Revolution Radio - Local News

June 12, 2025

Fire Service offers vital safety advice to carers across Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is marking Carers Week (June 9-15) by sharing fire safety advice which can help keep carers, and those who they support, safer in their homes. Carers play vital roles in our communities, supporting and assisting some of our county’s most vulnerable people, who are often most at risk from fire related incidents in the home. Throughout the year, NFRS Prevention Officers join a range of carers’ groups to ensure that fire safety is a priority when supporting another person. Community Safety Officers will also be attending a Carers Fayre in Kettering, which has been organised by North Northamptonshire Council this week to share safety advice with the carer community. Carers have many responsibilities, but the Fire Service is reminding them that our Home Fire Safety Visit service can be booked for all elderly and/or vulnerable people, giving an extra layer of help and reassurance. When a Home Fire Safety Visit is booked, the Service will visit a person’s home and let them know all the potential fire danger points and give them help and tips on how to make things safer. That can even include fitting a smoke alarm for someone who is frail or less mobile. Prevention Team Leader Tina Collett said: “We want to make sure everyone feels safe in their home. Our most vulnerable people will need help to do that, and that is where our wonderful carers can really make a difference – and it is right that we celebrate what they do as part of Carers Week. “We want to help carers and support them when it comes to fire safety. So we would encourage them all to consider whether those that they care for would benefit from one of our bespoke Home Fire Safety visits, which will help them to identify fire risks, ensure smoke alarms are working and fit for purpose, and there are safe escape routes in place.” For more information and to book in a visit, ring 01604 797000 or request a visit on the following link: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/safety/home-safety-checks/ Here are some simple steps carers can take to help make life safer for themselves and the people in their care. Home fire safety tips for carers · Practical fire safety steps for those living with conditions such as dementia can include shut-off devices which stop the gas supply if a cooker is left on, or a gas tap which can be turned off to prevent unsupervised cooking. · If there is a fire, make sure you and the person you care for knows what to do and how to escape. It is a good idea to practice escape routes just in case the unexpected happens. Also, make sure escape routes are clear of clutter and obstructions. · If you care for someone who has difficulty hearing, it is possible to acquire specialist smoke alarms which use a strobe light and vibrating pads. Alternatively, consider linking the alarm system to your own as this can alert you to danger. · If someone has difficulties with vision, a coloured sticker on a smoke alarm can help them to test it. · Make time once a month to test the smoke alarms of someone you care for. · Placing a tactile indicator along your escape route can make it easier for those with sight difficulties to find an exit. · If you live with the person you care for, consider fitting an intercom which will allow you to alert someone else in the house in an emergency. · Easy access smoke alarms are available for people who have trouble moving around. These can be tested from the wall rather than the ceiling. The Disabled Living Foundation can provide more information on these products.

June 10, 2025

Royal visit marks 350th anniversary of Great Fire of Northampton

Culture and tourism 10 June 2025 West Northamptonshire proudly welcomed Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to mark the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton - a pivotal moment in the town’s history which reshaped its streets, buildings, and community spirit. The visit yesterday (Monday 9 June) paid tribute not only to Northampton’s remarkable recovery following the 1675 fire, but also to the area’s rich heritage, growing cultural offer and thriving community partnerships. HRH began her visit at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery where she met with members of the Great Fire History Group and trialled a new educational app exploring the fire’s timeline and impact. The Duchess was also presented with costumes designed to reflect the Fire which will feature in this year’s Northampton Carnival, before being shown around the museum’s renowned shoe gallery, celebrating the town’s global legacy in shoemaking. The Duchess was then guided through key areas of the town centre linked to the fire’s history, including All Saints Church, rebuilt with support from King Charles II after the fire destroyed much of the original medieval church. HRH learned about the architectural significance of the church, its role in the town’s recovery, and its link to the annual Oak Apple Day commemorations. Later, at the newly regenerated Market Square, The Duchess met students from St Luke’s CE Primary School, who presented artwork and maps themed on the fire, and spoke with representatives from Free2Talk about the support the charity offers to local young people. HRH also met girls from the Northampton School rugby team ahead of the Women’s Rugby World Cup coming to West Northants later this summer. The visit concluded at Northampton’s historic Guildhall, where The Duchess joined community, heritage and voluntary organisations for a reception and lunch, before unveiling a commemorative plaque in honour of the occasion. It was a great honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to Northampton for this important anniversary. The Great Fire was a moment of devastation, but also of reconciliation and resilience - and 350 years on, this visit reflects how our community has not only recovered but thrived. This was a truly special day for West Northamptonshire, shining a spotlight on our county’s unique history, creative energy, and the dedication of those working every day to improve the lives of others. The Duchess’s visit brought together so many elements of what makes our area extraordinary - heritage, regeneration, education, youth opportunity, and community spirit. I hope the event leaves a lasting impression on all those who had the privilege to be part of it. James Saunders Watson Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 09, 2025

Cost-of-living roadshows return to West Northamptonshire this summer

09 June 2025 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 across the area. People are encouraged to attend and 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. Upcoming roadshow dates: Kingsthorpe Grove Primary School – Tuesday 10 June, 2–4pm Central Northampton Library – Thursday 12 June, 11am–1pm Weston Favell Library – Thursday 19 June, 11am–1pm Broadmead Community Church, Northampton – Wednesday 25 June, 12–2pm West Haddon Sports Pavilion – Thursday 26 June, 2–4pm Bugbrooke Community Living Room – Thursday 3 July, 2–4pm Bellinge School, Northampton – Thursday 10 July, 11am–1pm “These events are a vital way for us to connect with residents and ensure they know what support is available during these challenging times. Whether it’s financial advice, wellbeing support, or simply a friendly face to talk to, we want everyone to feel supported and informed. “We understand that the rising cost of living continues to affect many households, and no one should feel they have to face these difficulties alone. That’s why we’re bringing together a wide range of local organisations and services under one roof—to make it easier for people to access the help they need. “From energy-saving tips and debt management advice to mental health resources and community support networks, there’s something for everyone. I strongly encourage residents to come along, have a chat, and find out what’s available. Help is here, and we’re ready to listen and support you.” Councillor Laura Couse, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at WNC For those unable to attend, the Cost of Living Support Hub is full of information and advice to help residents find the support they need. This includes a list of welcoming spaces across West Northamptonshire, a group of non-judgemental, safe and welcoming places where people in can come together to stay warm, and perhaps enjoy a hot meal or a cup of tea and a biscuit. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 10, 2025

Have your say on charities to benefit from new collection service

10 June 2025 Residents across West Northants are being encouraged to vote for which charities they’d like to benefit from a new textiles and clothing recycling service that launched in April. Thanks to a partnership with Anglo Recycling, people can now book free collections of unwanted clothing, shoes, books and other items for reuse and recycling, whilst also raising money for local charities. West Northamptonshire Council is keen for residents to have their say on those they would like funds raised by the new service to be donated to. The poll is open until 29 June. The poll is available on our Have your Say hub: https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/place/doorstep-collection-charity-vote Any money raised from the service in the meantime will be added to a funding pot, held by Anglo ready to be donated in the coming months. The new service provides a simple and convenient way to help people declutter their belongings and provides piece of mind that every donation is reused for their original purpose or is recycled, whilst also ensuring that the charities of their choice are supported. Registered charities were invited to submit their interest in being considered for the scheme earlier this month and the Council will be refreshing the list annually, giving residents and charities the chance to get involved regularly. "This new service is not just about recycling—it's about reinvesting in our community. By simply clearing out your wardrobe, you can help make sure that clothes are recycled properly, whilst also supporting local charities. We’re keen for residents to have their say on choosing the charities that this new service will support and would encourage people to vote within the poll.” Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Further information on this new service is available here: Clothing collections | West Northamptonshire Council Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 09, 2025

Have your say on the future of alternative education in West Northamptonshire

09 June 2025 Parents, carers, and guardians across West Northamptonshire are invited to share their views on unregistered alternative education provision as part of an engagement initiative led by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). The Council is developing a new commissioning framework to ensure that all alternative education setting, particularly those not registered with the Department for Education, are safe, inclusive, and tailored to meet the diverse needs of children and young people. Unregistered alternative education provision refers to educational settings that operate outside the formal school system. These settings often support children who need a different approach to learning due to health issues, emotional challenges, or other personal circumstances. While these provisions can offer valuable and flexible learning opportunities, they are not currently subject to the same regulations as registered schools. The Council is therefore working to introduce a framework that will provide clear guidance and standards for these settings, ensuring they are effective, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of every child. “Every child deserves access to an education that supports their individual needs and helps them thrive. Alternative provision plays a vital role in this, especially for those who may not flourish in traditional school environments. “We want to hear directly from families whose children have experience with these settings. Your insights will help us shape a framework that ensures all children receive safe, high-quality education, no matter where they learn.” Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC The Council is already working closely with current providers, schools, and young people with lived experience of alternative provision. As part of this engagement, WNC is seeking feedback from parents and carers to ensure the framework reflects the real-world experiences and needs of families across the area. The survey closes at midnight on Sunday 20 July. Click here to view the survey and take part. Once developed, the framework will set out clear standards for safeguarding, health and safety, and educational quality. Providers will be reviewed by a panel of professionals, and those meeting the standards will be included in a new directory of approved providers. These providers will then be monitored regularly to ensure continued compliance The new framework is expected to launch in 2026. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 09, 2025

Council pledges ongoing support for community activities

09 June 2025 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) remains committed to supporting community-led events and activities across the area. The Council, which has a new political administration led by the majority party Reform UK following last month’s elections, continues to give its backing to a busy and varied local community events calendar for the year ahead, providing resource and support to community organisers. Community-led events and activities that will be supported by WNC in the year ahead include activities for Pride, Windrush and Diwali, as well as Remembering Srebrenica Day, Ukrainian Independence Day, Hate Crime Awareness Week, Black History Month, International Women's and Men’s Days, Emergency Services Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and Stephen Lawrence Day. The Council will also continue to show its support to key events in the military calendar beginning with Armed Forces Week later this month, alongside Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, Merchant Navy Day and VJ Day 80th Anniversary commemorations. “Our Council remains resolute in its support for all members of our community and the events and activities they organise. It’s our intention as the Council’s new administration to provide a very visible type of community leadership for all our residents, whatever their lifestyle and background. We acknowledge the role that local community forums play in promoting an inclusive environment for everyone who lives and works in West Northants and continue to support this work. “The updated protocol prioritises the flying of flags on council buildings that foremostly reflect our local and national identity as a place that represents everyone living in West Northamptonshire.” Cllr Mark Arnull Cllr Arnull also encouraged Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations delivering essential services across West Northamptonshire to consider applying for discretionary grant funding of up to £15,000 from the Council. The Discretionary Community Funding Grants programme builds on the success of last year’s round, which saw over £350,000 awarded to 41 local VCSE organisations, supporting a wide range of projects and services that make a positive difference to people’s lives. Given the high level of interest, eligible organisations are encouraged to review the criteria and submit their applications as early as possible before the deadline. The scheme is open to local registered charities, not-for-profit organisations, and VCSE groups that currently operate, or are prepared to operate, within West Northamptonshire. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate how their proposed projects address a recognised local need and contribute to one or more of the Council’s key strategic aims and priorities – these, coupled with further details on application criteria, can be found on the WNC website or in the Council’s Community Funding Grants Framework . “Our voluntary and community sector plays an invaluable role in supporting residents across West Northamptonshire, from tackling loneliness and improving mental health, to helping people access food, advice and opportunities. “This funding offers vital support to local groups working at the heart of our communities, and we’re proud to continue investing in them. I encourage all eligible organisations to apply and help us deliver real, lasting impact together.” Cllr Arnull Applications must be submitted by 5pm on 23 July 2025. To request an application form and guidance, please email: [email protected] . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 09, 2025

Share your views on proposed locations for family support in West Northants

09 June 2025 Families are being invited to have their say on additional family hub locations across the area, as part of a survey delivered by West Northants Council (WNC). As part of WNC’s ongoing commitment to supporting families and giving children and young people the best possible start in life, the Council is planning to expand its network of Family Hubs. These Hubs are designed as welcoming, one-stop shops where families can easily access a wide range of services, advice, and support — from pregnancy through to age 19 (or up to 25 for young people with additional needs). Following the successful opening of the first Family Hub in Towcester earlier this year, plans are now underway to open additional sites in Daventry and Northampton town centre, along with several smaller locations across West Northamptonshire. To ensure these new Hubs are accessible and tailored to local needs, WNC is asking residents to share their experiences, views, and suggestions. “We want to make sure these new Family Hubs are located in accessible locations for our families and ensure that they deliver the kind of support families actually need. “This engagement gives families, young people, and professionals the chance to help shape services in their communities.” Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education Residents can complete a short online questionnaire, available on the WNC website. The activity launches on Monday 9 June is open until midnight on Sunday 6 July. To take part or for more information, visit: https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/family-hubs/help-develop-services The feedback will help to guide future work on services for children and families and to start putting the new Family Hubs in place over the next few months. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 06, 2025

Northampton Market set to become a family hub this summer

06 June 2025 Families and communities across West Northamptonshire will be able to enjoy a whole host of activities at Northampton Market between now and this summer. The square is the beating heart of the town, with a packed programme of events, activities, and business opportunities - headlined by the arrival of the Women’s Rugby World Cup fan zone in Market Square. This exciting addition will bring fans and families together to enjoy live match screenings, community celebrations, and a buzzing festival atmosphere right in the town centre. Whether you're a lifelong rugby supporter or just looking for a great day out, the fan zone promises to be a highlight for everyone to enjoy. “This summer marks a fresh start for Northampton’s Market Square. With the Rugby World Cup Fan Zone moving in and a renewed focus on revitalising the market, we’re turning this space into something special. “Our markets team is now working hand-in-hand with our inward investment and economic growth service to inject fresh thinking into the market and turn the square into a vibrant, thriving space for local people. The Market Square is a hub that can bring people together while supporting small businesses and build on our local culture. “Whether you’re browsing stalls, enjoying live events, or thinking of starting a business, this is the place to be. You’ll always find something new as we continue to grow our visitor economy and breathe new life into the heart of Northampton.” Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council The fan zone is just one part of a broader summer schedule that’s transforming the market into a vibrant community hub. Recent events like the Makers Market, Volunteer Day, and Free2Talk carousel, along with weekly youth sessions, are already drawing new energy and footfall to the area. "Northampton Market Square has undergone major regeneration so that we can realise the potential of the town and increase activities to benefit residents and visitors. The Local Visitor Economy Partnership will be delivering extensive activities to attract visitors far and wide, resulting in largescale economic benefits for all of Northamptonshire. “It's top priority for us to champion Northampton and the Rugby World Cup activities will be a perfect example of how our community comes together to celebrate the strengths of the area and to show international stakeholders that Northamptonshire is a destination to get involved with. “We've already seen the incredible response to local events, as recently as the success of Oak Apple Day which launched the 350th Great Fire of Northampton anniversary, bringing together residents and visitors en masse into the Town." Richard Clinton, Chair of LVEP For aspiring entrepreneurs, a ready-to-go butcher’s unit is now available - complete with walk-in refrigerated storage, display counters, and food-safe fittings - offered at just £60 per day. With increased summer footfall, it’s a prime opportunity to launch or grow a food business in the heart of Northampton. As it is currently Northamptonshire Food & Drink Week, this is the perfect time for a local producer to benefit from this prime offer. "Northamptonshire boasts a vast array of quality tourist attractions, food & drink producers, independent eateries and creative experts. “We have established the Northamptonshire Food & Drink Week (31 April-8 May) to showcase the wealth of food & drink producers and places to eat that are the pride of the County and part of our unique identity. “The engagement we've had for this week is an example of all the local pride in place and we know that the whole County will be backing Northampton as we host the Women's Rugby World Cup. The market square is going to be the place to visit for family fun and activities for all to enjoy!" Rachel Mallows, MBE – Founder of Made in Northamptonshire and Chair of the Northamptonshire Tourism Business Network These developments are part of a wider initiative supported by Northamptonshire’s new Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP), Discover Northamptonshire , aimed at boosting visitor numbers, local spending, and enterprise. Learn more about events and trading opportunities at: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/northampton-market Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 06, 2025

Scene of Saturday fire handed back to owners at Nene Valley Retail Park

This morning (June 5), Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is in the process of handing back responsibility for the scene of the fire at Nene Valley Retail Park to the site owners. The Fire Service has had a presence at the retail park in St James since the fire first started on Saturday afternoon (May 31). A crew this morning carried out a final After Fire Inspection and found that everything is now at a safe temperature with no further hotspots. An investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted with Northamptonshire Police and remains ongoing.

