Revolution Radio - Explore West Northamptonshire’s rich history and heritage this September (2024)

August 14, 2024

Landlords urged to remember safety responsibilities for derelict buildings

Landlords of derelict and void buildings are being urged to remember their responsibility to keep them safe and secure – and ensure they don’t become targets for anti-social behaviour. The Arson Task Force, which is a partnership between Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and Northamptonshire Police, work together to reduce anti-social behaviour and arson related incidents as well as working with children, young people and adults involved in deliberate fire setting. In July 2024, there were 67 reported incidents of deliberate fires across the county, many of which were associated with anti-social behaviour by youths. Seven of these incidents reported to both Police and NFRS have been within derelict and void buildings. Incidents tend to increase ahead of the school holidays and summer period, and although not every fire can be prevented, the Arson Task Force want to make sure owners have taken every precaution possible to prevent deliberate fires from being set on their vacant properties. Kelly Crockett, an Arson Reduction Co-ordinator in the Arson Task Force, said: “Building owners and landlords should ensure that their properties are secured and that regular checks are carried out to mitigate the risks. “It is the responsibility of owners to ensure that their buildings are safe and do not become targets for anti-social behaviour, and they must be aware of the impact it can have if they do not adhere to those responsibilities.” As well as liaising with business owners, the Arson Task Force can offer help and advice to adults, children and young people who display fire setting behaviours. They are asking that parents ensure that their children are aware of the dangers that void and derelict properties can pose, and that starting deliberate fires there can put not only themselves at risk but also other people. Derelict buildings can often appear exciting places to explore, however they have hidden dangers such as unsafe flooring, walls and roofing structures that could potentially be unstable and on the verge of collapse, as well as live electricity supplies and even flooding. Kelly Crockett added: “These buildings can also be used for illegal activities such as drug taking which increases the danger of used needles laying around and there is also the risk that homeless people may be using these buildings to sleep and shelter – which potentially puts their lives at risk as well in the event of a fire. “Derelict buildings can often pose a danger to our attending crews and officers, so we are urging people not to explore these buildings due to the risks posed to the emergency services.” Landlords can find out more information on their responsibilities at the following web page: Landlord Fire Safety Law and your responsibilities – Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (northantsfire.gov.uk) If you have any information about a deliberately started fire at a derelict building, then you should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org If you see a fire in progress, you should call 999 and ask for the Fire Service.

August 13, 2024

Employability Hub extended at Weston Favell Library

13 August 2024 West Northamptonshire Council will be extending its Employability Hub service in Weston Favell following a successful launch earlier this year . Teaming up with Weston Favell Library, the dedicated service aims to assist local people in finding jobs and volunteer opportunities as well as providing a range of other services. Attendees at the drop-in session will be able to access support with: Job searching - including vacancies within the shopping centre CV writing Building confidence Interview skills and techniques Getting started Money advice Organised by the Northampton East Local Area Partnership (LAP), sessions will run every 6 weeks with the first one taking place on Friday 23 August, from 10am to 2pm at Weston Favell Library, located in the Weston Favell Shopping Centre. The sessions are free and available to anyone seeking employment over 18 years of age. The hub is inclusive to everybody including those with learning disabilities (LD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and will benefit from support via WNC’s Learning, Independence, Volunteering, and Employment (LIVE) Team , who will also support businesses to become more inclusive by taking practical steps to welcome a more diverse workforce. "Extending the Employability Hub at Weston Favell Library is a testament to our commitment to supporting residents in their journey to employment and personal growth. “This initiative is about more than just finding jobs, it’s about empowering individuals with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to thrive. We’re especially proud that this hub is inclusive to all, providing tailored support to ensure everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or abilities. “I encourage anyone seeking employment or looking to improve their career prospects to take advantage of the free support on offer." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure For further enquires, get in touch with us at [email protected] . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 13, 2024

Explore West Northamptonshire’s rich history and heritage this September

13 August 2024 Everyone is invited to explore West Northamptonshire’s historical heritage this September with the two-week Heritage Open Days festival taking place between 6 and 15 September. Heritage Open Days will be celebrated by attractions across the whole of the county, with a wealth of buildings of historic interest, stately homes, museums, and places of worship taking part in the 30th anniversary of England’s largest annual festival of history and culture. This year, Silverstone Museum will make its debut offering visitors free entry to discover the adrenaline-fueled history of British motor racing. A locally produced film about Northampton’s historic Market Square will be showcased at the Guildhall, and Northampton college students will be bringing their heritage roadshow to town. There will also be fun town centre quiz trails taking place in Northampton, Brackley, Daventry and Towcester. The festival offers the public free entry to places which might normally be closed or have an entrance fee, and where admission is charged, venues will offer something new to see, with many connected by Northampton Transport Heritage buses’ free hop-on hop-off service. This year’s event will utilise the theme Routes, Networks & Connections to bring together the past and present with workshops, walks, talks, hidden spaces, and activities for all the family, with the aim of making the heritage festival more diverse than ever before. Funded by West Northamptonshire Council, Northampton’s famous heritage red Daimler double-decker buses, which have appeared every year since 1994, will once again be running out of George Row in Northampton town centre on Saturday 14 September, transporting passengers to attractions in Northampton and beyond for free. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is an official promoter of the event and a list of all participating attractions and events can be found on the Council website , which will be updated regularly as more attractions register, including details and timetables for the heritage bus services. "Heritage Open Days is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages to explore and celebrate the rich history and culture of West Northamptonshire and beyond. “We're excited to welcome visitors from far and wide to discover the hidden gems, historical landmarks, and vibrant stories that make our county unique. Whether you're a history enthusiast or just looking for a great day out with the family, we invite you to join us in exploring the fascinating heritage of all of Northamptonshire – there really is something for everyone!" Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure Heritage Open Days is organised by the National Trust and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers across England. The aim of the festival is to encourage people to learn more about the area in which they live. Please note some attractions and events will require booking. A full programme of events, with details of dates, times and how to book, can be found on the Heritage Open Days webpage . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 13, 2024

Thousands attend successful Daventry Emergency Services Fun Day

13 August 2024 Nearly 3,000 visitors of all ages enjoyed a day of entertainment and demonstrations in Daventry last week as part of the annual Operation Unite Emergency Services Fun Day. Taking place at Danetre and Southbrook Learning Village on Wednesday 7 August, visitors enjoyed a range of free activities and saw demonstrations by emergency services teams, as well as stalls and games, a chance to see police and fire vehicles up-close, and free burgers and refreshments provided by the Rapid Relief Team. The event was organised by the West Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership under the Daventry Operation Unite banner, which includes Northamptonshire Police, West Northamptonshire Council, Daventry Town Council, Cummins, DSLV and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Organisations attending on the day included Public Health, RE-Solve, the Emergency Service Cadets, GYM (Guiding Young Minds), Daventry Leisure Centre, Community First Responders, local housing associations and many more. "We're thrilled by the overwhelming turnout and positive feedback from this year's Operation Unite Fun Day in Daventry. It was a fantastic opportunity for the community to connect with our dedicated emergency services teams, learn about their critical work, and enjoy a day full of activities and demonstrations. “This annual event truly highlights the strong partnerships we have in place across West Northamptonshire, and we look forward to continuing to build on this success in the years to come." Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities at WNC Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 14, 2024

Views sought to lower the age range at Hunsbury Park Primary School

14 August 2024 Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to lower the age range for Hunsbury Park Primary School, Northampton to include early years children. Widening the age range from 4-11 years to 2-11 years will enable the school to take over the running of the Early Years provision and Out of School Club, located on site which is being closed due to unforeseen circ*mstances. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with the school to ask the local community for their views on the proposals through a consultation which will run from Tuesday 13 August to Monday 10 September. Click here to view the proposals and have your say. Following the consultation period, feedback will be collated at considered by WNC’s cabinet, and it is anticipated that the nursery will re-open from Monday 23 September. This will bridge the gap in provision for 2-11-year-olds in the local area and ensure continuity of service for families and the community. Hunsbury Park Primary School propose to continue running the previous term time, full day care model, offering flexible patterns to meet the needs of the working demographic. They will operate between 8am and 5:30pm, Monday to Friday and will offer 24 full time equivalent funded early education entitlement (FEEE) places to 2 to 4-year-olds and an out of school club for 4-11 years. To support a robust handover and to meet staffing requirements, the school will be providing a staged approach by offering pre-school (3-year old's) morning and afternoon sessions in the first academic year (2024/25) and extended full nursery sessions to 2 and 3-year-olds in the second academic year (2025/26). "Due to exceptional circ*mstances, we are taking swift action to work with the school to seek the views of local residents to lower the age from 4 to 2 years old at Hunsbury Park Primary School. We want to ensure that local families can continue to access the early years and wrapround provision in the area due to the sudden closure of Campers and that any disruption is absolutely minimised.” Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC WNC is responsible for ensuring there is a sufficiency of early years places across West Northamptonshire. It is also legally obliged to conduct a period of consultation on this proposal as part of the statutory decision-making process. Following the public consultation, WNC will collate and review all the responses received. The results will be analysed, and an assessment made on whether to proceed with the proposal. All stakeholder views expressed will be given full consideration prior to any future decisions being made. The report outlining the summary of the consultation responses will be considered by WNC’s cabinet on 17 September, councillors will then decide on the next steps. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 12, 2024

Share your views on pharmaceutical services across West Northamptonshire

12 August 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) to review pharmacy services that are available in the county, what services people need, and to identify what might need improving. This process is called a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) which is a vital part of how we go about understanding needs, issues, and ways to make improvements. WNC Public Health teams are inviting local residents and businesses to help inform this assessment which will shape the future of pharmacy services across the area. A pharmacy, also known as a chemist, is a place you would go to: to collect a prescription to buy medicines to talk to a pharmacist for advice about your illnesses or medication This assessment does not include any pharmacy in a hospital, or somewhere you shop to buy anything other than medicine, for example, beauty products. The public consultation opened on Monday, 5 August for people to review the proposals and give their views until midnight on 6 October. Click here to view the consultation . “Pharmacies are often the first point of contact for our communities when accessing medication and medical advice. We are keen to hear the view of our local residents, businesses and partners on pharmacy services across West Northamptonshire so that we can better understand how people access our services, and how we can develop them to meet their needs". Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at WNC, The results of the survey will be analysed and reported within a draft PNA. The final report will be published in Spring 2025 and will be available on our Joint Strategic Needs Assessments webpage . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 12, 2024

Help shape the approach to tackling climate change in West Northants

12 August 2024 People are being encouraged to share their views to help West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) develop a climate change strategy for the area. The strategy will detail the actions WNC will take to reduce locally produced greenhouse gas emissions and become better prepared for climate change. The Council has already set the target of achieving Net Zero across West Northants by 2045, five years ahead of the Government’s target. “We want to hear from local residents, businesses and stakeholders to make sure that the strategy meets the needs of our whole community. “We have identified a range of priorities we believe will help reduce the impact of climate change across our area, but we need you to let us know if we are focusing on the right things.” Cllr Rebecca Breese, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Have your say by midnight on Sunday, 15 September by visiting our consultation hub. Members of our Sustainability Team will also be at Northampton Balloon Festival on Friday, 16 and Saturday 17, August 10am to 2pm and are keen to hear the thoughts of those attending the event. Responses from this engagement will be used to inform the development of the final strategy and there will be an opportunity to feedback on this when it is produced later this year. It will then be presented to Council in 2025. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 08, 2024

Balance sheet disaggregation will allow councils to move forward with finances

08 August 2024 The split of the former Northamptonshire County Council’s balance sheet has now been finalised and agreed. A paper before North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive next week will decide how the capital financing requirement and capital adjustment account will be divided between the authority and neighbouring West Northamptonshire Council. A similar decision will also be taken by West Northamptonshire Council next week . The focus of reaching this position was to ensure that this did not cause any financial distress to either party and this will allow both councils to begin finalising their accounts. “Coming to a position of mutual agreement on the final balance sheet for the former county council was a complex task and I’m delighted that we can now move forward from this significant milestone in our unitary journey. “I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and determination on this and we will continue to develop our close connections with our friends in West Northamptonshire, further enhancing our collaborative working.” Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council “This was no simple task and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who worked so closely and constructively to bring this to a satisfactory resolution for both councils. “This means we can all move forward, begin to finalise our accounts and continue to build on and foster the excellent working relationships we’ve managed to develop with North Northamptonshire over the recent period.” Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council On March 31, 2021 Northamptonshire County Council and the district and borough councils in Northamptonshire ceased and were replaced with two new unitary councils. While the district and borough councils’ balance sheets have been aggregated Northamptonshire County Council’s balance sheet needed to be split or disaggregated between WNC and NNC. The high-level principles for splitting the balance sheet were agreed by both shadow authorities prior to vesting day. While most balances on the former county council’s balance sheet were able to be disaggregated based on the agreed principles there were a number of balances which were technically more difficult to allocate. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 10, 2024

Local Resilience Forum joint statement

The Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF), which brings together emergency services, local authority, NHS and other partners to plan and prepare for localised incidents and emergencies, has issued a joint message, thanking communities for their support and solidarity during the events of recent days… “This has been a difficult and challenging week for our communities across Northamptonshire, in particular Northampton, where protests, thankfully peaceful, took place on Wednesday evening. “We have seen a huge amount of cooperation between all the emergency services, local authority, health partners and the community, and it can’t be underestimated how much work went into making sure the risk to the public was minimised. “We are immensely grateful to our communities who came together to work with us, and for the support they showed our police and emergency services as they worked hard to ensure public safety. There was some really positive engagement with all those who came together to show their solidarity.” “We would also like to thank all the police officers, firefighters, council, health and other colleagues for their professionalism, dedication and commitment, throughout this challenging week and beyond, in helping to keep our county and those who live and work here safe. “Alongside the extensive policing operation, firefighters and community safety colleagues were out in the community giving advice and any reassurance they could to residents and businesses, and council teams were on the ground making sure the environment was debris free and as safe as possible. “Organisations being able to respond and support communities in a speedy, joined up way is what people have every right to expect, and it was good to see people working together in this way. “We know residents will still be feeling concerned in the light of this week’s events and the ongoing national picture but want to reassure them all partners are continuing to work together doing everything possible to keep our communities safe.” Thank you for your support. Northamptonshire Police Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service West Northamptonshire Council North Northamptonshire Council Northamptonshire Health Foundation Trust University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board East Midlands Ambulance Service

August 09, 2024

Drop-in sessions to help shape local transport across our area

09 August 2024 A new plan is being developed that outlines what local transport will look like in West Northants over the next 20 years. The Local Transport Plan details a range of proposals, with the aim that by 2045 the Council will have worked with communities and partners to: Make public transport more attractive and accessible Make active travel such as walking or wheeling a first choice for short trips Reduce dependency on private cars Make our transport system safer, cleaner, and more inclusive Improve transport infrastructure and transport services to make them more resilient Achieve net zero. Residents, businesses and community groups are being invited to help shape the plan and join one of the upcoming in person or online sessions. A series of drop-in events are being held across the area and online on the following dates: Tuesday 13 August, 9am to midday at Daventry Market Square, High Street Friday 16 August, 9am to midday at Brackley Market, The Piazza Wednesday 21 August, 10am to 11.30am, online Thursday 22 August, 9am to noon at The Grosvenor Centre, Northampton Monday 23 September, 10am to 11.30am online Friday 11 October, 9am to midday at Towcester Farmers Market, Richmond Road For joining instructions to the online sessions, please email [email protected] . The consultation closes on Thursday, 17 October and people can have their say by visiting our consultation hub. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 09, 2024

Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF) thanks communities for their support during the events of recent days

09 August 2024 The Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF), which brings together emergency services, local authority, NHS and other partners to plan and prepare for localised incidents and emergencies, has issued a joint message thanking communities for their support and solidarity during the events of recent days. “This has been a difficult and challenging week for our communities across Northamptonshire, in particular Northampton, where protests, thankfully peaceful, took place on Wednesday evening. “We have seen a huge amount of cooperation between all the emergency services, local authority, health partners and the community, and it can’t be underestimated how much work went into making sure the risk to the public was minimised. “We are immensely grateful to our communities who came together to work with us, and for the support they showed our police and emergency services as they worked hard to ensure public safety. There was some really positive engagement with all those who came together to show their solidarity.” “We would also like to thank all the police officers, firefighters, council, health and other colleagues for their professionalism, dedication and commitment, throughout this challenging week and beyond, in helping to keep our county and those who live and work here safe. “Alongside the extensive policing operation, firefighters and community safety colleagues were out in the community giving advice and any reassurance they could to residents and businesses, and council teams were on the ground making sure the environment was debris free and as safe as possible. “Organisations being able to respond and support communities in a speedy, joined up way is what people have every right to expect, and it was good to see people working together in this way. “We know residents will still be feeling concerned in the light of this week’s events and the ongoing national picture but want to reassure them all partners are continuing to work together doing everything possible to keep our communities safe.” The Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF) Thank you for your support. Northamptonshire Police Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service West Northamptonshire Council North Northamptonshire Council Northamptonshire Health Foundation Trust University Hospitals of Northamptonshire Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board East Midlands Ambulance Service Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 09, 2024

Youth Forum to take over social media for International Youth Day

09 August 2024 The Northampton Youth Forum are set to take over West Northamptonshire Council’s social media pages to address a number of societal topics as part of International Youth Day on Monday 12 August. As part of their planned content, the Youth Forum members will produce a series of graphics and TikTok videos addressing discrimination and common stereotypes including judging people by how they look and assumptions made about people due to their age or ethnicity. The Youth Forum is Northampton’s youth council, made up of representatives aged 13 to 19 years old from schools and youth organisations across the town. The forum members aim to speak up for, and on behalf of young people and take an active part in decision making about young people by: identifying and tackling issues of importance to young people helping to make sure that young people get to have services and facilities in Northampton that they want seeking the views of young people and promoting opportunities to get involved and have their say West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is currently working with members of the Youth Forum to expand the forum and include young people from all areas across West Northants. International Youth Day is held each year on 12 August and is an initiative that celebrates the qualities of young people and that recognises the challenges that today’s youth can face. First recognised in 2000, the day is organised by the United Nations to celebrate the contribution that young people make in education, employment, conflict resolution and social justice. "We are pleased to support the Northampton Youth Forum as they take over our social media pages for International Youth Day. “This initiative highlights the great contributions and perspectives of young people in our community. By addressing important societal topics such as discrimination and stereotypes, the Youth Forum is giving a voice to the youth and fostering a more inclusive and understanding society. “We believe in the power of young people to drive positive change and are excited to see the creative content they will produce. We encourage everyone to engage with and support the Youth Forum's efforts on 12 August and beyond." Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities at WNC Find out more about the Youth Forum on the WNC website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 09, 2024

Drug warning and guidance issued by Northamptonshire's Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership

09 August 2024 Northamptonshire's Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership, which is made up of, Police, health organisations, local drug and alcohol services, and North and West Northamptonshire Councils, is issuing a warning about the latest dangerous drugs in circulation in the county and across the UK. The Partnership has been alerted to an increasing number of incidents in recent months where drug users have experienced very poor health from taking street drugs, including heroin and cocaine, requiring emergency medical treatment. The new group of drugs called synthetic opioids, sometimes known as Nitazenes, pose a substantial risk of overdose, drug-related hospitalisation, and drug-related death. The synthetic opioids are combined with street drugs, including heroin, which users may not be aware contains Nitazene. Anyone taking drugs is urged to take extra care and to alert the family and friends of those using street drugs to the danger of synthetic opioids. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine, and buprenorphine. Giving Naloxone to someone who is overdosing on opioids can even save their life if it's used soon after they've overdosed and before emergency help arrives. The effects of Naloxone don't last very long, so it's vital always to call 999 and ask for emergency help when you use it. If you think someone is overdosing but you aren't sure what they've taken, you can still give them Naloxone. It won't hurt them, and it could help them. Click here to find out more about accessing Naloxone and drug and alcohol services in Northamptonshire. Jane Bethea, Chair of the Northamptonshire Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership and North Northamptonshire Council's Director of Public Health said: "Colleagues across the Northamptonshire Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership want to ensure we protect people from harm by raising awareness of the dangerous drugs circulating in Northamptonshire and across the UK because of the devastating impact they can have. "Our first priority is to prevent people from taking street drugs and providing support for their addiction. However, we must warn people about the serious harm caused by synthetic opioids and ensure they know how to minimise the harm they cause. If you are a drug user in Northamptonshire, please do not use drugs alone as it poses a potential risk to your health. Carry the rescue medication naloxone and share this guidance with family and friends." There are services across Northamptonshire which provide treatment for drug users and those recovering from addiction, and this includes adults and young people. We urge anyone with any information or concerns about drugs in their community to call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Det Supt Steve Watkins, head of Central Intelligence at Northamptonshire Police, said: "We are committed to tackling drug dealers in the county that push these drugs on some of the most vulnerable people. No illegal drugs are safe, but these synthetic opioids are particularly deadly and make it impossible to know how someone might react to the drug, leading to unintentional overdose. As a force, we continue to work with partners to protect the public from drug harm as well as disrupting the supply of drugs into Northamptonshire." Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 07, 2024

The South Midlands Authorities is recruiting members to join the new Business Board

07 August 2024 Business leaders in West Northamptonshire are being sought to join a new Board that advise local authorities on the economic growth and development of the South Midlands. Created as part of the South Midlands Authorities, a new partnership of six local authorities covering the region, the Business Board will play an important role in giving businesses a clear voice towards shaping future economic strategy and ensuring that priorities align with the needs and opportunities of businesses across the area. The South Midlands Authorities is seeking up to 15 representatives from growth key sectors including construction, logistics and healthcare, rural representatives and SME representatives. Those interested in learning more about the South Midlands Business Board, and the available roles, should download the Recruitment pack, found here > Business Board Recruitment | Growth Hub (semlepgrowthhub.com) “Businesses of all sizes play a critical role in driving economic growth and delivering jobs for local people. It’s important that we have representatives from various sectors at the decision-making table, so we can work together to create thriving local economies, improve skills and support young people into work. It’s a fantastic opportunity for business representatives to get involved and I look forward to working with a motivated and enthusiastic board to deliver on our priorities.” Cllr Pete Marland, Co-Chair of the South Midlands Authorities and Leader of MK City Council “The Business Board is the culmination of the hard work that has gone into ensuring the South Midlands Authorities has greater business representation. “It will provide an important opportunity for business leaders across the six local authority areas to influence decision-making at an executive level, challenge conventional thinking, and become the voice for their peers. The Board will enable all councils to receive direct and invaluable feedback from business representatives from across the region, ensuring that our economic growth plans reflect the needs of businesses. I look forward to the recruitment process and announcing the new members to the Business Board in due course.” Cllr Jim Weir, Business Board Lead and Deputy Mayor of Bedford Borough Council For more information, please contact [email protected] Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 07, 2024

September focus for next phase towards improving SEND assessments

07 August 2024 Priority work on improving services for children with special needs and disabilities (SEND) in West Northamptonshire continues to progress, with extra staff starting next month to focus on tackling the increased demand for education health and care plans (EHCPs). Seven dedicated EHC caseworkers will be joining West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) at the start of the new school year in September to improve the timeliness and quality of these pivotal assessments for families requesting SEND support. The work is a key area for improvement identified in the recent Ofsted inspection of West Northamptonshire’s SEND Partnership, which highlighted significant concerns about the services currently provided to children and their families in the area. The Council is working with partners to progress a broad range of actions to address the report’s findings, and also recently committed to increasing capacity of its SEND team to help meet the unprecedented demand for the services – having experienced in its first few years as a council a 40 per cent increase in EHCP requests (an increase of over 1,000). Work is already under way to address the issues, with WNC also recently commissioning a team of Educational Psychologists to support with overdue EHC assessments, setting a positive trajectory for improvement. Although there is still much work to do, the additional resource is starting to make an impact, with 42% of EHCPs issued within the 20-week statutory timescale in June 2024 – a significant increase from the 2023 average of 6%. 139 plans have been issued since the start of the priority action plan, with 20.1% of these issued within 20 weeks. The Partnership is now focusing on several priority actions that require urgent attention to address the findings of the report . “We are committed to working hard with all our partners on better outcomes for SEND children and their families and delivering the priority action plan for improving services. “We fully accept the findings of the recent Ofsted inspection and apologise to children, young people and their families where we have fallen short. We know we are still in the very early days of our improvement journey with many families not yet able to feel the impact of this work, but it’s encouraging to see we are making gradual, positive progress in addressing our challenges, particularly around our unprecedented EHCP caseloads. “With seven additional caseworkers joining the service in September we anticipate we’ll continue on the current trajectory to further increase the number of ECHPs issued within the statutory timescale.” Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 06, 2024

