visit west-norfolk.gov.uk/yourbins.
Details about festive waste and recycling collections will be printed on the back pages of the free to pick up in West Norfolk Your Local Paper on Wednesday 24 and 31 December 2025.
Flood safety advice
Information in the link above about how to prepare for and protect your home from flooding.
Winter ready – Get prepared
There are some simple steps you can take to prepare yourself, families, communities, home or business.
Homelessness emergencies, housing advice, council tax and benefit support
What to do if you've got nowhere to stay tonight. Phone us on 01553 616200, email us at housingoptions@west-norfolk.gov.uk or visit, during office opening hours.
If you need help when our office is closed, you should call our emergency out of hours number on 01553 616601, option 1.
Details above about how to find a home to rent with a private landlord, apply for social housing and existing Homechoice applicants.
As the council office is closed over the Christmas period, the West Norfolk Homechoice application and change of circumstances forms will not be available to be completed from midday on Friday 19 December 2025. The forms will be available again after 10am on Monday 5 January 2026.
There will be no new advert opening on Wednesday 24 December 2025. The next advert will open on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
You can pop the information in one of the envelopes provided, but don’t forget to write your name, address and Homechoice reference number on it. Please pop it in the postbox and when we return in January, we will copy your documents and return them through the post.
Click the link above to find out what support is available and how to get advice.
To get your form stamped and signed by us, please pop it in the postbox and mark it for the attention of the Council Information Centre. When we return in January, we will verify and return the form through the post.
You do not need to attend court if you have set up a payment plan. You can set up a payment plan and find further information on the link above.
Find information about this at the link above.
Information is available from the link above. Alternatively you can put the information in one of the envelopes provided and pop it in our postbox, and we’ll process it when we return in January. Don’t forget to write your name, address and claim number on the envelope.
You can set up a Direct Debit or make a payment online through the link above.
If you’re on a low income, you can apply for Council Tax Support online through the link above.
Housing Benefit helps you pay part, or all of your rent. If you’re on a low income, you can apply for it online through the link above. If you’re working age, Housing Benefit has been replaced by Universal Credit and includes a housing element.
If you’re already receiving Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit with the housing element and need further help with the shortfall, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment online at the link above.
Severe weather
Severe weather can affect parts of West Norfolk in different ways, and at different times of the year. Click the link above to find out where to look for information.
Community safety, noise and nuisance
Click the link above to report it online.
Click the link above to report it online.
Highways are maintained by Norfolk County Council. Report it through the link above.
Our reception desk is closed until Friday 2 January 2026, please come back after this date. The Careline unit will need to be returned in a carrier bag with the name and address inside, and all the accessories included.
Travel passes are administered by Norfolk County Council. Click the link above to find out more or telephone 0344 800 8020.
You can pay or challenge why you’ve been issued a parking fine online at the link above or by telephoning 01553 616222.
Blue badges are administered by Norfolk County Council, click the link above for more details or telephone 0344 800 8020.
Taxi Licensing
Checks for drivers
To find out more about the tests taxi drivers must pass, visit our taxi and private hire pages.
These checks ensure that all our licensed taxi drivers are fit and proper drivers, in safe and reliable vehicles. In return the drivers ask to be treated with respect.
Should you have a complaint, or a concern please contact us here.
Guidance for taxis and private hire drivers
Please report it through the link above or through your online account.
This can be completed through the link above or you can pop the information in one of the envelopes provided, but don’t forget to write your name, address and badge number on it. Please pop it in the postbox and when we return in January, we will copy your documents and return them through the post.
Although general guidance is provided through the link above please put the information in one of the envelopes provided, and don’t forget to write your name, address and badge number on it. Please pop it in the postbox and we will deal with it when we return in January.
Where else can I look for support?
Borough Council social media channels will be sharing messages through December and January. If you have a social media account, please follow us on any of the channels listed at the bottom of this webpage.
We will also be sharing partner messages that may be of help during the winter months on our social channels that may be of use.
The Lily Directory lists organisations, services and activities that can help people live healthy, active, and independent lives.
From basic household assistance and future planning, to dealing with complex issues, Lily's Online Directory is a great signposting tool to help residents to retain their independence and discover what's on offer locally.