June 04, 2025

Plans progress to tackle homelessness in West Northants

04 June 2025 Plans to recommission a vital housing support service at Oasis House in Northampton and provide continued care for people with a history of rough sleeping or at risk of homelessness are set to move forward. Following approval at last night’s Cabinet meeting (Tuesday, 3 June), a competitive procurement process to commission a new Support Provider will commence. The service will enable West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to address gaps in the current homelessness and rough sleeping pathway by delivering tailored support to individuals with multiple and complex needs. The commissioned service will begin in October 2025 and be funded from the ringfenced external government Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant. This grant consolidates former Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) and the Accommodation for Ex-Offenders (AFEO) grants into a single funding stream for 2025-26 provided through the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). Oasis House currently accommodates residents across 48 studio flats and 11 en-suite rooms. The new service will support these residents to sustain their accommodation, rebuild their lives, and transition to long-term independent living. Watch our video to find out more: Cllr Charlie Hastie talks about the plans “We are committed to tackling homelessness and supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. The recommissioning of this service ensures a vital lifeline remains in place at Oasis House, providing person-centred support to help residents move forward and reduce repeated homelessness. This will also play an essential role in our wider strategy to improve housing stability, health outcomes, and community wellbeing across West Northamptonshire.” Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing at WNC The newly commissioned provider will work in partnership with WNC, Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH), and other agencies to deliver trauma-informed care, supporting residents with mental health, substance misuse, and tenancy skills. The aim is to improve health, reduce dependency on emergency services, and offer long-term solutions to homelessness. The move follows Cabinet approval earlier this year to acquire Oasis House, which will secure its future as a cornerstone of WNC’s homelessness prevention strategy. Community engagement and consultation with service users, professionals, and partners are underway to help shape a service that meets current and future needs. Find more information around homelessness support services in West Northamptonshire on the WNC website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 04, 2025

Greyfriars rejuvenation scheme takes major step forward

04 June 2025 A transformative regeneration project is set to unlock the true potential of Northampton. The scheme will include the delivery of over 1000 new homes, jobs, green spaces, and cultural destinations that will benefit residents, businesses, and visitors across West Northamptonshire. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and ECF – a joint venture between Legal & General, Homes England, and Muse – have now entered into a Development Agreement to bring this ambitious vision to life. The Greyfriars scheme will revitalise a long-neglected area of the heart of the town centre, creating a vibrant, inclusive, and well-connected community that supports healthier lifestyles, economic growth, and a renewed sense of place. The 25-acre regeneration area includes the former Greyfriars Bus Station, Mayorhold and Victoria Street Car Parks, the Corn Exchange, Belgrave House, and the East and West Islands. The plans will deliver a dynamic mix of affordable, build-to-rent, and student housing, alongside shops, cafés, restaurants, and leisure spaces – all designed to foster a diverse and thriving neighbourhood. A new landmark public realm, including an outdoor amphitheatre and revitalised green spaces, will enhance the town’s cultural offer and provide welcoming, accessible spaces for all. The scheme will also significantly improve walking and cycling routes, connecting Greyfriars to the wider town centre and surrounding communities, and encouraging sustainable travel. The economic impact will be substantial, with up to 7,000 full-time equivalent jobs created during construction and over £1 billion in economic value unlocked. Once complete, the development is expected to boost local spending by an additional £21 million annually, supporting businesses across Northampton and the wider West Northamptonshire area. New homes including a diverse mix of affordable, built to rent and purpose-built student accommodation, will support a vibrant new neighbourhood, alongside shops, cafes, and restaurants as part of a dynamic new place. “This is a major milestone for a project that will redefine the future of Northampton and deliver lasting benefits for communities across West Northamptonshire. The regeneration of Greyfriars will not only revitalise a key part of our town centre but also strengthen our local economy, improve connectivity, and create a more inclusive and vibrant place to live, work, and visit.” Cllr James Petter, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council “West Northamptonshire Council has set out a bold vision for Greyfriars and we are looking forward to our collaborative and positive partnership. “Entering a Development Agreement will enable us to take the next important step in the delivery of this important opportunity. It’s a chance to enhance Northampton town centre with new homes, workspaces, retail, culture, and public spaces. “Together, we will move at pace to deliver a masterplan proposal which delivers against this opportunity.” Sir Michael Lyons, Chair at ECF Community engagement will remain central to the development process, ensuring that local voices help shape the future of Greyfriars and that the regeneration reflects the aspirations and needs of the people it serves. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 02, 2025

Trader who dumped waste in a countryside lane ordered to pay more than £2000

02 June 2025 A man has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 in costs and fines and sentenced to a 12 month Community Order after dumping waste illegally in a countryside lane in West Northants. On Tuesday 7 May 2024, Mr Darren Clifford Lyons, trading as A-Star Waste Northamptonshire, drove his van into Banbury Lane in Northampton, dumped waste from the vehicle and drove off. The offender was a licensed waste carrier, which gave rise to the concern that Mr Lyons would still be offering his services and illegally dumping the waste he collected. The offence was deemed serious enough by WNCs Environmental Crime Team to prosecute, instead of issuing a fixed penalty notice. Mr Lyons of Hever Close, Northampton pleaded guilty on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at Wellingborough Magistrates Court, and was convicted under s33(1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 West Northamptonshire Council was represented by Mr Scott Howkins of WNCs in house Legal Services Team. He was sentenced to a 12 month Community Order under which he will be supervised by the Probation Service for the duration of his sentence. The Community Order includes 30 rehabilitation days. An order to pay £2,033.36 in fines and the clean-up costs of the waste was also issued against Mr Lyons. The Community Order is the first of its kind issued by the Court in respect of offences investigated by WNCs Environmental Crime Team and reflects the seriousness of the offence. “We will not tolerate fly-tipping within our communities, and we know how important it is to our residents that offenders are held to account for environmental crimes such as this. “This case highlights the importance of householders checking with waste carriers and asking questions of how and where they will be disposing of their waste. We also urge people to get a receipt from the contractor which details what action they will be taking with your waste.” Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

June 03, 2025

Fire Service remains on scene of fire at retail park in St James, Northampton

The Fire Service remains on scene this morning (June 2) at a retail park in St James, Northampton, following a large fire there on Saturday (May 31). One fire crew, from Mereway, is continuing to damp down remaining hotspots, and our Fire Investigation team has returned this morning to continue its work. Later today, we will be sending an aerial appliance to assist in monitoring hotspots, and our Joint Command Unit will also be present to support the ongoing investigation. The Fire Service will continue to have a presence at the site for the next few days. There is still smoke coming from the affected buildings, so residents and businesses nearby should continue to keep windows and doors closed if they smell smoke. All roads in the area have now re-opened, although a section of the car park near Dunelm remains in use by the Fire Service. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Phil Pells said: “We do not underestimate the impact this incident has had on these businesses and the people who work there, as well as the local community. “I want to thank Fire Control, our firefighters, crews from Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire who assisted us, and our colleagues in police for their hard work over the weekend in what was a large-scale response to this fire. “We would ask people to continue to stay away from the scene so that our Fire Investigation officers can continue their work. “I also want to thank those affected, the local businesses and residents of St James, for their continued patience over the last three days. Our Protection Team will be visiting local businesses in the area to offer support and advice regarding fire safety in their premises.” Witnesses or anyone with information regarding this incident should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

June 01, 2025

Cause of fire at Rushden recycling warehouse determined as accidental

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have determined that a large fire that took place in Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate at the end of last week (May 23) started accidentally. The fire started at the recycling warehouse last Friday morning, and at the height of the incident required 12 fire crews and appliances to contain the fire and prevent it spreading to neighbouring buildings and businesses. [embedded content] After an investigation, the cause has been determined as accidental, due to the spontaneous combustion of a viable ignition source. The source of the initial ignition cannot be determined. The site will now be handed back to the owners, but fire crews will still be attending the site to monitor temperatures and dampen down any remaining hotspots. Smoke is still coming from the site, which fire crews are continuing to monitor. Local residents are asked to continue keeping their windows and doors shut if still affected by it. We would like to thank members of the public for their continued patience and support while we have dealt with the fire.

May 30, 2025

Pilot exercise takes place to test how NFRS triages injuries at major incident

An exercise to test how quickly emergency services can assess multiple injured patients has been held in Northampton. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service took part in Ten Second Triage – alongside colleagues from Northamptonshire Police and East Midlands Ambulance Service – to practice how fast the three services could triage fake casualties. Each emergency service was given their own scenario and responded separately to a staged incident at Northampton College’s Booth Lane campus, using live actors. Ten Second Triage is a system used by emergency responders at major incidents to identify how urgently someone needs treatment. When responders arrive on the scene, they will broadly examine patients within ten seconds using colour-coded slap wristbands. Each colour signifies how injured a person is, so when further responders arrive, they can quickly see who to treat first. The exercise – which was observed by Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson (pictured below, left) – was recommended after the Manchester Arena inquiry. Findings from the inquiry highlighted the triage process needed to be standardised across the emergency services. It’s hoped learnings from all who took part in the tri-service pilot will be used across the county as Ten Second Triage training continues to evolve. Operational Exercise Coordinator Aidan Phillips (pictured below, right) said: “Emergency responders now all have a universal system for triaging casualties in the fastest way possible. “As part of my role we need to make sure the exercises we host are as realistic as possible to assure the roll out of Ten Second Triage training protocols and systems we run will work smoothly at a mass casualty incident. “Yesterday (May 28) went really well and I’d like to thank Northampton College for hosting us – and our emergency services partners and Northamptonshire Emergency Services Cadets for taking part.”

May 28, 2025

Deadline to apply for home to school transport closes this week

28 May 2025 Parents and carers of children who have a special educational need and wish to apply for free home to school transport for the upcoming academic year (September 2025) are being reminded to do so ahead of the deadline this weekend (Saturday 31 May.) To help ensure that travel arrangements are in place for those eligible children (4-16 years), West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is urging parents and carers to submit their applications by Saturday otherwise they could face delays. To check eligibility and apply online visit: Free school travel assistance (4 to 16 year olds) | West Northamptonshire Council or call our customer contact centre on 0300 126 7000. If parents and carers will be applying for Post 16 and non-entitled school transport (Mainstream and SEN students) they will need to re-apply each year even if the child is currently in receipt of transport. Those who apply after Saturday 31 May, could face delays, and may not be guaranteed a seat for the new academic year. Applications can be made online: Post 16 Travel Assistance scheme: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/school-travel-assistance/post-16-travel-assistance Non-Entitled Travel Assistance: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/school-travel-assistance/non-entitled-paid-school-travel-assistance "To ensure we can provide safe and reliable transport for every eligible child, we urge parents and carers to submit their applications before the deadline. Early applications help us plan effectively and avoid unnecessary delays at the start of the school year.” Cllr Richard Butler, WNC's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 29, 2025

Reminder to businesses on upcoming ban on disposable vapes

29 May 2025 Businesses are being reminded that the sale or supply of single-use vapes will be illegal from Sunday, 1 June across the UK. West Northamptonshire Trading Standards has been alerting businesses and signposting them to guidance on the upcoming change in legislation, as part of efforts to protect people’s health and reduce litter blighting our streets. Residents are also being encouraged to report those breaking the law to the Council so that they can be investigated and appropriate enforcement action taken. The ban will make it illegal for businesses to offer to sell or supply disposable vapes and have them in their possession for sale or supply online and in shops, and those who flout the rules could face penalties ranging from a £200 fine and imprisonment. It will apply to all disposable vapes whether they contain nicotine or not. Retailers will have to ensure any reusable vapes have a rechargeable battery, are refillable, and if the vape has a coil it must be replaceable by the consumer. “This ban marks a significant step toward protecting the health of our communities. The Council has been alerting retailers to the upcoming ban and pointing them to further guidance, to ensure they understand the new rules. “We also welcome the support of residents in reporting any illegal sales of disposable vapes in our area so together, we can help create cleaner, safer communities for everyone.” Cllr Laura Couse, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 29, 2025

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service offers Home Fire Safety Visits to people living with dementia

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging people to sign up for a free home fire safety visit to help those living with dementia feel safer at home. Home Fire Safety Visits, carried out by NFRS, include personalised advice to address issues people with dementia may have in keeping safe at home. The symptoms of dementia, such as memory problems, can increase the fire safety risk in the home, such as forgetting to turn electrical items on or off or confusion around the use of appliances. NFRS can offer advice on implementing practical fire safety steps for those living with dementia, such as shut-off devices which stop the gas supply if a cooker is left on, or a gas tap which can be turned off to prevent unsupervised cooking. Tina Collett, from the NFRS Home Fire Safety Team said: “Home fire safety visits can be tailored to help people who have dementia, addressing individual concerns and challenges they may face in the home. “We know how concerning it can be to live independently with dementia, especially for family members. It is very easy to request a visit either for yourself, or someone who you think may need some help. “Our staff will be on hand to offer friendly advice, and even fit free smoke alarms for people who are vulnerable. If you need our help, or know someone that does, please get in touch with us.” To request a Home Fire Safety Visit: Individual requests: If you have internet access, please visit our website to book a visit for yourself: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/home-safety-checks/ Visits can also be requested by calling 01604 797000 Professional agency referrals: Online referrals can be made by completing the agency referral form: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/home-safety-checks/ On-Line Home Fire Safety Self-Checker: If you don’t want anyone to visit your home, but you want to carry out your own fire safety check, you can use our On-Line Portal: https://www.safelincs.co.uk/hfsc/?ref=NHFRS To keep yourself safe from fire in the home: Consider using a microwave instead of an oven. It can make cooking easier. It is important to check that your cooker is safe. For electric cookers, ask a qualified electrician to check it. For gas cookers, arrange a visit with a Gas Safe registered engineer. If you have memory problems, you may worry that you will forget to turn off the oven or hob. ‘Shut off’ devices are available to stop the gas supply if you forget to turn off the cooker. You can also have a special gas tap fitted that friends and family can turn off when they leave your home. This does mean some loss of independence for someone with dementia, but it may be the choice to make if safety and memory issues are concerns. Only buy furniture that is fire resistant. Never smoke in bed. Never leave lit candles unattended. Smoke alarms give an early warning of a fire, by detecting smoke and sounding an alarm and are best fitted in hallways and at the top of stairs. Smoke alarms should not be in the kitchen and bathroom as heat and vapour from cooking and bathing can set them off unnecessarily. Smoke alarms are run by batteries or by mains electricity. You should test the batteries in your alarms once a week by pressing the button until the alarm sounds.

May 29, 2025

Northamptonshire to host its first ever Firefighter Challenge

Firefighters from across the country are expected to descend on Northamptonshire to take part in a gruelling set of challenges which will test their fitness to the limit. For the first time ever, Northamptonshire is hosting its very own Firefighter Challenge competition, which will take place at Rushden Lakes on July 5. It will join the British Firefighter Challenge series calendar, where firefighters both from the UK and overseas compete to win medals for their respective Fire Services in different events across the world. The events see firefighters take on a series of challenges that are designed to test both their speed and technique. These vary from dragging a hose, to ascending stairs, rescuing and carrying a dummy casualty and carrying heavy containers – all in full uniform and against the clock. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has an established firefighter challenge team of its own. Having travelled across the world, from Liverpool to Swansea to Saudia Arabia – they now get the chance to show off their skills in front of a home crowd. The event at Rushden Lakes starts at 9am and will finish at 5pm, and it is completely free to attend and watch. It will be taking place on the Central Boulevard, close to Bill’s restaurant. As well as giving firefighters the chance to take home silverware, the event helps to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity – which offers physical and mental health support for current and former members of the Fire Service, as well as their families. Henry Sleight, a firefighter on Red Watch at Wellingborough Fire Station, said: “We’re excited that for the first time we are holding a Firefighter Challenge right here in Northamptonshire. “These events give our firefighters the chance to showcase their ability in various tasks which will test their strength, agility, and teamwork. It also really helps with the fitness that you need for the job, and the skills we use all relate to tasks that we will do at incidents to keep people safe. “We hope the local community are able to come along and cheer us on, as well as helping to raise money for a very worthy cause.” This amazing event is organised, hosted and made what it is by the hard work of passionate volunteers. It is only through the support of sponsors that the Firefighter Challenge can happen – and sponsorship packages can be found here . If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please contact our Commercial Team. Email commercialbd@northants.police.uk with your company details, contact name, email, phone number and the package you would be interested in.

May 28, 2025

Demolition works set to begin to transform former M&S, BHS, and Job Centre Buildings in Northampton to make way for a vibrant scheme

28 May 2025 Preparatory works are set to begin on 2 June 2025 to pave the way for an innovative new development on the site of the former stores and Job Centre buildings, located on Abington Street, Wellington Street, and Wood Street in Northampton. Completion of this part of the project is anticipated in early 2026. The demolition, to be carried out by specialist contractor Colemans, marks the beginning of an exciting transformation for Northampton’s town centre. The redevelopment scheme, which is being funded through the Government’s Town Fund, will breathe new life into the area, with plans for more than 200 high-quality build-to-rent homes above modern retail and leisure spaces at ground level. This will be the first development of its kind in Northampton, offering high-first-rate, professionally managed rental homes that are owned and operated by a single provider. Main demolition activities will begin in mid-June, starting with the structures facing Abington Street. These works will be carefully phased and managed to minimise disruption to local businesses, residents, and visitors. This phase of the project is scheduled for completion in early 2026. "This is a pivotal moment for Northampton. The regeneration of this site is not just about removing outdated buildings—it’s about unlocking the potential of our town centre. This scheme will deliver new homes, create jobs, and provide modern spaces for businesses to thrive. We are committed to ensuring the works are carried out with care and consideration, and that the benefits of this investment are felt across the community." Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure This ambitious project will provide much-needed housing for local residents and create new opportunities for businesses. It will also support economic growth and job creation. By enhancing the vibrancy and appeal of the town centre, the scheme is set to create a more welcoming and dynamic environment for residents, visitors, and investors alike. During the demolition period, the Wellington Street car park will be temporarily closed and used as a site compound. The Council recognises the importance of maintaining a vibrant and accessible town centre and will make every effort to minimise disruption. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused. Strict environmental controls will be in place to monitor and manage noise, dust, and vibration. Working hours will be limited to Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm, with no noisy works permitted outside these hours. Steps will also be taken to protect the recently upgraded paving on Abington Street. All demolition activities will be undertaken with the utmost care to ensure no damage occurs to this important public realm investment. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 27, 2025

One crew remains on scene after blaze at Rushden recycling warehouse

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains on scene today (May 27) at Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate after a large fire that started last Friday morning (May 23). One crew is still at the scene to dampen down any remaining hotspots and monitor temperatures. All the roads are now open, and businesses are able to return to their premises. There are still small amounts of smoke issuing from the fire businesses on the industrial estate and those living nearby should continue to keep doors and windows closed for the time being. Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. We would like to again thank members of the public and affected business for their patience, support and kindness while we have dealt with this incident.

May 25, 2025

Fire Service remains at scene of blaze at Rushden recycling warehouse

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains on site at Sanders Lodge industrial estate this morning (10am – May 24) following a large fire at a recycling warehouse yesterday. The Major Incident that had been declared was stood down yesterday afternoon, and the fire is under control. Road closures on Wellingborough Road, Northampton Road and Ditchford Road are still in place this morning. We would ask people to please respect these road closures and not approach the scene – the cordons are in place to both keep you safe and allow our fire crews access to the scene. Our advice also remains to continue shutting your windows and doors if you live nearby as there is still smoke issuing from the site. Fire crews have made progress overnight, but we are still tackling a number of hotspots this morning. The Service currently has an aerial appliance, two fire appliances and two high-volume pumps on site. Investigations will begin this morning to try and determine a cause of the fire. We would once again like to thank residents and businesses in Rushden for their continued patience over the last couple of days – and we will provide further updates throughout the day.

May 24, 2025

Major Incident stood down – but Fire remain at site of large fire at Rushden warehouse

The major incident declared by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) in response to a large fire in Rushden has been stood down. A Major Incident was declared earlier after Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called shortly before 6.30am today (May 23) to the blaze at a recycling warehouse on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate. The fire is now under control and contained within the site, although there remains a large amount of smoke billowing from the site. People should continue to stay away from the site, and residents nearby are still being urged to keep windows and doors closed due to the remaining smoke plume. Eight fire appliances, two aerial appliances and a specialist high-volume pump remain at the scene from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, although this has been scaled down from the height of the incident this morning – and cross border resources from Bedfordshire and Cambridge have now left the scene. The Fire Service will continue to remain at the fire into the weekend, and road closures near the site on Wellingborough Road will remain in place until tomorrow. The Fire Service worked with North Northamptonshire Council and Cadent earlier today to prevent any impact on gas supply to 500 nearby properties, although a number of businesses on Sanders Lodge remain closed. [embedded content] Assistant Chief Fire Officer Phil Pells said: “The Local Resilience Forum has made the decision to stand down the major incident and our focus now is to ensure that we continue to damp down the fire and reduce the smoke plume. “There will continue to be an emergency services presence at the scene overnight, and road closures will remain in place near the site until tomorrow at the earliest. “I am grateful for the hard work of our emergency services and I’d also like to thank the community in Rushden for their cooperation, support and understanding throughout this incident.” [embedded content]

May 24, 2025

Large Fire at Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate Rushden

23/05/25 10:20 Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is currently dealing with a large fire at a recycling warehouse on Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden. Crews were called shortly before 6.30am and on arrival found a fire involving a large quantity of plastic at the premises. The building was evacuated prior to our arrival. We currently have 10 fire engines on scene, as well as three turntable ladders, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump. We are receiving cross border support from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with this incident, and we anticipate we will be on scene for the rest of the weekend. A section of Wellingborough Road near the warehouse is closed, and due to the large smoke plume coming from the blaze, we are asking people nearby to avoid the area and keep their windows and doors closed.