West Northamptonshire stage route announced for Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men

06 August 2024 The route for the first ever stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men cycle race to take place in West Northamptonshire has today been revealed. Stage five, the penultimate leg of the 2024 race, will take place on Saturday 7 September, starting from the University of Northampton and finishing at the Guildhall on Northampton’s Derngate after 147 kilometres (91 miles) of racing through the area, including Daventry and nearly 30 villages. Along the way the race will pass through Daventry, followed by a loop south of the town through villages including Abthorpe, Wappenham, Helmdon, Culworth, Byfield and Hellidon, before looping around Northampton via Watford, West Haddon, Naseby, Kelmarsh and Brixworth for the approach to the finish via Sywell and Ecton. During the stage riders will tackle a pair of categorised King of the Mountains climbs at Newnham Hill and Bulls Hill, just south of Daventry, and an intermediate sprint at Holcot, at the eastern end of the Pitsford Water causeway. "We are incredibly excited to host the first-ever stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men in West Northamptonshire. This prestigious event will not only showcase our beautiful region to a global audience but also bring the community together in celebration of sports and local pride. “The route, winding through our historic towns and scenic countryside, offers a thrilling challenge for the riders and a spectacular experience for spectators. We invite everyone to join us for a day of excitement and to cheer on the cyclists as they race towards the finish line in Northampton's vibrant town centre." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure “The University’s purpose is to create social impact, and sport can have the same transformative effect on people’s lives. “It is an honour to host the Men’s Tour of Britain and I look forward to welcoming the athletes and fans to watch the start at our beautiful Waterside Campus.” UON Vice Chancellor, Professor Anne-Marie Kilday “We are looking forward to welcoming the riders and supporters to Northampton. The event provides an opportunity to showcase the county to a wider audience while attracting higher levels of football into our town centre, which is great news for our businesses.” Mark Mullen, Operations Manager for Northampton BID "The penultimate stage of this year's race is in area new to the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, which is always exciting as it means that the majority of the peloton will be unfamiliar with the roads that we will be using. With the stage being on a Saturday and its central location, we are expecting a lot of fans to be at the roadside to cheer the riders on. "With the start on the University of Northampton's Waterside Campus so close to the finish line in the town centre, it will make for a great location for fans of all ages to come down and see the start and finish of the stage and to make a day out of it, so we would like to thank our partners at West Northamptonshire Council and the University of Northampton for making this possible." Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Race Director Rod Ellingworth The stage will get underway at 11am from the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus, where a full day of activities and entertainment is planned, including race coverage on big screens, just a short walk away from the town centre finish location. The stage is expected to finish with a sprint in Northampton town centre between 14:23 and 15:05. While it is the first time that the men’s Tour has come to Northampton, the town’s Derngate hosted the first ever stage finish of the women’s Tour, won by Swedish rider Emma Johansson, in May 2014, and Daventry in West Northamptonshire has twice also hosted the women’s race, with a start in 2017 and a stage finish in 2018, won by Coryn Labecki. The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men begins in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 3 September followed by stages in the Tees Valley, South Yorkshire and East Midlands. Following the West Northamptonshire stage the race concludes in Suffolk on Sunday 8 September after six days of racing. More details of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, including the detailed stage timings and competing teams will be announcing in the coming weeks. Fans wanting to enjoy the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men with premium experiences, can now get closer to the action with hospitality, in-car places, and exclusive helicopter packages, now available via Sportive Breaks here . The full list of areas included in the stage five route are: Northampton Nobottle Whilton Locks Norton Daventry Preston Capes Little Preston Maidford Blakesley Abthorpe Wappenham Helmdon Thorpe Mandeville Culworth Byfield Charwelton Hellidon Catesby Welton Watford West Haddon Cold Ashby Naseby Kelmarsh Harrington Lamport Scaldwell Pitsford Holcot Sywell Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 06, 2024

One person per scooter!

06 August 2024 Only one person on a scooter at a time - this is the message from West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Police and e-scooter operator Voi. The four organisations are joining forces to urge e-scooter riders to follow the one person per scooter rule. Only the person who hires a Voi rental e-scooter using their own account is allowed to ride the e-scooter. Anyone caught taking a passenger on a scooter could face a lifetime ban from Voi. Multiple riders on a scooter could also face prosecution, including fines and points on their driving licence. If there is a road accident involving more than one person on a single scooter, Voi’s insurers may look to recoup any third party payouts from all riders. “The Voi scheme provides a cost-effective and sustainable way for people across Northampton to travel for work and leisure. Generally, riders are sensible and follow the rules by riding alone. However, unfortunately there are others who continue to put themselves and others in danger by riding with more than one person per e-scooter. “We support Voi in cracking down severely on those who abuse the scheme. We need to work together to improve and ensure the safety of everyone. Therefore, we urge anyone who witnesses more than one person riding a Voi e-scooter to report it so that strong action can be taken against those breaking the rules.” Cllr Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport “An e-scooter is not a toy. It is a vehicle designed to be ridden on the roads and therefore must be treated with care and responsibility. “Anyone riding one in tandem is putting both riders as well as other road users at risk of serious injury or worse. “Please look after yourselves and others by riding the Voi e-scooters in accordance with the rules.” Matt O’Connell, Safer Roads Team Strategic Manager for Northamptonshire Police “The e-scooter trials are about seeing what is working and what needs to be improved. On this occasion, we’re targeting multiple riders on one e-scooter, something we see far too often on the streets across Northamptonshire. Most e-scooter riders are sensible and follow the rules, keeping everyone safe, but there are a minority who break the rules, and we are urging users to stick to one rider per scooter or risk a ban and prosecution. “I would urge anyone who spots multiple riders on a single Voi e-scooter to report the incident online or via email.” Cllr Matt Binley, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets “Our e-scooters are designed to be ridden by one person only. They are a safe, affordable and sustainable way of getting around - but we are reminding riders that the rule is always one person per scooter.” Jim Hubbard, Senior Policy Manager for Voi UK Voi has fined or banned 70 people for riding one of the company’s scooters with more than one person on board this year. Anyone who spots one of Voi’s coral-coloured e-scooters being ridden by more than one person can report it to Voi or email [email protected] , giving details of the time, location and if possible the scooter’s four-digit registration number, so that Voi can investigate and take action. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 05, 2024

Save the date: help celebrate the opening of Northampton Market Square, reimagined

05 August 2024 Residents and communities across West Northamptonshire are invited to come together to celebrate the official grand opening of the revitalised Northampton Market Square this October, as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Northampton Forward celebrate the transformation of this beloved community space ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations to come. Taking place across Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 October 2024, WNC will host a community celebration filled with a whole host of fun activities for all the family, including creative musical and cultural performances, historic and heritage exhibitions, and an array of amazing food and drink from a variety of local businesses and vendors. £30,000 of Government funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has been allocated towards activities for the family weekend. Market traders and local businesses will also be offering a wide range of fresh local produce, gifts, services, food, and drink during the weekend. Drawing on Northampton’s rich history, the regenerated space complements the wider transformation of the town centre, featuring high-quality market stalls, improved seating and lighting, enhanced paving and an interactive water feature, creating a sustainable, accessible and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy. The scheme is being funded through the Government led Towns Fund, which is overseen by Northampton Forward ; a public and private partnership made up of key organisations across the area. "Northampton is home to one of Europe’s longest running outdoor market, and we are excited to invite residents and communities from across West Northamptonshire to join us for the grand opening of the reimagined Northampton Market Square to celebrate the rich history of the site and see first-hand the revitalised space. “We have planned a weekend full of exciting activities, performances, and local flavours, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy. Come and be part of this unmissable celebration and witness the beginning of a new chapter for our vibrant community." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure, WNC is supported by key local organisations to deliver this event, including Northampton Forward, Northampton Business Improvement District (BID) and Northampton Town Council. "We are really excited to commemorate this significant milestone in the transformation of our town as Market Square officially reopens to the public. The event will provide an opportunity to see the regeneration first-hand, support local businesses and traders and join in the family-fun. I'd encourage everyone to save the date and join us for this exciting weekend." Martin Mason, Chair of Northampton Forward Board and Managing Director of Trickers Shoes Once open, the rejuvenated space will invigorate the local economy, provide new opportunities for local businesses and attract visitors to the area while providing a vibrant and accessible venue for regular markets, community events, and social gatherings, enriched with a variety of cultural and social activities. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 05, 2024

Five-year strategy for unpaid carers across West Northamptonshire to be rolled out

05 August 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has adopted a five-year strategy which sets out the vision to support unpaid carers across the area, helping them to find a balance between their caring responsibilities and maintaining their own health and lifestyle. A carer is someone who selflessly offers unpaid assistance to their partner, family member, friend or neighbour who may be unwell, have a disability or struggle without this essential help. The carers strategy (2024-29) is for all unpaid carers that live in, or care for someone that lives in West Northants, and has been developed together with local carers, ensuring their voices drive forward progress over the next few years to provide the right support and information for them. Chosen by our local carers, 17 priorities have been identified to focus on improving over the next five years as well as specific measurements to track progress. Each one has a set of actions that will support with achieving the priority over the five-year period. “Daunting, fear, confusion, research, advocate, crazily passionate, compassion, respect, and results. All these describes what carers feel every day, so having the privilege to be part of a co-production team that embraced the above and turned it into a great strategy for our own carers, what a great accomplishment! Our vision was to take a little of the frustration and sense of helplessness and turn it into a new strategy that will help clarify what that role is, how to attain the help needed and challenge the stigma and stereotyping of what a carer knows and understands about the person in their care. The greatest inheritance and legacy bridging all generations.” Pat Marshall, a carer with experience who has helped to shape the strategy “We fully recognise the invaluable contribution of our carers, and we are delighted to have worked with them to develop this five-year strategy. By working collaboratively with carers, the strategy reflects the support they need to balance their caring responsibilities and their wellbeing.” Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health, and Regulatory Services at WNC Work is now underway to roll-out the priorities set out in year one which include: a One-Stop Shop delivered in all of our Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) for carers to meet other carers, find support and be given information develop and provide a carer guide in both written format and available on an app find hidden carers who are people that do not yet recognise themselves as a carer and offer them support. Over the next five-years WNC will work with North Northamptonshire Council and health colleagues to deliver the ambitions set out in the strategy and ensure that carers receive the support they need. Click here to find out more about support for carers across West Northamptonshire and view the five-year strategy. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 05, 2024

Community projects in West Northants awarded £1.4 million to enhance skills and grow local economy

05 August 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has awarded £1.4 million in grant funding to a wide range of projects, including 24 community organisations to support initiatives focused on enhancing local skills, addressing critical needs, and fostering positive change within the community. Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), the People and Skills Grant funding is designed to empower individuals and grassroots organisations by providing the resources needed to cultivate essential skills and foster a resilient workforce equipped to meet evolving needs and drive economic growth. The largest part of the skills programme is an initiative called “Skills for Communities”, providing community organisations with funding to deliver innovative skills projects. The successful grant recipients were selected through a competitive process based on their innovative approaches and potential for significant community impact. The funded projects cover a wide range of areas, including Not in Education; Employment or Training (NEET); Digital Literacy, Science Technology Engineering Maths (STEM), English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Literacy at Work; and inclusive recruitment. Support on offer will include one to one personalised coaching to help people get back into work, help for families in crisis, increased volunteering opportunities, therapeutic sessions to support adults’ mental health and emotional wellbeing, and a programme to tackle social exclusion in young people. “The investment of £1.4 million in skills projects, including community organisations through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a vital step in boosting the local economy of West Northamptonshire. “By equipping our workforce with essential skills and supporting innovative projects, we are laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and prosperity. “This funding will not only help individuals and businesses thrive but will also strengthen the resilience and inclusivity of our entire community. We are confident that these initiatives will make a meaningful difference in enhancing local skills and providing new opportunities for local people." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure The primary objectives of the People and Skills Grant Funding program include: Enhancing Workforce Skills and providing targeted training programs to help individuals acquire new competencies and advance their career and employment prospects, such as Digital and Literacy Skills in the Workplace. Promoting Inclusivity by ensuring equitable access to skill development opportunities for underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, such as those for whom English is a second language (ESOL) or those looking to improve their levels of Literacy at Work. Supporting Innovation and encouraging the development of innovative solutions to address current and future skill needs, such as STEM Skills. Strengthening Community Resilience and building a robust and adaptable workforce that can thrive in a rapidly changing economic landscape, focusing on supporting individuals recovering from long-term health challenges or those leaving care to engage with employment opportunities and training. The funding has been awarded to a mix of voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and specialist organisations to deliver specific pieces of work, including: Free to Talk CIC Volunteer It Yourself Learning & Skills Academy Northampton Hope Centre The Good Loaf Salvation Army Shudan CIC Dostiyo Asian Women and Girls Organisation Sport4Fitness CIC Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire Citizens Advice West Northants & Cherwell YMCA Northamptonshire Springs Family Centre Workbridge (St Andrew's Healthcare) Progressive World Vision CIC United African Association Doddridge Centre Limited Peak Empower Innovation CIC Sikh Community Centre & Youth Club (SCCYC) Future Toolbox Restore Northampton Lewis Foundation Tendered Services - Skills for Growth: Adult Learning Service Diversiti UK Learning Skills Academy Support Northants Silverstone Technology Cluster West Northants Employment Support Service For more information on funded projects or about our grant programs and any future funding opportunities, please visit WNC Funding and Allocations . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 01, 2024

Major Systems upgrade to improve services for residents

01 August 2024 Residents in West Northants can expect simplified and improved services through a major upgrade of Revenue and Benefits systems. West Northamptonshire Council is implementing an upgrade that will replace the Council's multiple previous Revenues and Benefits systems with a single, modern platform designed to simplify operations and improve the online experience for residents when interacting with the Council. With the upcoming system update, residents will be able to view all their benefits, council tax, business rates, and landlord accounts in one convenient portal, no matter where they live. Business rates customers in Northampton will be able to access their accounts online and sign up for e-billing. This system upgrade will also introduce Daventry residents to a new online housing benefit form, simplifying the application process like never before. As the Council undergoes the upgrade, the council tax, business rates and housing benefit systems will be temporarily unavailable from Tuesday, 13 August through Thursday, 5 September. During the upgrade, residents will be unable to access the customer portal and online forms. Throughout this period residents will be able to make Council Tax and Business Rates payments as usual. For residents with ongoing benefits claims and regular payments, these will continue unaffected. However, new claims and notifications of change submitted during closedown will be assessed after the upgrade is complete. While Customer Service Agents will still be available to support residents, their access to information will be limited. Residents are encouraged to only contact us for urgent matters during this time. "We aim to provide an efficient, user-friendly experience for our residents and businesses. The upgrade of our Revenue and Benefits Systems is an important step forward in modernising our systems to better serve our residents. This system upgrade is all about making your experience smoother, faster, and more convenient. We can’t wait for you to see the difference! "We appreciate everyone's understanding and cooperation as we work towards improving our services for the benefit of the West Northamptonshire community." Cllr Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 01, 2024

Views sought on future approach for driving forward West Northamptonshire’s Electric Vehicles Infrastructure

01 August 2024 People are being encouraged to share their views on plans to support the increase in electric vehicles (EVs) across West Northants, through developing and expanding the current charging infrastructure. One of the barriers to converting to an electric vehicle is being able to charge at home as well as when out and about. At some stage in the future petrol and diesel cars will no longer be produced so we want to ensure that we have infrastructure in place that works for as many people as possible. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is committed to working with partners to achieve net zero across the area by 2045 and has developed the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy which outlines how it will support the roll-out of charging infrastructure and help to address the climate challenge. Views are being sought to help shape the strategy that aims to: Have appropriate charging facilities for EVs Make sure charging networks are reliable, affordable, accessible and maintained Support decarbonisation policies Support economic growth Improve and make best use of land and assets available. Previous official figures on transport emissions for West Northants from 2020 showed they accounted for 45% of the total carbon emissions in the area, highlighting the importance of looking at further ways to reduce this. The EV strategy will align with the wider Local Transport Policy (LTP) for West Northamptonshire that details WNC’s overarching ambition for local transport in the future. The LTP is also currently being consulted on and people can help shape this via our consultation hub. The Council has already been awarded £409k following a successful application to the Government's local EV infrastructure (LEVI) Capability funding. This has been used to set up the Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Team that is leading the development of this strategy, the rollout of the infrastructure and its management, as required by the terms of the grant. WNC has also recently applied for £2.8m of funding from the LEVI Capital funding. The funding secured will help attract charge points operators (CPOs) to carry out the strategy. “We know that people not being able to access public charge points is a real barrier that is holding them back from using EVs so this strategy sets out how we plan to change this. “It’s really important we hear from residents, businesses and other stakeholders on these proposals and that they share with us any ideas and opportunities that we may not have thought of. This work will support the needs and aspirations of our communities in embracing greener transport and reducing their own carbon footprints whilst also contributing to the overall goal of achieving net zero across West Northants.” Cllr Rebecca Breese, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste and Recycling The consultation closes on Sunday, 1 September and people can have their say via our consultation hub. Responses to this consultation will be considered before the final strategy is produced. It will then be reviewed by stakeholders with an aim to present it to WNC’s Cabinet for approval in October 2024. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

August 01, 2024

Archaeological finds at Northampton’s Chalk Lane Car Park

01 August 2024 Large pieces of ironstone which may once have formed part of Northampton Castle have been uncovered by archaeologists working at the town's Chalk Lane Car Park. They were revealed by experts from MOLA (Museum of London Archaeology) during an initial investigation of the car park, ahead of its transformation to deliver a new heritage park for Northampton. Archaeologists from MOLA have carried out an initial investigation at Chalk Lane Car Park to discover more about the site’s history, carefully removing and preserving any artefacts discovered on site. Situated at the entrance of the town from Northampton’s railway station, the Marefair Heritage Park regeneration scheme will unlock this space, providing the local community with much needed green space. This area of the town is steeped in heritage and history and is where the Northampton Castle once stood. The park will see new pathways, lighting, a playground, green space, heritage timeline poles, community garden, together with new trees, shrubs and wildflowers to enhance biodiversity. Over a one-week period from 17 July, MOLA carried out a dig in the area where the heritage timeline poles are to be located. This revealed large pieces of Ironstone, likely quarried locally in Northamptonshire, which may relate to the demolition of Northampton castle in 1879. The remains of the castle were previously excavated in the 1960s, and Ironstone was identified in its construction. The Ironstone uncovered by the team during the recent excavations was mixed with brick and modern pottery and located next to the trenches dug by archaeologists in the 1960s. This suggests it is the remains of rubble removed by archaeologists during the last excavations, more than 50 years ago. The archaeologists also uncovered remains of a post-medieval wall belonging to a house built in the area while the castle ruins still stood. This, along with other excavations in the town centre, is helping us understand how the town developed around the castle in the centuries following the Civil War when its defences were removed. “The Council has long held ambitions to redevelop this area of the town to create a Heritage Park, an attractive, vibrant and modern destination at an important gateway position in the town centre. “As an exciting step of this regeneration scheme, it is great to be working with experts at MOLA to uncover the fascinating history in this part of our town. We look forward to continuing work with them to keep a watching brief on the project over the coming months as we bring forward this scheme.” Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council “As someone born and raised in Northampton, having the chance to excavate around such an important part of the town’s history is incredible. Seeing how the area developed over the centuries gives a greater understanding of the town’s past and the people who lived here.” Simon Markus, a Project Manager at MOLA Click here to find out more about the transformation of Northampton Town Centre and regeneration schemes across the town. Motorists are reminded Northampton’s Chalk Lane Car Park will be closed until 12 August to allow the Council and its contractors to reinstate the car park to a safe standard before reopening. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 31, 2024

Help us to shape leisure facilities in West Northants

31 July 2024 Residents are invited to share their views about leisure facilities and physical activity in West Northamptonshire to help us shape future services and provision. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is currently developing an Active Lives Strategy and looking at the future management of Council owned leisure centres in Northampton and Daventry to ensure the delivery of a high-quality service across our communities. To help us with this we are asking people to let us know how physically active they are and how physically active they would like to be at home, in the park, at sports clubs or at leisure centres. We would also like to know how residents feel about the Council’s leisure centres, the facilities themselves, the activities that go on in the centres and the priorities for the centres moving forward. Responses will help us to understand the needs of people in West Northants and develop an Active Lives Strategy which considers future leisure centre management. "We are excited to launch a public consultation to help shape the future of leisure centre provision in West Northamptonshire. “This is a valuable opportunity for residents to have their say on what facilities and services they would like to see in their local leisure centres and communities. “By gathering feedback, we aim to ensure that our leisure facilities and services meet the needs and preferences of all residents and promote health, wellness, and a vibrant community life. “We encourage everyone to participate and share their views, your input is crucial in helping us create leisure facilities that everyone can enjoy." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure Please share your views by completing the online survey in the Council’s consultation hub before midnight on Sunday 15 September 2024. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 30, 2024

HMO Licensing consultation launches to enhance housing standards in West Northamptonshire

30 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is seeking residents’ views on a new proposed licensing scheme which includes additional licensing areas for homes in multiple occupation (HMOs). A HMO is a property where more than 3 people that form more than one household, rent a home, and share some facilities such as the kitchen or a bathroom in the home with the other tenants. HMOs can include: a house let as individual bed-sitting rooms a group of rooms on each floor let to single occupants hostels, some hotels and guesthouses lodgings and shared houses houses converted into self-contained flats The new scheme will be a continuation of the existing scheme introduced in 2020, but extended to include areas of new development, areas where the level of anti-social behaviour or property conditions indicate that further intervention is necessary, and to bring a closer alignment of the Additional Licensing designation to the Council’s Article 4 restrictions under the Town and Country Planning Act. A street list and map of the existing areas and proposed additional licensing areas can be viewed in the consultation documents. Landlords in the enhanced designated area will need to apply for a HMO licence, failure to do so could result in conviction and an unlimited fine through the courts or a civil penalty of up to £30,000 through the Council’s powers under the Housing and Planning Act 2016. They might also have to pay back up to a year’s rent to either the tenant, or the Council in the case of Housing Benefit, if a rent repayment order is applied for. "We are committed to enhancing the quality of housing in West Northamptonshire and ensuring that all residents have access to safe and well-maintained homes. “This consultation seeks to address issues related to the management and maintenance of HMOs. These properties play a crucial role in providing affordable housing, but they also present unique challenges in terms of safety, quality, and management. “We encourage landlords, tenants, and all community members to participate and share their views. Your feedback is essential in helping us shape a licensing scheme that meets the needs of our community and promotes high standards in housing." Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing The current Additional HMO Licensing scheme ends on 31 January 2025 and, if approved, the new additional five-year scheme will come into effect as soon as possible after 1 February 2025. The 10-week consultation aims to gather residents’ thoughts on these proposals as well as input on how to improve housing standards and ensure safe, well-maintained accommodation for everyone. WNC’s Cabinet will consider a report on the proposed scheme, including results from the consultation, at its meeting in November 2024. Residents and stakeholders are invited to provide their input by taking part in the survey via West Northamptonshire Council’s consultation hub before midnight on Monday 7 October. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 30, 2024

South Midlands Authorities launched to unite region and drive economic growth.