May 24, 2025

Major incident declared as firefighters tackle blaze at Rushden recycling warehouse

A major incident has been declared as emergency services respond to a large fire at a recycling warehouse in Rushden. The fire started shortly before 6.30am on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate, and fire crews have been working since then to prevent the fire from spreading. A large smoke plume is issuing from the scene of the fire, so residents nearby are being asked to shut their doors and windows. A full evacuation of the affected building, as well as neighbouring industrial premises, has taken place, and everyone is safely accounted for. All roads on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate have been closed while emergency services deal with the incident, and people are asked to avoid the area and find an alternative route if commuting. Gas to the site has been isolated, and although nearby residents have not yet been affected by this, the Fire Service is working with North Northamptonshire Council and Cadent to mitigate any impact that could affect up to 500 properties nearby. Fire crews were called shortly before 6.30am and on arrival found a fire involving a large quantity of plastic at the premises. The building was evacuated prior to our arrival. We currently have 12 fire engines on scene, as well as three aerial appliances, two water bowsers and a high-volume pump. We are receiving cross border support from Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service in dealing with this incident, and we anticipate we will be on scene for the rest of the weekend. Area Manager Mick Berry, from Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a large fire that is having a significant impact on the Sanders Lodge industrial estate in Rushden. “A multi-agency decision has been taken to declare a Major Incident, but fire crews are working extremely hard to prevent the fire from spreading and reduce the smoke plume. “We would urge people to stay away from the site while emergency services deal with this incident and ask nearby residents to close windows and doors due to the large amount of smoke issuing from the site. “We anticipate that we will be on scene over the rest of the weekend, and we appreciate the impact this is having on local businesses on the estate and would like to thank them for their patience.”

May 22, 2025

Repeat offender ordered to pay more than £6,000 for latest waste offence

22 May 2025 A man has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 in fines and costs after finding himself in court over waste related offences for the second time in less than two years. Umit Bilgin’s first appearance before Northampton Magistrates came on 6 June 2023, after waste belonging to him was dumped in Spectacle Lane, Moulton. Magistrates ordered him to pay £3,350 in fines and costs on that occasion. However, the day before that hearing, Neighbourhood Wardens from West Northamptonshire Council had found yet more rubbish belonging to Bilgin while patrolling Duke Street in Northampton. It resulted in the 45-year-old being issued with another summons to appear at court, where on Monday, 12 May 2025, he was convicted for a second time of failing in his duty of care to ensure his household waste was disposed of properly. This time Bilgin, of Patterdale Walk in Northampton, was ordered to pay a £2,000 fine, plus a victim surcharge of £800 and prosecution costs of £3,500. While demonstrating the Council’s commitment to dealing with fly-tipping, the case also highlights the difficulties officers sometimes face when prosecuting such offences. Bilgin refused to engage with the officers’ enquiries or the investigation process and had to be issued with an arrest warrant after failing to appear at the first scheduled court date on 16 January 2024. And when he failed to appear at the second scheduled court date of 7, May 2024, a further arrest warrant was issued. His first court appearance eventually came on 3 March this year, when he pleaded not guilty, leading to the trial on Monday, 12 May. “Listening to our residents on the doorstep, dealing with fly-tipping is clearly a top priority for them and we will be stepping up our efforts to tackle environmental crimes and hold offenders to account. “We would urge people to continue supporting our work by reporting fly-tipping, littering and other environmental crimes on our website or via the West Northamptonshire Council app.” Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 22, 2025

Gladiators of Britain exhibition comes to West Northants

22 May 2025 This summer, Northampton Museum & Art Gallery invites visitors to discover the thrilling world of Roman gladiatorial combat with the arrival of Gladiators of Britain , a major touring exhibition developed in partnership with the British Museum and Colchester and Ipswich Museums. The exhibition explores the history and cultural significance of gladiatorial games in Roman Britain and will be on display from 24 May to 7 September 2025. The free exhibition brings together 25 significant objects from the British Museum and Colchester Museums collections, alongside important local artefacts that highlight the Nene Valley's rich Roman heritage. It tells the compelling story of the gladiators who fought and died for public entertainment across Britain during the Roman occupation. Occupying Britain for over 350 years, the Romans introduced many aspects of their culture including gladiatorial fights for public entertainment. The events of the amphitheatre, with its wild beasts and enslaved fighters, are one of the most enduring aspects of Roman culture that still capture the public imagination today. Gladiators of Britain will look at the social position of enslaved fighters, who were both vilified and admired as the celebrities of their day. Considered as infamis in Roman law and society, they were excluded from having the rights of other citizens. Visitors will also find out about the many different classes of gladiator and how they were ranked, including beast-fighters known as bestiarii, who clashed with predators including lions and bears. Although no local amphitheatre has been discovered in Northamptonshire, archaeological evidence reveals that the region's wealthy inhabitants were fascinated by gladiatorial spectacles. The Nene Valley, extending from the hills of Northamptonshire to Peterborough, was an area of considerable Roman prosperity, with profitable industries in pottery production and metal working. The Romans displayed their wealth by constructing luxurious villas throughout the area, with over twenty possible villa sites identified along the valley. These villas featured painted walls, decorative mosaics, underfloor heating, and bath houses - all hallmarks of Roman luxury. “We are delighted to welcome this prestigious exhibition to Northampton Museum & Art Gallery. Gladiators of Britain offers a unique opportunity for our visitors to explore an often-overlooked aspect of our area’s Roman heritage. “The exhibition highlights the cultural significance of gladiatorial combat and entertainment in Roman Britain, while showcasing remarkable objects that connect us to our local past. The Nene Valley's prosperous Roman history comes alive through these artefacts, revealing how our county’s wealthy inhabitants embraced Roman culture and spectacle." Cllr James Petter, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at West Northamptonshire Council The exhibition will showcase four exceptional objects discovered in the Nene Valley that demonstrate the enduring local interest in amphitheatre spectacles over three centuries: Decorated glass vessel (AD 200-400) Glass fragments from a luxurious beaker were discovered in one of the bath houses at Whitehall Villa, near Nether Heyford. The gladiator depicted is of the secutor class, recognisable by his smooth round helmet with small eye holes. Another fragment with a loin cloth indicates a second gladiator, perhaps a retiarius. This traditional opponent of the secutor fought with a trident and weighted net. The high-quality drinking vessel was probably made in the Rhineland and imported to Roman Britain. Clasp knife handle from Piddington (AD 175–300) Archaeological excavations at Piddington Villa have been taking place since 1979. Evidence has revealed that the site was occupied from the first century AD, for about three hundred years. Clasp knives were common tools in the Roman world and often had decorative handles made of bone, ivory and bronze. Depictions of gladiators were frequent, showing us how their bodies were objectified and commodified both in and outside of the arena. Pottery vessel featuring a gladiator (AD 275–325) Very few vessels made in Roman Britain decorated with gladiators have survived. Although the figure on this jar is interpreted as a gladiator, he carries a large round shield decorated with a boss, similar to those used later by the Roman army. Pottery vessel featuring amphitheatre scenes (AD 175–225) Similar to the Colchester Vase, the exceptionally decorated Peterborough pot records two scenes from the amphitheatre: a gladiator combat and a venatio event with a leopard and acrobat. Pots like this may have been made to order by some of the Nene Valley’s wealthy villa owners, to show off their love of the games. Key objects loaned by the British Museum and Colchester and Ipswich Museums will include: Hawkedon Helmet (1st century AD) The only confirmed piece of gladiatorial armour found in Roman Britain. Recent metallurgical research has revealed this helmet would have been made on the continent and imported to Britain. Marble relief featuring a beast fighter (1st–2nd century AD) A relief illustrating a fight between a lion and a specially trained beast fighter (venator). The exhibition also highlights new research into bite marks that were found on a Roman skeleton in York, which found that these marks were made by a big cat such as a lion as shown here. Colchester Vase (2nd century AD) A cremation vessel found in a Roman grave, thought to feature a real battle between gladiators Memnon, Valentinus, and beast-fighters Secundus and Mario. Research has confirmed this vessel was made in Colchester, with its inscription revealing it to be the first real evidence of actual battles taking place in Britain. “While gladiators have always captured the public imagination, their presence in Britain has been less widely understood. New research has now proven that the spectacles of Rome’s Colosseum were experienced as far away as Colchester. But who were these enslaved fighters, and how did they come to be in Britain? We are now able to start answering these questions and it is fascinating to see how each venue brings these stories to life.” Thorsten Opper, Curator of Roman Collections at the British Museum The exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of talks, events and activities for all ages. Find out more on the Northampton Museums website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 22, 2025

Three Northamptonshire businesses celebrate King’s Awards for Enterprise success

22 May 2025 In the image from left to right Mrs Haynes , Mr Charles Haynes Ziggurat XYZ, Mr. Jamie Dye, Dr Cristiana Pace Enovation Consulting Ltd and Mr. Barry Tong and Mrs Katy Tong Stephensons Online Ltd. Three Northamptonshire businesses have been recognised with the prestigious King’s Awards for Enterprise, the UK’s highest honour for business success. Enovation Consulting Ltd, Sol Retail, and Ziggurat XYZ Ltd have each received an award in the International Trade category, celebrating their outstanding achievements in overseas markets. The King’s Awards for Enterprise highlight the innovation, growth, and impact of UK businesses across a range of sectors. “Receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise is a monumental achievement, and I am thrilled to see three businesses from our region recognised for their incredible contributions to international trade and innovation. These companies are setting the standard for excellence and making a real impact on a global scale. Their success is a testament to the talent, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit that thrive here in Northamptonshire.” Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson Enovation Consulting was founded in 2018 following Dr. Cristiana Pace’s pioneering PhD investigating and implementing a more data-driven and robust approach to sustainability in motorsport organisations. While early applications included F1 teams, manufacturers, and motorsport federations, the business quickly evolved into an international ESG consultancy working to accelerate changes across the sport sector. Today, Enovation Consulting offers end-to-end creative, innovative, and data driven solutions for sports organisations, integrating sustainability best practices into business strategies and enabling clients to deliver on ESG goals. “Sustainability in sports is all too often overlooked or just perceived as a communication exercise. We work with sports organisations to address sustainability in a robust, impactful, innovative and data-driven way that results in meaningful change. To achieve this, we have remained independent and agile, using what we call the ‘Formula One mindset’. “Sport has the power to showcase real change, pioneer innovations, and inspire generations. Therefore, it is a fitting platform to drive change and cultural shifts to help tackle the climate crisis.” Dr. Cristiana Pace, Founder and CEO of Enovation Consulting Sol Retail, based in Northampton and founded by Barry and Katy Tong in 2012, has been recognised with a King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The business began with £10 selling ornaments and DVDs on eBay and is now ranked among the top 100 sellers on Amazon UK and the EU. Sol Retail supports health, beauty, and wellness brands, with sales nearing £20 million annually. It also donates to local charities, including over £500,000 in stock to the Lewis Foundation. "This award is a landmark, not just for Sol Retail, but for the vision and perseverance that's brought us here. When we started the business in a flat with £10... we never imagined we'd be where we are today. "The King's Award for Enterprise recognises the passion, grit and innovative thinking that our team bring to the table every single day, and it marks just the beginning of our journey to £50 million and beyond." Mr Tong, CEO of Sol Retail Ziggurat XYZ Ltd, founded in 2016 by Charles Haynes is a Northampton-based talent and creative agency, has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. Specialising in factual entertainment, the agency supports a diverse range of clients, including blacksmiths, chefs, mathematicians, and gardeners, empowering them to expand their reach and impact. Over the past five years, Ziggurat has achieved an average annual growth rate of 40% and now operates in 12 countries, employing 19 staff members. “Ziggurat is 8 years old now, and it often felt like we were hiding our success under a bushel. This award finally puts our expert staff in the spotlight they deserve. We are thrilled to be recognised for our contribution to international trade and are excited about the future.” Charles Haynes, Managing Director at Ziggurat XYZ Ltd Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 20, 2025

Reduction in Children Entering Care in Northamptonshire

20 May 2025 The number of children needing care in Northamptonshire has reduced, following commitment and ambition of local leadership and the workforce to support children to remain living with their parents or within their family networks whenever it is safe to do so. Northamptonshire Children’s Trust supports families to access the right support at the right time, focusing on prevention rather than late intervention meaning families can access timely, tailored support to build resilience, promote well-being, and overcome challenges. Today, Ofsted have published their latest focussed visit inspection letter of the Children in Care service where they cited the reduction in the number of children coming into care and also noted the firm focus on continual improvement. Inspectors found a number of key improvements, including increased workforce stability, enhanced quality of assessments for children in care, and significant progress in reducing the number of children living in unregistered children’s homes through a comprehensive sufficiency strategy. Ofsted also noted the strong political and corporate support from the council’s contributing to addressing sufficiency needs by providing more homes for children in the county as well as investing in transformation such as circle to success which has had impact on improving outcomes for children and young people. “When children do enter care, social workers are increasingly prioritising the importance of achieving permanence without delay. “Most children in care enjoy positive relationships with consistent social workers who know them well. Social workers speak about the children they support with pride and warmth.” When children are unable to continue to live with their family, the Ofsted inspectors found that they are living in homes that meet their needs, where they have positive experiences and make progress in various aspects of their lives. Inspectors “It is pleasing that Ofsted have seen the decrease of the number of children coming into care, something that has been a key focus for us. Wherever possible we want children and young people to remain with their family or family network when it is safe to do so. “Every child deserves to have a sense of belonging and opportunity to thrive and it is heartening to see that Ofsted recognised the commitment we have to ensuring all children and young people have this. “We know that there are still improvements to be made as outlined by Ofsted and we are committed to progressing these.” Julian Wooster, Chair of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust "Ofsted has acknowledged the strong and steady focus on making things better — especially the progress we've made in creating more stability across the workforce. We're committed to keeping that momentum going. The council will continue working side-by-side with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust to keep raising the bar, so that every child gets the support, safety, and opportunities they truly deserve." Cllr Kathryn Shaw, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC “Social workers expressed unanimous positivity about working for NCT, feeling valued and well-supported by managers and leaders at every level of the organisation. Staff cited this level of support, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and manageable caseloads as key reasons for their continued commitment to NCT, with some agency workers even converting to permanent positions as a result.” Ofsted You can read the full report here: 50277483 Find out about NCT: Jobs and careers with Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 20, 2025

Join the Women's Touch Rugby Festival at cinch Stadium

20 May 2025 This summer, West Northants is set to host six exhilarating Women’s Rugby World Cup fixtures at Franklin’s Gardens stadium. To mark this historic sporting moment, women from across the county are invited to take part in a one-of-a-kind Women’s Touch Rugby Festival, with matches taking place on the very pitch where the Red Roses will compete later this year. Whether you're a regular player or completely new to the game, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience the spirit of the Rugby World Cup, have fun, and get active alongside other women of all abilities. Festival details: Saturday 7 June 2025 Main Pitch, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens Who can take part: Women aged 18+, all experience levels welcome Team size: 7-a-side (up to 12 players per team) Entry includes: Team registration for up to 12 players T-shirt for every participant One ticket per player to the opening home Loughborough Lightning fixture for the 2025/26 season On-site parking Each team will be randomly assigned a Rugby World Cup nation to represent during the festival, adding an international flair to the day. Teams will be grouped based on experience level and RFU guidelines will apply. Important Info: Team registration opens at 9.30am Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis Sign-ups close on Friday, 23 May Festival schedules will be shared in the days leading up to the event By entering, teams consent to photography and video footage being taken for promotional use Register your team and be part of this exciting celebration of women’s rugby by visiting the Northampton Saints events page . For any queries, please contact the team or call 01604 751543. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 16, 2025

West Northamptonshire Council welcomes new Leader and Cabinet as it embarks on next chapter

16 May 2025 Front row (l-r): Cllr Couse, Cllr Arnull and Cllr Shaw; Middle front: Cllr Slope; Middle back: Cllr Hastie, Cllr Stansfield, Cllr Butler and Cllr Manning; Back row: Cllr Petter and Cllr Last West Northamptonshire Council is setting off on an exciting new chapter for delivering and improving local public services with a new Leader and Cabinet members. Following on from this month’s elections – the second to have taken place since the unitary was formed four years ago – Councillors from the majority party Reform UK have been appointed to WNC’s political leadership positions, with Cllr Mark Arnull elected as Leader of the Council at last night’s Annual Meeting (Thursday, 15 May). Cllr Arnull has appointed a 10-strong Cabinet, each responsible for overseeing their own portfolio of specific council services, to drive forward and deliver upon the new administration’s priorities for local communities. Cllr James Petter takes on the role of Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture & Leisure. “I’m really looking forward to working with a Cabinet that has a broad range of experience across all portfolios, real grassroots knowledge of the local areas and issues people are facing and a palpable energy and enthusiasm for doing things differently and better. “It’s so important we hit the ground running to deliver upon the mandate we’ve been given by the electorate and in the coming days we will be reviewing what we have inherited from the previous administration and working hard to change and improve local services for the benefit of everyone. “It’s our aim to be highly visible within our communities, getting out and about as much as possible talking to local people about the issues affecting them. We’re looking forward to getting stuck in and making a real difference to people’s lives.” Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council “As we embark upon our Council’s second term as a unitary authority, we all agree that West Northamptonshire is a place of big ambitions. I look forward to working closely together with Cllr Arnull and the new Cabinet on progressing the future priorities to fulfil our area’s true potential.” Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council The full Cabinet arrangements are as follows: Cllr Mark Arnull – Leader of the Council Born and raised in Daventry and trained at Northampton College, Mark went on to forge a successful career in international major events, working with organising committees and government departments to deliver mass feeding operations. Mark is an ambassador for small business in the community and champions youth initiatives that help young people enter the world of business. Cllr James Petter – Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture & Leisure. James has lived in Hunsbury, Northampton for over 30 years where he raised his family. He has a strong business background with more than 40 years of experience across a range of sectors including retail and logistics, having also run his own business. Placing West Northamptonshire on the map as a prime destination for visitors, businesses and investment will be a key focus for James in his new remit Cllr Kathryn Ann Shaw – Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education. A lifelong Northampton resident, Kathryn brings extensive experience in therapeutic intervention and community engagement, with a professional background in hypnotherapy, EMDR, and trauma-informed care, and a particular focus on early intervention, mental health, and innovative educational support. Her appointment reflects a deep commitment to reshaping care systems to better serve vulnerable families and promote long-term resilience. Cllr Andrew Last – Cabinet Member for HR & Corporate Services. Andrew fell for Brackley and its surrounding countryside while serving at RAF Greatworth. Leaving the RAF, Andrew returned to the area with his wife, and family. With a successful career in Information Technology, Cyber Security and Project Management, Andrew brings a wealth of expertise to the table and an ability to cultivate relationships with stakeholders at all levels will be invaluable in representing the interests of residents and ensuring their voices are heard. Cllr John Slope – Cabinet Member for Finance. John moved to the West Northants when he was four, initially living in Duston and then Moulton for over 40 years. His extensive career in the sales and logistics sectors included managing operations and running his own logistics consultancy, with strong financial knowledge. John is looking forward to focusing on tackling local government’s ongoing financial challenges and delivering value for money for West Northants residents. Cllr Laura Couse – Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health & Regulatory Services Laura has lived in Northampton for over 20 years with a strong background in the health and wellbeing sector, running her own clinical therapy business helping people struggling with lymphoedema and lipoedema. She has also worked previously as a live-in carer providing palliative care, and also runs a local support group for people with lymphoedema and lipoedema. Laura is passionate about working to bridge the gaps in health and wellbeing services and further developing community and health cross working. Cllr Richard Butler – Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport . Brackley born and raised, Richard has served as a town councillor for 10 years and looks forward to his new role representing residents on WNC. He has more than 50 years experience in transport sectors including the motor industry and container shipping, as well as sales and business acquisition. Cllr Nigel Stansfield – Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste Father-of-three Nigel lives in Spinney Hill and has been a West Northants residents for over 35 years. He has previously served on Grange Park parish Council for 10 years and has a particular interest in environmental affairs, planning to focus in his remit at WNC on tackling issues like littering, flytipping and graffiti and encouraging a pride of place ethos within local communities. Cllr Thomas Manning – Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities . Thomas is Northampton born and raised, having also studied at Moulton College and the University of Northampton. For the past 18 years he has worked on housing, commercial and infrastructure projects from the planning stages through to completion. Cllr Charlie Hastie – Cabinet Member for Housing Charlie lives in Moreton Pinkney having returned to West Northants 12 years ago having lived abroad in places including the USA and Canada, where he holds dual citizenship. Currently self-employed in the sports branding sector, his extensive career includes a City background and working in the Metropolitan Police. Charlie is particularly passionate about ending homelessness and making sure housing, planning and welfare services work together so there is an effective safety net for the most vulnerable within our communities. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 15, 2025

Northampton’s excellent night-time economy recognised with international award

15 May 2025 Northampton town centre’s ‘gold standard’ evening and night-time economy has been honoured with a top international award for the sixth year in a row. It was confirmed yesterday that Northampton has retained the prestigious Purple Flag award which celebrates places that create thriving, vibrant night-time economies that are safe for visitors, workers and residents. Across the globe only 90 locations – including world-renowned tourist destinations – have been awarded the Purple Flag which is similar to the Blue Flag scheme for beaches and aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between 5pm and 5am. In addition to Northampton, seven areas are celebrating receiving a Full Renewal accreditation, and four areas are celebrating receiving an Interim Renewal accreditation. Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) worked closely with multiple partners, including West Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership and the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner to successfully retain the Purple Flag status. “The Purple Flag award is only presented to towns and cities with gold standard evening and night-time economies. “To have received this accolade for six years in a row is an incredible achievement for Northampton and is fantastic recognition for our excellent night-time economy businesses and the multiple partners which have worked so hard to improve safety in the town centre. “This news comes at an exciting time for Northampton as in the next few weeks we’re due to see the completion of the £5 million Abington Street and Fish Street regeneration project which will make these key areas more attractive and accessible for both visitors and residents. “Looking further ahead we’re also thrilled that STACK is opening its first venue in the Midlands in the former Market Walk shopping centre which will feature independent street food outlets, bars, a space for interactive games and a main stage for live music and entertainment.” Mark Mullen, operations manager for Northampton Town Centre BID The £12 million STACK scheme is being funded by an £8 million investment from STACK and a £4.2 million investment from West Northamptonshire Council. Receiving Purple Flag accreditation has been shown to boost local economies, increase tourism, and improve the overall quality of life for residents by providing more night-time entertainment and social opportunities. The award judges were impressed with the revamp of Northampton’s Market Square, which has enhanced the area with its alfresco dining, public art and water features. They also found that inclusive events like the town’s free Music Festival and lively Diwali celebrations had brought the community together. Other key successes in Northampton’s submission included its focus on night-time venue safety initiatives such as staff upskilling and awareness programs like Ask for Angela. The introduction of the Safer Routes Home initiative, which provides University of Northampton students with a designated and safer path home from the town centre to the Waterside Campus, was also singled out for praise. “It’s fantastic to see Northampton once again being awarded Purple Flag status. Since its first application in 2018, the town has continued to go from strength to strength. The passion and dedication shown by the partnership is a true reflection of what the Purple Flag stands for – vibrant, safe, and thriving town and city centres after dark.” Ojay McDonald, Chief Executive of the Association of Town & City Management “Retaining the Purple Flag for the sixth consecutive year is a fantastic achievement and reflects the commitment of our partners and local businesses to ensuring Northampton is a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place to enjoy a night out.” Cllr Mark Arnull, from West Northamptonshire Council For more details visit www.discovernorthampton.co.uk Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 16, 2025

West Northamptonshire Council announces the appointment of Cllr Alison Eastwood as its new Chairman

16 May 2025 West Northamptonshire Council has elected Councillor Alison Eastwood as its new Chairman for 2025/26. Cllr Eastwood received the ceremonial chains of office from outgoing Chairman Jo Gilford at last night’s Annual Council meeting (15 May 2025). Cllr Peter York was appointed as Vice-Chairman. With a diverse career spanning theatre, business, and public service, Cllr Eastwood brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to her local community. She was first elected to represent Silverstone Ward four years ago and now serves as ward councillor for Rural South Northamptonshire. Cllr Eastwood’s career has taken her from the stage to the boardroom, with notable achievements in theatre management, interior design, and real estate consulting across Los Angeles, London, and South West Northamptonshire. Her deep commitment to public service was inspired by her mother, the founder of the Listening Library for the Blind, and has seen her contribute to a wide range of community projects, both here and in the USA. Before her election as a councillor, Cllr Eastwood served on the Beverly Hills School Board and worked with various charitable organisations, including the Red Cross and initiatives supporting children and adults in need. Since returning to the UK, Cllr Eastwood has dedicated herself to the people of West Northamptonshire, holding key roles including the Deputy Culture Lead, and sits on the boards of 78 Derngate, the Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT), and the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. The Chairman is a non-political, civic role that represents the council and West Northamptonshire at various events, including official functions, and chairs council meetings to ensure they are conducted in line with the Constitution. "I am incredibly proud to take on the role of Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council. It’s a privilege to serve the community that has welcomed me so warmly over the years. As Chairman, I look forward to meeting and supporting people from all walks of life, whether through attending local events or shining a light on the vital work being done by charities such as NMPAT and Maggie’s Cancer Support. I am looking forward to supporting Women’s Rugby World Cup and commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of Northampton. "This is a year of opportunity to celebrate the incredible diversity and strength of our community and to continue building pride in our communities. My aim is simple—to listen, connect, and work together to make a lasting impact. Whether it’s a charity event, a neighbourhood initiative, or a community gathering, I will be there to support and champion what matters most to the people of West Northamptonshire." Cllr Eastwood “I’m delighted to welcome Cllr Eastwood into the role of Chairman, the chains of office are in very capable hands. Cllr Eastwood brings experience, energy and a clear commitment to the role representing all our communities and her appointment reflects how all councillors are united in promoting civic pride across our area.” Cllr Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council As part of her role, Cllr Eastwood looks forward to meeting with local businesses, schools, community and voluntary groups, and organisations. If you would like to invite the Chairman to an event, please contact the Chairman’s Secretary at [email protected] . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 14, 2025

Work progresses on new mortuary for Northamptonshire

14 May 2025 The steel frame for Northamptonshire’s new public mortuary has now been completed marking a major milestone in the construction of the facility at Riverside Business Park in Northampton. Due to be completed in autumn 2025, the new mortuary will be a purpose-built facility designed to deliver the highest standards of care and compassion during some of life’s most difficult moments serving communities across Northamptonshire and surrounding areas. It will provide modern, dignified spaces for families, including private viewing and identification areas, ensuring a respectful and supportive experience for those dealing with the loss of a loved one. The facility will also bring key services under one roof, simplifying processes and reducing the need for travel between different sites. This will not only make it easier for families by reducing delays but will also improve efficiency for funeral directors, healthcare professionals, and other essential services. “Losing someone you love is one of the hardest things any of us will ever face. “We want families to feel supported, respected and cared for every step of the way. Now that the structure is in place, we're one step closer to providing a modern, respectful facility that will better serve families and professionals across Northamptonshire” Anna Earnshaw, Chief Executive of West Northamptonshire Council The mortuary will also help emergency services if there is ever a major incident, such as a disaster with multiple casualties. It will ensure that Northamptonshire is well-prepared to handle such situations while continuing to provide vital services for the community. The project is being delivered by Stepnell Ltd, a contractor with extensive experience in managing large-scale construction projects. “Reaching this stage is a significant milestone, and we’re proud to be delivering a facility that will make such an important difference to families and frontline services. “With the steel frame complete, the building’s shape is now clear, and we’re progressing well towards the next phase.” Adrian Barnes, Director at Stepnell Ltd Find out more about the Northampton Mortuary on the West Northamptonshire Council website. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 14, 2025

Brand new World Cup trophy to tour West Northants

14 May 2025 With just 100 days to go until Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 kicks off, World Rugby has today unveiled a bold new trophy – a symbol of the game’s unstoppable global rise and announced it will visit West Northants as part of its nationwide tour. The record-breaking tournament has already surpassed all expectations with 300,000 tickets sold - more than double the total attendance from RWC 2021 in New Zealand, with a further wave of tickets being released today, seeing the tournament firmly on course to become the biggest Women’s Rugby World Cup in history. The trophy will be arriving in Northampton Market Square on Monday 26 May, from 9am to 3pm for people to come along and snap a photo with the iconic trophy, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, meet local influencers, and find out how to get involved as we gear up to host this world-class tournament later this year. The trophy will also be making appearances at the MotoGP in Silverstone, Brackley town centre, and Northampton Casuals Rugby Club during its visit. “We’re incredibly proud to be one of the host locations for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and to welcome the brand-new trophy to West Northamptonshire as part of its national tour. “The excitement is building across our communities, and we can’t wait to showcase all that our area has to offer to fans and visitors from around the world. Hosting the tournament is not only a celebration of sport but also an opportunity to bring people together, inspire the next generation, and shine a global spotlight on West Northants. “We encourage everyone to come along to the Market Square in Northampton on the bank holiday to be part of this special moment and get involved in what promises to be a truly unforgettable tournament.” Cllr Mark Arnull from West Northamptonshire Council To mark the 100 days to go milestone, World Rugby have today unveiled the new Women’s Rugby World Cup Trophy at London’s Battersea Power Station. The reveal, broadcast live on the BBC Morning Live, brought together senior figures from World Rugby, RWC 2025 LOC, UK Government, host cities, and Rugby World Cup legends to celebrate the progress and energy of the women’s game and look ahead to an era-defining tournament. Crafted in sterling silver and plated with 24-carat gold, the newly designed trophy is a modern expression of excellence and ambition. It fuses history and future by retaining the iconic twin handles of the original prize while introducing a sleek, oval silhouette, with names of past champions engraved on its base acknowledging the trailblazers who have shaped the game. The world map etched into the surface symbolises the game’s universal reach, celebrating the nations that have competed on the Rugby World Cup stage and the new stars who will carry the game forward. “We are just 100 days away from welcoming the world to England for what will be the biggest and best Women’s Rugby World Cup yet. The excitement is real, and the momentum is building by the day, as this tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience for everyone. “With more tickets going on sale today, don’t miss out on seeing rugby’s powerful personalities and unstoppable athletes take to the global stage.” Find out more and buy tickets on the Women’s Rugby World Cup website. Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director Sarah Massey Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 15, 2025

Spotlight on mental health support at Northampton Market Square

15 May 2025 Residents are invited to Northampton’s Market Square on Saturday 17 May, from 10am to 2pm, for a special event to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, bringing together a wide range of local charities and organisations. The event aims to raise awareness of the mental health and wellbeing services available to people of all ages across the area and is part of a series of actions led by the Northampton Town Centre Task Group to support workers, businesses, and the wider community. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet with teams from organisations such as Action for Happiness, The Lowdown, Samaritans, Healthwatch, Futures Housing, and many more. Kelly's heroes will also be in the market square on Thursday and Friday. Public Health colleagues will also be promoting upcoming mental health and suicide prevention training sessions specifically aimed at local businesses. Find out more about mental health and wellbeing support in West Northamptonshire at: on the WNC website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 15, 2025

NFRS among agencies dealing with major exercise in Northamptonshire

Public organisations across Northamptonshire came together today to deal with a mock scenario involving a mid-air collision of two aircrafts. The RAF and other agencies heavily supported this exercise, which ran in real time, and involved more than 300 people handling a simulated emergency in the St James area of Northampton. Organisations including Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, the police, local authorities and health partners were alerted to the details at around 9.30am. Ambulance crews tend to a fake casualty earlier as part of the simulation exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to practice, in as near a real environment as possible, the readiness of Northamptonshire’s Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to deal with a complex major incident as it unfolds. Other organisations such as the Environment Agency, UK Health Security Agency and the military also supported the exercise. The scenario imagined that a Hawk jet and a Wildcat helicopter collided 250ft above Northampton and debris fell across the area. Those taking part in the exercise were required to quickly liaise with all relevant agencies, risk assess the situation and decide on a course of action. This included gauging the level of risk to emergency services staff responding to the situation while ensuring casualties could be reached and treated. Deputy Chief Constable and LRF Chair, Ashley Tuckley, said: “Having a real-time exercise, with direct consequences from our action or inaction, was incredibly powerful. “Colleagues from across our organisations demonstrated the benefit of our years of preparation and work together as we dealt with the unfolding situation. “Of course, we’ll be reflecting very carefully on the decisions we took and whether different actions might have improved outcomes. “I’m really grateful to everyone who worked so hard in response to today’s exercise, and to everyone in who might have been disrupted for their patience.” [embedded content] In preparation for today’s event, the RAF arranged for sections from the two aircraft to be moved into position across West Northamptonshire Council’s Westbridge site. Students from Northampton College were on hand to act as casualties and around 150 front-line emergency services staff were involved in the operation. Training exercises such as this take place across the UK in a bid to test joint working and preparedness, should a major incident happen. Wing Commander James Errington of RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, who assisted in the coordination of the exercise along with Northamptonshire Chief Superintendent Jen Helm, said: “The fundamental aim of this exercise was for partner agencies to work together in a challenging environment to better prepare for any future emergencies. “This has successfully been achieved with partners going away with a greater understanding of each organisation.”

May 13, 2025

Agencies deal with major exercise in Northamptonshire

13 May 2025 Public organisations across Northamptonshire came together today to deal with a mock scenario involving a mid-air collision of two aircraft. The RAF and other agencies heavily supported this exercise which ran in real time and involved more than 300 people handling a simulated emergency in the St James area of Northampton. Organisations including Northamptonshire Police, the fire service, local authorities and health partners were alerted to the details at around 9.30am. The purpose of the exercise was to practice, in as near a real environment as possible, the readiness of Northamptonshire’s Local Resilience Forum (LRF) to deal with a complex major incident as it unfolds. Other organisations such as the Environment Agency, UK Health Security Agency and the military also supported the exercise. The scenario imagined that a Hawk jet and a Wildcat helicopter collided 250ft above Northampton and debris fell across the area. Those taking part in the exercise were required to quickly liaise with all relevant agencies, risk assess the situation and decide on a course of action. This included gauging the level of risk to emergency services staff responding to the situation while ensuring casualties could be reached and treated. “Having a real-time exercise, with direct consequences from our action or inaction, was incredibly powerful. “Colleagues from across our organisations demonstrated the benefit of our years of preparation and work together as we dealt with the unfolding situation. “Of course, we’ll be reflecting very carefully on the decisions we took and whether different actions might have improved outcomes. “I’m really grateful to everyone who worked so hard in response to today’s exercise, and to everyone in who might have been disrupted for their patience.” Deputy Chief Constable and LRF Chair, Ashley Tuckley In preparation for today’s event, the RAF arranged for sections from the two aircraft to be moved into position across West Northamptonshire Council’s Westbridge site. Find out more in this video: Major incident training exercise in Northampton Students from Northampton College were on hand to act as casualties and around 150 front-line emergency services staff were involved in the operation. Training exercises such as this take place across the UK in a bid to test joint working and preparedness, should a major incident happen. “The fundamental aim of this exercise was for partner agencies to work together in a challenging environment to better prepare for any future emergencies. “This has successfully been achieved with partners going away with a greater understanding of each organisation.” Wing Commander James Errington of RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 11, 2025

2025 -2026 Over £500 Spends

April 2025

May 08, 2025

Major emergency planning exercise taking place next week

08 May 2025 The planned no-fly zone for the exercise Public bodies across Northamptonshire will take part in an extensive live exercise next week to test the county’s emergency response procedures. Police, fire and rescue, ambulance, unitary councils, the integrated care board and NHS partners, will respond to a mock scenario on Tuesday 13 May to test their incident plans. Other organisations such as the Environment Agency, UK Health Security Agency and the military will also take part in the exercise in St James, Northampton. Training exercises such as this have been taking place across the UK over the last couple of years in a bid to test joint working and preparedness, should a major incident happen. Plans exist within each organisation and are regularly tested in tabletop exercises, but this is the first time in more than ten years a real-life test of those plans has taken place in Northamptonshire. “This mock exercise has been in planning for some time and will present a real challenge to our emergency response. “It will allow all partners the opportunity to test their own and joint plans in the field, bringing them off the page and providing vital learning, something recommended following major incidents in other parts of the UK, including Manchester and London. “We don’t have advance warning of what to expect, so hopefully this is as close as we’ll come to dealing with a genuine emergency. “One thing we do know at this stage is that there will be an extensive no-fly zone in place across all of St James, Edgar Mobbs Way, Northampton Train Station and parts of Far Cotton, meaning drones must not be flown in this area. “Our LRF does a huge amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for these kinds of incidents, so I’m confident that between us we have the capability we need to respond effectively. “There will almost certainly be things that we can all learn from such an exercise which will strengthen our approach even further.” Deputy Chief Constable, Ashley Tuckley, chair of the Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum The exact scenario to be tested won’t be made public until the exercise is under way, however, there will be a lot of activity involving the emergency services on May 13 in St James. There is also likely to be an increased presence by the emergency services and military in the area on May 12 and 14. “We’d like to apologise in advance for the minor disruption this activity might cause to local residents and businesses. “Police colleagues have been out and about alerting those who live or work in the area and have had a very positive response. “It’s incredibly important that we’re as prepared as we can be for incidents of this kind, and we’re grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding.” DCC Tuckley Members of the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team will be parked with the Beat Bus in the car park of the Thomas Beckett pub, Weedon Road on May 13, if you would like to speak to someone while the exercise takes place. The team will also be sharing updates via Northamptonshire Talking before, during and after the exercise. If you would like to receive these updates, but are not already signed-up to Northamptonshire Talking, you can do so via www.northamptonshiretalking.co.uk We will endeavour to minimise disruption as much as possible and urge anyone with any questions ahead of the exercise to contact the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team via [email protected] Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 09, 2025