30 July 2024 Local leaders from across the South Midlands have joined forces, establishing a new group to champion economic growth by supporting businesses, improving skills, and enhancing career opportunities. The newly established South Midlands Authorities group represents the entire region, covering Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire councils. South Midlands Authorities will also oversee the work previously managed by the Central Area Growth Board, the Growth Hub and Careers Hub. The region is considered as a national leader in driving business growth and delivering job opportunities. It’s home to over 77,000 businesses which are already supported by local authority economic development teams and partners. The new partnership will ensure a more joined up approach so the whole region benefits from economic growth, with stronger opportunities available to unlock funding and attract investment into the region. The South Midlands Authorities will soon be launching their collaborative branding and simplified new web platform, enabling users to access business advice, skills knowledge and careers support all in one place. Business support is available to all businesses in Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, North and West Northamptonshire including: the South Midlands Growth Hub – who provide free business support and advice, access to grant funding, and an extensive resource library to every business across the area. the South Midlands Careers Hub – who work with employers and careers leaders in schools and colleges, to provide career insights and guidance to young people and help prepare them for their transition from education to the workplace to improve careers outcomes for young people. South Midlands Authorities will also be recruiting for a Business Board to support the economic work across the local authority areas and ensure a strong business voice for the area. For more information see: https://www.semlepgrowthhub.com/business-board-recruitment/ “We need strong partnerships like these to drive economic growth and boost job prospects in our city and across the region. Along with our neighbours, we’re proud to be leading the way and delivering for our businesses. However, we cannot be complacent, and this partnership shows our collective motivation to boost the region’s economic prospects, improve skills and support young people into work. "The South Midlands Growth Hub, and the South Midlands Careers Hub have worked tirelessly to support businesses and schools, while actively collaborating with business partners. With the Careers Hub and the Growth Hub united under the South Midlands Authorities, it will enable this work to continue, strengthening relationships between the six local authorities to boost growth regionally.” Cllr Pete Marland, Co-Chair of the South Midlands Authorities and Leader of MK City Council “This partnership between our six local authorities reflects the increasingly strong relationships we are developing to drive economic growth and investment across our region. “Having recently taken on the hosting of the South Midlands Growth Hub and Careers Hub we’re excited to be part of this new partnership and pleased to be steering this important work forward on behalf of all partners.” Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council “This development showcases the important role the South Midlands Growth Hub has in supporting businesses to overcome their challenges, realise their potential, and generate growth. In the past year alone, we have awarded over £1.9 million to businesses across the region. The launch of the South Midlands Authority enables us to continue acting on the strong relationships we already have with each local authority. It is a natural continuation of the collaboration the South Midlands Careers Hub and ourselves have demonstrated over the past 12 months to unite skills and business support to achieve economic success. We’re excited to continue to act as the intelligence resource for businesses and represent the wonderful variety of businesses and industries we have across the South Midlands.” Ruth Roan, South Midlands Growth Hub Manager ABOUT SOUTH MIDLANDS AUTHORITIES The South Midlands Authorities (prev. the Central Area Growth Board) is a partnership between the local authorities of Bedford Borough Council, Central Bedford Council, Luton Council, Milton Keynes City Council, North Northamptonshire Council and West Northamptonshire Council. Since 2018 the Central Area Growth Board had worked alongside the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub to coordinate and strengthen cross-boundary working across the region. Following the government announcement for Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) functions to be hosted by local authorities from April 2024, the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub are now being hosted by West Northamptonshire Council, on behalf of the six South Midlands councils. This transition from LEP to local authorities presented a new opportunity to consolidate the South Midlands Authorities (formerly known as Central Area Growth Board) the Growth Hub and the Careers Hub under a unified brand in order to better serve the region. For further information contact [email protected] Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 30, 2024

NFRS showcases work on culture and leadership to Home Office

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service has been visited by a senior adviser on national fire strategy from the Home Office, to find out more about the work we are doing to improve our workplace culture and bring through leaders of the future. Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson welcomed Jenna Marsh, the Deputy Head of Unit looking after Fire Strategy and Reform, to Fire HQ in Wellingborough on Monday July 29 – and agenda items included NFRS’ Serving with pride programme, which is driving forward improvements to workplace culture and building trust and confidence in our reporting and disciplinary processes. As part of this, Jenna and Nikki discussed the new independent investigation service that has been commissioned to look at any serious and complex misconduct cases that arise. They also discussed fire strategy and leadership, where Nikki highlighted the work being done by our Workforce Development team to instil leadership skills at all levels across the Service. Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “It’s fantastic that the Home Office want to visit Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service and find out more about some of the programmes we have put in place to try and improve our workplace culture. “It is vitally important that our staff have a culture that allows them to be the best versions of themselves, not only in our own buildings but when they are out engaging with our communities and keeping them safe. We know, like many large organisations, that there is more we can do to improve, but we believe through the Serving with pride programme that we are heading in the right direction, and it was great to share that progress with the Home Office. “It was also good to showcase the work we are doing to develop our workforce. You do not have to be a manager to be a leader, and we want people showcasing leadership skills at every level of the Service.”

July 30, 2024

Fire crews deal with blaze at six-storey building in Kettering town centre

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a fire at a six-storey building at Dalkeith Place, Kettering, shortly before 7.30pm on Friday evening (July 26). Crews were immediately dispatched to the incident and discovered smoke issuing from the roof space of the building, which was under construction. The Fire Service requested the attendance of Northamptonshire Police to assist in traffic management, and East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) were also called to the scene. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building and carried out a search and found no casualties. They then used hose reel jets to douse the flames, which had engulfed several solar panels on the roof. By 10pm, the fire had been extinguished and crews were able to carry out an initial investigation. It was determined that the most likely cause of the fire was due to an electrical fault with one of the solar panels. At the height of the incident, seven appliances were on scene dealing with the fire. Crews from Kettering, Corby, Wellingborough, Irthlingborough and Moulton all attended, and had all returned to their respective stations by 11pm. The Fire Service briefly returned on Saturday morning (July 27) to carry out a thermal scan of the building and identified no further hotspots, before handing the scene over to the site owner. Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “This was a fire in a high-profile area in Kettering town centre that would have also had an impact on the night-time economy, and we would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while we dealt with this incident on Friday evening. “The fire presented some difficult challenges to our firefighters in terms of the difficulty of access to the roof of a building under construction and covered in smoke – but also because fires involving solar panels can present a significant hazard risk to emergency responders. “I want to thank all the crews who worked in challenging circ*mstances to put this fire out, and thankfully the incident passed without anyone coming to harm.”

July 29, 2024

Hot weather guidance

29 July 2024 A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the East Midlands from today (29 July) to Wednesday (31 July) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20Cs. The warmer weather poses a much greater risk to the most vulnerable in our community, such as the very young and older people. Residents are advised to remain cautious and seek advice from 111 if non-emergency health advice is required. 999 services should be used in emergencies only. The top ways for staying safe in the heat are to: Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors. Use cool spaces if going outdoors. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults, or animals. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest. If you have to go outside in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling. Stay up to date with by visiting our hot weather web pages. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 26, 2024

New evening and weekend buses introduced across West Northants

26 July 2024 Additional bus services are being introduced in some areas across West Northants so that they can better serve the local community. West Northamptonshire Council has been working with Stagecoach Midlands on a bus service improvement plan, and following financial support from the Government’s Department for Transport, has introduced new evening services on a trial basis. These services will run for a year starting from 28 July, improving the work and leisure transport links for the local community. The new evening journeys will run on: 1: Northampton to Rectory Farm 2: Northampton to Blackthorn 5: Northampton to Southfields 15: Northampton to New Duston D2: Northampton to Daventry X47: Northampton to Rushden Lakes - via Wellingborough. There will also be a new hourly Sunday service on Route 5 from Northampton to Southfields via the Riverside Retail Park and buses will also now run up to every 30 minutes on route 8 between Northampton and Kings Heath. With support from Cold Ashby Parish Council, the 59 bus route will now serve Cold Ashby on Tuesdays and Fridays, providing residents with an opportunity for leisure and shopping in Market Harborough. “We are very pleased to announce that Stagecoach are going to be running several additional services from 28 July, thanks to funding from the Department for Transport and Cold Ashby Parish Council. Bus services play a vital role in connecting our local communities, and these additional services will improve work and leisure travel links for our residents.” Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport “We are pleased to be running these additional journeys thanks to the support from West Northamptonshire Council and the DfT. They will give residents more opportunity to travel for both leisure and employment opportunities as we further support the evening economy in Northamptonshire, and it’s great that we’ll be able to play our part in making that happen. We look forward to welcoming passengers onboard.” Mark Whitelocks, Stagecoach Midlands Managing Director The project has received support from The Department for Transport’s BSIP fund so that some evening services can be introduced to provide better connectivity for users. “Buses are an affordable and sustainable travel option and it’s fantastic to see new evening and weekend buses introduced across West Northants, as more and more people choose the bus to get around. “Our Better Buses Bill will help West Northamptonshire Council continue transforming its local bus network by empowering local leaders to give local passengers the modern, clean and efficient bus services they can truly rely on.” Simon Lightwood, Local Transport Minister To find out more please visit the Stagecoach website, www.stagecoachbus.com . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 25, 2024

Have your say on the draft local transport plan for West Northants

25 July 2024 People are being encouraged to share their views on a Local Transport Plan being developed by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). The plan has been developed with key stakeholders and details a range of proposals for transport over the next 20 years, with the aim that by 2045 the Council will have worked with communities and partners to: Make public transport more attractive and accessible Make active travel such as walking or wheeling a first choice for short trips Reduce dependency on private cars Make our transport system safer, cleaner, and more inclusive Improve transport infrastructure and transport services to make them more resilient Achieve net zero. WNC is keen for residents, businesses, community groups, landowners, and other stakeholders to have their say on whether they agree with the proposals in the plan. A series of drop-in events are being held across the area and online on the following dates: Tuesday 13 August, 9am to midday at Daventry Market Square, High Street Friday 16 August, 9am to midday at Brackley Market, The Piazza Wednesday 21 August, 10am to 11.30am, online Thursday 22 August, 9am to noon at The Grosvenor Centre, Northampton Monday 23 September, 10am to 11.30am online Friday 11 October, 9am to midday at Towcester Farmers Market, Richmond Road For joining instructions to the online sessions, please email [email protected] . "We are keen to hear people’s thoughts on this plan that will help shape the future of local transport across West Northants for years to come. "Local transport is used by people for many different reasons in both our urban and rural areas, so we need to make sure that we’re focussing on the right things, whilst also considering the impact on the environment. "The plan describes our overarching ambition for transport in West Northants and ensures that other transport related policies and objectives are working together." Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport The consultation runs until 17 October. People can have their say on our consultation hub. All responses will then be analysed and considered by the Council in developing the plan further. Once finalised, the Local Transport Plan will be presented to WNC’s Cabinet early 2025 with the final plan to be published following that meeting. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 25, 2024

Extension to Northampton car park closure

25 July 2024 Northampton’s Chalk Lane Car Park will be closed until 12 August to allow West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and its contractors to reinstate the car park to a safe standard before reopening. The car park was temporarily closed on 16 July to allow for preparatory work on the new Marefair Heritage Park, and had been due to reopen today (25 July). However the extent of the work required was greater than originally planned, and the closure will now be extended to 12 August. Signage is in place to notify motorists of the temporary closures, with people directed to use the nearby Marefair or Commercial Street Car Parks instead. Click here to view the council-owned car parks across Northampton. West Northamptonshire Council secured £1.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund towards delivering the Heritage Park, which will provide new green space, trees, play areas, community gardens, pathways and lighting. Marefair and the surrounding area has a fascinating and important history as the site of the once famous Northampton Castle as well as other historic local buildings such as the Old Black Lion Pub, Hazelrigg House, Castle Hill United Reformed Church, St Peters Church and a former Saxon Palace. The park will tell this story on a heritage timeline, made up of poles which will be installed throughout the park. Click here to find out about regeneration schemes across Northampton . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 26, 2024

Bio-ethanol Heaters and Gel Fuel Burners

Fire Safety Advice Bio-ethanol and gel fuel burners are becoming increasingly popular and are used as both decorative items and as heating sources both indoors and outdoors. Bio-ethanol flame-effect fires have the same look and feel as ‘living’ flames but don’t need to have a chimney or flue. They don’t emit smoke or ash, but they are flammable and can cause serious harm. There are currently no European standards for these products and so it is essential that safety advice is strictly followed to keep yourself and others safe around them: Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. Only use bio-ethanol fuel in fireboxes and containers designed for the product, and always use the appropriate fuel type. Bio–ethanol fuel is highly flammable and should be kept in containers tightly closed and away from any ignition sources. Fireboxes and containers should always be placed on a stable surface and away from combustible materials. Never add fuel to an already burning fire or overfill a fuel container and never fill up a firebox fuel container that is still hot, wait at least 15 minutes for the fire to cool down before topping up. Most accidents happen when topping up fuel because bio-ethanol is extremely flammable. Keep children and pets away from fireboxes and fuel. Extinguish all fires when leaving a room or before going to sleep. Always use bio-ethanol fireboxes and containers in a well-ventilated room. Regularly clean and check fuel containers for damage and never use a leaking one. Clean away any fuel spills with a damp cloth and dry completely. Keep your hands, hair and clothing well clear of any burning flames and fuel. You can be seriously injured if the fuel spits on your clothes or catches other flammable objects. Always light bio-ethanol fuel with an extended lighter or extra-long match – never discard matches into the container.

July 24, 2024

Man sentenced for social housing fraud

24 July 2024 A man who unlawfully attempted to secure social housing has been required to complete 25 days of rehabilitation activities and ordered to pay £1,315 in fines and costs by Wellingborough Magistrates Court on 17 July 2024. Craig Andrews, also known as Kulak, from Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, appeared in court following his guilty plea to two serious offences: making false claims and providing false information to commit fraud under the Fraud Act 2006. West Northamptonshire Council's Counter Fraud team conducted a detailed investigation and uncovered Mr. Andrews’ fraudulent actions. Their thorough investigation uncovered the full extent of Mr. Andrews’ dishonesty, which was aimed at securing housing he was not rightfully entitled to. Fraudulent activities like these are unacceptable. We want to make it clear that West Northamptonshire Council will not tolerate any form of dishonesty. We are committed to thoroughly investigating all fraud cases and act against anyone who tries to exploit the system Cllr Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance at the Council Access to social housing is a crucial support for many in our community, and honesty is essential in ensuring that those who need help receive it. The impact of such fraudulent actions is far-reaching, affecting not just the immediate system but the entire community. We must ensure that housing resources are allocated fairly to those who truly need them Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing at the Council If you think you may know someone who is committing fraud you can report it on our website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 22, 2024

Additional investment to improve roads across West Northants

22 July 2024 An additional £10 million will be invested into improving roads across West Northamptonshire. The extra funding will allow WNC and its highways partner Kier to extend the surface dressing programme for roads and paths across the area as well as carrying out bridge maintenance schemes and work to resolve drainage issues across the area. This will also provide the opportunity to trial an innovative road surfacing technique (called in-situ recycling) that produces a long-lasting repair and reuses existing material to reduce costs and carbon emissions, resulting in more sustainable repairs across our rural network. The additional funding (which was approved at Council on Thursday 18 July) is coming from the capital budget which is used for things like improving local infrastructure. This follows on from the £2.8 million investment into purchasing and operating new machinery in 2023, which has already increased the efficiency of road maintenance and repairs in our area. “We understand that the state of our roads is extremely important to residents and we’re keen to make sure we’re doing everything we can to maintain and improve them.” “This additional investment will allow us to carry out even more much needed resurfacing and repair works and explore innovative new technologies that will improve our service. We will continue to keep residents informed on the progress of works with the hope that once works have concluded there will be a visible difference.” Cllr Phil Larratt, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport To find out more about the Highways services across West Northamptonshire visit: Highways or visit @WNHighways on Facebook and X. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 21, 2024

Apprentice firefighter jobs being recruited at Northamptonshire – apply now

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service is hiring a new cohort of apprentice firefighters to help keep our county safe. Firefighting is a rewarding career that involves so much more than fighting fires. Our firefighters play a vital role in promoting fire safety in their local communities through prevention and protection work and Home Fire Safety Visits with residents. They also respond to incidents ranging from road traffic collisions to flooding, chemical hazards and animal rescues. The recruitment portal is now open to anyone wishing to become an apprentice firefighter in Northamptonshire. The deadline for applications closes at noon on August 5. Our new recruits would join as wholetime firefighters, and over the next two years work towards achieving the Level 3 Operational Firefighter qualification from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Our first ever cohort of apprentice firefighters all passed the course and were awarded their certificates only a few days ago , giving them a valuable transferable skill for the rest of their careers. One of those was Charlotte Cowley (pictured below), who joined in 2022 and now works wholetime on Blue Watch in Corby. She said: “The first year of study was intense, and I had to do that on top of my operational duties as a firefighter. But I never thought I would have been able to learn as much as I have. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience and I am so happy to have achieved it.” We welcome applications from wholetime and on-call firefighters from other services, and if you are already a Competent Firefighter, then you will not have to do the apprenticeship course. We are also welcoming applications from people who want to give back to their community and try a new career. Josh Block successfully applied to join last year, having previously been a self-employed electrician. He recently completed his training and in June was posted to Green Watch in Moulton. Josh, aged 33, is already loving his new job and said: “Being a self-employed electrician was not a long-term career and I was looking at doing something team related. “I went to a ‘Have A Go’ day in Corby last summer to get a bit of a feel for it and see if it’s something I would like. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and everyone was so welcoming.” Josh, pictured above, added: “Doing this job now allows me to give back to my community and I’m looking forward to the outreach it will have. I always remember when the Fire Service came to school or they were at the local fete – it was always amazing to see them, and hopefully I’ll now be able to help inspire the next generation of firefighters.” To become an apprentice wholetime firefighter, you must: have a full car driving licence valid for the UK (with no more than 3 points) be able to permanently live and work in the UK without any restrictions be aged 18 years old at the start of the training course in February Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service particularly wants to attract people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life to apply and help ensure the county’s Fire Service truly represents the people it serves. If you wish to find out more about the recruitment process, including the job description, then an information pack can be downloaded here . To apply to become an apprentice firefighter at Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, please click here. You can also register to attend virtual Introduction and Q&A sessions that are being held on Microsoft Teams, and these take place on July 22 (7pm), July 25 (7pm), July 29 (7pm) and August 1 (2pm). Please click here to register .

July 19, 2024

Council celebrates achievements and sets course for the future in 2023/24 annual report

19 July 2024 The leader of the council thanks residents, businesses, and partners as the council launches its Annual Report for 2023/24. Presented at last night's Council meeting, the report highlights key achievements, including significant progress in economic regeneration, enhancements in community services, and initiatives to promote sporting excellence across the region. It also outlines strategic priorities for the upcoming year, reflecting the Council's commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable development. This year, our commitment to supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis remained a top priority. Working with community partners, we successfully distributed over £5 million in government funding. This included food and meal vouchers, hardship payments, and support for food banks and larders, all aimed at helping residents reduce their energy bills and meet essential needs. Despite economic pressures, we have maintained and protected essential services within budget. Our continued efforts toward our anti-poverty strategy led to the creation of 100 welcoming spaces, fostering community connections and support. We have continued to drive economic growth, transforming £45 million of grants into £350 million of private investment for major town centre regeneration schemes. This includes the new Sponne Arcade Car Park in Towcester and the development of a Masterplan for Daventry town centre. Our commitment to making West Northamptonshire a destination for sporting excellence, arts, and culture saw us successfully bid to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. We also initiated plans for large-scale live music festivals, starting with a performance by James Arthur at Delapré Abbey, and celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with thousands of residents. We worked hard to support and guide local businesses, and our efforts in broadband roll-out ensure that 93.8% of premises now have access to gigabit broadband, outpacing the national average. We also secured more than £5.4 million from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to boost our local economy. Significant progress has been made in our improvement journey for children’s services. Our Children’s Trust fostering service was rated “Good “by Ofsted, and we developed new approaches for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Over 103,000 visits were made to our 88 welcoming spaces. Additionally, we supported around 12,000 adults to remain safe, well, and independent. Investments in technology have improved road maintenance, with the JCB Pothole Pro speeding up repairs fourfold. We also launched a Rural Business Grants programme to support local business. Our focus on environmental sustainability continued with various initiatives to support local businesses and protect our environment. Six of our green spaces retained the prestigious Green Flag Awards, highlighting our commitment to maintaining high-quality recreational areas. Our communities came together for over 30 varied events, including Pride, Diwali, International Women's Day, and Holocaust Memorial Day demonstrating our rich cultural diversity and community cohesion. The council has remained dedicated to its transformation plans, enhancing the services inherited from legacy councils, while developing and implementing new strategies aimed at creating sustainable communities and improving outcomes for local residents. Recognising that there is more work to be done, the council's priorities for the upcoming year reflect its ongoing mission to provide even better services that enable residents to lead their best lives. "The annual report showcases the dedication and resilience of West Northamptonshire Council in delivering services and meeting the needs of our communities. “I’m immensely proud of the progress we have made over the past year, and I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all residents, businesses, partners, and colleagues for their unwavering support. Their invaluable contributions, resilient spirit, generosity, and determination continue to play a fundamental role as our council strives to make West Northamptonshire a remarkable place to live, visit, work, and thrive. “We have made significant strides in this year, and while challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, we are confident in our ability to adapt and respond effectively, guided by the unwavering support of our community." Cllr Adam Brown, the Leader of West Northamptonshire Council For more information and to access the full annual report, please visit the West Northamptonshire Council website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 19, 2024

Council welcomes new Independent Members to the Audit and Governance Committee

19 July 2024 Charles Davidson and Mark Jones have been appointed as Independent Members of the Audit and Governance Committee, with their appointments confirmed at last night's Council meeting. In their new roles, Charles and Mark will be vital in strengthening the Council's governance, risk management, financial reporting, and anti-fraud efforts. Their independent oversight will ensure the highest standards for the Council's members, residents, and stakeholders. As non-voting members with relevant expertise and knowledge, they will assist the committee in overseeing internal and external audit arrangements, reviewing financial statements and statutory accounts, and evaluating the Council’s governance, risk management, and control measures. Charles Davidson brings a wealth of experience from senior roles in central government, specialising in information technology and security. Charles is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Cyber Security Professional, he has also been a dedicated school governor in Northampton for many years. I think West Northants Council has shown a real commitment to good governance by creating these new independent positions. I'm thrilled to join the committee and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the community I've called home for over 34 years Charles Davidson Mark Jones is a partner with a global audit and accounting firm, leading a portfolio of over 20 outsourced internal audit clients across various sectors, including housing, emergency services, NHS, charity, and education. A qualified CIPFA accountant, Mark has previously served as the chief internal auditor for several local authorities. I am eager to give back to the community I live in by working as an Independent Member of the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee. I look forward to supporting the Council’s governance and risk management efforts and ensuring the highest standards of accountability Mark Jones We welcome Charles and Mark to the Audit and Governance Committee. Their expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that our governance, risk management, and financial oversight are of the highest standard. I am confident that their contributions will greatly benefit our community Cllr Malcolm Longley The Council is following recommended good practice by appointing independent members to its Audit and Governance Committee to provide impartial oversight and give assurance on the Council's operations. Their role includes assisting with the supervision of audit arrangements, the review of financial documents, and the assessment of governance and risk management frameworks. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 19, 2024

Historic and cultural sites invited to take part in Northamptonshire’s Heritage Open Days 2024