Major emergency planning exercise taking place next week

Public bodies across Northamptonshire will take part in an extensive live exercise next week to test the county’s emergency response procedures. Police, fire and rescue, ambulance, unitary councils, the integrated care board and NHS partners, will respond to a mock scenario on Tuesday 13 May to test their incident plans. Other organisations such as the Environment Agency, UK Health Security Agency and the military will also take part in the exercise in St James, Northampton. Training exercises such as this have been taking place across the UK over the last couple of years in a bid to test joint working and preparedness, should a major incident happen. Plans exist within each organisation and are regularly tested in tabletop exercises, but this is the first time in more than ten years a real-life test of those plans has taken place in Northamptonshire. Deputy Chief Constable, Ashley Tuckley, is chair of the Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF). He said: “This mock exercise has been in planning for some time and will present a real challenge to our emergency response. It will allow all partners the opportunity to test their own and joint plans in the field, bringing them off the page and providing vital learning, something recommended following major incidents in other parts of the UK, including Manchester and London. “We don’t have advance warning of what to expect, so hopefully this is as close as we’ll come to dealing with a genuine emergency. One thing we do know at this stage is that there will be an extensive no-fly zone in place across all of St James, Edgar Mobbs Way, Northampton Train Station and parts of Far Cotton, meaning drones must not be flown in this area. “Our LRF does a huge amount of work behind the scenes to prepare for these kinds of incidents, so I’m confident that between us we have the capability we need to respond effectively. There will almost certainly be things that we can all learn from such an exercise which will strengthen our approach even further.” The exact scenario to be tested won’t be made public until the exercise is under way, however, there will be a lot of activity involving the emergency services on May 13 in St James. There is also likely to be an increased presence by the emergency services and military in the area on May 12 and 14. DCC Tuckley added: “We’d like to apologise in advance for the minor disruption this activity might cause to local residents and businesses. Police colleagues have been out and about alerting those who live or work in the area and have had a very positive response. It’s incredibly important that we’re as prepared as we can be for incidents of this kind, and we’re grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding.” Members of the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team will be parked with the Beat Bus in the car park of the Thomas Beckett pub, Weedon Road on May 13, if you would like to speak to someone while the exercise takes place. The team will also be sharing updates via Northamptonshire Talking before, during and after the exercise. If you would like to receive these updates, but are not already signed-up to Northamptonshire Talking, you can do so via www.northamptonshiretalking.co.uk We will endeavour to minimise disruption as much as possible and urge anyone with any questions ahead of the exercise to contact the Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Team via NeighbourhoodTeamNorthampton@northants.police.uk

May 09, 2025

Important safety advice issued after NFRS called to midday tumble dryer fire

Today (May 8) Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was called shortly before 12:30pm to a fire in a house that started in a tumble dryer in Earls Barton. Crews from Wellingborough and Rushden arrived at the property to find the tumble dryer on fire, and the property full of smoke. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used hose-reel jets to put out the fire and removed the effected tumble dryer from the house. The utility room was significantly damaged, but the homeowner had kept the door closed, which meant the fire was confined to the room and prevented its spread to the rest of the house. This incident highlights how important it is to keep your doors closed in your house, particularly in rooms where there are appliances. In this case, it is believed that the fire started due to a faulty appliance, but it is worth remembering the following safety advice: Do not put rags or materials into your tumble dryer if they have been used to soak up flammable liquids Remove the lint (fluff) from the filter after every load of clothes you dry Never cover any vents Ensure the vent pipe is free of kinks and is not being crushed in any way Register your appliance by visiting registermyappliance.org.uk *These photos have been shared with permission from the homeowner*

May 07, 2025

‘Unknown Tommy’ silhouettes added to town centre garden

07 May 2025 Two silhouettes of fallen soldiers have been installed in St Katherine’s Gardens as part of Northampton’s VE Day commemorations. The aluminium ‘Unknown Tommy’ statues have been funded by the Royal British Legion (RBL) and installed ahead of this week’s celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. They form part of an ongoing project to revitalise the popular green space. The silhouettes will sit alongside a new wave of planting in the area’s flower beds and the replacement of a bench thanks to a £3,000 donation from Zone Developments, one of the companies involved in the current regeneration of the town centre. “With the RBL featuring so prominently in St Katherine’s Gardens it feels the perfect place to install the Unknown Tommy’ silhouettes, which will serve as a poignant year-round reminder of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice to secure the freedoms we all enjoy today. “We are extremely grateful for the financial support from our partners at Zone Developments and colleagues at West Northamptonshire Council for facilitating these conversations with the RBL and granting the permissions necessary to make this happen. All three organisations came along to help us, along with volunteers from Workbridge and the park wardens. “The new planting will bring an immediate pop of colour to the garden and we will be returning later this year to plant hundreds of tulip bulbs ahead of a spectacular display next spring.” Mark Mullen, operations manager for Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) “The evolution of St Katherine’s Gardens as a much-loved and well-used beauty spot is something that we have enjoyed following while we have been working to regenerate the town centre and we are delighted to play our part in continuing the story. “Having the opportunity to create a focal point where people can take a moment to reflect on our war heroes in the RBL garden is something we were more than happy to support.” Rob Dyson, construction manager at Zone Developments The BID has received support from multiple partners to transform St Katherine’s Gardens, including West Northamptonshire Council, Northampton Town Council, Northampton College, the University of Northampton and the Mercure hotel. “The anniversary of VE Day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices our soldiers made and we look forward to the community coming together to enjoy this new space in the heart of Northampton.” Paul Chapman, Chairman of Northampton RBL Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 07, 2025

New Members to meet at Annual Council next week

07 May 2025 West Northamptonshire’s newly-elected councillors will come together for the first time next week at the Council’s Annual Meeting. All members of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are expected to attend the special session in Northampton’s Guildhall next Thursday, 15 May, to approve the authority’s governance and committee arrangements for the year ahead. Voters went to the polls last Thursday (1 May) to elect 76 WNC councillors across the area on a four-year term representing their local communities alongside contested elections for a number of town and parish councils. As a result, the new political make-up of WNC is 42 Reform UK councillors, 17 Conservative councillors, 9 Labour councillors, 6 Liberal Democrat councillors and 2 Independent councillors. With the majority of seats, Reform UK has political control of the Council, so will form WNC’s new political administration and leadership and will be working with council officers to deliver their priorities for residents and businesses. The new political make-up means changes are required to the Council’s governance and political balance, which must be considered and approved at Annual Council on 15 May. This includes electing a new Council Chairman and Vice-Chairman, appointing a new Council Leader and confirming new Cabinet Members, and agreeing the membership of the various committees that councillors sit on, such as those for planning and scrutiny. Work is well underway on preparations ahead of the meeting, which will take place in the Great Hall of the Guildhall next Thursday from 6pm. The Council is also in the process of planning and arranging its usual but extensive councillors induction and training programme for the 76 new members, so they are informed and ready to start representing their local communities. The agenda and reports for Annual Council will be published shortly on the Council’s website . Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting in the Guildhall at 5pm on Thursday 15 May or alternatively can watch it live online: Watch the council meeting live on YouTube at 5pm on Thursday 15 May Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 06, 2025

Introducing Build Your Business 2.0

06 May 2025 The Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) Northamptonshire, part of the BIPC national network led by the British Library and delivered through Northamptonshire Libraries, is proud to announce the relaunch of its highly successful business support initiative, now rebranded as Build Your Business 2.0. Delivered in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council, this enhanced programme builds on past success to offer even greater support to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-ups and established businesses across the county. Running until March 2026, and funded with £310,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Build Your Business 2.0 will be offered entirely free of charge to participants, ensuring accessible support for anyone seeking business assistance. Designed with flexibility at its core, the programme allows participants to access support as and when they need it, completely tailored to their individual business goals. Participants can benefit from one-to-one support sessions, expert-led webinars and workshops, networking opportunities, access to specialist market research tools and start-up grants of up to £2,000. As part of a complete package of support, the BIPC Northamptonshire’s dedicated team of business advisers will be running regular drop-in sessions at BIPC Local libraries in Wellingborough, Kettering, Brixworth and Towcester. What’s new in Build Your Business 2.0? This refreshed version of the programme covers key areas of running a business including marketing, business growth and financial planning along with a brand-new webinar series focused on mental health and wellbeing for business owners. Delivered by Susan Liverman from The Kindful, these sessions are designed to help entrepreneurs build resilience, manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance while running or growing their business. Start-up grants are back! Eligible businesses less one year old can apply for a £2,000 start-up grant to help cover business-related costs. Successful applicants will not only receive this valuable financial boost but will also gain access to ongoing support from the experienced BIPC Northamptonshire team. “Build Your Business 2.0 is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to launch or grow a business in West Northamptonshire. From one-to-one expert advice and wellbeing support to financial assistance and specialist tools, this programme offers a comprehensive package designed to help businesses thrive. We are proud to partner in delivering this initiative and would encourage anyone with a business idea or ambition to get involved.” Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director of Place and Economy at WNC “Northamptonshire is home to a wide range of businesses and entrepreneurs - all of whom are keen to take their business to the next level. With this in mind, this scheme is being re-launched to further support businesses on a variety of areas. Plus, with the start-up grants available, fledgling businesses can apply for a grant to provide vital financial support as they navigate the first year of business. “We would encourage all local businesses across the area to take a look at the information available and get involved in this fantastic opportunity.” George Candler, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Director of Place and Economy Register today Businesses interested in taking advantage of the Build Your Business 2.0 programme are encouraged to visit the BIPC Northamptonshire website . There, they can learn more about what’s on offer, register on to the programme, explore upcoming drop-in sessions, and sign up for workshops, webinars, one-to-one support, and more. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

May 02, 2025

Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy to visit West Northants as part of nationwide tour

02 May 2025 Excitement is building in West Northamptonshire as the official Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 trophy prepares to arrive in Daventry, Towcester, Brackley, and Northampton on 25, 26 and 27 May as part of a three-week national tour marking 100 days to go and celebrating all eight host locations ahead of the big tournament this summer. The iconic trophy will visit a number of landmarks and locations across the area, giving residents, grassroots clubs, and fans a unique opportunity to get up close with the centrepiece of the world’s biggest women’s rugby event. The visit will mark 100 days to go until the tournament kicks off and is part of a wider effort to inspire local communities and celebrate the tournament’s arrival in West Northamptonshire this August and September. Six matches are set to take place at the cinch Stadium at Franklins Gardens in Northampton, seeing teams and fans from around the world flock to West Northants for what promises to be the largest celebration of women’s rugby ever. The trophy tour will begin in London on 14 May before travelling to Brighton & Hove, Exeter, Bristol, West Northants, Manchester, York and ending in Sunderland on 6 June. Each stop will feature pop-up events, community engagement, and the chance to find out more about the tournament and how to get involved. Full details around the tour activities will be revealed soon. "We’re incredibly proud to welcome the Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy to Northampton once again this May and play our part as a host location in one of the most exciting sporting events of the year. “Rugby is part of the fabric of our community, and this is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the sport, inspire new generations, and showcase everything West Northamptonshire has to offer to visitors from across the globe. We encourage everyone to get involved and make the most of this historic moment.” Stuart Timmiss, Executive Director of Place and Economy at WNC New ticket sales for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 will open from 14 May, with prices starting at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Full details of West Northants’ activities will be announced soon via the official tournament website and social media channels. "The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 promises to be a landmark tournament for the sport and the trophy tour to our host locations provides a brilliant opportunity to ignite excitement across England. “We look forward to celebrating with fans, encouraging even more people to be a part of this unforgettable tournament.” Sarah Massey, Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Managing Director For more information about the tournament, visit the official Home | Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 30, 2025

Ask for Angela Scheme extended to promote nighttime safety in West Northants

30 April 2025 Additional resources and training will be offered to venues across West Northamptonshire to further support safety in the area’s night-time economy (NTE). The Ask for Angela initiative, which has been operational in Northampton and parts of West Northants for several years with the support of the Community Safety Partnership and Pubwatch partners, enables individuals who feel unsafe or uncomfortable to discreetly ask venue staff for help by "asking for Angela." Staff are trained to respond and provide support, helping ensure everyone can enjoy a night out safely. In 2024, the scheme was refreshed with new locally branded posters to raise awareness. As part of the next phase, an official list of participating venues is being compiled. These venues will benefit from: Specialist staff training to respond to disclosures or distress Window stickers to clearly identify participation Ongoing support and resources from the Council and partner organisations This move supports a wider action plan under the Northampton Town Centre Task Group’s NTE strategy, coordinated by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) which includes test purchases throughout the year to assess how well the scheme is being implemented and to identify areas for improvement. “Ask for Angela is a vital part of our ongoing commitment to making our night-time economy a welcoming and safe space for all. We’re proud to be working closely with local venues, partners and our Pubwatch networks to ensure staff are confident in providing support when it’s needed most. “This initiative is about prevention, protection and partnership, and it’s one of many steps we’re taking to help everyone feel safe while enjoying a night out in West Northamptonshire.” Jane Carr, Chair of the West Northants Community Safety Partnership “We’re pleased to hear that the Ask for Angela initiative has been extended as it provides another avenue for people who feel unsafe to get help. “If someone you have met is making you feel uncomfortable, exiting the situation can often feel difficult. The discreet nature of the Ask for Angela scheme gives people an easy way out and that’s something we wholeheartedly support. “We work hard with venues across the county to make the nighttime economy safe for people and we will continue collaborating with our partners on schemes such as this to increase that safety as much as we can.” Northamptonshire Police Force Licensing Sergeant Simon Moreton The scheme is one of several initiatives in place to support the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) agenda in Northampton, alongside visible and active measures including the SNO (Safer Nights Out) Van, Street Pastors, Northampton Guardians, Taxi marshals, OP Kayak which tackles predatory behaviour, and CCTV monitoring. All initiatives are showcased in the Council’s Northampton NTE video, produced as part of the town’s successful Purple Flag accreditation bid. The Ask for Angela scheme is now open to venues across the whole of West Northamptonshire, and all hospitality businesses are encouraged to sign up. Find out more on the Northampton Town Centre Task Group webpage . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 30, 2025

Fire Service urges people to stay safe in and around the water during warm weather

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging people to safely enjoy themselves in and around the water during the warm weather this week. The Met Office has forecast that temperatures in the county will be more than 20 degrees Celsius until Friday, peaking at almost 27 degrees on Thursday. The warm weather may lead to people choosing to go swimming in open water to cool down from the heat, and the Service is reminding people of the dangers that open water can pose. While the sun may be out, water can still be below 15 degrees Celsius, and this can be enough to put your body into cold water shock and increase the risk of drowning. Crews from the Service will be out and about promoting water safety across the county this week, including our Daventry crew, who will be at Daventry Country Park from 2pm on Friday (May 2), where they will also demonstrate how crews respond to danger in the water. Here are 10 top tips on how to stay safe while swimming in the open water and avoid any incidents: Get to know where you are swimming and check the condition before going in. Make sure you are properly equipped and beware of the cold. Make sure you have someone to accompany you, and that other people know where you have gone and why. Take note of local safety advice and respect the countryside, landowners and other users. Make sure you have the means to call for help, especially in remote locations. Download the what3words app on your phone so you can give specific location advice to emergency services if you get into trouble. If you get stuck in the water with cold body shock, try and float on your back in a star shape and allow the shock to pass. Do not try and fight against it. If you see another person or animal in the water, you should NOT enter water yourself to rescue them. Call 999 and ask for the fire service immediately. In most cases an animal will make it back to safety, sadly this is not always the case for an owner. Try and throw a floating device such as a throw line or an inflatable to help any people who are struggling in the water. Darren Carson, Prevention Team Leader at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “We know everyone will want to go out and enjoy the warm weather, but it’s important also that people – especially young people – understand the risk that swimming in the open water can pose, even on really hot days. “It doesn’t matter if it’s almost 30 degrees outside, open water can still be freezing and send your body into water shock, which can lead to tragic consequences. “We would always encourage people to go to supervised open water swimming locations in the county, and these can be found easily online. But if people do choose to swim in open water, we would always urge them not to go alone, and if they get into trouble in the water, to try and float like a star until the water shock has passed.” This week also marks Be Water Aware Week, a dedicated week aimed at promoting water safety. For even more water safety tips, please visit www.northantsfire.gov.uk/safety/waterandboatsafety and Top Recommendations for Safer Open Water Swimming | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK ) You can find out more about how our crews train to assist people in the water by watching the video below. [embedded content]

April 29, 2025

Groundbreaking new scheme to celebrate Community Champions

29 April 2025 Unsung heroes making a difference across West Northamptonshire are being urged to step forward for a groundbreaking new scheme offering free access to local leisure facilities. Everyone Active, which runs Moulton Leisure Centre and Daventry Leisure Centre in partnership with West Northamptonshire Council, wants to support projects which are tackling local issues and changing lives. The award-winning operator is due to launch its Community Champions scheme on Thursday, May 1, 2025, with the aim of building stronger communities and recognising the dedication of those who go above and beyond. People involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are being encouraged to apply. It can be a charitable initiative or a project that is small or targeted. Successful applicants will secure valuable use of facilities within their local leisure centres, to help them carry out these projects. Everyone Active will raise awareness of this work to strengthen connections, encourage civic engagement and foster a culture of giving back. Those selected for the Community Champions scheme are also in with a chance of being shortlisted for the Champions Awards in autumn of this year. Meanwhile, Everyone Active is also poised to launch its all-new Colleague Champions scheme, which will recognise and reward Everyone Active employees who consistently go above and beyond in their roles. It will celebrate the provision of exceptional customer service, innovative ideas, teamwork, leadership and dedication to Everyone Active’s values. Applications for both Community Champions and Colleague Champions open on May 1, 2025 and close on June 2, 2025. Applications will be submitted via the Champions website at www.ea-champions.com “We are hugely excited to launch the Community Champions scheme, which we hope will make a real difference in West Northamptonshire. “We want to highlight the work of everyday heroes who are changing people’s lives and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their communities. “We encourage local people, community projects and charitable initiatives to get their applications in so we can support the fantastic work that you do.” Jamie Brightwell, Everyone Active’s contract manager Everyone Active also runs the Sporting Champions scheme, which empowers aspiring athletes to achieve their full potential through access to state-of-the-art training facilities and invaluable mentoring support from Olympians and Paralympians. Since its inception in 2016, the scheme has elevated the sporting careers of more than 6,000 athletes by providing them with free access to Everyone Active's 240-plus leisure centres nationwide. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 28, 2025

Record number of visitors to recycling centres with improved service and warmer weather

28 April 2025 Service improvements, finer weather and a stretch of bank holidays mean household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs) are dealing with busier-than-usual conditions across West Northamptonshire. Over 67,000 visits have been made across the sites during April, coinciding with the first month of an improved contract which has introduced seven-day opening and improvements to parking layouts at some of the centres. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with its contractor FCC Environment to progress further improvements for residents as part of the new contract, which continues to see the centres managed by the same, experienced staff who have been running them for over 15 years in highly-controlled work zones, with strict health and safety rules and processes. All HWRCs are now open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, offering people more opportunities to visit on a day and time that is convenient for them. Since being introduced at the start of April, we have seen a 20% increase in visitors who are making use of the new open days during the week, which means more visitors are choosing to visit sites on weekdays instead of weekends. Parking arrangements at Sixfields, Ecton and Towcester have also been brought in line with the other centres, with marked bays replacing parallel parking to reduce the distance between cars and containers to improve safety. Sites are also focusing on diverting as much as waste possible from the general waste, to make sure that we're maximising the amount that can be recycled. Following a busy Easter period and with more warm weather this week heading into the May bank holiday weekend, sites are once again expected to be busier than usual and residents are urged to follow guidance to support the smooth-running of the sites including: Pre-sorting their waste and recycling before arriving at the site to speed up the process. Getting used to following the new parking arrangements at Sixfields, Ecton and Towcester, by parking in the marked bays and following instructions from site staff. Extra s taff will be on hand to help direct cars while everyone gets used to the new arrangements. Avoiding blocking the highway. Making use of all six sites across the area. As the new contract moves forward, all kinds of systems and processes will be explored in the future to see if any of them can make the service more efficient and further improve the experience for residents. A new onsite reuse shop at Sixfields HWRC is also set to open in the autumn, to complement the existing shop at Farthinghoe Recycling and Re-use Centre and improvements are being made to car parking bays and access at the site as part of this scheme. The reuse shop will be operated via our charity partner Cynthia Spencer and people will be able to visit the recycling centres and shop to donate items suitable for reuse/sale. To find your nearest centre, please visit our Household Waste Recycling Centres page. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 29, 2025