19 July 2024 Historic and cultural sites across Northamptonshire are invited to take part in this year’s Heritage Open Days, which will take place between 6 and 15 September. Venues such as stately homes, buildings of historic interest, museums, places of worship, and archaeological sites can now register to participate in Heritage Open Days, which is England’s largest annual festival of history and culture. This year’s event will utilise the theme Routes, Networks & Connections to bring together the past and present with workshops, walks, talks, hidden spaces, and activities for all the family, and for the first time will include many offers from attractions across the whole of the county with the aim of making the heritage festival more diverse than ever before. The festival offers the public free entry to places which might normally be closed or have an entrance fee, and where admission is charged, venues will offer something new to see, with many connected by Northampton Transport Heritage buses’ free hop-on hop-off service. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is an official promoter of the event and a list of all participating attractions and events can be found on the Council website, which will be updated regularly as more attractions register. Events will include a film of Northampton’s evolving Market Square, a student showcase of Northampton’s rich heritage, and fun runners getting into the heritage spirit. More details will be revealed shortly on the WNC website together with details of where and when the heritage buses will be running. This year's Heritage Open Days is set to be bigger and better than ever before with events and attractions opening up across the whole of the county to provide something for everyone Northamptonshire boasts a wealth of historic and cultural sites – from Tudor manor houses and unique theatres to an Iron Age hill fort and Buddhist Meditation Centre – and Heritage Open Days provides the perfect opportunity to showcase this offering to visitors from far and wide This event not only promotes our rich heritage but also boosts local tourism and stimulates the local economy. We encourage local attractions to register now and join us in celebrating and sharing the unique history and culture that Northants has to offer Cllr Daniel Lister on Culture and Tourism Registration can be completed by emailing [email protected] . For more information, please visit the Heritage Open Days page. Sites can also register on the national Heritage Open Days website before 8 August 2024. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 19, 2024

Council joins national campaign to end domestic abuse and sexual violence

19 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council has joined a nationwide campaign aimed at ending domestic abuse and sexual violence as it continues to strengthen its commitment towards tackling these issues with partners. The UK Says No More Campaign (UKSNM) brings together organisations, businesses and communities across the country to actively take a stand against domestic violence and make positive changes. Signing up to the campaign enables the Council to join a national network of professionals and ambassadors working to achieve similar goals in ending domestic violence; draw upon a range of invaluable resources; and get involved in supporting, promoting, and expanding key community initiatives locally, such as the Safe Spaces and Online Safe Spaces schemes and Ask for ANI . WNC already delivers UKSNM awareness events including No More Week and 16 Days of Activism, and also now intends to draw upon the campaign’s Everyone’s Business initiative as it progresses work to strengthen its policies and support for victims of domestic abuse within the workplace. As well as pursuing initiatives within the UKSNM campaign, the Council is also continuing to move forward with a wide range of actions tackling domestic abuse through its work as part of the West Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Partnership and Community Safety Partnership, with the development of a new strategy also under way for reducing violence and improving outcomes for residents. At last night’s Full Council meeting, WNC’s Leader Cllr Adam Brown updated members about the recent campaign sign-up and confirmed that the Council has the resource in place to deliver against the objectives of UK Says No More. We are totally committed to working with all our partners towards ending domestic abuse and violence of any kind, and ensuring victims are supported with the compassion they deserve, but we know people currently feel let down by us and we need to rebuild that trust. The only way we can do this is by fully demonstrating our commitment to how seriously we take these issues, by listening to our partners and residents and acting on their concerns. Signing up to the UK Says No More campaign is an important step in doing this, as it closely aligns with our priorities for working with partners to eradicate domestic abuse and sexual violence. It will provide us with invaluable professional support and resources to help us develop a future action plan with partners towards tackling these issues. Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of the Council A motion on the issue of domestic abuse was originally planned to be presented at council last night by Councillor Jonathan Harris, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in West Northamptonshire. Cllr Harris has regularly highlighted the need for the Council to take action on preventing domestic abuse and violence against women and girls and he welcomed the Council joining UKSNM, having initially proposed a similar sign-up to White Ribbon UK. WNC’s decision to sign up to this national campaign is an encouraging start, but there is still so much more to do and a long way to go to restore people’s faith. We must be much bolder in our approach, with tangible actions and outcomes that really make difference to people’s lives. Most importantly, all groups across the Council need to work together to make this happen and that includes ensuring our own staff and councillors will stand up and be counted. We cannot let the work to stamp out domestic abuse and sexual violence slip in any way and so opposition members will continue to hold the Council’s administration to account to ensure this does not happen. We will be looking for clear actions and timetables Cllr Jonathan Harris, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats in West Northamptonshire Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 17, 2024

West Northants put on heat-health alert as urgent weather warning issued

17 July 2024 A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the East Midlands from Thursday (18 July) to Saturday (20 July) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20Cs. The warmer weather poses a much greater risk to the most vulnerable in our community, such as the very young and older people. Residents are advised to remain cautious and seek advice from 111 if non-emergency health advice is required. 999 services should be used in emergencies only. The top ways for staying safe in the heat are to: Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors. Use cool spaces if going outdoors. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults, or animals. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest. If you have to go outside in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling. Stay up to date with by visiting our hot weather web pages. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 18, 2024

Pupils' designs see willow sculpture crafted at Daventry Country Park to mark Children’s Mental Health

18 July 2024 A willow sculpture (pictured) has been installed at Daventry Country Park based on two winning students designs to reflect Children’s Mental Health week. Hosted by Healthy Schools, Public Health team as part of a competition which took place last year to mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, students were invited to take part in an art competition on ‘what does good mental health look like’ to them. Schools who signed up, received a free willow weaving workshop during the week where students got involved and got to put their creativity to practice. Winning designs from two students at Barby Primary and East Hunsbury Primary in West Northants have now been crafted into one amazing willow sculpture by artist, Debs Jones and is located at Daventry Country Park which showcases how connecting with nature can support positive mental wellbeing in children and young people. The sculpture installation can be found by using google maps or using what three words: shortens.catching.liberty Suman Bedi, Headteacher at Barby CE Primary School, said: “This was a great opportunity for the pupils at Barby as we were really looking at wellbeing and mental health with our children and how we can help, how the children can help and what we can do to ensure we are always mentally healthy. Also, we have been discussing how we can communicate and support each other to ensure that we can always ensure that our actions don’t impact others negatively. The children loved doing this and we really loved the entries that came in. We are really proud of the winners as they can hopefully have long lasting impact on their school peers and now their local community.” Kathryn Pennington, Headteacher at East Hunsbury Primary School, said: “Here at East Hunsbury Primary, we know that school isn’t just about reading, maths and writing – for us, it is about educating the whole child and children’s mental and physical health is really important to us. Each year, we take part in Children’s Mental Health week and we jumped at the chance to participate in the: ‘What does good mental health look like?’ competition. Children across the school got involved and wonderful, important discussions were had. We were then thrilled to learn that one of our pupils had been selected to be the joint winner and were incredibly proud of them. We can’t wait to visit the sculpture and to continue our work on Mental Health.” Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council said: “This was a great idea from our Healthy Schools team to get our young people involved in a creative task whilst thinking about how connecting with nature benefits their mental wellbeing. “Talking about mental wellbeing is so important and this was an engaging way to start these conversations with students. A big well done and thank you to all who took part, there were many incredible entries – and the winning designs were truly well deserved as the final sculpture looks brilliant!” Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 17, 2024

Innovation & Growth Roundtable event relocates to West Northants

17 July 2024 Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) held its annual showcase event in West Northamptonshire this week with an Innovation & Growth Roundtable. The sold-out conference event, which relocated from Milton Keynes to Northampton this year, provides attendees with an opportunity to listen to insightful presentations, debate with peers, share knowledge, and network with business leaders across the cluster. This year, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) joined forces with the South Midlands Growth Hub and Bucks Business First to sponsor the event and showcase its support for all businesses as well as its dedication to STC and the industries it represents. The Council, a founding member of the STC, joined exhibitors and speakers including experts from the Ministry of Defence, US Army DEVCOM and HCR Hewitsons, at the event on 16 July. “It’s a privilege to host the STC’s Innovation & Growth Roundtable event in West Northamptonshire and partner with the South Midlands Growth Hub and Bucks Business First to showcase our support for our local enterprises. “West Northants is an exceptional area for investment and growth and events like this demonstrate the diverse range of industries we support here, from advanced manufacturing and engineering to high-tech innovation and research & development, as a Council we strive to continue doing all we can to support local businesses and drive positive economic growth in our area.” Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture & “We enjoyed a fantastic event and we’d like to thank our supporters Silverstone Park, Jaltek, HCR and of course our friends at WNC for their help and support with this event. “WNC have been a great partner of the STC from the outset and we very much enjoy working with them. Their support to help us put together these types of events where we can bring the industry together and encourage collaboration are critical to foster and grow the advanced engineer ecosystem in the area.” Pim van Baarsen, CEO of STC In addition to supporting the STC, WNC has dedicated over £3million to supporting local businesses through Central Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) including growth, innovation, decarbonisation and more. Find out more about the Council’s free business support on the WNC website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 18, 2024

Local government leaders unite in support of Universal’s transformative theme park and resort project proposed for Bedford

18 July 2024 The leaders and chief executives of six local authorities have collectively endorsed Universal Destinations & Experiences’ potential theme park and resort project. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister, the region's leadership emphasised the transformative potential of this initiative. The project creates 20,000 jobs during construction, with an additional 20,000 jobs generated directly and, in the supply-chain during the resort’s operation. This significant job creation underscores the tangible economic impact the potential project will have on the region. Additionally, the project’s scale will help set England’s South Midlands as one of the foremost visitor destinations in Europe and the World. “As a Council, we fully endorse this project and want to show our full support and commitment to working with both our local authority partners and Universal Destinations & Experiences to maximise the benefits for local people and communities. “The South Midlands is extremely well connected and with West Northants situated just over 30 minutes from Bedford, this project presents an array of opportunities for our residents including jobs, economic growth and an enhanced visitor economy with tourists from far and wide coming into West Northamptonshire to enjoy everything we have to offer.” Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council “This is an exciting opportunity which will bring extraordinary economic benefits to the wider South Midlands area and locally here in West Northamptonshire, not only presenting us as a top destination for visitors from across the UK but also from around the world.” Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council “We know the importance of this Universal project getting the green light. Not only will the potential theme park and resort serve as a major draw for visitors, attracting millions of annual visitors, with many projected to come from Europe and overseas, it will help bolster the UK's profile as a leader in the creative industries, a must-see visitor destination, business investment hub and deliver growth.” Laura Church, Chief Executive of Bedford Borough Council The letter is signed by the chief executives and political leaders of Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes City, North Northamptonshire, and West Northamptonshire councils, demonstrating strong regional support for the project. Universal continue to share updates as the project progresses on their website at universalukproject.co.uk Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 19, 2024

Action already under way to progress Peer review recommendations

19 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be developing a compelling long-term plan for improving the area and working more strategically with partners in the months ahead as it progresses the recommendations of a recent independent review. Work is already under way by the Council on addressing the findings of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge in March, which looked in detail at how effective the authority is at providing services and delivering upon the vision to make West Northants a Great Place to Live, Visit, Work and Thrive. A feedback report from the review said that the Council had made a strong positive start as a new unitary authority with ‘much achieved at pace’ during its first three years, and now needed to look ‘outwards and explore with partners what it wants for West Northamptonshire.’ Having also described external partner organisations’ relationships with the Council as ‘the best they have ever been’, the review said the Council now needed to build on this by working with them more closely and strategically on shaping the future of the area. Within the report the Peers put forward eight recommendations from the review and the Council recently developed and published an action plan on how it plans to progress them, with work now under way. The action plan and timescales for progress can be viewed on the Council’s website . Alongside engaging more strategically with partners and producing a long-term vision, other recommendations included developing how the Council plans for its medium to longer term budget pressures, further development of overview and scrutiny and improving customer transactions and the Council’s website. The LGA review was undertaken during a four-day visit in March by a team of senior officers and members from other councils across the country who held more than 40 sessions to gather information and views of over 110 people including staff, councillors and external partners from the business, health, community and education sectors. The Peers will now return to the Council later this year with a follow-up visit to measure WNC’s progress against the recommendations it has been set. “The peer review was an excellent opportunity for us to invite in independent assessors as "critical friends" who could look into detail at how we work and let us know where we’re doing well and where we can improve. “They rightfully highlighted key challenges that we need to confront in the months and years ahead, such as improving some of our strategic relationships and developing "a compelling long-term vision for the area" – and I'm delighted to say work is already underway on these issues, as we seek to build on the foundations we've laid over the past three years as a new unitary council. “Three years in and after creating key joint strategies working with partners and residents, we will be bringing them together to create a new 5-year business plan that sets out how we will achieve the vision our stakeholders agreed when we started, to “make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive” and the actions we will be taking with our partners to deliver this vision. We will set out an area-wide strategic approach to housing and economic growth alongside partnership ambitions for improving services for children to help them get the best start in life and ensuring older residents age and live well.” Councillor Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council The LGA Corporate Peer Challenge took place from 4-7 March at WNC’s office in One Angel Square, Northampton. The peer team considered the core themes looked at by all corporate peer challenges, namely: local priorities and outcomes, organisational and place leadership, governance and culture, financial planning and management and capacity for improvement. You can read WNC’s Corporate Peer Challenge Feedback Report and the subsequent Action Plan on the Council’s website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 18, 2024

Five parks across West Northants retain the prestigious Green Flag Award

18 July 2024 Green Flags are being raised at Five of West Northamptonshire Council’s parks as they’ve once again been awarded the coveted Green Flag status, which celebrates Britain’s greatest parks and green spaces. Abington Park, Bradlaugh Fields, Daventry Country Park, Delapre Park and Brixworth Country Park have all retained their Green Flag Awards - nationally recognised as the benchmark for the management of recreational outdoor spaces. Bradlaugh Fields in Northampton has retained the award for the fifth year running and Abington and Delapre parks, also in Northampton, retain their awards for the eleventh and twelfth years in a row respectively, in recognition for the hard work of community groups and volunteers to maintain these widely used open spaces. Daventry Country Park, which has seen improvements to its visitor facilities in recent years, achieves the award for the 25th time. The Green Health at Daventry project was also successful in achieving the Green Flag Community Award for the community garden run with support from Daventry Country Park’s rangers. It is fantastic news that five of our parks have retained their Green Flags for 2024/25. Our green spaces are essential to our residents wellbeing and provide vital environmental benefits for local wildlife. The coveted award recognises the brilliant work that our park rangers, community groups, volunteers, and residents continue to do to maintain and improve our open spaces. Cllr Rebecca Breese for Environment, Recycling and Waste To find out more about open spaces and parks across West Northamptonshire, visit our parks and open spaces page. The full list of winners can be viewed on the Green Flag Award website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 18, 2024

Council shortlisted for prestigious industry award

18 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council has been shortlisted for the Community Engagement award as part of the annual National Building and Construction Awards in recognition of their use of extensive and innovative community involvement and focus on the value of local opinions as part of the Greyfriars Masterplan consultation. As the only Council shortlisted for this industry award, which celebrates excellence across construction and building, WNC is paving the way for community engagement in shaping transformational regeneration schemes. Through their ambitions to repurpose the 15-acreGreyfriars site, which has been derelict since the year 2015, the Council’s vision sets out their ambitions to transform it into a new vibrant neighbourhood, which can revitalise the town centre and act as a catalyst for the infusion of new life into Northampton. The proposals have been crafted by a multi-disciplinary team led by Studio Egret West, who have been commissioned by West Northamptonshire Council to create the vision for the area. This team comprises urban designers, architects, landscape architects, and transport, commercial and sustainability experts. The community engagement and digital consultation platform were led by specialists Deetu, part of BWB Consulting. The Greyfriars consultation has allowed the council to be shortlisted for this award due to the fact that their bright vision for the Greyfriars area being an opportunity to drive positive change across the town of Northampton would not have been possible without involvement and engagement from the town’s lively and motivated community. Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council, said: “It is fantastic that the consultation and engagement for the vision of the future Greyfriars site has received national recognition. The prestigious industry awards bring together exemplars across the country and finest in their fields, and it is an honour that our Council is the only one to be recognised at this level. We look forward to the next stage and celebrating all the finalists in October.” Engagement and involvement from Northampton’s community was achieved through utilisation of digital collaboration opposed to reliance upon traditional surveys and town stalls. Instead, town residents were able to participate in much wider-reaching online surveys to which over 2,500 people gave their responses and additionally over 6,000 individual comments were received. The website recorded over 12,000 sessions and 20,000 page views from nearly 10,00 unique users revealing the high amount of interaction with the community that the council was able to achieve through their use of online methods of feedback and communication. In contrast to this, knowing that not all people have reliable access to the internet the Council also utilised methods which ensured that all town members could engage with the consultation regardless of how well they are able to access the internet. A clear example of one of these methods was an in-person event that was held at the Grosvenor Shopping centre on Saturday 1 June which was able to attract itself towards 680 people. A lot of these people that attended were unaware of the scheme previously meaning this event was a useful asset in introducing the Greyfriars scheme to more people. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on Thursday 24th October 2024. Click here to find out more about the regeneration schemes across Northampton. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 17, 2024

A Home for Harmony musical play comes to West Northants libraries

17 July 2024 Musical play A Home for Harmony will visit libraries in West Northamptonshire this August as part of its Summer 2024 Tour. Written by Renata Allen and produced by the People's Theatre Collective, the play is created specifically for young children and uses engaging music to inspire emotional resilience and confidence, ensuring families can enjoy the performance while recognising its valuable messages. The play follows the touching story of Sam, a disabled person, and their loyal assistance dog, Bouncer, whose home is disrupted when a stray cat named Harmony appears on their doorstep and is welcomed into their family. The play is designed with inclusivity in mind, featuring accessible elements for audiences with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including sensory and musical components, Makaton sign language, and non-verbal storytelling to ensure that every child can enjoy and engage with the performance. "We are delighted to welcome this educational play which celebrates inclusion and people of different abilities to our libraries. “This free production is a wonderful opportunity for children and families to engage with stories that discuss disability and showcase diverse voices and perspectives. “As a Council we aim to foster a sense of understanding and community among our young audiences and invite everyone to join us for this enriching and entertaining experience." Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure "I couldn't be more excited to work on this amazing project. This play is not only a fun and heartwarming experience for families, it also highlights the incredible impact assistance dogs have on people's lives.” Emma, People's Theatre Collective Project Manager For more information and to see the full list of tour dates and venues, visit the People's Theatre Collective's website. To find your local library and see a list of events, visit the WNC Libraries webpage . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 17, 2024

Closure order obtained at Northampton property following drug related anti-social behaviour

17 July 2024 A property in Northampton has been issued with a full closure order following concerns around drug dealing and anti-social behaviour from members of the public. The 3-month order follows numerous complaints from local residents about a range of disruptive activities linked to the flat, located in Park Avenue in Abington, over the past six months. Since January 2024, there have been persistent reports of disturbances including frequent visitors to the flat throughout the night and early morning; noise from shouting, arguing, fighting, and swearing in communal areas; other residents' flat buzzers being rung in the early hours; and suspicious packages being exchanged, believed to be drugs, causing the community a high level of alarm and distress. Last week (10 July), West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Anti-Social Behaviour team and Northamptonshire Police successfully obtained a closure order to shut down the property under Part 4 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Council and the police worked together to gather the evidence needed to obtain the closure order at Northampton Magistrates Court. The property will be secured and boarded to prevent entry. Any unauthorised person who enters the property will be committing a criminal offence. "We are pleased this full closure order has been obtained thanks to a strong partnership effort with Northamptonshire Police. “This Northampton property has been a source of persistent anti-social behaviour and criminal activity for months, making the lives of other residents miserable. “This decisive action reflects our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our communities. By addressing this issue head-on, we are not only improving the quality of life for local residents but also sending a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in our neighbourhoods." Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities at WNC Closure orders last for a period of 3 months and can be extended further if necessary. They are used when other approaches to tackling anti-social behaviour have been unsuccessful and aim to protect residents living in the neighbourhood by preventing criminal behaviour taking place in or around a property. “Northamptonshire Police is extremely pleased with the result of this full closure order, which is the culmination of excellent partnership work between the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team, the Anti-Social Behaviour Unit and West Northamptonshire Council. “I would like to give special mention to PCSO Dan Freeman who was diligent and determined, working with and supporting the residents impacted by the ASB and criminality from this problem address. Between all our partners we obtained all of the information and evidence required to take this matter to court and secure a successful outcome. “We fully recognise the detrimental effects behaviour like this has on people’s quality of life, and how communities can suffer as a result of those who fail to consider the impact of their actions. I’d like to pay tribute to this community, to those who have stood up and refused to be plagued by this behaviour; it is their evidence which has been instrumental to this outcome. “No-one should feel frightened in their own home. Cases like this demonstrate that police and local authorities will not tolerate such behaviour and illustrate how important it is for residents to let us know about issues in their area.” Inspector Lee Flavell, of Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team If you are experiencing issues with anti-social behaviour or suspected criminality where you live, please report it to police on 101 or report online at www.northants.police.uk/RO . In an emergency, where a crime is in progress or life is at risk, always call 999. Non-emergency reports can also be made in confidence to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 16, 2024

Reminder for school aged children and young people to get vaccinated ahead of summer holidays

16 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Public Health are encouraging primary, secondary and further education students and their parents and guardians, to check their vaccination status, to ensure they are up to date. Increased mixing during the holidays means the risk of viruses spreading amongst children and young people is heightened. Some of the most common infections to circulate within our school aged population includes measles, mumps, and meningitis, which can cause severe complications, and in some cases require hospitalisation. Some children and young people may have missed out on getting their routine vaccinations or are newly eligible, and are therefore being reminded to get this protection. Vaccinations help to boost the immune system and protects against complications an infection can cause. Children and young people who attend school should have been offered vaccinations through their GP or the school immunisation programme. If your child has missed any doses of these vaccines or does not attend a school setting, please, contact your GP to arrange an appointment. “Across Northamptonshire we have seen a decline in the uptake of childhood and adolescent vaccinations. I am asking for parents and guardians to support in protecting their children and young people this summer by checking their child’s vaccination status, to ensure they have had all their recommended doses. Don’t let an avoidable infection spoil their summer break. “If your child has missed any vaccinations, please contact your child’s GP as soon as possible to discuss and arrange an appointment.” Dr Annapurna Sen, Health Protection Consultant for West Northamptonshire Public Health For further detail regarding any of these vaccinations, please check out the West Northamptonshire Council Immunisation page . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 16, 2024

Car parks temporarily closed as regeneration work continues

16 July 2024 Motorists are being advised of closures to two car parks in Northampton this month, as work on two exciting town centre regeneration projects take a step forward. The town’s Chalk Lane Car Park will be closed from the evening of Tuesday 16 July through to Thursday 25 July to allow for preparatory work on the new Marefair Heritage Park. The nearby Doddridge Street Car Park is closed for four weeks from 15 July while the Museum of London Archaeology carry out investigation as part of the delivery of the Four Waterside and Marefair development. Signage will be in place to notify motorists of the temporary closures, with people directed to use the nearby Marefair or Commercial Street Car Parks instead. Click here to view the council-owned car parks across Northampton. West Northamptonshire Council secured £1.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund towards delivering the Heritage Park, which will provide new green space, trees, play areas, community gardens, pathways and lighting. Marefair and the surrounding area has a fascinating and important history as the site of the once famous Northampton Castle as well as other historic local buildings such as the Old Black Lion Pub, Hazelrigg House, Castle Hill United Reformed Church, St Peters Church and a former Saxon Palace. The park will tell this fascinating story on a heritage timeline of Corteen Steel poles which will be installed throughout the park. The project to improve a major gateway to Northampton will be complemented by the Four Waterside and Marefair development, which will see the vacant brownfield site along the River Nene transformed into high-quality office space, new homes, business space and a new hotel. This ambitious project is being delivered thanks to £1.7 million of funding from the Towns Fund, £7 million of investment from Northampton Enterprise Zone and investment from developers CityHeart. Wider construction works are expected to start in 2025. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 15, 2024

Have your say on our draft Parks Development Strategy

15 July 2024 People are being asked to help shape a strategy setting out how West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) manages and develops its parks and green spaces. The Council manages around 150 parks and green open spaces across West Northants, including war memorials, and town and country parks. The new Parks Development Strategy will set out how the Council can protect, develop, and improve these areas in ways that not only enrich residents’ and visitors’ lives, but also the natural environment. The current version is very much in draft form as we are keen to engage with and hear the thoughts of park users, local businesses, community groups and other stakeholders in order to shape the final document. “We understand the importance that our parks and green spaces play in people’s lives. We are keen to hear the views of local residents, cyclists, dog walkers, volunteers and community organisations to help us to ensure that we set a suitably ambitious but achievable strategy; one which meets the needs and expectations of our residents and visitors. “We have identified a range of initiatives we believe would further improve and enhance our parks and green spaces for everyone in our communities to enjoy and it's really important that people tell us what they think of our proposals and let us know if we are focusing on the right things.” Cllr Rebecca Breese, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste The Council would like to hear from anyone who has an interest in our parks and the development of this strategy. The consultation will be live until midnight on 8 September. Click here to view the draft strategy and have your say. All responses will be analysed and considered by the Council in developing the draft strategy further. The feedback provided will help WNC to develop an updated version of the Parks Development Strategy and accompanying action plan. Once finalised, these will be presented to the Council’s Cabinet in November 2024, with the final strategy to be published in 2025. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 16, 2024

Northampton car park temporarily closures

16 July 2024 Motorists are being advised of closures to two car parks in Northampton this month, as work on two exciting town centre regeneration projects take a step forward. The town’s Chalk Lane Car Park will be closed from the evening of Tuesday 16 July through to Thursday 25 July to allow for preparatory work on the new Marefair Heritage Park. The nearby Doddridge Street Car Park is closed for four weeks from 15 July while the Museum of London Archaeology carry out investigation as part of the delivery of the Four Waterside and Marefair development. Signage will be in place to notify motorists of the temporary closures, with people directed to use the nearby Marefair or Commercial Street Car Parks instead. Click here to view the council-owned car parks across Northampton. West Northamptonshire Council secured £1.6 million from the Government’s Towns Fund towards delivering the Heritage Park, which will provide new green space, trees, play areas, community gardens, pathways and lighting. Marefair and the surrounding area has a fascinating and important history as the site of the once famous Northampton Castle as well as other historic local buildings such as the Old Black Lion Pub, Hazelrigg House, Castle Hill United Reformed Church, St Peters Church and a former Saxon Palace. The park will tell this fascinating story on a heritage timeline of Corteen Steel poles which will be installed throughout the park. The project to improve a major gateway to Northampton will be complemented by the Four Waterside and Marefair development, which will see the vacant brownfield site along the River Nene transformed into high-quality office space, new homes, business space and a new hotel. This ambitious project is being delivered thanks to £1.7 million of funding from the Towns Fund, £7 million of investment from Northampton Enterprise Zone and investment from developers CityHeart. Wider construction works are expected to start in 2025. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 16, 2024

More schools recognised for commitment to pupils' health and wellbeing

16 July 2024 Schools across West Northamptonshire have received awards recognising their commitment to going above and beyond in improving the health and wellbeing of their pupils. A total of 40 schools across the area received the bronze and silver Healthy Schools Awards accreditation, which is presented by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). This is the second wave of schools to receive the accolade following the launch of the awards in January this year, and each school was invited to a celebration event. The schools which have achieved the status have met the criteria for certain standards across areas including mental health and wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education). The criteria has been specifically designed and tailored to Northamptonshire, which makes it unique compared to other healthy schools awards. The schools that achieved this prestigious award are: Silver award: Lumbertubs Primary Spring Lane Primary Falconers Hill Academy Billing Brook School On Track Education Croughton All Saints CofE Primary The Bliss Charity School Wootton Primary St James Primary Bronze award: Barby CE Primary Briar Hill Primary Bridgewater Primary Cedar Road Primary Crick Primary Eastfield Academy Gayton CE Primary Greenfields Specialist School for Communication Hardingstone Academy Headlands Primary Hopping Hill Primary Hospital and Outreach Hunsbury Park Primary Kingsthorpe Grove Primary Malcolm Arnold Preparatory Academy Queen Eleanor Academy Newnham Primary Northampton School for Girls Parklands Primary St Mary's Primary Standens Barn Primary Stoke Bruene CE Primary The Parker Academy - E-ACT Thomas Becket Catholic School Tiffield CE Primary Towcester Church of England Primary School Walgrave Academy Waynflete Infants’ Welton Academy Whittlebury CE Primary Yardley Gobian CE Primary. The majority of these schools have already signed up to start working towards either the Healthy Schools Silver or Gold Award following this achievement. Silver involves them focusing on a universal and targeted health priority in their setting and putting an intervention in place. Gold focuses on schools measuring the impact of their interventions and embedding it longer term into their school. People can visit our Healthy Schools Award Programme pages for more information The support and encouragement from the Healthy Schools Service was invaluable throughout the process. There were lots of things we already did that we could use, so it was not lots of additional work. It was good to acknowledge all we do in school that helps our staff and pupils to be healthy. Our children have been very proactive about supporting mental health initiatives. It also helped us to pinpoint where we could improve and what to work on next. Achieving the Bronze Award was a proud moment, that was celebrated by the whole school. We are looking forward to working on our Silver Award. Charlie Vickers. SENDCo at Hunsbury Park Primary School It is fantastic to see the second cohort of schools who have received the bronze level award as part of our healthy schools’ programme. Gaining this accreditation recognises their commitment to health and wellbeing and the ongoing work to improve the whole school’s wellbeing. Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education I am delighted that 40 of our schools have received this award that celebrates their commitment to keeping children across West Northamptonshire healthy. The number of schools who have participated in this scheme is so encouraging, and I am proud of West Northamptonshire Council’s continued effort to keeping our residents safe and well. Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health Integration Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 11, 2024

West Northants SEND partnership responds to inspection report

Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) 11 July 2024 Partners involved in providing SEND solutions across West Northamptonshire have today decided to publish an inspection report by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC). All partners have a shared ambition that our children have the Best Start in Life, while recognising there is a lot of work to do to achieve this. This is why partners are working hard to progress a range of joint actions that will address significant concerns raised in the latest inspection of services for children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) in West Northamptonshire. In agreement with Ofsted and the CQC, West Northamptonshire Council, the NHS Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board and Northamptonshire Children’s Trust have published the inspection report to progress the action required. Priority work progresses at pace in response to the report, which can be found on our SEND pages . It identifies failings that must be urgently addressed by the West Northamptonshire Local Area SEND Partnership. The Partnership fully accepts the findings of the inspection and apologises to children, young people and their families where we have fallen short. The partnership also includes Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, schools and West Northants Voices in Partnership. Whilst finding that SEND services are not good enough, with many children and young people waiting too long for their needs to be assessed and for suitable provision, inspectors also recognised the “green shoots” of improvement and clear partnership commitment to making critical improvements to address this. They highlighted the ‘ambitious SEND strategy, co-produced with children and young people and parents, and acknowledged ‘it is too soon to see the impact’ of the work being done to improve outcomes. The local partnership has developed a Priority Action Plan (PAP) in line with the requirements from OFSTED, the Department for Education (DFE) and NHS England, and has been approved by Ofsted. The PAP is aligned with West Northamptonshire’s SEND & Alternative Provision Strategy and been developed with all partners represented at the SEND & Alternative Provision Partnership Improvement Board. The local area SEND partnership will now meet with DfE and NHSE at regular intervals during the next eighteen months to ensure the delivery of the action plan. Inspectors recognised how ‘parent voices and the views of children and young people with SEND, are now heard much more effectively’, with professionals across the Partnership ‘engaging positively’ to put in place the new SEND strategy. As well as this, inspectors highlighted where children and young people with SEND receive specialist support from the Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Disability Team, they receive timely assessment and appropriate advice to meet their needs. They also found that children and young people with SEND ‘benefit from early help services that provide support at home and in the community’, as well as ‘a strong emotional health and wellbeing offer’, and those with a visual or hearing impairment are well supported by a ‘strong, needs-led service’. The Partnership is now focusing on several priority actions that require urgent attention to address the findings of the report including: Improving the timeliness and quality of Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments so that children’s needs are fully identified, and the right support is provided at the earliest opportunity. At the end of last year, WNC commissioned a team of Educational Psychologists to support with overdue assessments with positive progress being made, setting a positive trajectory for improvement. To further support this, at WNC’s last cabinet meeting £1.35million of funding was approved to increase capacity in the Council’s SEND team to meet the increased demand being experienced – since April 2021 there has been 40 per cent increase in EHCP requests (an increase of over 1,000). Developing a partnership joint strategic needs assessment (JSNA) that informs a joint commissioning plan to ensure outcomes are informed based on evidence of local population need, and to support the best use of resources across the partnership. A working group has been set up to develop a JSNA for children and young people with SEND that includes data from across the partnership to inform local need, planning and outcomes. Addressing current waiting times for speech and language therapy, mental health services and neurodevelopmental assessments to support early identification for plans to be developed to support them. Additional staffing capacity has been agreed by the partnership for the Speech and Language Therapy service. Resources are being refocussed across specialist therapeutic pathways within child and adolescent mental health community services to increase access. Improved navigation tools for emotional wellbeing and mental health services are being developed for children and young people and professionals. A Community Paediatric Review has been undertaken to transform the early years and primary school neurodevelopmental assessment pathways. This will explore all opportunities to introduce extra capacity and innovative practice. Improving the partnership approach to speech, communication and language needs to embed recommendations swiftly . The partnership jointly commissioned a nationally recognised programme to analyse needs, and this has provided useful recommendations for improvement and future transformation. A working group has been set up to identify delivery options for earlier identification and support for children with speech, language and communication needs. The inspection outcome highlights failings within the service which we had previously identified and which we are working hard to remedy. We accept the findings of the OFSTED inspection and will continue to strive to do better for our SEND children, young people and families. I am absolutely committed to seeing this change happen and we have been working hard to build positive, strong foundations for this. We recognise the ongoing work which we need to carry out to address the concerns arising from complaints and feedback from our service users and we are incorporating this into our improvement plan which seeks to carry out continual development. We have recently welcomed three additional colleagues who will support with this work. Inspectors noted that some of the work we are doing is still quite new and it is too early to see the desired impact and we have been open in that. Unfortunately, due to the scale of transformation needed these changes will take time and they must be made working closely with schools, health colleagues, our Children’s Trust and most of all with families. Involvement from families, children and young people was recognised within the report and I would like to share thanks to all those who have been involved – their contribution has been so valuable, and we will continue to build on this engagement to ensure their voices remain at the heart of our planning, conversations and next steps. The £1.35million investment approved at Cabinet, will make a huge difference, enabling further capacity in our team to improve the quality and timeliness for ECP needs assessment. I am confident this will set a positive trajectory to make these critical changes and be a significant step forward for the service. Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills It is our absolute priority to make sure immediate action takes place to continue to drive the urgent improvements which are required as highlighted in this report. Some of this work is already underway and it is now critical that we continue to build momentum across our partnership in health, education and social care to improve services to these children, young people and families who have been let down. The priority action plan will outline specific actions for each of our organisations and we will make the critical changes outlined in this plan as quickly as possible to work towards achieving far better outcomes that the children, young people and families in this county deserve and expect. Chief Nursing Officer at Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board, Yvonne Higgins We are committed to working collaboratively with our partners to drive forward the priority plan to improve the experiences and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Whilst it is reassuring that the inspectors saw that the Children’s Disability Team carry out timely assessments and give appropriate advice to meet the needs of children and young people most in need of social care support, we know that there is still a lot of work to do. Alongside our partners we want to ensure that all children, young people and families with SEND receive the best possible services and support. Julian Wooster, Chair of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust The result and findings of the Ofsted and CQC inspection align with the perspectives shared by our members and ourselves, which makes them unsurprising. As representatives of the Parent Carer community, we are deeply troubled by the findings of the recent Ofsted & CQC report highlighting widespread and systematic failings in SEND provision within our local area. We share the concerns expressed by families across the SEND community. West Northants Voices in Partnership are committed to advocating for the rights and interests of children and young people with SEND and their families. We stand in solidarity with all those affected by these failings and are committed to working collaboratively with the Local Authority, Education, Health, Social Care, and other stakeholders to address the issues identified and drive meaningful change. Our priority is to ensure that the voices of parent carers are heard and valued. We will actively engage with the local authority, schools, and relevant agencies to hold them accountable for addressing the failings highlighted in the report and to advocate for improved SEND provision across West Northamptonshire. We call for transparency, accountability, and swift action to remedy the failings identified in the report and to ensure that children and young people with SEND receive the support and resources they need to succeed. Together, we can work towards a future where every child, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, has the opportunity to reach their full potential. We look forward to the return of the inspectors in 18 months, where we hope the Local Area SEND Partnership leaders and stakeholders will demonstrate the effectiveness of the implemented measures with positive outcomes for children, young people with SEND, and their families. The West Northants Voices in Partnership team would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to everyone who contributed to our Padlet pages and reached out to us via email and allowing us to share with the inspectors directly. Statement from West Northamptonshire Voices in Partnership Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 12, 2024

Wellbeing toolkit launched to support workplaces across West Northamptonshire

12 July 2024 Employers of any size across West Northamptonshire can now access a wellbeing toolkit designed to provide practical guidance on how to enhance wellbeing in the workplace and improve business outcomes. Research shows that a good workplace wellbeing programme can have a positive impact on employee happiness and engagement, increase productivity and improve customer service and business outcomes. The toolkit aims to encourage businesses to adopt an insight and data led approach to workplace wellbeing, improving the health and wellbeing of their employees and subsequently their business performance. West Northamptonshire Council has launched the free to use, self-service Workplace Wellbeing Toolkit that is available to all businesses across the area. It offers a step-by-step guide to workplace wellbeing. Providing an overview of what wellbeing is, how businesses can invest in it, how they can use existing data to enhance their wellbeing programmes. It helps employers to create an action plan across a wide range of wellbeing topics to support the specific needs of their employees. “We are pleased to be able to launch our workplace wellbeing toolkit which aims to support businesses with enhancing their employee wellbeing offer. It has been developed by our public health specialists in partnership with existing businesses to ensure that it meets the needs of businesses and their employees. “We will be continuing to develop the toolkit over the coming months and years based on the feedback from local businesses.” Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services Northampton Community Foundation Trust are great exemplars of workplace wellbeing having won the Workplace Wellbeing Award in 2023. “We put wellbeing in the workplace at the heart of our HR policy. As a grant making charity which invests many funds into wellbeing across our communities, we think it is incredibly important that we lead from the front and promote good wellbeing for staff and volunteers. Staff that feel valued at work are more likely to thrive and achieve their best. This enhances staff retention and provides a more nourishing and rewarding work experience for building a positive team culture and for achieving our mission as the leading grant making charity in the county. Our commitment includes a flexible working policy, being living wage accredited, providing wellbeing activities, a menopause policy and investing in our work around equity, diversity and inclusion.” Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive To find out more about workplace wellbeing services across West Northamptonshire visit: Workplace Wellbeing Support Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 12, 2024

Pride for first cohort of Northamptonshire firefighters to achieve apprentice qualification

A cohort of firefighters have become the first ever in Northamptonshire to receive an apprenticeship qualification with the Service. The 14 firefighters have received the Level 3 Operational Firefighter qualification from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and demonstrates the Fire Service’s desire to develop our firefighters and equip them with skills and qualifications that will prove beneficial for the rest of their working lives. Our new apprentices were presented with their certificates at Fire HQ in Wellingborough yesterday (July 9) by Deputy Chief Fire Officer Simon Tuhill, and were also paid a visit by new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone. Deputy CFO Simon Tuhill (pictured below right) said: “This is the first time ever that our firefighters have been able to achieve an accredited apprenticeship qualification through the Service, and this is a qualification that can not only help progress their career here in Northamptonshire Fire but is also a transferable qualification that can help them progress on whatever path they wish to follow. “It is important that we help to develop our staff and give them valuable skills, and I know they all found it a positive experience – so it’s important also to thank our training instructors who helped them on this journey.” The apprenticeship took two years for the cohort to complete and saw them undertake practical examinations to demonstrate their firefighting skills, as well as completing knowledge and understanding testing to showcase their understanding of the role and how they have helped with safety in the local community. The end point assessment involved them being assessed by experienced independent instructors from other Fire and Rescue Services who determined if they had met the required standards, and NFRS was delighted with the feedback that was received about all the apprentice firefighters. One of the firefighters to receive an apprenticeship is Charlotte Cowley (pictured below with DCFO Tuhill), who joined Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service two years ago and is currently wholetime on Blue Watch in Corby. She said: “The first year of study was pretty intense, and I had to do that on top of my operational duties as a firefighter. But I would say that compared to when I first joined, I never thought I would have been able to learn as much as I have. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but it’s been an incredibly fulfilling experience and I am so happy to have achieved it.” Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service will be recruiting for new apprentice firefighters in the near future – please keep an eye on our social media platforms and our News Page for an announcement soon.

July 10, 2024

West Northants to host stage of men's Tour of Britain

Parks, sports and leisure 10 July 2024 West Northamptonshire will welcome Britain’s biggest professional cycle this September, as we play host to the penultimate stage of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men. Taking place on Saturday 7 September, the stage will start in Northampton town centre and take in a route through West Northamptonshire of around 150 kilometres (93 miles), before heading back to the finish line in Northampton. We’re delighted to be bringing top-level racing and the joy of cycling to communities across the country in September, with six stages to showcase the very best of Britain’s character and terrain. We’re enormously thankful to the local partners who are supporting the delivery of this year’s race, as we look to build on the momentum of June’s successful Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women. I’ve no doubt that their communities will be out in force to welcome the riders, and make it another memorable week of racing to cap off a huge summer of cycling. British Cycling Events Managing Director, Jonathan Day This area is no stranger to professional cycling, having held women’s Tours of Britain in 2014 and 2016, but this will mark the first occasion that the men’s event has come to the county. We are extremely excited to be hosting the world-class Tour of Britain race for the first time this September. Events like this play an important role in bringing communities together and inspiring people to take up sport and live a more active and healthier lifestyle. They also provide a significant boost to our local economy and showcase our wonderful area to a global audience. When previously hosting the Women’s Tour we saw a record number of spectators visiting West Northamptonshire and lining the route to show their support and we very much hope to witness that again this year as we celebrate all those taking part in the race. As a Council we are committed to providing opportunities to get involved in sports and physical activity and by hosting this international event showcasing prominent cyclists we hope to inspire the next generation of budding athletes right here in West Northants. Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure The Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men begins in the Scottish Borders on Tuesday 3 September, visiting the Tees Valley, and South Yorkshire over subsequent stages. Following the stage in West Northamptonshire the race concludes in Suffolk on Sunday 8 September after six stages of racing. More details of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men, including the stage five route map, detailed stage timings, and competing teams will be announced in the coming weeks . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 10, 2024

Council to procure provider for new homelessness support service

10 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will undertake a competitive procurement process to seek a provider to deliver a new Multiple Complex and High Needs Support Service for people with a history of rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. The service will be located at Broadmead Court in Northampton and will consist of 18 units (20 bedspaces) and specialist support to address gaps in the homelessness pathway to help increase residents’ resilience and equip them with the necessary tools to enable them to move on to sustainable and independent living. The proposed commissioned service will focus on preventing and reducing homelessness by delivering support which is person centred, trauma informed and seeks to break the cycle of homelessness, leading to move on into independent living and stable accommodation. As part of the commissioning process, which was approved by WNC’s Cabinet yesterday (9 July), engagement will take place in July and August 2024 with both internal and external stakeholders including local ward councillors and service users to inform the service specification and requirements and ensure delivery of a model that meets the current and future needs of the client group. Research commissioned around the health and housing needs of rough sleepers has identified that there are no dedicated specialist services or arrangements to support this cohort locally resulting in a significant unmet need in the higher intensity support provision. The service will commence following handover of the building due in Autumn 2025 and will be funded by the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) and delivered through the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and Homes England. It will support the Council’s Single Rough Sleeping and Homelessness Pathway which aims to prevent homelessness and reduce rough sleeping in West Northamptonshire. “Evidence shows that people sleeping rough experience profound health inequalities and complex vulnerabilities which require specialist support and often have negative health, housing, social and wellbeing outcomes. “This service will effectively provide a wraparound service which not only addresses homelessness prevention but also aims to improve individuals’ wider personal circ*mstances and quality of life, ranging from physical health; mental health; employment; education; training; better sense of community; wellbeing; and access to support services. “To achieve this, we want to work with stakeholders and people with a lived experience of homelessness and rough sleeping to co-produce a service that meets the existing and future needs of users. Feedback from this engagement will form the specification and criteria used during the commissioning process, which we hope to begin later this year.” Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 10, 2024

West Northants libraries launch Summer Reading Challenge 2024

10 July 2024 This summer, children aged 4-11 can visit any West Northamptonshire library from 20 July to join the 'Marvellous Makers' Summer Reading Challenge, firing up their imaginations through the power of reading and creative expression. In partnership with Create, a leading arts charity, and public libraries, this year's Challenge celebrates kids' creativity and storytelling abilities. Children will be encouraged to explore new books and stories while taking part in free activities, from arts and crafts to music, dance, and more: libraries will be offering a vibrant array of arts and crafts themed events for children over the Summer from ballet workshops, wind chime making, magic shows, decoupage, slime and much, much more! The bespoke Challenge artwork is illustrated by celebrated artist Natelle Quek, bringing the 'Marvellous Makers' theme vibrantly to life. Sign up to the challenge anytime at your local library from 6 July. For further information regarding the Summer Reading Challenge and events please ask in your local library branch or visit the West Northamptonshire Council Libraries webpage . Alongside the Summer Reading Challenge 2024 Marvellous Makers, delivered by libraries in partnership with the Reading Agency and Create, libraries are running a competition to celebrate what people love most about where they live. We would like young artists to create an artwork showcasing what they love about where they live; this could be a local park, shops, school, cafe or even the library. This competition is open to young artists aged 5-12 years old. They can submit one artwork in the form of a painting, drawing, photograph or model. Artists should use recycled or reused materials to make their models, submissions using high value materials such as Lego cannot be accepted. Artists can collaborate and submit an artwork as a group, or one that they have created for a school project. Full information and application forms can be obtained from any West Northamptonshire library. Northamptonshire artist and sculptor, Lisa Lovett of Earthly Arts Studio based at Chester House is the guest judge and will be touring library exhibitions to select a finalist from each to be part of an exhibition and grand final held at The Gathering Space in Northampton’s Grosvenor shopping centre on 28 September 2024. All artists who have had a piece selected will receive a prize, with the overall winner receiving a £50 Hobbycraft voucher and their image being featured on a limited run of library cards. “Summer is the perfect time to get lost in a good book and this year’s Summer Reading Challenge provides the perfect opportunity to explore the many amazing books available in our libraries while enjoying a variety of free arts and crafts, music and dance activities – and take part in a fantastic competition to be in with the chance of winning a prize! “By participating in the challenge, young people will have the opportunity to foster their creative skills over the summer break as well as explore new reading material, develop skills, and discover new interests. “It’s free to take part and I encourage families across West Northamptonshire to sign up and discover the many books and services available in our local libraries.” Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 11, 2024

West Northants Partners with System C to Deliver New Cloud-Based Adult Social Care System