Young leaders elected to represent West Northants in Parliament

29 April 2025 Twenty young people have been elected to the West Northamptonshire Youth Council, with two of them also stepping into national roles as Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs), following a successful election delivered in partnership between West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Clubs for Young People Northamptonshire (CYPN). The elections, which took place across schools, youth clubs and sports groups in the area, marked a powerful opportunity for young people to have their say and help shape the decisions that affect them. Thousands of votes were cast as part of the democratic process, with polling stations hosted at schools and community venues across West Northants. The newly elected MYPs are: Chanel – MYP and Chair of the Youth Council (Northampton School for Girls) Thomas – MYP and Vice-Chair of the Youth Council (Caroline Chisholm School) Chanel and Thomas will go on to represent West Northamptonshire at a national level, including participating in debates in the House of Commons and engaging with MPs on key issues affecting young people. The Youth Council will meet monthly to campaign on local priorities, discuss challenges, and collaborate with WNC and other partners to create meaningful change. “This is an incredibly proud moment for our area. By giving young people the platform to speak out and get involved in the democratic process, we are helping to grow the leaders of tomorrow. The level of engagement in the elections was outstanding, and we’re excited to support the Youth Council and MYPs as they bring forward fresh ideas, energy and perspectives to help shape our communities and beyond.” Jane Carr, Director of Communities & Opportunities at WNC "This is a very exciting time for young people in West Northamptonshire. Although there has been a Youth Forum for some time, the aim since the creation of West Northamptonshire Council has been to develop a group of young people to become part of the National youth Parliament. We all need to celebrate now this has been achieved. Our team of young people and staff are looking forward to raising the voices of the youth of West Northamptonshire locally, nationally and even internationally. The door is wide open." Morcea Walker MBE, Chair of the Youth Forum “This is a significant step forward for youth representation in our county. We have been working closely with West Northamptonshire Council to manage this process and will be continuing to work diligently with both the Youth Council and the Members of Youth Parliament to ensure that young voices are heard and valued. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of the newly elected young people and encourage community engagement in this vital project.” Sarah Bailey, Project Coordinator at Clubs for Young People Northamptonshire To learn more about the West Northamptonshire Youth Council or get involved, please visit: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/community-forums or contact [email protected] Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 25, 2025

West Northants charities invited to benefit from new textiles collections

25 April 2025 Registered charities in West Northants are being encouraged to submit their details to be considered for funds from a new clothing and textiles recycling service. Thanks to a partnership with Anglo Doorstep Collections, residents can now book free collections of unwanted clothing, shoes, books and other items for reuse and recycling, whilst also raising money for charities. Residents will have the opportunity to vote for the local charities they would like funds raised by the new service to be donated to, in a poll, that will be launching in the coming weeks. West Northamptonshire Council is asking registered charities who are interested to fill in an online form by Sunday, 11 May. Any money raised in the meantime will be added to a pot, ready to be donated in the coming months. The Council will be refreshing the list of charities annually, giving residents and charities the chance to get involved regularly. The new service provides a simple and convenient way to help people declutter their belongings, and provides piece of mind that every donation is reused for their original purpose or is recycled. Further information on this new service is available here: Clothing collections | West Northamptonshire Council Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 23, 2025

Games students’ progress to the next level with Women’s Rugby World Cup commission

23 April 2025 The countdown is on to the Women’s World Cup, and as West Northants prepares to host six of the games later this year, a team of enterprising students at the University of Northampton have been commissioned to deliver a creative project to help build-up excitement across the county. West Northamptonshire Council has commissioned a talented team of six at Goblin Games to deliver a purpose-built arcade machine – accompanied by an arcade-style game built specifically for the event – as part of their build-up to the Women’s World Cup in August 2025. The group of super six students at the forefront of this first mission are Programmers Sam Cairns and Sam Waite, Designer Elisa Pojaga, Artists Ben Green and Sam McDonagh, and Sound Designer Roman Pegg. The arcade machine will be brought to thousands of local people as it tours the county at local libraries, theatres, sports grounds as well as the market square, drumming up excitement ahead of the tens of thousands rugby fans expected to descend on the town for the tournament debut on Sunday 24 August. ”This journey has been an incredible opportunity for gaining industry-standard experience. Working closely with the council has been a true demonstration of what it means to work for a client and the responsibilities that come with it. “Through balancing full-time work on the project alongside our studies, part-time jobs and other life commitments, I’m grateful to have collaborated with such talented people on my team. Together, we’ve worked with passion and dedication on this project from day one. “We’re all incredibly proud of the result of our hard work and are thrilled with the impact it's had on people. We’re excited to see what comes next, and personally, I want to thank every member of the team for their dedication and professionalism. The game industry needs more people with their level of talent, creativity, and determination.” Third-year student and Lead Designer for Scrum Showdown, Elisa Pojaga Titled ‘Scrum Showdown’, the arcade machine features four mini games based on four key rugby themes - passing, kicking, dodging and scrum – and offers both single and two-player options along with a competitive score board. Established ahead of the academic term in September 2024, Goblin Games offers creative students from the University’s gaming courses – Games Art, Games Design, Games Programming and Animation – the opportunity to deliver commissions and projects as part of an established, industry-grade games studio. This commission marks the first in a series of projects expected to test the students’ creativity in real-world projects – as well as give their CVs an invaluable boost as they prepare to graduate and launch into the gaming industry. “The students have very much led the way with this commission, imparting their creative flair, technical know-how and professionalism to deliver a top-quality product which will engage members of the community of all ages to take part, play a game or two, and be part of a massively exciting time for the town. “This commission is further testament to the value which our in-house games studios – Goblin Games and Goblin Academics - brings to our students, offering an unrivalled opportunity to develop their skills in an innovative and industry environment. Watch this space, because this is the first in a long line of exciting projects to be delivered here at UON!” The University of Northampton’s Senior Lecturer in Games and Animation, Vikaas Mistry "It's great to see the enthusiasm of the students and how much work they have put into the arcade machine. We wanted to look for innovative ways to promote the World Cup and this felt like a really unique way to do it. Also having the opportunity to promote the Games Design skills coming out of the University has been a real added bonus to this collaboration" Innovation Manager at West Northamptonshire Council, Richard Beards Goblin Games will be presenting on June 13 at Merged Futures 7, the annual tech innovation showcase hosted at the University’s Waterside Campus. The team of students – including Elisa - will present the final game, diving into the art, design, and programming challenges they've tackled. Free tickets can be booked via the Digital Northants website. Further details on where the arcade machine will be hosted and available to play will be released soon. Find out more about studying Games Art, Games Design and Games Programming at the University of Northampton. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 17, 2025

Two new traffic enforcement cameras set to go live in busy streets in Northampton

17 April 2025 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is continuing to roll out enforcement cameras across the area, as part of a phased approach to improve pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety and encourage better driver behaviour. Drivers in Northampton will face charges if they flout the rules or ignore signage at two newly enforced locations: the Horsemarket/Gold Street junction and the top end Gold Street, both of which are very busy junctions with high levels of vehicles and pedestrians. The Horsemarket/Gold Street junction camera will go live on Tuesday, 22 April and will enforce a banned left from Horsemarket into Gold Street. This follows enforcement already live at this location turning left travelling out of Marefair . The camera at the top end of Gold Street and Bridge Street will enforce the no entry into the one-way street and is due to go live in the coming weeks. The date will be communicated across our channels ahead of the camera going live. The aim is to reduce the number of vehicles that carry out the illegal maneuver and therefore increase pedestrian, cyclist and driver safety in this area. This is in addition to the camera that was installed at the top end of Gold Street in January to enforce existing bus lane regulations. At both locations, during the first six months of enforcement measures going live, a statutory warning notice will be issued for first offences by any vehicle, however anyone breaching the rules for a second time or first time after the 6 month period, will receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 16, 2025

Vital funding to deliver new school in West Northamptonshire

16 April 2025 In a significant development for families in the Overstone area, the Secretary of State for Education has today agreed to enter into a Funding Agreement with The Northampton Free School Trust to provide funding for the Overstone Park Primary School. This legal document marks one of the final stages in the process towards opening a new free school, which will provide much-needed educational spaces in the area. West Northamptonshire Council is overseeing the delivery of this project, working alongside Steele and Bray, the appointed contractor responsible for building the school, and PhP Architects, who have led the design efforts. Scheduled for completion in April 2026, Overstone Park Primary School is set to initially welcome 30 Reception pupils. To ensure a smooth learning experience for the first Reception cohort, students will attend Wootton Park School—its sister school within the Northampton Free School Trust—for the first two terms from September 2025 to March 2026 before moving to the new site. Offers for the new school will be sent directly to successful applicants by the Trust. Full details can be found at https://overstoneparkprimaryschool.org.uk/ . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 16, 2025

New Northants Makers Market begins in May at Northampton’s Market Square

16 April 2025 A new series of Saturday pop-up stalls known as the ‘Northants Makers Market’ is set to launch in May on Northampton’s Market Square, to showcase the art and creativity of the county. Organised by The Creative Place (TCP) and supported by West Northamptonshire Council, the Northants Makers Market will feature 15 stalls set up outside The Creative Place in the Market Square, beginning on 24th May and continuing on 5th July, 26th July, 23rd August, 20th September and 11th October, from 11am – 4pm. As well as stalls where you can buy local creative products, like jewellery and ceramics, each market will also feature a live performance and hands-on activities for the public. The Creative Place, possibly the smallest arts centre in the world, seeks to support and connect creatives, and showcase the wide range of creativity in Northamptonshire. "Northants is such a creative county and we want to support creatives to showcase their wares but also to network with each other to make big things happen so that’s why, alongside the market, The Creative Place itself will be running a Creative Coffee Morning at 11am, Creative Lunch at 1pm and a Creative After-Party at 4pm to provide a networking space where everyone who wants to explore their creativity is welcome." Becky Carrier, Founder and Director The opportunity to have a stall at the Makers Market is open to all Northants creatives and anyone interested should get in touch at [email protected] . Those interested in keeping up-to-date with TCP activities and events, can visit The Creative Place – For Misfits and Mavericks, Creatives and Changemakers or sign up to the mailing list here at The Creative Place . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 16, 2025

Vital extra funding announced to deliver new school in West Northamptonshire

16 April 2025 In a significant development for families in the Overstone area, the Secretary of State for Education has today agreed to enter into a Funding Agreement with The Northampton Free School Trust to provide funding for the Overstone Park Primary School. This legal document marks one of the final stages in the process towards opening a new free school, which will provide much-needed educational spaces in the area. West Northamptonshire Council is overseeing the delivery of this project, working alongside Steele and Bray, the appointed contractor responsible for building the school, and PhP Architects, who have led the design efforts. Scheduled for completion in April 2026, Overstone Park Primary School is set to initially welcome 30 Reception pupils. To ensure a smooth learning experience for the first Reception cohort, students will attend Wootton Park School—its sister school within the Northampton Free School Trust—for the first two terms from September 2025 to March 2026 before moving to the new site. Offers for the new school will be sent directly to successful applicants by the Trust. Full details can be found at https://overstoneparkprimaryschool.org.uk/ . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 15, 2025

Update on household waste and recycling centres

15 April 2025 From 1 April 2025, FCC has been re-awarded the contract to manage household waste and recycling centres across West Northamptonshire. As part of this new agreement, we're pleased to confirm that all household recycling centres in the region are now open seven days a week, with extended operational hours totaling 42 hours per week. By opening our HWRCs seven days a week we hope to better distribute visitor numbers and reduce traffic at peak-times, making it easier for our residents to dispose of their items. One key operational change has been brought in at the Sixfields site, where vehicles are now required to reverse into bays to enhance safety measures. Additionally, temporary closures may occur when queues impact nearby roads, a standard practice to ensure safe traffic flow. We appreciate the community's patience and understanding during this busy time of year and remain committed to providing the best possible service. For more information on opening times and locations, please visit our Waste and Recycling pages. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 14, 2025

First family hubs opens in West Northants with more locations to open this year

14 April 2025 Over 270 people joined us to mark the opening of the first Family Hub in West Northamptonshire, located at the Forum in Towcester at the end of March. We welcomed parents, carers, children, and young people to see first-hand the support which is available. The Towcester Family Hub offers services for children, young people, and their parents from pre-birth to 19 years, and up to 25 years for those with additional needs. Families can enjoy a variety of bookable and drop-in sessions. We're excited to have Strong Start join our team, and we're introducing a new youth space for young people to socialise, unwind, and access support. Following the opening of our first location, we will be starting to launch our consultation this May to engage local residents on the proposed locations for additional Family Hubs across West Northamptonshire. These include hubs in the following proposed areas: Daventry Northampton Town Kingsthorpe Upton Moulton Brackley Weston Favell Far Cotton The consultation launched in May will run through into June, and after which these hubs will begin to go live later in 2025 into 2026. A number of these locations seeks to expand services for children and young people within the existing children’s centres. We are committed to expanding services and the local offer to better serve our community. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 10, 2025

Communities can comment on new fire response times proposed for Northamptonshire

Members of the public are being urged to share their views on proposals from Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service that will change the way it measures its response times. A public consultation has been launched for people to comment on the new standards of response . This is the target response time that the Service sets itself to get firefighters to incidents. The new response times propose that crews attend dwelling fires where there is a risk to life one minute quicker than the current response time, while taking longer to attend calls for non-life-threatening incidents. Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service currently sets itself a single standard of response to attend all incidents within an average of 10 minutes after receiving the first 999 call to its Fire Control room. The new standards of response have been proposed as the following: The Service will attend all primary dwelling fires – fires at residential premises involving a high risk of threat to life – within 9 minutes . This is one minute quicker than the current single response standard. Attend all Road Traffic Collisions with a risk to life within 12 minutes . Attend all other emergencies – such as fires (other than primary dwelling fires), rescues from height or water, and incidents involving hazardous materials – within 12 minutes . We will mobilise to all other calls for service within 60 minutes . These are for non-life-threatening incidents and will not always result in a blue-light response. Response times depend on several factors, such as where the incident happens, the location of the nearest fire engine, traffic, and weather conditions. [embedded content] The standards of response are based on risk levels and the resources that we have available across the county – which have been identified for the coming five years in our Community Risk Management Plan for 2025-30 . Other proposed changes include changing the calculation of the average response times to align with other emergency services, and for the clock to stop once the first fire resource reaches the incident – even if this may be a dedicated fire officer or specialist appliance instead of a fire engine. Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “It’s important that members of the public share their views on our proposals. We firmly believe they will help contribute to keeping our communities safe. “This will not impact how long it takes for a fire engine to arrive at an incident. Our crews will continue to reach incidents as quickly and safely as they can. “Updated standards of response will provide us with a more accurate and reliable picture of our performance and the service that we offer. “We are proposing to change the way the average response times are calculated to mirror the approach used by our blue light colleagues in police and ambulance. This will only enhance the strong partnership we share with both services. “Having targets in place that have been shaped by data-led evidence will allow us to benchmark against other Services both regionally and nationally – and will help us to deliver an exceptional fire and rescue service for all our residents.” The full proposals form part of the six-week public consultation that is running on the draft Community Risk Management Plan. A link to the draft CRMP document can be accessed here: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NFRSCRMP-DRAFT-APRIL25-V0.5-FINAL.pdf The consultation period starts on April 9 and finishes on May 21. You can share your views on the proposals by filling in the survey at https://www.research.net/r/VQBKPZ8

April 10, 2025

Residents asked to share views on Fire Service’s five-year plan to keep Northamptonshire safe

Residents across the county are being asked to share their views on a draft strategy that outlines how Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service will keep communities safe over the next five years. The strategy – known as the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) – takes a detailed look at what risks are currently present and may emerge between 2025 and 2030. Based on the evidence that is available, the Service has put forward proposals within the CRMP that outlines how it will align its resources with the risks that have been identified. Fires now make up only a third of the 999 calls that go to our Control Room. This means the role of a firefighter is becoming more diverse – varying from rescuing casualties in road traffic collisions to disposing hazardous materials safely. The CRMP outlines the key strategic priorities for the Service over the next five years, and details how prevention, protection and response will be at the core of everything we do. It also shows how the Service intends to meet emerging climate emergencies such as the increase of localised flooding and wildfires. The five strategic priorities that the Service has proposed for the next five years are: Help people to stay safe from fire and other emergencies Improve fire safety in buildings that people live and work in Respond immediately and effectively to emergency incidents Continue to develop and support our workforce Manage and invest in our Service to be agile and fit for the future Residents are being asked to share their views on these strategic priorities, and how we intend to meet them, in a six-week consultation starting today (April 9) and ending on May 21. [embedded content] At the same time, members of the public are also being asked about proposed changes in how we measure our response times. Currently, the Service aims to get to all incidents within 10 minutes. However, we are now proposing different response times depending on the incident type. This includes attending all dwelling fires where there is a risk to life within nine minutes – one minute quicker than the current response time. The proposed changes can be commented on as part of the CRMP survey. Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson is encouraging members of the public to share their thoughts on the proposals within the CRMP and says that any feedback will be acted on and potentially shape the final document. Nikki said: “Our updated Community Risk Management Plan will underpin everything that we do as a Service over the next five years. “Our aim is to provide exceptional fire and rescue services for all our residents across the county. To achieve that we need a plan that is based on all the evidence of risk that we have, and this has informed the proposals we have come up with it. “The work that our firefighters do is more varied than ever before, so it is important for us to reflect that and make sure that we manage our resources appropriately. “We want to hear from as many residents as possible, and it is important that they are up front and honest about our proposals and whether they meet the needs of our communities across Northamptonshire.” Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone added: “Residents across the county deserve to live and work in buildings and communities that are safe. The Fire Service plays a huge part in achieving this. “It is important that the new CRMP aligns with my new Safe and Sound public safety plan for Northamptonshire, and I believe it will help to deliver my priorities. “These are to put prevention at the heart of everything we do; work collaboratively to support our most vulnerable residents; and bring our fire staff out into the community and make them more visible and accessible for our residents.” The draft CRMP document can be viewed at the following link: https://www.northantsfire.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/NFRSCRMP-DRAFT-APRIL25-V0.5-FINAL.pdf Residents can share their views by May 21 by filling in our survey here: https://www.research.net/r/VQBKPZ8

April 07, 2025

Spring COVID-19 vaccines now available

07 April 2025 Top up your protection against COVID-19 by getting vaccinated this spring if you are eligible. Those at increased risk from severe illness can get the vaccine, including those aged 75 or over (on 17 June 2025), people with a weakened immune system, or who live in an older adult care home. Those eligible will be able book an appointment until 17 June 2025. If eligible, you do not need to wait for an invitation to book your vaccine. To book, please visit the NHS App, the NHS website or call 119 for free. You may also be able to visit a walk-in site which does not require a booking or you can find out about local opportunities on the Integrated Care Northamptonshire website and select the ‘where can I get a vaccine’ tab. If you or family members are eligible, make sure you get any extra protection you need this spring. Get vaccinated against COVID-19. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 05, 2025

New fire station for Kettering if planning approved

A planning application will be submitted for a new fire station in Kettering. This will be a new building that will be located on the Cherry Hall Road site adjacent to the Northern Accommodation Building. Traffic and parking issues can make entry to and exit from the current fire station in the Headlands difficult. The new fire station will have good access to major routes and will be built to meet modern working and welfare standards. A planning application will be submitted for the new fire station soon. It comes just a few weeks after a planning application was also submitted for a new fire station at Moulton . The announcement formed part of an update on estates from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone. The announcement also outlined how the search is on for a suitable site to be a new police base in the centre of Corby, while Kettering will also have a new town centre base for police. There is also a firm commitment to retain a police base in the eastern district of Northampton at Weston Favell. Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “I’m really pleased to give firm commitments that will make Northamptonshire Police officers more accessible in the towns they serve, and to provide a great, new facility in Kettering for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. “I know how much it means to people to have a reassuring presence in the heart of their community to deter and prevent crime and keep our streets safe. I pledged to make closer connections between communities and their police and fire service – this is another step forward.” The Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner owns the fire and police estate, and the Chief Fire Officer and Chief Constable decide how buildings will be used to meet operational needs. The developments announced today are being prioritised. Work to find new sites is well underway and more details and timescale will be announced as details emerge. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Phil Pells said: “A new fire station for Kettering will provide a modern and fit for purpose working environment for our staff. The proposed new site is in a great location that is both accessible to the public we serve and well located for our operational needs.”