11 July 2024 West Northamptonshire Council has signed a new five-year contract with social care software specialist, System C, to implement its Liquidlogic case management application for adult social care in the region. The new cloud-based system is due to go live in February 2025, offering an integrated, comprehensive single view of individuals. It will incorporate a person’s GP data and provide residents with the ability to manage their own records through a dedicated customer-facing portal. Once live, the solution will be used daily by a council workforce of over 500 staff providing complex care and support to over 4,500 residents. More widely it will also be accessed by other users including social care providers, carers, and the voluntary sector. The new case management application will include a fully integrated finance system with the key benefit of streamlining assessment and payment processes. This integration will enable the council to enhance efficiencies and take a proactive approach in managing referrals for individuals requiring adult social care services. For residents, it will provide a dedicated portal where they can manage their account from one simple login, providing improved access for self-managing their records. “The implementation of System C represents an exciting milestone in our council's digital and technology innovation strategy. This move aligns with our vision to transform West Northamptonshire into a digitally inclusive community, where all residents can conveniently access council services. We chose System C because of the quality of its system and the exemplary standard of data it could provide, with a high level of importance focused on usability and seamless integration with the contract finance system. We wanted a platform that could provide a fully flexible and intuitive solution, and System C demonstrated it could meet that essential need.” Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire Council “We’re thrilled to be working with West Northamptonshire Council to support adult social care in the region. We cater to the diverse needs of numerous local government teams and the communities they serve. Understanding the constraints of council budgets, we are committed to developing innovative solutions that empower councils like West Northamptonshire to enable self-management for individuals while offering council staff the flexibility to adapt to local operational methods. “Our social care technology provides a holistic view of care records from a single platform, so teams can manage their workload, support vulnerable people and families and deliver statutory services as efficiently as possible. This approach simplifies the work of practitioners, enabling them to deliver enhanced support in a more streamlined way.” Nick Wilson, Chief Executive Officer at System C Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 09, 2024

Partnership project provides free junior activity memberships to young people in Northampton

09 July 2024 Northampton East Local Area Partnership (LAP) has partnered with Trilogy Active at Lings Forum Leisure Centre to offer free Junior Memberships to children in the area who might not otherwise have access to them. The programme delivered by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Trilogy Active will start just before the summer holidays, providing 75 six-month junior memberships. Three Primary Schools in close proximity to Lings Forum Leisure Centre are participating in the programme including Thorplands Primary, Standens Barn and Lumbertubs, with each school allocating 25 memberships to selected students. Students will be selected based on means testing for those on free school meals, with the schools selecting the students they feel would benefit most from the programme. Compared to West Northamptonshire and the national average, East Northampton faces higher levels of total crime and anti-social behaviour, unemployment and unemployment benefit claimants. This programme aims to eliminate the financial barriers to physical activity for local young people, in turn promoting healthier communities. The impact of the pilot will be monitored and evaluated to understand whether the removal of financial barriers increases physical activity, improves mental health and the wider determinants of health. The Junior Active Memberships will provide access to either a weekly lesson or club, including swimming, gymnastics or football. The membership will also give the students access to after school buzz clubzz, holiday activities, kids’ screenings at the Forum Cinema, swimming, term time Berzerk active play entry for under 10s, gym use for 11+, off peak racket sports, and roller skating. “This project is a fantastic opportunity for young people in Northampton to access a wide range of physical activities which they may not have otherwise had access to. “Through this exciting partnership project we hope to inspire young people to develop healthy habits, boost mental health and promote overall wellbeing in the community.” Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC “We are genuinely really pleased to be a part of this important and empowering project. By providing 75 Junior Active Memberships to children across the East of Northampton we are ensuring they have the opportunity to have a weekly swimming, gymnastics or football lesson along with use our swimming pools, our cinema and after school and holiday activities such as roller skating, dodgeball and basketball. “We are making this investment of over £26,000 because we are passionate about the physical and emotional wellbeing of children from across the community that we serve. We look forward to welcoming them to our centres and are proud to work in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council on this exciting venture.” John Fletcher, Managing Director of Trilogy Active “We are really grateful to have been able to work in partnership with Trilogy Active to provide memberships for some of our pupils. “At our school, we are passionate about ensuring our children receive enriching active opportunities, and being able to offer free Junior Active Memberships certainly achieves that. “The families I have spoken to have been really grateful too, and the pupils are excited to start their memberships.” Beth Conroy, Thorplands Primary School Teacher Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 09, 2024

Online resource launched for families across West Northamptonshire

09 July 2024 A new online resource focused on providing families with a wealth of resources and local service information has been launched today by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). The Family Hubs website provides bespoke guidance to cater to the needs of families at every life stage; from conception and pregnancy, through to toddlers, school admissions and the teenage years. It offers a seamless experience, organising information by age range to facilitate easy access to relevant support. The website provides comprehensive guidance and local service details tailored to meet the specific needs of the local community, whether they’re expecting a child, raising a toddler, or navigating the teenage years. Currently in its initial phase, the Family Hubs website is set to evolve further with the addition of new features and expanded content over the coming months. WNC are also working closely with community organisations and partners to look at how it can extend this offer across all nine of our Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) in West Northants. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to continually enhancing this resource to better serve the community, ensuring families have access to up-to-date and pertinent information. Please do take the time to explore the Family Hubs website and discover the wealth of support available. Visit the Family Hubs in West Northamptonshire here: Family Hubs “We are pleased to be launching the family hubs which provides an online tool to support families and their children right from the start of planning their pregnancy, through to their teenage years. The dedicated website page provides practical guidance for children of all ages, as well as details of local services to support families. We look forward to working with parents and carers to continue to develop the resources available to ensure they meet the needs of our communities.” Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC This website launch comes as part of a wider project focused on increasing early support and intervention for families and young people. Together with other local organisations, the Council is looking at the early help offer and how this can be strengthened to ensure there is the right, preventative support available including in-person Family Hubs, offering a place in local communities for families and young people to access. The first in-person Family Hub is set to open in Towcester later this year, with other locations in Northampton and Daventry to follow. Click here for more information and to visit the family hubs webpage. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 04, 2024

Date confirmed for Northampton market to return to historic square

04 July 2024 Northampton Market is set to return to the historic market square from 20 September, following the area undergoing extensive regeneration to provide a renewed space for residents, businesses, and traders. Northampton Town Centre is benefiting from ongoing large-scale investment in regeneration through £24 million worth of Government support through the Town's Fund grant. This providing a catalyst for further private sector investment and confidence in the town with more than £140 million being invested into the Four Waterside and Marefair Development and £8 million worth of private funding boosting the adjacent Market Walk scheme as well as significant opportunities and investment bringing the M&S and BHS buildings back to life after their closure. This will benefit residents, attract more visitors, and promote the area as a destination for all, creating a town centre of the future, bringing a better experience and more opportunities to all that want to live, work or spend their leisure time here. The town is home to one of the longest running outdoor markets in Europe and the reopening of the market from 20 September is a significant milestone in the transformation of the town, and forms part of the phased opening of the regeneration scheme. The wider rejuvenated market square, one of the largest in the UK, is anticipated to be fully open in October. As part of the extensive refurbishment traders will have access to bespoke, fixed stalls as well as pop up stalls. These modern fixed stalls benefit from electric, water and lighting, can be customised to meet the needs of traders and provide a safe and secure place to store goods. The wider Market Square will be enhanced by the new shoe-inspired water feature, dedicated events space and improved landscaping will create a welcoming destination and drive footfall, and to provide a catalyst for private sector investment into Northampton town centre. These improved facilities are also attracting a number of new businesses and by the time we open we will have an enhanced range of quality products as well as welcoming back the existing, valued market traders. "The refurbishment of our Market Square is a core part of the significant investment in, and regeneration of Northampton and we are delighted to be able to confirm that the market will reopen at the historic square from 20 September. “It has been fantastic to hear from local business owners and traders who would like to be a part of the reimagined market, which will offer a wide range of high-quality local produce and services. We are delighted to be able to welcome a diverse mix of stalls and traders when we reopen in just a few weeks’ time. Visitors will find an exciting range of goods and services on offer – come and prepare to be surprised. We are always keen to hear from local entrepreneurs who are looking to take the first step and showcase their business at Northampton’s market, so please do reach out if you’ve got an idea you’d like to discuss. “It is important to recognise the patience of traders and thank them for their support, while throughout the temporary relocation which has enabled us to carry out this vital regeneration and provide them with an enhanced space to trade from. Over the coming weeks we will be working with new and existing traders to ensure that they have everything they need ahead of reopening. “Stepnell and their development contractors will continue to finalise the project ahead of its full anticipated completion this October.” Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure If you have a great business or business idea and want to become part of Northampton’s rich heritage – get in touch to register your interest by contacting [email protected] National developer, STACK, is set to transform the vacant Market Walk shopping centre which sits on the Market Square into a vibrant new leisure, entertainment, and social community hub. This will be a vital part of expanding the night-time economy and amplifying the many reasons to visit the town. Meanwhile one of the town’s busiest shopping districts, Abington and Fish Street is undergoing extensive refurbishment which will lift the quality of the public spaces through high quality materials, increasing seating and planting, introducing new art and play opportunities along the street, as well as spaces for outdoor dining and community activity. The scheme is well underway and is set to be completed this winter, enhancing the reimagined Market Square. People across Northampton can continue to visit the market at its temporary location at Commercial Street Car Park before 20 September. Find out more about Northampton market Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 08, 2024

Have your say on the West Northamptonshire Draft Tenancy Strategy

08 July 2024 Residents are invited to have their say on West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Draft Tenancy Strategy which sets out the approach that Councils and Registered Providers of Social Housing need to consider when developing their own tenancy policies. Every UK local authority is required by law to have a tenancy strategy outlining: The types of tenancies The circ*mstances that different types of tenancies will be granted The length of fixed-term tenancies The circ*mstances where a further tenancy can be granted following a fixed-term let As well as aligning its objectives to support the Council’s Corporate plan and key housing-related strategies, the draft West Northamptonshire Tenancy Strategy seeks to: Set clear expectations of all social registered providers operating across West Northamptonshire in tenancy related matters Highlight the Council’s preferred approach to tenancy types offered Encourage social housing providers to offer greater tenancy support and tenancy sustainment Encourage social rent levels in new build homes Once adopted, the Tenancy Strategy will replace the existing tenancy strategies currently in place in West Northamptonshire. West Northamptonshire residents who hold a tenancy with a registered provider (otherwise known as a housing association), local tenant and resident groups, registered providers, and other interested parties and stakeholders are all encouraged to share their views in the survey. “Our tenants should be involved in shaping the housing services they receive. This consultation provides all interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the draft strategy and take part in decision-making to help shape housing provision in West Northamptonshire. “This strategy is about more than just council housing services – we want to work with residents, local partner organisations and groups and the wider community to create and deliver a shared long-term strategy that works for everyone.” Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing People can take part in the survey by visiting the West Northamptonshire Council consultation hub before midnight on Sunday 18 August. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 03, 2024

Cost of living support on offer this summer

Cost of living support 03 July 2024 A series of cost-of-living roadshow events and pop-up stalls will be held across West Northamptonshire this summer to highlight the support available to residents. People are encouraged to go along to speak to a range of organisations to find out what help is available to them and where to find it. Organised by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), the events will offer information on accessing grants, money and debt advice, wellbeing tips and much more. WNC's wellbeing service and community partners will be at: Woodford Halse Community Food Larder (The Nest, Woodford Halse Primary Academy, Scrivens Hill, NN11 3SU) on Tuesday 9 July from Midday to 2:30pm Duston Library Welcoming Space (Pendle Road, Duston, NN5 6DT) on Wednesday 17 July from 2pm to 4pm Albanian Cultural Association Welcoming Space (Leicester Street, Northampton, NN1 3RS) on Wednesday 24 July from 10am to 1:30pm Saints Community Trust Welcoming Space (St James Park, Churchill Way, Brackley, NN13 7EJ) on Wednesday 14 August from 10am - 12:30pm Towcester SNVB Community Larder (The Riverside Centre, Islington Road, Towcester, NN12 6AU) on Thursday 22 August from 10am to 11:15am The service will also have a presence at Moulton’s Community Mature Drive Roadshow, Kings Heath Community Funday, Southbrook Community Funday and Northampton Pride. For those who are unable to attend these events but are keen to find out more, our cost of living support hub is full of information and advice to help all residents find the support and help available to them. If someone is unable to access the internet, they can also call our customer services team from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0300 126 7000 and speak to somebody directly about the support available. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 04, 2024

West Northamptonshire to remember Srebrenica Genocide

04 July 2024 A ceremony of remembrance to honour the victims of the Srebrenica genocide on its 29th anniversary will take place on Thursday, 11 July, at 10.45am in the Guildhall courtyard on St Giles’ Square in Northampton. People are invited to join representatives from West Northamptonshire Council, the Lord-Lieutenants office, Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Diverse Communities Forum and others, to hear speeches and observe a one-minute silence at 11am, in honour of the 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were massacred in Srebrenica, Bosnia, in July 1995. The service will be followed by refreshments served in the Court Room. The Srebrenica flag will also be raised at each of West Northamptonshire Council’s main offices in Daventry, Northampton and Towcester and candles of remembrance lit to mark the occasion. The day of remembrance is part of the Srebrenica Memorial Week, which runs from 12 to 19 July, with this year’s theme ‘I Am Because You Are’ underlining the importance of standing up against those who try to divide us and standing up for each other against hatred, discrimination, harassment or prejudice. It will also help empower everyone in our communities to understand the importance of interconnectedness to help build a safer, stronger, and more cohesive society for all. United Nations member states recently voted to declare 11 July an annual day of remembrance for victims of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. Northamptonshire Police is committed to challenging all forms of hatred, prejudice and intolerance within communities. Anyone who has experienced a hate crime or incident is encouraged to report it to the police by calling 101. More information about this year’s theme and the memorial week can be found on the Remembering Srebrenica website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 04, 2024

Plans in place to keep hundreds of thousands of race fans safe at British Grand Prix

Work is continuing at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to help keep hundreds of thousands of race fans safe at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this year. The four-day race weekend get underway on Thursday July 4 and is expected to see over 160,000 people in attendance on race day alone as the weekend culminates on Sunday July 7. Preparation for the event has been ongoing for the last nine months with a dedicated Silverstone Planning Team created within the Joint Operations Team, which works in partnership with Northamptonshire Police. The Team works with Silverstone Circuit and partners from Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire to understand and manage any potential risks that could occur during the event. The Service will also have a dedicated command team for the event which will oversee operational crews co-located with multi-agency partners onsite, whilst continuing to protect the communities of Northamptonshire. In addition, our Fire Protection Team have been working tirelessly over the months leading up to the Grand Prix with Silverstone and their contractors to offer advice in relation to safety plans and procedures. The work that the Fire Protection Team does covers a wide range of areas across the racing weekend. This includes safety within the temporary hospitality venues, crowd management at the on-site concerts and liaising with local hotels and accommodation to ensure all fire safety regulations are being followed. Members of the Fire Protection Team will also be visiting the campsites in and around the circuit, offering fire safety literature from our Prevention Team to provide campers with advice on how to stay safe from fire when at the event. Matt Butler, NFRS strategic commander for the British Grand Prix, said: “A huge amount of work goes on all year round to help make sure we are suitably prepared and able to respond to any type of incident whilst at attendance at the British Grand Prix.” Matt (pictured below left) added: “Planning for a major sporting event that will bring hundreds of thousands of people into the county is a big task that cannot be completed in isolation and I am confident that, alongside our multi-agency partners, we can ensure fans enjoy the event and go home safely.”

July 02, 2024

Food summer safety checklist

02 July 2024 Over the summer months many of us will be enjoying the warm weather and may be hosting family and friends. We’ve put together a simple checklist to help you make the most of your food and avoid becoming unwell because of poorly prepped or stored food and avoid food waste going in your bin. Step one - beforehand Check the number of people you’re cooking for if you’re hosting – check for any allergies or dietary needs Plan out your food to make the most of what you’re cooking and avoid waste Make the most out of offers or discounts to help save money where you can Step two – storing and preparing your food Store food in the right places, checking labels for storage instructions – make the most of fridge and freezers and store raw meat at the bottom of your fridge Check your fridge’s temperature, because the temperature of your fridge can rise when it's full, increasing the chance of food poisoning. Your fridge should be between 0-5°C Check for use by dates and stick to these, as tempting as it might be to go over a day or so Be sure to take any meat out to defrost the night or day before, defrost at the bottom of the fridge and ensure it is fully thawed before you begin cooking. Step three – cooking food Wash your hands before and throughout dinner preparations, especially after handling raw meat Use different chopping boards and utensils for raw and ready to eat/cooked food. Wash any equipment thoroughly in hot, soapy water between uses Make sure any meat is cooked through – there should be no visible pink meat, juices are running clear and use a food thermometer to check meat reaches 75°C in the thickest part Put leftovers in a sealed container inside the fridge within two hours of cooking, to be used within two days Split food into smaller portions to help speed up the cooling time. Step four – enjoying and leftovers Keep chilled foods out of the fridge for no longer than four hours / out of direct sunlight Eat food within two days of cooking or defrosting When reheating, only reheat once and ensure the food is steaming hot. To find out more about food safety and guidance visit the Food Standards Agency website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 01, 2024

Voting in the general election this Thursday 4 July

Electoral services 01 July 2024 Are you ready for the General Election this Thursday 4 July? West Northamptonshire Council will be administering the election for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Daventry, South Northamptonshire, Northampton North, and Northampton South, with voters in each constituency electing a Member of Parliament (MP). The candidates standing in each of the four constituencies can be viewed here Read on to find out everything you need to know in order to have your say in this election. Voting at a polling station Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm on Thursday 4 July, so you can cast your vote. You can find details of your polling station on your poll card, which was sent to you in the run-up to the election. If you have misplaced your poll card don't worry. You don't need it to vote and you can check details of your polling station here Don't forget your photo ID When you arrive at the polling station please give your name and address to the staff inside the polling station. You will also need to show your photo ID to confirm your identity. You can use an expired photo ID, so long as the image on the ID remains a good likeness to you. However it must be the original document - a photocopy is not acceptable Any of the following is acceptable: Passport (UK, EU/EEA, Commonwealth issued) Driving licence (including provisional licences) (UK, EU/EEA issued) Blue Badge Certain older/disabled people concessionary travel cards Identity card with PASS mark (Proof of Age Standards Scheme) Biometric Immigration document Defence identity card Certain national identity cards. Please check the list of acceptable forms of photo ID to ensure you have one that allows you to vote. Returning your postal vote If you arranged a postal vote and have left it too late to post it back, you can still bring your postal vote to the council offices or your polling station. You will need to complete a postal vote return form, which will be provided to you when handing in your vote. If you post your postal vote through a council letter box, it will be rejected. This is due to a change in the law. For more information visit The Electoral Commission website New constituency boundaries This election will use new constituency boundaries , after they were redrawn in 2023 to reflect population changes and to try to even out voter numbers in each area. This means you may be voting in a different constituency to previous elections. The new boundaries can be found by visiting the Boundary Commission for England Election results The votes will be counted once polls have closed at 10pm on Thursday 4 July, with the results expected to be announced in the early hours of Friday morning. The results for each of the four constituencies in the West Northamptonshire area will be published on our X and Facebook pages as soon as they are declared. They will also be posted on our Elections Results page Find out more More information about this election can be found on our General Election 2024 page Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

July 01, 2024

Charity honoured to receive prestigious King’s Award

01 July 2024 A charity that works to alleviate hunger and provide for those in need across Northamptonshire has been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation received the award from His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson, in recognition of the support it gives to people in need across the county. Equivalent to an MBE, the award is the highest that can be given to voluntary groups in the UK. The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation was established in 2020 in response to the pandemic and since then has provided invaluable aid to thousands of people. It has supported more than 83,000 people through distributing food parcels and supporting school children by providing breakfast boxes, school shoes, and technology to help them with their studies. It also tackles loneliness and improves wellbeing through a range of local clubs and groups as well as via its Doorstep Buddies programme, which provides regular home visits to people who are socially isolated. The charity works with a range of organisations including local schools, Community Mental Health Teams, Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service, Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, Northamptonshire Social Services, and Northamptonshire HM Prisons and Probation service. "We are so, so honoured to receive this award. Our amazing team of volunteers are the absolute heart of our charity, and we couldn’t do what we do without their amazing, continued support. It is a delight to have made such a significant impact in Northamptonshire, and for everybody’s hard work to be recognised in such a fantastic way. I want to say a huge thanks to all our volunteers, trustees, and donors - this wouldn’t have been possible without their support.” Teresa McCarthy-Dixon, Founder of The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation “It is wonderful that the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation has been recognised with the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This award is much deserved and one that truly honours the incredible work the Foundation does and the impact it has on people’s lives across Northamptonshire every day. “The Foundation has grown considerably since it was originally established and the breadth of support they offer is remarkable, all achievable due to their magnificent volunteers that contribute their time to help others. A truly exceptional foundation.” James Saunders Watson, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire To find out more about the Foundation or how you can get involved, please visit the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 28, 2024

New Northamptonshire relief road opens to public

28 June 2024 The first section of a new relief road which has been created to support the delivery of new housing developments has now opened to the public in Northamptonshire. The road, which is the first section of the Sandy Lane Relief Road to be opened, has been built to connect residents at the new housing schemes and surrounding residential areas with the existing Sandy Lane road, opened to road users for the first time on Friday 28th June. Miller Homes and Vistry Group are delivering a significant number of new homes in this part of Northamptonshire and the existing route between the A4500 and Roman Road passing along Sandy Lane was temporarily closed as part of this. “We know in implementing much needed new housing developments there can be impact on residents but by working closely with the developers, we have sought to mitigate these as much as possible and address issues as they arose. “I would like to apologise to the residents of Harpole and Duston, and businesses in the area, who have had a difficult time while this closure has been in place, and we apologise for the inconvenience caused and thank them for their patience. “We’re very grateful to colleagues at Vistry Group and Miller Homes for working with us to deliver this link as soon as was possible. “We will continue our conversations with Homes England to get the whole relief road completed as soon as possible.” Stuart Timmiss, WNC Executive Director for Place and Economy The two developments – known as Western Gate, built by Vistry Group under its Linden Homes and Bovis Homes brands, and Norwood Quarter, built by Miller Homes – will provide almost 800 new homes between them close to the Harpole and Duston areas of Northampton. “We are pleased to have now opened this section of the Sandy Lane Relief Road for traffic to connect back onto Sandy Lane and between the new developments being built in this part of Northamptonshire. “We have worked closely with West Northamptonshire Council to complete the work on this section of the new relief road as quickly and efficiently as possible, ensuring safety was at the top of our priority list at all times. “We also appreciate the disruption this has caused while the road was being built and would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused, and now hope road users will benefit from the improved transport infrastructure for many years to come. “Miller Homes and Vistry Group remain committed to delivering quality new housing within Northamptonshire, as work continues on our respective developments nearby the newly opened relief road.” Spokesperson on behalf of the two developers While one part of the Sandy Lane Relief Road has now opened to the public, West Northamptonshire Council hope that construction to join up the newly opened road to the southern section of the road will commence soon. For further information about the developments being built by Miller Homes and Vistry Group, visit: Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 27, 2024

Northampton Heritage Buses to showcase in national Heritage Open Days 30th anniversary gallery