April 03, 2025

Local elections to be held next month

03 April 2025 On Thursday, 1 May voters across West Northamptonshire will go to the polls to elect their local representatives. The Council has today published a Statement of Persons Nominated , listing all individuals who will be standing for the West Northamptonshire Council and the Parish or Town Council seats. Voters will go to the polls to elect West Northamptonshire Council’s councillors in the unitary authority’s second election since its creation in 2021. This year’s Polling Day on Thursday 1 May will see changes to voter arrangements after a recent electoral review reduced the number of West Northants councillors to be elected from 93 to 76 and redrew the ward boundaries across the area. Town and parish council elections are also set to be held in some areas of West Northamptonshire on 1 May. To see a list of contested areas and candidates, please visit the council website . Whether voting in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy (on someone’s behalf), there are some key deadlines to be aware of. If you have not registered to vote yet, the deadline to do so is Friday 11 April. It is a quick and easy process that takes just five minutes online. Register online to vote. Don't forget too, if you have recently moved home or changed your name, you may need to update your details to ensure you can take part. For those who prefer to vote by post, applications need to be submitted by 5pm on Monday, 14 April. Voting by post is a great option if you will be away on election day or if you would rather not visit a polling station in person. Your postal vote will be sent to you in advance, so you can fill it in and return it at your convenience. This is also the deadline to make amendments or cancel your postal vote. If you would like someone to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote, the deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April. If your proxy would like to vote by post, both the proxy and postal application must be received by 5pm on Monday, 14 April. One of the biggest changes recently introduced is the requirement for photo ID when voting in person. If you do not have an accepted form of ID, such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for this is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April. Without the correct ID, you will not be able to vote at your polling station, so make sure you are prepared. For more information and to view the timetable of the election visit our website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 04, 2025

Businesses with premise licences are being alerted to a new scam

04 April 2025 Premises licence holders are being alerted to a new scam that has been attempted in some local authority areas. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is urging businesses with premises licences to be aware of fraudsters posing as council officials. The scam may start with a call or text message claiming that your premises licence is running out or expiring, or that you have outstanding fees. The fraudster asks traders to pay outstanding fees or renewal fees into a personal account. These fraudsters can seem very convincing, sometimes having accurate information such as the fee amount or the names of real council staff. Any fees due will be handled by the WNC through the usual process, and licence holders are never asked to pay or provide financial details over the phone for licence fees. Any legitimate requests for payment will be made in writing with a copy of the outstanding invoice(s) enclosed with details of how payment should be made. If you're ever in doubt about someone claiming to be from the Council, contact the Council directly to verify their identity. Scammers are becoming increasingly aware of how to scam people so it’s important to stay up to date with what’s going on by checking with Action Fraud . If you think you may have been the victim of a scam, you should report this to to Action Fraud via their website or by calling 0300 123 2040 . If you wish to contact a member of the Licensing Department to check any outstanding fees, this can be done by emailing [email protected] Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 04, 2025

Experience the future of technology at Merged Futures!

04 April 2025 Tech enthusiasts, professionals, educators, students – and anyone curious to learn about how tech is shaping Northampton - are invited to West Northants’s biggest technology innovation showcase, Merged Futures 7, scheduled for Friday, 13 June, from 10 am to 4 pm at the Learning Hub, Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. Hosted by the grassroots group Digital Northants, Merged Futures 7 promises an engaging and immersive experience for attendees of all backgrounds and interests. The event will feature a diverse range of sessions and exhibitions, highlighting the latest advancements in technology such as how VR is being used in an SEN school to support a travel training program, how AI is being used within homelessness to predict people at risk and in social care to support assessments. Throughout the day, attendees will be able to interact with cutting-edge technology, and engage with industry-leading suppliers and explore a variety of exhibition stands including the University’s own Games Design students showcasing an arcade game they have built to promote the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Silverstone Museum, Northants Film Festival and opportunities to try various use cases of Virtual Reality. The event will host a series of talks and workshops covering topics such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, digital sustainability, and the intersection of technology with healthcare and education. This innovation showcase provides a platform for attendees to connect with like-minded individuals, industry experts, and potential collaborators, fostering a community of innovation and shared knowledge. "Merged Futures is a fantastic showcase of the innovation happening right here in Northampton. It’s an opportunity for businesses, students, and the wider community to see first-hand how digital technology is transforming industries and shaping our future. This is Northampton’s “Tomorrow’s World” – a preview into what’s coming for business, communities and individuals over the next few years. Come along!” Chris Wales, Chief Information Officer at West Northamptonshire Council “The University’s Economic Impact Assessment shows UON contributes hundreds of millions of pounds to the local economy each year and supports thousands of jobs. “That impact often starts with events like this which showcase how the latest technology and thinking will transform our work and personal lives as the present inevitably merges with the future.” Rob Howe, UON’s Head of Learning Technology Don't miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of technological innovation. Admission to Merged Futures 7 is free, but registration is required. Secure your spot today and be part of shaping the future of technology. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 02, 2025

Plan your community events for VE Day and VJ Day 80

02 April 2025 With just weeks to go until the 80th anniversary of VE Day on Thursday, 8 May, followed by VJ Day on Friday 15 August, communities across West Northamptonshire are encouraged to start planning their celebrations to commemorate these historic occasions. Whether you’re organising a street party, community gathering, picnic, or special event, now is the time to get preparations underway. Applications for temporary road closures for community events are free but must be submitted in good time to ensure everything is in place. Apply for a temporary road closure by completing this form and let us know about the event to check issues such as licensing, safety and traffic management. Communities can share their activities via the official VE & VJ Day map and receive a thank you certificate. People are also encouraged to share pictures across social media using #VE80 and submit pictures to the VE Day 80 website via the Tip Top Towns form . West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be flying the official VE Day flag at its offices in Daventry and Towcester, while a short flag-raising ceremony will take place at 9am on Thursday 8 May outside the Guildhall in Northampton, where the public is invited to attend. A short service will follow in the memorial gardens at All Saints Church led by Father Oliver Coss, with the laying of wreaths. Additionally, One Angel Square and Northampton Market Square will be illuminated as part of the national Beacon Lighting Ceremony at 9.30pm. A range of community events will take place across West Northants to mark VE Day including beacon lightings, exhibitions, talks, performances, and themed activities at local libraries. View more details on the VE Day events webpage . "The 80th anniversaries of VE Day and VJ Day are significant moments to honour the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who lived through the Second World War. This is a time for communities across West Northamptonshire to come together, celebrate peace, and reflect on our shared history. “We encourage residents to organise local events, from street parties to picnics, and we look forward to seeing our communities unite in remembrance and celebration. We also invite everyone to join us at the Guildhall flag-raising and other commemorative events across the area." Jane Carr, Director of Communities & Opportunities at WNC In partnership with Imperial War Museums, Letters to Loved Ones invites people to get involved by sharing historical letters from VE and VJ Day generation relatives. During the Second World War, letter writing helped to ease the pain of separation between soldiers and other displaced people, and their loved ones. Find out more on the official VE Day website . Other key Armed Forces dates will also be recognised this year including Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28 June and Remembrance Day on Sunday 9 Nov. Northampton Saints will also be hosting two Inter Service Championship fixtures for the first time this Easter, with the men’s and women’s teams from the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force going head-to-head. Find out more and book tickets on the Saints website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 02, 2025

Plans to transform how residents access Council services move forward

02 April 2025 West Northants residents to see faster, easier, and more flexible ways to access council services, with quicker responses, clearer information, and more choices for how they engage—whether online, via text, or in person. West Northamptonshire Council is setting the stage for a new era of customer experience, following the approval of its Resident Access Strategy at Cabinet last night. This ambitious plan paves the way for smarter, more flexible, and more responsive services that put residents first. Whether it’s requesting a service, updating personal details, or getting advice, residents need quick, convenient, and reliable ways to engage. The strategy envisions a future where finding information is effortless, questions are answered instantly, and help is available in the right way. By embracing digital technology and improving traditional methods, the Council aims to cut wait times with a new SMS service that will direct people straight to the forms or information they need, reducing unnecessary delays. The webchat function will continue to be improved to offer real-time support online, guiding residents to solutions in seconds. People will also receive updates on processing times, so they always know what to expect, while step-by-step video guides will make navigating services simple and stress-free. Council’s commitment to accessibility remains at the heart of the strategy. Information will be made clearer, simpler, and available in multiple formats, including translated materials, read-aloud features, and Easy Read content. Whether someone prefers in-person support or digital solutions, they will have a choice in how they engage. This vision has been shaped by extensive engagement with residents over the past three years. Conversations in contact centres, community hubs, libraries, and Welcoming Spaces, along with feedback from public consultations, have provided invaluable insight into what people want and need. Now, those insights are driving real change. “This is an exciting step forward in how we support our residents. We are committed to making our services faster, easier to use, and more accessible to everyone. Whether online or face-to-face, our focus is on making sure residents get the help they need, when they need it, with the aim of improving day-to-day interactions and creating a stronger, more connected relationship with our communities.” A West Northamptonshire Council spokesperson The Resident Access Strategy forms a key part of the One West Northamptonshire Plan, reinforcing the Council’s ambition to deliver high-quality, efficient, and inclusive services for all. To find out more visit our website . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 02, 2025

Northamptonshire schools recognised in National Poetry Competition

02 April 2025 Two schools in Northamptonshire have been named runners-up in the prestigious Poetry Together National Competition, a project founded by Gyles Brandreth and supported by Her Majesty The Queen. East Hunsbury Primary School, in partnership with East Hunsbury Parish Council Seniors was recognised for their heartfelt poem Friendship, while Bridgewater Primary School impressed judges with My Friends That Have Blossomed, written by a Year 4 student. Both schools will receive a £200 book voucher in recognition of their achievement. This year, 15 schools in Northamptonshire entered the nationwide initiative that encourages schools and care homes to collaborate, bringing young and older people together through poetry. Schools and older adult groups work in pairs to write, learn, and perform poems, strengthening relationships and promoting creativity across generations. “It has been fantastic to see such strong engagement from schools across Northamptonshire. The quality of the poems submitted was truly outstanding, demonstrating creativity, emotion, and a deep understanding of the power of words. We are incredibly proud of our runners-up and all those who took part.” His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, James Saunders Watson Esq “Northamptonshire is home to some truly talented young writers. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm, effort, and creativity that went into each piece. We are proud of all the schools that took part and hope to see even more get involved next year.” Poetry Together supporter Morcea Walker “It was a wonderful experience for the children to share with the seniors. Friendships and bonds were made and they learnt about each other's experiences and lives. The poetry was a fantastic outcome, but the real magic happened through the intergenerational conversations about what it meant to be a friend, whatever age you are.” Kelly Robinson Poetry and Drama Lead at East Hunsbury Primary School “It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the Poetry Together project. We are extremely proud of the hard work shown by the children of Bridgewater in creating and delivering their poems to the residents of St Christopher's Care Home. It was truly heartwarming to see the smiles on everyone faces, we will certainly take part again next year.” Claire Coleman Oracy Lead at Bridgewater Primary School With the success of this year’s competition, plans are already in place to increase participation in autumn 2025, allowing even more pupils and older adults to experience the joy of poetry and connection. For more information or to get involved in future competitions, schools can contact the Lord-Lieutenant’s Office at [email protected] . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 01, 2025

Partner with us for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Fan Zone

01 April 2025 West Northamptonshire Council is seeking performers, artists, entertainers, and food & drink vendors to help bring the Women’s Rugby World Cup Official Fan Zone to life in Northampton Market Square this summer. The Fan Zone will run on each group match day offering a free space for the whole community with activities to celebrate women, sport, culture, and local heritage. A big screen will be showing matches played across the country and there will be a licensed bar serving drinks. We are looking for live music, dance performances, street entertainment, arts & cultural showcases, and food and drink vendors that reflect the diverse backgrounds of the competing teams on each day. Matches taking place at Franklin’s Gardens include: Sunday 24 August: Ireland v Japan (kick-off 12 noon) Sunday 24 August: South Africa v Brazil (kick-off 2.45pm) Saturday 30 August: England v Samoa (kick-off 5pm) Sunday 31 August: Ireland v Spain (kick-off 12 noon) Sunday 7 September: Italy v Brazil (kick-off 2pm) Sunday 7 September: France v South Africa (kick-off 4.45pm) Themes for the Fan Zone include: 24 August, from midday to 5pm: Technology & Innovation (VR experience, simulators, inclusive sports tech) 30 August, from midday to 7pm: Festival Vibes (live music, street entertainment, fan celebrations) 31 August, from midday to 5pm: Family Fun (face painting, craft activities, mascots, rugby parade) 7 September, from midday to 8pm: Art, Music & Culture (local artists, community legacy art, live music) If you’re an artist, musician, dancer, performer, or caterer and want to be part of this exciting celebration, please submit an Expression of Interest to [email protected] including the date(s) of interest, details of your activity, number of performers/staff, plus any requirements around setup including space and power requirements. The aim is to make the WRWC Official Fan Zone as sustainable as possible and we will be considering sustainability when finalising activities. Please note each activity will need to be signed off by Rugby World Cup before being confirmed. Please submit your EOI by Wednesday, 30 April 2025. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 03, 2025

Works underway to improve the Queen Eleanor Interchange

03 April 2025 Works started on the long-awaited scheme to improve and repair the Queen Eleanor Interchange in Northampton earlier this week. The busy roundabout that joins the A45 trunk road with the A508 London Road, B526 Newport Pagnell Road and Hardingstone Lane. Temporary traffic management measures will be in place throughout the works to ensure that carriageway widening, new traffic signs and signals, and resurfacing can be carried out in a safe manner. Works are expected to be complete by the end of this year. There will be lane closures on the Queen Eleanor roundabout 24/7 throughout the works, and some full closures will be necessary at times. Full closures will occur at nighttime and on weekends whilst it is less busy and further dates will be communicated prior to starting. As traffic has increased over the years, the junction has struggled to keep up, and critical improvements are needed to help the flow of traffic in this area in the long term. We understand and appreciate that these works will cause some delays and impact motorists locally and would like to thank people for their patience. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 03, 2025

West Northamptonshire to Mark Stephen Lawrence Day 2025

03 April 2025 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will mark Stephen Lawrence Day on Tuesday, 22 April, honouring the life and legacy of the 18-year-old who was tragically murdered in an unprovoked racist attack 32 years ago. Established as a National Day of Remembrance in 2018, Stephen Lawrence Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight against racism and inequality. It is a moment to reflect on progress made, acknowledge the work still needed, and inspire young people to create a fairer and more inclusive society. A ceremony will take place in the Guildhall Courtyard in Northampton from midday, bringing together local organisations, community leaders, and residents to honour Stephen’s memory and reaffirm a collective commitment to social justice. Speakers at the event will include Deputy Lord Lieutenant Dominic Goble JP, Police Superintendent Rachael Handford, Co-Chair for the Global Ethnic Majority Staff Network at UON Evelyne Mulinge, and Ken Howlett from the Northampton Interfaith Forum. The speeches will be followed by a candle-lighting ceremony and moment of reflection, symbolising hope and unity in the continued fight against discrimination. Attendees are invited to stay for further discussion and refreshments after the event in the County Hall lodgings. "Stephen’s tragic murder remains a stark reminder of the injustice that still exists in our society, but his legacy is one of hope, change, and action. In West Northamptonshire, we are committed to celebrating our diverse communities and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live safely and without fear of discrimination. I encourage residents to take this opportunity to reflect, engage, and be part of a lasting movement for change." Jane Carr, Director of Communities & Opportunities at WNC “Commemorating Stephen Lawrence Day is really important as it serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring fight against racism and inequality in our society - a fight in which everyone has a part to play, including the police. “The Force would like to reinforce our commitment to our Black communities, officers, staff and volunteers as part of our Police Race Action Plan and will continue working collaboratively with our communities with zero tolerance of racism to ensure an equitable service for all.” Superintendent Rachael Handford Residents are encouraged to take part in Stephen Lawrence Day by reflecting on its meaning, supporting equality initiatives, and making a pledge of action. Social media users can help raise awareness by using the hashtags: #StephenLawrenceDay #ALegacyOfChange #LiveYourBestLife #BecauseOfStephen For more information about Stephen Lawrence Day and how to get involved, visit the Stephen Lawrence Day Foundation . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

April 02, 2025

Fire crews called to blaze in Sheep Street, Northampton

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service provided the following update on Monday March 31, 2025 at 1.30pm: Group Commander Dan Retter, of Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains on scene in Sheep Street, Northampton, following a fire that took place shortly after 5.50am yesterday morning (March 30). “A cordon is still in place and two pumps and one high ladder aerial appliance remain at the scene to dampen down any remaining hot spots. “Sheep Street remains closed as is one lane at Lady’s Lane and Church Lane will be temporarily shut until later today. “We are also liaising with structural engineers who are reviewing the damage, and the Service is working with National Grid to reinstate electricity to the street. “We are working with our multi-agency partners to ensure the scene is made safe and for fire investigations to take place later in the day to try and determine a cause.”

April 02, 2025

Fire Service leaves scene of fire at Sheep Street in Northampton

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service has now left the scene of the fire that took place in Sheep Street on Sunday morning (March 30). The Fire Service has been present at the scene ever since the initial blaze, ensuring that any remaining hotspots are dampened. Following an inspection from the Moulton crew this afternoon (April 1), firefighters found no further smoke or smouldering is visible and the thermal imaging scans showed the building at normal temperatures. Power has also been restored to the street. A Fire Investigation has concluded, and the Service is now collaborating with Northamptonshire Police to understand how the fire started from the findings that have been gathered. Although the Fire Service has withdrawn all its resources from the scene, the incident will remain open on our logs should further assistance for our partners be required. Sheep Street remains closed to commuters and pedestrians. Area Manager Neil Sadler said: “I would like to thank residents and businesses in the town centre who were impacted by this. We appreciate their ongoing patience while we worked with partners to ensure the fire was extinguished and the scene was made as safe as it possibly could be. “I also want to thank our Fire Crews for their hard work and professionalism over the last couple of days in what were challenging circumstances. “We will continue to work with West Northamptonshire Council and Northamptonshire Police should they require any further assistance.”