27 June 2024 Northampton Transport Heritage Buses have been selected to showcase in the national Heritage Open Days gallery to celebrate the festival’s 30th anniversary. The online gallery will feature 30 stories from across the UK covering the breadth of Heritage Open Days over the years and detailing the story behind each one to serve as an important record of the event’s history. From 1 July, the public will be able to vote for their favourite entries, with the winning 10 being featured in the final gallery and being awarded a small grant from the National Trust. The vintage bus service is a popular fixture in West Northamptonshire’s Heritage Open Days festival and was selected by the National Trust out of over 100 entries following an entry submitted by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). The buses have been taking part in Northamptonshire’s Heritage Open Days event since 1994, offering a free hop-on-hop-off service between venues and attractions across the county during the 10-day event, delivered by a great team of volunteers. Over the years, Northampton Transport Heritage has also provided classic buses representing various operators nationwide, including United Counties and on occasion buses from further afield such as London Transport’s ubiquitous Routemaster. Heritage Open Days is England's largest community led festival of history and culture, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations. Each year the event brings people together to celebrate their heritage, community and history with stories, traditions and histories all brought to life with free events and activities. This year’s Heritage Open Days event will take place between 6 and 15 September and will utilise the theme Routes, Networks & Connections to bring together the past and present with workshops, talks, hidden spaces, walks and activities for all the family. West Northamptonshire Council has again been co-ordinating this year’s local events programme which, for the first time, includes many offers from attractions across the whole of the county with the aim of making the heritage festival more diverse than ever before. This year’s events include a film of Northampton’s evolving Market Square, a student showcase of Northampton’s rich heritage and fun runners getting into the heritage spirit. More details will be revealed shortly on the WNC website together with details of where and when the heritage buses will be running. “We are once again thrilled and proud to be supporting Heritage Open Days with our partners at WNC. “Our vehicles have been a feature of the event since its inception 30 years ago when we started with one bus! Now we have anything up to ten buses at any given time. This event is a popular one in the calendar and is looked forward to by local people and visitors from across the country alike. “As well as the rich seam of history and historic buildings in Northamptonshire, people love the fact they can travel to them on a local heritage bus and they are, in this area, a key attraction in their own right. Our trustees and volunteers are looking forward to providing another fantastic event.” Graham Croucher, Chair of Northampton Transport Heritage Find out more about the festival and vote for your favourite stories in the 30th anniversary gallery on the Heritage Open Days website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 27, 2024

Rainbows at the ready! Full line-up announced for Northampton Pride 2024

27 June 2024 There is just two weeks to go until the popular Pride festival hits the streets of Northampton once again with a range of exciting activities and performances, hosted by Northampton Drag Queen Vanellope. The festival, which is organised by West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) LGBTQ and Allies Forum and the Northampton Pride Committee, will take place on Saturday, 13 July, giving residents in West Northants the opportunity to come together to show allegiance to, and celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities. This year’s event will once again take place at the University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus from midday to 6pm, with a programme of entertainment and activities, which last year, saw thousands of people attend from Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, creating an unforgettable buzz within the town. As well as the organised parade from the University campus through the town centre and back, led by a colourful float, this year Pride committee groups and entertainers are inviting everyone to join in the parade. Keep an eye out for the 'Follow Us to Pride' flags to see where to join the parade behind the official organised groups. If you are thinking of joining the parade, please let us know by registering to tell us you are coming! Follow @WNC on social media for further Pride announcements. Entertainment on the day will include rainbow stilt walkers, hula hoopers, poetry and spoken word performances, a Drag Kings workshop, Drag story time and musical performances from Freya Rose, Phantom Isle, Afriene, and Leadley, with this year’s stage being sponsored by Northampton Town Council. NLive Radio have also joined this year’s event as official media partner. This year, local firm GXO Logistics will be sponsoring the stall village where a range of products, food and drink will be available to buy on the day from local sellers including Beastly Boutique and Dam Good Dough. St John ambulance will also be on hand to provide first aid support, funded by Northampton BID. For the first time the event will also feature a small second stage located near the stall village where people can listen to Tent Talks with local LGBTQ speakers and a reading from local author Maddy T Thomas and take part in a 'mansformation', a workshop with Pecs Drag Kings to help you discover your inner drag king. The Northampton Pride Committee includes members from West Northants Council, the Northampton LGBTQ Forum, Northants Fire and Rescue Service, University of Northampton, The Lowdown, QSpace, NHFT, BID, NLive and Northampton Town Council. “Pride is about standing up to represent those who don’t feel they can speak out for themselves while having fun with friends, families, and allies in the process. “Pride is a party but it is also a protest to recognise that we have a long way to go to achieve true queer liberation and there are still places in the world that oppress and suppress LGBTQ+ people and communities. “A considerable amount of work has gone into the preparation of Northampton Pride and we hope everyone who comes along has a truly fun and memorable experience.” Northampton Pride Committee For more information about the event including stage timings on the day, please visit the Northampton Pride Facebook page. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 27, 2024

Melanie Barnett to join West Northamptonshire Council as Director of Children’s Services

27 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Council has appointed Melanie Barnett as its new Director of Children’s Services. Melanie, who will be taking up the position at WNC in August, is currently the Director for the All-age Disability Service at Worcestershire Children First, the organisation which provides children’s services countywide for the local authority. Her current role as Worcestershire County Council’s lead for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities means she will bring with her a proven track record towards delivering and improving outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Initially starting out on her career in children’s services nearly 20 years ago as a social worker, Melanie has extensive leadership experience and expertise across all aspects of the sector and a passion for driving changes to transform and improve local area systems, and was a member of the Executive Director team of Worcestershire Children First that achieved a Good overall Children's Services Ofsted outcome in May last year. Melanie joins West Northamptonshire as it embarks on the next chapter of its ongoing improvement journey for children’s services – with social care outcomes for youngsters continuing to make encouraging progress and receive growing positive feedback from Ofsted and where partners are working more closely together on a fresh strategy to improve outcomes for SEND families across the area. "I am really pleased to be joining West Northamptonshire Council and am looking forward to working collaboratively and in partnership with colleagues both inside and outside of the council, as well as children, young people and their families. I am excited to be a part of the continuing improvement journey and ultimately helping more children and young people to achieve better outcomes, and reach their potential, in West Northamptonshire" Melanie Barnett “I’m extremely pleased and excited to announce the appointment of Melanie Barnett into the key leadership role of Director for Children’s Services at WNC. Improving outcomes for our children and young people is a top priority for us and Melanie brings with her considerable experience in all aspects of these services, with specific expertise around SEND which is among our key focus areas”. “There was considerable interest in this role with a significant amount of experienced candidates wanting to join our West Northants team and Melanie performed exceptionally throughout the process. I look forward to working closely with her as we continue on our improvement journey for better outcomes for children and young people.” Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 26, 2024

Fond farewell to popular firefighter and Mounts historian Steve ‘Korky’ Corcoran

This week the Fire Service is bidding a fond farewell to Steve Corcoran, fondly known as Korky, who will be retiring after more than 35 years of sterling service. Steve (pictured centre above) is the third generation of firefighter in his family, with his grandfather Patrick Corcoran serving as a firefighter in London during the blitz, and his father Kevin Corcoran (Korky Senior) serving 27 years wholetime in Northamptonshire. His wife, Claire, is also a serving wholetime firefighter at The Mounts. Korky joined Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service in 1988, aged just 18, when he became an on-call firefighter at Towcester – going on to serve 13 years. In 1994 he started as a Ministry of Defence firefighter before leaving to join NFRS wholetime in November 2001. Having been on Blue Watch ever since, he originally started at Corby, and sandwiched between two stints at Wellingborough, Steve served for 18 years at The Mounts. During his time at The Mounts, Korky started to take a real interest in the building, becoming the official historian for the station (a role he will continue after retirement) and spearheading the campaign for it to become Grade II listed, a goal that was achieved in 2013 and helps to protect its future. Steve, aged 55, said: “My father served at The Mounts, and so I have been going to the station since I was five years old. It’s a remarkable historical building which I’m incredibly passionate about, and it’s been a great station to work at as it’s probably the busiest in the county. Next year will be its 90 th anniversary since opening, so I want the help make sure we celebrate that next summer.” Long standing colleagues gathered at The Mounts earlier this week to pay tribute to his long years of service ahead of what will be his final shift, at Wellingborough where he currently serves, this evening (June 14). Korky has also now agreed to become the official historian for Wellingborough Fire Station in addition to The Mounts. Wellingborough Station Commander Dave Wilson was on hand to present him with his leaving statuette at the ceremony, and in return Korky presented the station at Wellingborough with a display to feature about Hannah Sparke, who became a local hero during the Great Fire of Wellingborough in Northamptonshire in 1738 when she prevented the church from going up in flames. Reflecting on his decision to retire, Steve said: “I feel young at heart still but have to accept I’m at an age where it’s all becoming a bit more difficult. This is now an exciting time to step into a new chapter and spend more time with my family and do some travelling. “I have worked with some fantastic people on all the Watches I have served on. You spend so much time with these people, whether it’s around the mess table or on shouts, and I have formed fantastic friendships that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.” Commenting on his years of service, Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “Steve has dedicated so many years of his life to keeping our communities safe and embodies everything good about the Fire & Rescue Service. “Not just through his safety work, but through all the extra hours he has dedicated in his spare time to keeping our history alive and protecting our heritage. “On behalf of everyone at the Service, I want to thank him for everything he has done and achieved in his career, and we wish him all the best for the future in his well-earned retirement.”

June 26, 2024

Northamptonshire Firefighter takes centre stage to help influence future of animal rescue practices

A Northamptonshire firefighter took centre stage at an international conference demonstrating how the UK Fire Service can improve its rescue of animals from water. Mick Titcombe, a Command Training and Operational Assurance Team Manager at Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, was a keynote speaker at the annual BARTA (British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association) conference in Glasgow last week. In his speech, Mick discussed the findings of his upcoming research paper, which focuses on improving the UK’s preparedness for climate emergencies for incidents involving animals. Responders, Vets, and emergency planners from 13 countries came together to form an international community of practice to tackle climate issues, from fires floods Earthquakes and other natural disasters. Mick was successful in securing a Churchill Fellowship grant to fund a research trip to Australia and the United States of America in October 2023 , where he was able to train with crews in both countries, study how they deal with animal rescues during climate emergencies and bring his learnings back to the UK. Mick said: “Australia and the USA have different types of climate related disasters, but the devastation is very similar. In those countries they have responders and systems in place to try and mitigate this, and the main aim of my research was mainly focused on the widescale floodings they have, and learning how they respond and join together the different disciplines of animal and water rescue. It was great to be joined by Dave King, State Emergency service New South Wales Australia, and Eric Thompson Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) United States to join me with my talk.” Mick is hugely qualified in animal rescue, having been a long-serving firefighter at Wellingborough – where the Service’s Animal Rescue Unit is based, which is one of the busiest appliances in the county, with NFRS attending more than 80 animal rescues in the 2023/24 financial year. He also has a strong passion for agriculture, with his grandparents owning a farm, and with a smallholding of his own with several species of animals. That passion led to his involvement in animal rescue with Northamptonshire Fire, where for many years he has taught new recruits all about animal and water rescue. He is now bringing his learnings from abroad into his training in Northamptonshire, but the Conference allowed him to share his findings to a wider audience. Mick said: “It was a fantastic experience, and it has been great to share my learnings with the BARTA Conference, it is important that we share learning across the international community. “Climate change is bringing new risks with it to our communities, and so as a Fire Service we need to adapt to those changes. Much of the emergency response models for flooding are focused on human rescue with minimal awareness, equipment, knowledge and experience of rescuing animals from water. “I want to change this, and hopefully speaking at the conference has been a way of helping to influence the change we need in this country – whether it’s improving our pre-planning, our response, how we work with partners or enhancing the training we receive and the equipment we use.” Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson added: “We are very proud of Mick and the work he is doing to improve our response to animal rescue in climate emergencies, not just here in Northamptonshire, but in helping the lead the way nationally. “We know Mick found his trip to Australia and the USA very informative, and he has already shared his learnings with the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC). Along with his speech at this conference, he is helping to shape national policy for the future, and his passion for improving this area of work is an inspiration to us all.”

June 17, 2024

Flag to be raised at Council offices to mark Windrush Day

17 June 2024 Windrush Day will be celebrated this year with a flag-raising ceremony to mark 76 years since the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush. People are invited to attend the ceremony in front of The Sessions House, Northampton, on Saturday June 22. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to gather at 11.45am. Bishop Donavan Allen will welcome attendees at 11.55am and the flag will be raised at midday. The Windrush flag will also be flying that day across all West Northamptonshire Council buildings. Following the flag-raising, there will be a procession to the Royal & Derngate, where attendees can hear additional speeches and enjoy a musical performance. Windrush Day is celebrated on June 22 each year, commemorating the arrival in 1948 of several hundred passengers from the Caribbean at Tilbury Docks, London. Encouraged to migrate to rebuild post-war Britain, they became known as the Windrush generation. First started in 2018, the day celebrates the contributions and achievements of Caribbean migrants and their families. “Windrush Day is an opportunity for the community to come together to commemorate the incredible contributions of the Windrush Generation to British society, and to celebrate the rich cultural heritage they have brought to this country. “We honour their resilience, their sacrifices, and their determination in the face of adversity. As we Celebrate these heroes and sheroes, it is important that the second, third, fourth and fifth descendants see us recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive and equitable society, where everyone is valued and respected. “Today, we pledge to continue to support and uplift the Windrush Generations legacy for generations to come.” Janet Gordon, Co-Founder of Northampton Windrush Generation and Descendant UK Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 26, 2024

Reminder to fully extinguish cigarettes following smoking related fires

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is reminding people to ensure their cigarettes are put right out – after attending three smoking related incidents that sparked outdoor fires yesterday (June 25). Just after 8am yesterday, firefighters had to use wildfire backpacks to extinguish an outdoor bin that had been set alight in St Katherine’s Street, Northampton. Shortly before 3pm, the Moulton crew had to put out a fire involving a number of tree cuttings in Wysall Road, Northampton – and at 5pm a 10-metre square patch of grass was ablaze at Westcott Way, Corby, which needed to be doused by the Corby crew. On all three occasions, the fires were caused by careless discarding of cigarettes, and thankfully did not spread much further. However, given the current heatwave, the potential for fires to spread and become largescale is higher than usual, and so Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service would urge everyone to make sure their cigarette is fully extinguished, and to make sure it is discarded properly and not carelessly. For more outdoor safety advice, please visit our Outdoor Safety section on the website.

June 14, 2024

Businesses are invited to join Council's catering framework

14 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Council is looking to collaborate with a diverse range of caterers and suppliers to provide exceptional catering services tailored to a variety of events, including weddings, and corporate functions at Guildhall in Northampton. The refreshed framework is structured into multiple Lots, allowing caterers to bid for the specific services that align best with their offerings. There's no limit to the number of Lots businesses can apply for, ensuring flexibility and opportunity for all. Whether you excel in international cuisine, dietary-specific menus, or culturally influenced dishes, there's a Lot for every type of service you offer. Importantly, there's no limit to the number of Lots you can apply for, ensuring flexibility and opportunity for growth. In addition, we are looking to appoint a sole contractor for alcohol and bar services, who will work closely with all caterers within the framework. Interested caterers and suppliers can find more information and submit their bids through our procurement portal by 15 July 2024. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 17, 2024

Northampton technology conference biggest so far

17 June 2024 The sixth annual conference showcasing the innovation within local businesses, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and at the University of Northampton (UON) last week, was the biggest yet. Merged Futures 6 on Friday 14 June attracted a record 350 attendees who listened to 18 presentations across five rooms and browsed 20 exhibition stands all showing off local advances in virtual and mixed reality, AI and technology which can improve the lives of local people. In his opening speech, the University’s John Sinclair, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology said the theme for Merged Futures 6 was ‘technology for good’ and that exhibits included virtual reality for wellbeing, artificial intelligence in service delivery, gamification of learning, smart glasses for the partially sighted, and robo pets for the elderly. “Virtually everything you hear about today will involve local collaboration between individuals, businesses, West Northants Council and the University of Northampton. “But there are also national and international companies here as we strive to put our county ever more firmly on the map for digital innovation. “So, it’s great today to welcome global partners like Microsoft, Amazon and Jadu to Merged Futures and we want to welcome even more major players in the tech industry to Merged Futures going forward.” John Sinclair, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology “It’s been amazing to be involved with some of the initiatives going on in both special needs education and adult social care. “Emerging technology, including virtual reality and artificial intelligence and the way they can improve people’s lives, educate and transport them to new worlds, is incredible. “I think there are some fantastic people working in the sector, and many of them are local, which is even better. There are great prospects for us as a council to seize upon some of that technology and roll it out further, really helping improve the lives of all of our residents.” West Northamptonshire Council Chief Information Officer, Chris Wales Tyronne Leon-Fernandez was attending his second Merged Futures event for RiVR, the virtual reality education specialists which among many other initiatives supplies the blue-light services with training products. “It’s a really good group of guests who come here, they’re really engaged in virtual reality and extended reality and all these types of technologies, but we’re also here to show off what we do and show them something new they’ve never seen before.” Tyronne Leon-Fernandez, RiVR Merged Futures is organised by Digital Northants, a partnership between UON and WNC. To find out more, including free networking sessions at the Vulcan Works, visit the Digital Northants website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 19, 2024

Residents urged to attend their Cervical Cancer Screening appointment

19 June 2024 Public Health in West Northants is urging those eligible to have their Cervical Cancer Screening to help identify those at risk of developing cervical cancer and to avoid a delay in diagnosis and treatment. This call comes after latest figures show 31% of those eligible in West Northants have yet to have had their cervical screening which is vital in helping to prevent the development of cancer. With local data showing a percentage of people not taking up a cervical screening test, the local Public Health team is advising residents between the age of 25 to 64, who are eligible for cervical cancer screening to make sure they attend their screening appointment and remain up to date with their screening. Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way and in time, form a growth also known as a tumour. If not caught early, cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues and may spread to other areas of the body which can be life threatening. The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major cause of the main types of cervical cancer. Most sexually active people come into contact with HPV during their lifetime. Most are harmless but some cause genital warts, and others cause abnormal growth of cells that can develop into cancer. HPV can be passed on through close skin to skin contact, usually during sexual activity. However, the risk of developing this disease is heightened if you have unprotected vagin*l, oral, or anal sex, have any skin-to-skin contact of the genital area or share sex toys. For a full list of those eligible for cervical cancer screening, please visit the NHS website . To help prevent the development of cancer, cervical screening is carried out to test for these abnormal HPV cells. Cervical screening is the best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer and genital warts. If you have not yet had your routine appointment or have missed your last appointment, please contact your GP to discuss further. “It is really important for those eligible to accept their appointment invitation and get their cervical screening test done to help early detection of abnormal cells and to protect from developing cervical cancer and its complications. If you have missed your last appointment, please take the time to call your GP and discuss booking an appointment”. “You can also help in protecting your children from the development of Cervical Cancer and Genital Warts by getting them vaccinated. Children aged 12 to 13 will be invited during Year 8 or Year 9 to receive the HPV (Human Papilloma virus) Vaccination. Parents are encouraged to consent and protect their children from these serious health issues.” Dr Annapurna Sen, Consultant in Health Protection for West Northamptonshire Council Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 18, 2024

Bird keepers urged to register their flock

18 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Trading Standards Team are urging everyone who keeps poultry or captive birds to register with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Currently, anyone who keeps 50 or more birds it is compulsory to register their flock, however, those with fewer birds can voluntarily register. From 1 October, new requirements for all bird keepers who keep their poultry outdoors - regardless of the size of their flock – will come in which will require any who owns captive birds or poultry must officially register their birds. The new rules cover owners of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, but do not affect caged pet birds (excluding any poultry species) kept entirely inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot, canary or budgie, which never leaves the property other than to visit a vet or another short-term period. By registering their birds, keepers will ensure they receive important updates relevant to them, such as on any local avian disease outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks. This will help to manage potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, and limit any spread. It also enables them to keep up to date with the latest national and regional guidance. “By registering keepers not only protect their own birds but contribute to the wider efforts to monitor and control avian diseases. I urge all keepers to register their flock to ensure the protection of all our bird populations ahead of the change in requirements coming into force from October.” Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director of Place at West Northamptonshire Council For all the latest information in relation to the spread of Avian Flu and information on how you can help to protect your birds please see this guidance on Avian influenza (bird flu) . Keepers can register their birds and poultry at Poultry and other captive birds: registration rules and forms-GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 25, 2024

Northampton announced as Red Roses match venue for Women’s Rugby World Cup

25 June 2024 Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens stadium has been announced as the venue for an England Rugby match during the pool phase of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 tournament, with tickets for the opening match and final going on sale from September this year. The full match schedule and kick-off times will be announced in October with individual match tickets available to buy, enabling fans to start planning for what promises to be the biggest-ever global celebration of women’s rugby. Today, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 have revealed the pool matches and knockout phase locations, with six of the eight Host Locations including Northampton holding pool matches over three weekends. The Red Roses will play in Northampton and Brighton and Hove during the pool stage, with the potential to play their quarter-final match in Bristol should they progress. More than 400,000 tickets will be available for the 10th edition of the pinnacle women’s event which will take place across six weekends from 22 August to 27 September. Fans will have the chance to watch the world’s 16 best teams and the biggest stars of the game compete at eight locations across the length and breadth of the country, culminating in a grand finale at the world’s largest dedicated rugby union venue, Twickenham Stadium, London. Ticket prices will range from £5 to £95 across the tournament, with over 60 per cent of tickets under £25 and children’s prices available at every match. Accessible tickets will also be available for all matches and with 95 per cent of the population within two hours travel time to a venue, there are more opportunities than ever before for fans to attend from across the host nation. Fans can register for free online to enter the presale on 24 September to ensure they are among the first to secure their place at the opening match and the highly anticipated final at Twickenham Stadium. The tournament’s Worldwide Partner Mastercard also offer its cardholders access to a priority sale on 17 September, 2024 via the official Women’s RWC 2025 ticketing website. The Heart of the Game Watch the promotional trailer created by Northampton Film Festival and sixth form students with special educational needs at Northgate Academy : A promotional trailer for the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to Northampton “We are enormously excited to be announced as a host venue for England’s Red Roses during next year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup and can’t wait to welcome rugby fans from around the world to experience everything West Northamptonshire has to offer. “This is set to be an unmissable event and we encourage everyone to register their interest online ahead of tickets for the opening match and final going on sale in September to avoid disappointment. We look forward to the full match schedule being revealed in October and can’t wait to see everyone come together to join us in this celebration of women’s rugby.” Jane Carr, Director of Communities & Opportunities at West Northamptonshire Council “This announcement marks an exciting milestone for the tournament and one that will enable fans to mark their diaries and make plans with their friends, families and teammates. “We are pleased that the tournament will not only be the most accessible Women’s Rugby World Cup geographically, but also matched with accessibility of entry price tickets ensuring more fans than ever will be able to attend this generational moment for rugby.” World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 24, 2024

West Northants put on heat-health alert as urgent weather warning issued

24 June 2024 A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the East Midlands today (Monday, 24 June) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office. After a very warm and dry weekend, the hot weather is expected to continue across West Northants until Thursday with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20Cs. The warmer weather poses a much greater risk to the most vulnerable in our community, such as the very young and older people. Residents are advised to remain cautious and seek advice from 111 if non-emergency health advice is required. 999 services should be used in emergencies only. The top ways for staying safe in the heat are to: Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk. Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors. Use cool spaces if going outdoors. Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol. Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults, or animals. Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest. If you have to go outside in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day. Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling. Stay up to date with by visiting our hot weather web pages. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 13, 2024

Join usin celebrating Armed Forces Week

13 June 2024 Residents across West Northants are invited to join in celebrations to mark Armed Forces Week. In the week leading up to Armed Forces Day (Saturday, 29 June) West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be organising a series of events aimed at celebrating and supporting the local Armed Forces Community including veterans, serving personnel, reserve forces, cadets, and their families. To mark Armed Forces week WNC will host flag-raising events at Sessions House in Northampton, The Abbey in Daventry, and at the Forum in Towcester on Monday, 24 June from 10am. Each event will start with the opening remarks of a Deputy-Lieutenant, followed by a speech from the Chairman or a representative. Members of the Armed Forces Community can also access free guided tours of County Hall. The tours will take place on Monday, 24 June at 4 pm and on Wednesday, 26 June at 4 pm. Book a place on one of the County Hall Tours by emailing: [email protected] . Businesses can also show their support to the Armed Forces by signing the Covenant, for more information visit the Armed Forces Northants website for more details. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 13, 2024

Enter our competition to win VIP tickets to weekend festivals

Events 13 June 2024 We’ve teamed up with Indi Local and UK Live to offer free premium tickets to either A Perfect Day featuring James Arthur or Let’s Rock 80’s festival - both taking place at Delapré Park this weekend. The prize also features a night’s stay at the incredible trackside Hilton Hotel at Silverstone, and a year’s pass to the Silverstone Museum. To find out more about how to enter, visit Indi Local’s social media accounts which you’ll find links to at the bottom of its website front page . But don’t worry, even if you’re not successful and you fancy seeing some incredible acts, tickets will be on sale right up to the day, on the gate. Full details of the two events can be found on their respective websites as follows: At A Perfect Day on Sunday (June 16) James Arthur will be supported by local heroes Northants Sings Out – who wowed in the final of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent – Billy Lockett and Mae Stephens alongside Jalen Ngonda, ADMT, Dolores Forever, Andy Crofts, Charlotte Carpenter and Balter. And on Saturday, Billy Ocean will headline beside some other incredible acts including Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet), Jason Donovan, Go West, Heaven 17, the Boomtown Rats, T’Pau, Sonia and more. The competition ends this evening (Thursday 13 June), so don’t waste a minute, get your entry in now. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 13, 2024

National Carers Week: what's on

13 June 2024 This week is national Carers Week (10 -16 June) - the annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as Carers and access much-needed support. As part of the Council’s commitment to improving support for our local Carers, a new draft carers strategy that sets out our priorities over the next five years is in its final stages of development. The draft strategy that has been created together with local carers, ensuring their voices drive forward progress to provide the right support and information for them. Following the latest round of feedback, the strategy is now in its final stages of review, with responses being collated before being taken to the next Cabinet meeting. To help mark the week, our partners at Northamptonshire Carers have been sharing messages highlighting our carers and the valuable work they do, as well as promoting a range of events and activities that carers can get involved in. These include wellbeing events such as an online ukelele group, the 'Pawsivity' dog walking group, coffee mornings and more. There are also a range of activities to support those with health conditions and their carers, from Breathing Space Moulton, for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, to dementia groups and sessions to support those suffering from long covid. All of the events can be viewed on the Northamptonshire Carers website Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 13, 2024

New Northamptonshire Fire recruits celebrate Passing Out parade

The latest intake of wholetime firefighters for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have completed an intense period of training with their Passing Out parade at the Fire Service College. The 12 new apprentices had been welcomed to the Service back in April and underwent a two-week induction course in Northamptonshire before attending the College, which is in Moreton-in-Marsh. They have since been put through a comprehensive eight-week training package that tested them on the new skills they have learned, including how to use breathing apparatus, put out different types of fires and deal with hazardous materials. This culminated in their Passing Out parade on Thursday (June 6), where they were joined by family and friends to celebrate. Watching on and congratulating them on their achievements in person were new Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson and new Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone. One of the recruits to graduate from the Fire Service College was Josh Block, who was also presented with the Silver Axe for ‘Best New Recruit’ as voted for by the College instructors. He is pictured below with Nikki Watson (left) and Danielle Stone (right). Josh, aged 33 from Desborough, attended a Have A Go Day at his local station in Corby last summer, and from there wanted to become a firefighter full-time, having been a self-employed electrician beforehand. He said: “The past eight weeks at the College have been absolutely fantastic and I’ve learned so much. It’s incredible to think I only met the rest of the group a few weeks ago, and how close we are now as a result of this experience – none of us would have reached this point without the help of all our colleagues. “The Passing Out parade was an immensely proud moment for me. It’s been a tough eight weeks and I’ve been away from my family throughout that, so there’s a real sense of achievement, and it was wonderful to have my family there at the parade.” Josh will now be posted to his new position on Green Watch at Moulton Fire Station in July and can’t wait to get started. He added: “I’m just looking forward to fully submerging myself in every aspect of the job. It’s all new to me, so I just want to get to the Station and learn from the people who have been doing the job and getting stuck into it all. “Being a firefighter allows me to give back to my local area and I’m looking forward to the community outreach it will have. I remember when the Fire Service came to school or they were at the local fete – it was always amazing to see them, and hopefully I’ll now be able to help inspire the next generation of firefighters.” For Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson (pictured above), this was the first set of new recruits under her leadership. She said: “I’ve had a long career in the emergency services, and so I know from experience what a proud moment it is when you get your first posting. “This will be the next step for our new recruits following their training at the College. Having spoken to them I know they can’t wait to get started on their Watch, and what is clear is how passionate they are about helping people. “I’m sure they are going to make very valuable contributions in the communities in which they will serve, and I hope they all go on to have long and happy careers with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.” Danielle Stone, the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “It’s really inspiring to come and visit the Fire Service College for the first time and see our new firefighters at their Passing Out Parade at the beginning of their career of public service. “The new recruits have put a lot of hard work in to reach this stage, and I’m sure they are going to find their new careers in keeping our residents safe very rewarding. I wish them all the best for the future.” The 12 firefighters to pass out at the College were Josh Block, Adam Cator, Lucy Craddock, Tamas Fazekas, Harry Lee-Smith, Ross Lyons, Selina Scott, Thomas Sheppard, Robert Shipman, Mitchell Sloan, Kirsty Smith and Fiona Vaughan. All 12 will now return to Northamptonshire where they will undergo three weeks further training before being posted to a Watch at one of the stations within the county. They will then continue to develop into competent firefighters over the next two years, following completion of their apprenticeship.

June 07, 2024

Candidates for the West Northants Parliamentary Constituencies have been announced

07 June 2024 Candidates for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Daventry, South Northamptonshire, Northampton North, and Northampton South have been announced today. The Council has published today a Statement of Persons Nominated listing all individuals who will be standing for the election. Daventry: Stuart Andrew - The Conservative Party Candidate Scott Ewen Cameron - Reform UK Jonathan William Harris - Liberal Democrats Marianne Kimani - Labour Party Clare Patricia Slater - Green Party Northampton North: Anthony Antoniou - Reform UK Eishar Kaur Bassan - Green Party Dan Bennett - The Conservative Party Candidate Paul Leslie Clark – Independent Christopher Gordon Leggett - Liberal Democrats Khalid Razzaq - Workers Party Lucy Rigby - Labour Party Northampton South: Jill Susan Hope - Liberal Democrats Andrew Iain Lewer - The Conservative Party Candidate Tony Owens - Reform UK Mike Reader - Labour Party Katie Simpson - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition Simon Sneddon - Green Party Penelope Lucy Tollitt - Climate Party South Northamptonshire: Rufia Ashraf - Labour Party Sarah Bool - The Conservative Party Candidate Paul James Hogan - Reform UK Ian Alexander McCord – Independent Stuart Robert McCutcheon – Independent Mick Stott - Workers Party Stewart Tolley - Liberal Democrats Emmie Williamson - Green Party On Thursday, 4 July voters across West Northamptonshire will go to the polls to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament. Everyone who is eligible - and registered - gets to vote for one candidate to represent their local area, which is known in Parliament as a constituency. Once elected, MPs work both in your area - or their constituency - dealing with local matters, and in Parliament, where they vote and help shape law, alongside 649 other MPs. West Northamptonshire Council has four Parliamentary Constituencies, Daventry, Northampton North, Northampton South and South Northamptonshire. The election on 4 July will be using the new parliamentary boundaries following the Parliamentary Constituency Order 2023 - more information on these boundaries can be found by visiting Boundary Commission for England . Anyone who is not yet registered to vote should do so by Tuesday, 18 June in order to take part in this election. You can register to vote on the gov.uk website . People can apply for postal votes by 5pm on Wednesday, 19 June (this deadline is for NEW applications to vote by post or postal-proxy and those making changes to or cancelling their postal or postal-proxy votes) and those wishing to vote by proxy (when someone votes on your behalf) can also do this in advance of the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June(not for postal-proxy or emergency proxy applications). Students have the option of registering at both their home and term-time addresses, they can vote only in one of their registered locations for this election. The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to produce acceptable photographic identification when voting in person at a polling station. This new requirement will apply to this election. Voters intending to vote in person are urged to ensure they have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID prior to attending their polling station. Residents without an acceptable form of ID have until 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June to apply for their Voter ID . For more information and to view the timetable of the election visit our website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 07, 2024

More success for Northamptonshire firefighters in Challenge competition

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service continued its recent run of winning medals at the Welsh Firefighter Challenge. Taking place in Swansea over the weekend (June 3), the Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a regional sporting event for serving and retired firefighters. The event raises both awareness of the skills that firefighters need to keep communities safe, but also helps raise much needed funds for The Fire Fighters Charity – which offers specialist lifelong support for current and retired members of the Fire family. The challenge sees firefighters test their skills and fitness to the maximum in several stages including running, carrying hoses and dragging dummies, and seeing who can complete the gruelling tasks in the quickest time. Firefighter Paul Webb won the Silver Medal in his age category (45-49), missing out on Gold by just two seconds, and Stef Douglas (who recently retired from NFRS as a Group Commander) went one better by winning Gold in his age category (50+). Stef is pictured in the middle below, wearing his gold medal. In the relay event, two teams competed on behalf of NFRS. One team – consisting of Dan Ireland, Henry Sleight, Paul Webb and Stef Douglas – were runners-up, while a second team – consisting of Dan Harding, Ronnie Sherratt, Ant Atkins and Lee Brown – came in fourth place. Dean Keeber also competed in the main challenge, but sadly had to pull out due to injury. Reflecting on taking part, Henry Sleight said: “It was a fantastic day with loads of people cheering us on, and it was an incredible atmosphere to be part of. “We had some individual success which was fantastic, but this was also the first time we sent two teams to compete in the relay, and we were really happy with how both teams finished. “Representing Northamptonshire is always something we are proud to do, but it’s also a fantastic way of maintaining the fitness that we need for our jobs, and it helps in terms of keeping our skills sharp for incidents as well.”

June 06, 2024

Employment opportunities at the upcoming General Election

06 June 2024 Residents can do their bit for the democratic process while earning themselves up to £288 per day by taking up a role in the upcoming General Election. With the General Election scheduled for Thursday, 4 July, people are encouraged to consider a range of casual employment opportunities with the dedicated team responsible for organising elections in West Northamptonshire. A variety of roles are available, with Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks in rural and urban areas to greet voters and issue ballot papers at polling stations. People are also needed to count the votes cast after the close of poll. Find out more and view detailed job descriptions on our website. No prior experience in election administration is necessary as comprehensive training will be provided, however, applicants must be available to work outside of normal office hours to meet the demands of election activities, and not be campaigning for a candidate or party (this includes signing a nomination paper). “At every election, we employ hundreds of staff to ensure that the process runs smoothly, openly and transparently for voters across West Northamptonshire and we always welcome residents to be part of this major effort. “Not only does it allow people to make their valuable contribution towards the elections process and shaping the future of their area but they can also earn some extra income in doing so. “I would encourage anyone interested in doing their bit to go on our website and have a look at the many opportunities available.” Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for the General Election in West Northamptonshire said: Find out more and view detailed job descriptions on the West Northamptonshire Council website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 05, 2024

Britain’s Got Talent finalists to wow A Perfect Day

05 June 2024 Britain’s Got Talent sensations Northants Sings Out are gearing up to entertain the home crowd at this year’s A Perfect Day festival this month. The group made it all the way to the final of this year’s competition after wowing judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli throughout the competition. Their performance of Fatboy Slim’s Praise You during Sunday’s final raised the roof, prompting some amazing comments from the judges. Now visitors to A Perfect Day on Sunday 16 June will have a chance to hear just how good Northants Sings Out are when they perform a selection of songs. “The energy, the harmony, the joy, the choreography, the fact that in your VT you said you are ordinary people doing ordinary jobs, trying to hold it down, and then you come up here and you do a performance like that was insane." Amanda Holden, Britain's Got Talent judge “Wow, the power and the quality of that wall of sound, it was totally immersive. But you know what it is that is special? I really feel the love of the craft, the love of what you do.” Bruno Tonioli, Britain's Got Talent judge “It was just beautiful on all levels, congratulations, loved it.” Alesha Dixon, Britain's Got Talent judge “The harmony of the choir itself and the arrangement of the vocals were absolutely spot on. This is honestly what a great choir should sound like.” Simon Cowell, Britain's Got Talent judge Chart sensation James Arthur is headlining the festival, supported by local heroes Billy Lockett and Mae Stephens alongside Jalen Ngonda, ADMT, Dolores Forever, Andy Crofts, Charlotte Carpenter and Balter. Visit aperfectdayfestival.com for more details and to buy tickets. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

Council balances books despite financial challenges

Finance 03 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has completed its latest financial year on budget, despite facing ongoing financial pressures and increased demand for services. Provisional year-end figures for 2023/24 show the Council managed to deliver services within its £383.5m revenue budget, the money it spends on the day-to-day running of services, with an underspend of £220,000. In the past 12 months WNC also continued its strong commitment towards making services more efficient whilst protecting and maintaining them for residents, by achieving its savings target of £32m. Cumulatively over the past 3 years £90m of savings have been released, despite making no cuts to services and work continues into 2024-25 to further modernise and use technology to improve services and productivity. Savings have included significant efficiencies in areas such as adult social care, reducing agency spend, reviewing contracts and office requirements and redesigning and restructuring services such as Planning, Revenues and Benefits and Corporate services. The latest financial report will be presented to Cabinet at its meeting next week Like other councils across the country we have continued to face significant financial challenges over the past financial year, due to factors like the ongoing rise in costs and demand for services supporting our most vulnerable residents, such as Children’s and Adult Social care and temporary accommodation. We have balanced the books and delivered the budget we promised to residents, that addresses the ongoing funding pressures whilst still protecting essential frontline services. This has been due to prudent financial planning and management, a thorough review of our revenue and capital programmes to ensure we are spending the money responsibly and making efficiencies that achieve savings yet deliver better outcomes for residents. We know another tough financial year lies ahead of us with continued funding pressures and we are not being complacent, with work already under way to plan ahead to ensure we are in the best position possible ahead of our next budget-setting period. We have now balanced the books over the last three years and controlled borrowing, meeting our commitment to residents to deliver robust resource management. Councillor Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

Wheels in motion for additional multi-million-pound investment into West Northamptonshire's roads

03 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Council is set to invest up to £10 million additional investment into schemes aimed at improving roads across West Northamptonshire, subject to Cabinet approval next month. The investment will enable West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and its highways partner Kier to carry out works such as an extension to the surface dressing programme, the preventative maintenance works, an increased road resurfacing scheme and further surfacing of key paths. It will also be used to fund bridge maintenance schemes and an opportunity to trial an innovative surfacing technique (in-situ recycling) that reuses existing material to reduce both cost and overall carbon emissions leading to more sustainable repairs. The funding will come from the Council’s capital budget which pays for things like improving local infrastructure. West Northamptonshire, in common with local authorities across the country, is experiencing a decline in the condition of its highway network and it is currently estimated that in order to halt the decline in the condition of the highway network an additional £8 million is required each year above the current allocation. If approved, the additional funding will enable a programme that see improvement across many parts of the district. The additional investment will follow on from the £2.8 million investment which WNC made into purchasing new machinery in 2023, which has already made a significant improvement to repairs and increased the efficiency of the road maintenance across the area, while offering value for money. Cllr Adam Brown, Leader of the Council said: “We know that one of the things that bothers residents the most is the state of our roads. That’s why we’ve explored every possible avenue to be able to invest more in the Highway network. This is only possible now because of the previous investment in new technology and the hard work over the past three years to create a financially stable Council. “We hope that once the programme of works is concluded there will be a visible difference, and we will continue to explore ways to innovate and improve the way in which we maintain the Highway so we can do more of the same in the years ahead.” View the agenda and papers for the cabinet meeting on 11 June. To find out more about the Highways services across West Northamptonshire visit: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/highway s or visit @WNHighways on Facebook and Twitter. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

Calling all West Northants entrepreneurs – win tickets to globally acclaimed Female Founders Summit this summer

03 June 2024 Local entrepreneurs have the chance to win exclusive tickets to the globally recognised Female Founders Summit 2024 being held in West Northamptonshire for the first time. Organised by accredited master coach Lucienne Shakir and Lucienne Coaching, the two-day event will take place on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July, with well-known businesswoman, broadcaster, author and activist Mary Portas as the headline speaker. As part of its partnership and support, West Northamptonshire Council is now inviting new business owners to enter a raffle between 3 rd and 30 th June to win an exclusive ticket to the conference, with the winners being announced on 3rd July. There are three tickets being given away. To be eligible, entrants must have a business registered in West Northants which is under 12 months of trading. “We are thrilled to be supporting master accredited, Northampton-born coach, Lucienne Shakir and her Lucienne Coaching team on this event for business leaders and offering West Northants entrepreneurs an exclusive opportunity to win tickets to attend. “The council is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship and enabling local business growth, and this Summit is a fantastic example of West Northamptonshire as the perfect destination for business and investment, whilst simultaneously allowing us to be part of addressing a much larger issue which Lucienne Coaching is directly tackling. “We want West Northants to be a place where everyone can live their best lives and thrive, therefore we want to highlight the incredible success of being the chosen destination to host this prominent event and hope that by joining forces to champion entrepreneurship in our local area, we can create wide ranging opportunities for local businesses, people and communities.” Cllr Daniel Lister, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth The Female Founders Summit will also include deep learning and masterclasses from high-profile experts at a number of venues, including Northampton’s Royal Theatre, Delapré Abbey, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Northampton Film House, and Vulcan Works. West Northamptonshire Council have partnered with Lucienne Coaching for this event to secure its relocation to Northampton. “To be bringing my highly acclaimed Female Founders Summit to Northampton for the first time is a really big deal and incredibly exciting for the local business community. “It will be an accessible, transformational and actionable live experience with celebrated and inspiring speakers all sharing their knowledge about what it means to be high performing businesswomen. During the seminars, lectures and workshops over the two days, speakers will be talking about scaling businesses, and giving insight and advice on real business issues such as improving confidence, overcoming burnout and how to market their services. The tickets are understandably in very high demand because the learning and takeaways will be off the scale. “By entering this raffle, local entrepreneurs have a brilliant opportunity to win one of only a handful of complementary tickets. It is fantastic.” Lucienne Shakir You can read full details about the event and the exclusive West Northamptonshire Council competition here . For more details on The Female Founders Summit, visit: https://thecew.luciennecoaching.com/female-founders-summit-2024 Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

Pre-election period starts ahead of General Election

Electoral services 03 June 2024 The pre-election period for the General Election on Thursday 4 July starts today (Tuesday 4 June). This is the period of heightened sensitivity in the run-up to polling day when specific restrictions are in place for the Council’s publicity and use of resources. During this time, we might remove comments made on our social media channels that show support to a particular political party or candidate. We may also restrict comments on certain posts if we believe the subject matter could spark political debate. Find out more about the pre-election period and the effect it has on our communications activity West Northamptonshire Council will be administering the election for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Daventry, South Northamptonshire, Northampton North, and Northampton South, with voters in each constituency electing a Member of Parliament (MP). Find information about voting in the election, including the deadlines for registering to vote or arranging a postal vote, and the Voter ID requirements on our General Election checklist Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 04, 2024

Great Big Green Week comes to West Northants

04 June 2024 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), along with Towcester Women’s Institute, are taking part in the Great Big Green Week this June to highlight the need for urgent action on climate and nature. Taking place between 8 and 16 June 2024, the climate action campaign known as the Great Big Green Week will see thousands of people across the UK organising local festivals and events. Now in its fourth year, the campaign events will draw attention to climate change and destruction of the natural world, while also making a connection with these issues in local communities and highlighting the positive impact that local residents can have to help to create a better world, for us now and for the next generation. In Towcester, on Saturday 15 June, WNC are hosting an event in the afternoon aided by volunteers from Towcester WI, with climate action and environmental stalls set up in Whittons Lane from 1:30pm. There will also be two family-friendly wildlife theatre shows led by Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company. “Ranger Rita’s Animal Amble” will take people on a trail around the Watermeadows where they’ll meet various animal characters along the way and learn some fascinating wildlife facts. The shows are at 2pm and 3:30pm and will take roughly 45 minutes. Both shows will start and finish at Whittons Lane and people will need to register their spot with a volunteer from Towcester WI. There is no need to pre-book but do be aware that there is a limit of 50 adults plus children per show. Well-behaved dogs are allowed to join the walk but must be kept on the lead at all times and cannot disrupt the performance elements. The show is free to attend and has been sponsored by WNC and Towcester WI. Towcester Library will also be holding a Great Big Green Week Gardener’s Swap from 10am to 2pm alongside craft activities throughout the day. The Great Big Green Week is being organised by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change, whose members include the National Trust, WWF, Women's Institute, Oxfam, RSPB and more. “The environment is something that’s really close to my heart and the more we can do at a local level the better. “We’re delighted to be a part of the Great Big Green Week in our home county and promoting the wonderful green spaces that we’re so lucky to have here in Northamptonshire. ‘Ranger Rita’s Animal Amble’ is a fun, fact-filled, interactive, pantomime-style show for people of all ages to enjoy.” Emma Kendrick, director of Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company Towcester WI meets at the Sawpit Centre on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30pm. Get in touch by emailing [email protected] . For more information about Laugh Out Loud Theatre Company visit loltheatre.co.uk or find them on social media at facebook.com/LolTheatre. For further information about the Great Big Green Week, including details on how to get involved and take part, please visit greatbiggreenweek.com . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

D-Day ‘Flag of Peace’ to be raised at Council offices to mark 80th anniversary

03 June 2024 The D-Day ‘Flag of Peace’ will be raised at West Northamptonshire Council’s office buildings in Daventry and Towcester, and a short flag raising event will take place in Northampton to mark the 80th D-Day anniversary this week. The flag raising ceremony will begin at 9am on Thursday 6 June, outside Sessions House on George Row in Northampton, with members of the public invited to attend to show their respects. Air Vice-Marshal Christopher James Luck CB MBE CCMI FRSA DL will represent the Lord-Lieutenant and say a few words to open the event. The Council’s One Angel Square offices will also be lit up as part of the national Beacon lighting ceremony on 6 June. D-Day was the successful allied invasion of the beaches of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Codenamed Operation Neptune, the Normandy landings made up the largest seaborne invasion in history and played a crucial role in liberating Western Europe from Nazi occupation. From Beacon lightings and historical exhibitions to village parties and picnics, communities across West Northamptonshire will be joining the nation to celebrate with a range of events happening across West Northamptonshire to mark the occasion. Find your nearest event on the West Northamptonshire Council website. Northampton Museum and Art Gallery will also be creating a commemorative exhibition in libraries at Brackley, Daventry, Towcester and Weston Favell, with each library hosting exhibition cabinets filled with Northamptonshire stories, objects and memories of D-Day and its immediate aftermath. The project wants to connect with local people and their family stories of D-Day. If you or anyone you know has a D-Day story or memorabilia, please email Northampton Museums & Art Gallery or find out more on the museum website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2024

Thousands of homes and businesses to gain access to full fibre broadband in West Northamptonshire

03 June 2024 Full fibre broadband is heading to a further seven exchange areas in Northamptonshire as part of a broadband upgrade by Openreach across the East Midlands. People living in West Haddon, Pattishall, Silverstone, Weston Favell and Middelton Cheney are next in line for full fibre in West Northamptonshire. The expansion of Openreach gives residents and businesses the opportunity to access superfast broadband services. Across Northamptonshire, a further 21,000 homes and business will have this gigabit-capable technology available to them. This infrastructure enhancement equates to an investment of over £6.3 million into the local economy taking Openreach’s Full Fibre investment to over £87.3 million in the county. “We welcome this investment as part of our broader vision to increase gigabit connectivity across our communities. This latest Openreach rollout is a crucial step in ensuring all communities in West Northamptonshire have the opportunity to access reliable superfast broadband.” Cllr Mike Hallam Cabinet Member for HR and Corporate Services For more information about the plans across the county visit Superfast Northamptonshire and to check the plans for your business visit Openreach’s map and postcode checker. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?