March 31, 2025

Fire Service to work with Police to investigate cause of fatal house fire in Rushton

Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service is continuing to work with Northamptonshire Police to investigate the cause of a house fire in Rushton in which three people sadly died. At around 10.30pm on Friday (March 28), crews were called along with colleagues from police and the ambulance service to a property in Beswick Close following reports of a large fire. We had seven fire appliances, as well as two aerial pumps, in attendance at the height of the incident. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, three people were later confirmed to have died – a four-year-old girl, a woman aged 30 and a man aged 23. One person was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service and three police officers were assessed due to smoke inhalation. Initial fire investigations have already started and will continue today (March 31). Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Phil Pells, said: “Our thoughts first and foremost are with the loved ones of those who have sadly died in this terrible incident. “The focus now is on ensuring we conduct a thorough investigation – along with the Police – to determine a cause. “The families of those who have died are receiving support from family liaison officers from the Police. We would also like to thank the local community of Rushton for their support over the weekend. “This was an incredibly difficult incident for our staff to deal with, so we are ensuring they are receiving appropriate welfare support. “We would ask anyone who may have information about the incident to contact our colleagues at Northamptonshire Police, as it may assist in our investigations.” Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 25000180391. Information can also be submitted via the Major Incident Public Portal here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM24D12-PO1

March 25, 2025

Community invited to visit West Northants’ first family hub this weekend

25 March 2025 Families across West Northamptonshire are invited to visit the first one stop shop for family support as the hub opens at the forum in Towcester this Saturday (29 March). West Northamptonshire Council is holding a ‘come and see’ event between 10am and 3pm giving residents the opportunity to meet the team and the partners that will be delivering services at the new location. There will be activities for all ages, allowing families to get a taste of what the Hub offers. Towcester Family Hub will be offering a programme and timetable of activities from Monday 31 March. Family Hubs provide a place to go for face-to-face support, making it easier for families to access information, advice and guidance they may need at various times throughout their child’s life. Family hubs have an online offer where families can access a range of resources. Children, young people and their parents can access the hub from pre-birth to 19 years and up to 25 if they have additional needs. Towcester Family Hub will offer a range of bookable and drop-in sessions for families. Strong Start, a well-established early years provision will be joining the Family Hubs team, and a new youth space will offer young people a place to socialise, unwind and access support. Please look out as there will be other Family hubs opening in Northampton and Daventry, as well as a number of spoke sites across West Northamptonshire. For more information, please email [email protected] . Follow the Family Hubs team on Instagram and Facebook for updates. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 26, 2025

Deadline extended to help honour West Northamptonshire’s historical icons

26 March 2025 Residents across West Northamptonshire are reminded that time is running out to submit nominations for the Blue Plaque Scheme, which celebrates individuals and groups who have made a lasting impact on the area. Building on the success of the 2019 Northampton Blue Plaque Scheme , this new initiative will expand across West Northamptonshire introducing 8 new plaques, celebrating local heritage and inspiring communities to engage with their shared history. The scheme forms part of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Histories of Northamptonshire project, launching in September, which recognises the county’s rich heritage by honouring figures who have shaped its history, culture, and identity. Blue Plaques nominations are open until Wednesday 30 April 2025, offering the public a chance to suggest remarkable individuals or groups who deserve to be commemorated. To be eligible, nominees must have: been a person who died at least 20 years ago made a significant contribution to the area not have already been recognised with a Blue Plaque have a strong connection to a surviving location in West Northamptonshire "West Northamptonshire has a wealth of incredible historical figures who have shaped our communities and beyond. This is a fantastic opportunity for residents to help us recognise and celebrate their legacies. I encourage everyone to take part and submit their nominations before the deadline.” Jane Carr, Director of Communities & Opportunities at WNC Nominations can be submitted by completing an online form or by emailing [email protected] to to request a nomination form. A panel of historical and cultural experts, alongside community representatives, will review applications to select the 8 honourees whose plaques will be installed from September 2025, to coincide with the Histories of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition. The scheme also welcomes volunteers to assist with historical research and content development, ensuring that the stories behind each plaque are well-documented and widely accessible. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 25, 2025

Enhancing family support in West Northamptonshire

25 March 2025 Families across Northamptonshire are set to benefit from enhanced family support as the countywide Early Years Universal Service, Strong Start move across to join Family Hubs from April 2025. In a move to better serve families, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have decided to deliver two separate contracts to provide the service at a local level. This aligns with other jointly commissioned arrangements across the 0-19 service, aiming to ensure collaborative working across the area. From April 2025, the west-based Strong Start team will transition from WNC Libraries to join and enhance the development of Family Hubs. This will ensure that families receive comprehensive support, from pregnancy through to young adulthood, in a single, accessible location. The Strong Start service will continue to be funded and overseen by WNC Public Health, maintaining its commitment to delivering key public health early years priorities. The knowledgeable and skilled Strong Start team will be a valuable addition to the Family Hub workforce, enhancing the overall service offer. The service will retain the Strong Start name and branding to preserve the trust and reputation it has built with families and professionals over the years. Some Strong Start sessions will be bookable in advance via ticketsource . For more information and to access the Family Hubs, please visit the West Northamptonshire Council Family Hubs website Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 24, 2025

Further update on the fire at Desborough Airfield

Following a large-scale fire at Desborough Airfield, near Stoke Albany, shortly before 8.30pm on Thursday, March 20, our crews continue to remain on site to monitor the controlled burn and resultant smoke plume. Due to the partial collapse of the building, which housed thousands of tonnes of carpet waste, crews have been hindered by the limited access, but today (Sunday, March 23) firefighters will be attempting to extinguish the final two pockets of fire. We still anticipate that the fire will continue to smoulder for several days, and that there will continue to be smoke drifting in and around the area, and therefore the advice remains the same for those affected. Residents are advised to keep their windows and doors closed if affected by the drift of smoke but once it has passed, people are asked to ventilate their homes to ensure that any lingering odours disappear. Any smoke can be an irritant the lining of the air passages, the skin, and the eyes, if people need to be outdoors, they are advised to avoid outside areas affected by any smoke or ash, or to limit the time that they spend in them. To minimise your exposure, shelter as much as possible by limiting the amount of time you spend outside in the smoke. People with asthma who may be in the vicinity of the fire should carry their inhaler. People who are generally fit and well are unlikely to experience long-term health problems from temporary exposure to smoke from a fire. However, exposure to smoke is more likely to affect people who have existing breathing problems, lung, or heart conditions as well as the very young and older adults, and smokers. Anyone experiencing respiratory symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, sputum (phlegm) production and chest pain, should seek medical advice or call NHS 111. Or in a case of an emergency call 999. If symptoms persist seek medical advice by contacting your General Practitioner (GP) or if a medical consultant is already treating an existing health condition, discuss your concerns and symptoms with them.

March 24, 2025

Fire crews remain on scene at blaze at Desborough Airfield

Our crews remained at Desborough Airfield, near Stoke Albany, overnight and are expected to continue to be on site throughout the coming days. Due to the intensity of the blaze, the roof of the building, which housed thousands of tonnes of carpet waste, collapsed. This has hampered the Service’s efforts to fully extinguish the fire, and crews from Corby are working hard to control fire and smoke plume. We anticipate the fire will continue to burn for several days, and therefore our advice remains the same for nearby residents in Stoke Albany, Brampton Ash and Dingley to keep their windows and doors closed due to the drift of smoke and strong odour. At the height of the fire, which is believed to have started shortly before 8.30pm on Thursday, March 20, six fire engines were on scene as crews used water jets to tackle the blaze, while an aerial appliance was used to tackle the large flames from heights. Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service Group Manager Rob Green said: “I would like to thank members of the local community for their patience and support while we continue to manage this complex incident. “Due to the way the building has collapsed it is proving difficult for our crews to effectively extinguish the remaining hot spots, but we are working hard to keep the fire under control and manage the resultant smoke plume along with our partner organisations. “However, we would encourage residents affected by the drifting smoke to continue to keep their doors and windows closed in the meantime and follow our media channels for further updates.” A Fire Investigation to determine a cause will take place once it is safe to do so.

March 22, 2025

Fire crews called to blaze at Desborough Airfield

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service remains at the scene of a fire at Desborough Airfield near Stoke Albany. The Service was called shortly before 8.30pm last night (March 20) and on arrival, crews discovered a large former air hangar was ablaze. A huge smoke plume was issuing from the hangar, which led to a request for nearby residents in Stoke Albany, Brampton Ash and Dingley to keep their windows and doors closed. Crews used water jets to tackle the blaze, while an aerial pump was used to tackle the large flames from heights. Police were called to assist in putting in place a cordon, and the electricity supply to the building was isolated. At the height of the blaze, six fire engines were on scene. Firefighters continued to tackle it and try and reduce the volume of smoke until the early morning, when the incident was scaled down to one pump and the aerial appliance at 1.30am. We anticipate the fire will continue to burn for many hours yet. The Corby aerial appliance, a crew from Guilsborough and a high-volume pump remain at the scene and continue to try to reduce the smoke plume. A Fire Investigation to determine a cause will take place once it is safe to do so.

March 18, 2025

Para swimming star Maisie to support Moulton Leisure Centre’s family open day

18 March 2025 Four-times Paralympic swimming medallist Maisie Summers-Newton will be racing lucky youngsters in the main pool when Moulton Leisure Centre holds a Family Open Day on Saturday, April 5. The centre, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active on behalf of West Northamptonshire Council, is offering a host of free activities to the local community from 8am-5pm. The opportunity to race six-times world champion Maisie, who trains at the site, is one of the highlights on the programme. The Wellingborough-based star is an Elite athlete on Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme, which supports up-and-coming athletes in West Northamptonshire by giving them access to training facilities and mentoring sessions with the likes of Maisie and her fellow Paralympians and Olympians. Also on offer at the family open day will be free use of the gym and spa, virtual body pump, studio cycling, a spinathon and Pilates. A pool party for under-fives and an inflatable party for over-fives will take place, while the event will be supported by Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service. Northampton Town Football Club will provide health checks and there will be taster sessions with LJW Sports and Injury Clinic. A cake sale will provide sweet treats and other food and refreshments will be available, with prizes on offer throughout the day. Selected activities need to be pre-booked via reception on 01604 492222. For details of the full schedule, please visit the Moulton Leisure Centre Facebook page . While many activities are free, Everyone Active is asking for voluntary donations to its charity partner, Breast Cancer Now. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 18, 2025

Have you considered standing for election as a councillor?

18 March 2025 Potential candidates are reminded that the window of opportunity to stand as a candidate in the upcoming local elections on Thursday, 1 May is now open. With the West Northamptonshire Council and Parish/Town Councils elections coming up, now is the time for those who are considering standing for election to get involved and help shape the future of your communities. These roles provide residents with the opportunity to be directly involved in decisions that impact their neighbourhoods. Elected for a four-year term, councillors serve as the voice of their community, working closely with neighbours to create positive changes that influence every aspect of daily life. Whether it is improving parks, supporting schools, or ensuring that vital services are available for those in need, stepping forward as a candidate allows residents to shape the changes that matter most. Councillors are there to support their local area in many ways. They help residents by responding to concerns, investigating issues, and working on solutions that improve everyday life. They keep people informed about what’s happening locally, whether by attending meetings, working with parish councils, or sharing key updates. The role also involves attending council meetings, reading reports, and helping to shape policies that make a lasting impact. Crucially, councillors work with a range of partners, from the police and healthcare providers to schools and voluntary groups, ensuring that the community’s needs are met through collaboration and strong leadership. As part of the process, nomination papers (applications) should be submitted from until Wednesday, 2 April 2025. An appointment system at various locations across the area, will be used to process nominations efficiently. For location information or to book an appointment, please visit our website . Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for the local election in West Northamptonshire said "Standing for local elections isn’t just about taking on a role – it’s about making a real difference in the lives of our neighbours. Every day, I see how our local decisions can improve the quality of life in our community, from safer parks and better schools to services that truly support families in need. “When you step up to serve, you help build a community where everyone’s voice is heard and every issue matters. I believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for all of us. This is your chance to bring about change in the areas you care about most, and to make our community a place we are all proud to call home." For further information about the election process, eligibility criteria, and how you can get involved, please visit our Elections 2025 page . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 14, 2025

Local elections to be held in May

14 March 2025 On Thursday, 1 May voters across West Northamptonshire will go to the polls to elect their local representatives. A Notice of Election for West Northamptonshire Council and all Parish/Town Council seats has been published today (Friday, 14 March) and potential candidates will have until 4pm on Wednesday, 2 April to submit their nomination papers. Voters will go to the polls to elect West Northamptonshire Council’s councillors in the unitary authority’s second election since its creation in 2021. This year’s Polling Day on Thursday 1 May will see changes to voter arrangements after a recent electoral review reduced the number of West Northants councillors to be elected from 93 to 76 and redrew the ward boundaries across the area. Town and parish council elections are also set to be held in some areas of West Northamptonshire on 1 May. Whether voting in person at a polling station, by post or by proxy (on someone’s behalf), there are some key deadlines to be aware of. If you have not registered to vote yet, the deadline to do so is Friday 11 April. It is a quick and easy process that takes just five minutes online. If you have recently moved home or changed your name, you may need to update your details to ensure you can take part. Register online to vote For those who prefer to vote by post, applications need to be submitted by 5pm on Monday, 14 April. Voting by post is a great option if you will be away on election day or if you would rather not visit a polling station in person. Your postal vote will be sent to you in advance, so you can fill it in and return it at your convenience. This is also the deadline to make amendments or cancel your postal vote. If you would like someone to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote, the deadline to apply is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April. If your proxy would like to vote by post, both the proxy and postal application must be received by 5pm on Monday, 14 April. One of the biggest changes recently introduced is the requirement for photo ID when voting in person. If you do not have an accepted form of ID, such as a passport or driving licence, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. The deadline to apply for this is 5pm on Wednesday, 23 April. Without the correct ID, you will not be able to vote at your polling station, so make sure you are prepared. For more information and to view the timetable of the election visit our website The Notice of Election marks the start of the pre-election period (previously known as purdah) for West Northamptonshire Council. 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. Find out more about the pre-election period for local authorities. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 14, 2025

Pre-election period starts ahead of local elections

14 March 2025 The pre-election period for the local elections on Thursday 1 May starts today (Friday, 14 March). 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 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 Local election checklist Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 15, 2025

Firefighters reach for the sky in high-rise exercise

Firefighters from across Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have today (March 14) been put through their paces as they tested their skills working from height. Exercise Reach for the Sky saw Red Watch Moulton, Kettering and Wellingborough head to Sir Robert McAlpine in Kettering to simulate rescuing a casualty from the cab of a crane, 25 metres in the air. [embedded content] The simulation saw firefighters use the aerial appliance – which is based at Moulton Fire Station – to safely rescue a casualty from the crane before bringing them down to safety. The exercise was organised by Crew Commander Adam Rawlins, of Red Watch Moulton, and he was pleased with how it went. Adam said: “This exercise was designed to allow us to train and replicate a rescue from height, and I am grateful to all the firefighters and the team at Sir Robert McAlpine who have worked hard and come together to make this happen. “Whilst Northamptonshire doesn’t have too many high-rise buildings, we need to ensure we are ready to respond to any kind of incident we are called too, to help keep the people of Northamptonshire safe.”

March 13, 2025

Council turning four with a focus on the future

13 March 2025 West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be turning four years old on 1 April 2025, with bold plans to build upon its strong track record of improving outcomes for communities in the years ahead. The unitary authority, which replaced the previous district, borough and county councils in April 2021, has been making solid progress against its priorities since it was formed as a fresh start for delivering better public services across West Northamptonshire. The Council enters its fifth year building upon its ‘strong, positive start’ highlighted by the LGA’s recent independent review and with a new compelling long-term plan to work together more strategically with partners as One West Northamptonshire to help communities flourish and businesses prosper. Summary of highlights During its first four years, WNC has charted a broad range of service improvements, projects and activities resulting in better outcomes for local communities. A summary of the many highlights can be found below. Further information about the Council’s performance during 2024/25 will be available in the Council’s annual report, to be published in June 2025. You can view previous annual reports here Portfolio for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration & Growth, Culture & Leisure We set an ambitious strategy to grow the local economy inclusively and sustainably with a focus on increasing productivity and skills We have driven economic growth, turning £45 million of grants for regeneration in Northampton into £350 million of private investment and making progress on major town centre regeneration schemes including the landmark Greyfriars regeneration We completed the multi-million-pound transformation of Northampton Market Square We have distributed millions of pounds of national UKSPF funding on initiatives to improve life chances, increase skills, create stronger communities and support local businesses We laid the foundations for further redevelopment of our other towns, including the new Sponne Arcade Car Park in Towcester and initial work on a new Masterplan for Daventry town centre We have supported all our professional sports clubs. The East Stand is nearing completion at Sixfields, we have helped the Saints develop a masterplan for Franklin's Gardens and we are in negotiations with the cricket club for a new academy in Moulton A joint bid for a Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) for Northamptonshire has been approved by VisitEngland We have supported initiatives including the Female Founders Summit, which is returning to Northampton in 2025 , while attracting the Small Business Saturday UK national roadshow has raised the Council’s profile We launched a new Employability Hub at Weston Favell, helping people find jobs and volunteer opportunities We continued our support for businesses and start-ups, offering funding, advice and guidance. Leader of the Council portfolio We are putting West Northants on the map as the beating heart of the country. The Council’s LGA peer review independently highlighted the strong start we have made since our launch in 2021 – a period in which we worked to transform and improve, saving millions of pounds of public money and bringing millions of pounds of investment to benefit our communities We have built our profile as a centre of sporting excellence through our successful bids for major sporting events including the Men’s Tour of Britain and the Women’s Rugby World Cup, celebrating the Saints' Premiership win with a victory parade and enabling the development of sporting academies The West Northants’ stage of the Men’s Tour of Britain delivered the highest economic benefit of the entire Tour, with an impressive total impact of £5.69 million, driven by £3.6 million in attendee spending. Over 85% of attendees expressed pride in their local area following the event, with 83% recognising the positive boost to the economy. Attendees from across the UK flocked to enjoy the race, with visitors spending an average of 2.4 nights in the area, further boosting the local hospitality sector. The stage also garnered significant media coverage, valued at £635,698, and promoting West Northamptonshire to national and international audiences We have developed communications channels and activities, directly posting updates across our social platforms, reaching over 1 million people every month and seeing our followers rise by 20% We have increased our visual content to engage new audiences, launching regular e-newsletters, attracting over 38,996 online subscribers and delivering a twice-yearly printed magazine to all households, which is helping engage our harder-to-reach audiences. We worked hard this year to involve more local people in our consultation and engagement activities, leading to a 133% increase in public participation. Highways portfolio We invested an additional £10 million into improving the road networks and 97% reported highways defects were repaired on target. We continue to encourage all residents to report issues via our website, WNC app or through customer services We have invested in new technology to complete 14,657m² of highway repairs. The equipment reduces the carbon footprint by an impressive 85% compared to traditional methods. The process recycles end-of-life waste tyres which would otherwise be destined for incineration The JCB Pothole Pro machine repaired 30,480m2 of roads during 2024. This innovative piece of technology carries out road repairs four times faster than standard methods. Teams can cut the defect, crop the edges and clean the area with one machine We are in the final stages of completion of the Sandy Lane Relief Road that will ease congestion and improve connectivity for residents when it opens in early spring, much earlier than planned. This follows the northern part of the road opening to motorists in the summer of last year and forms part of the Council’s wider investment into road infrastructure across the area Once the Towcester bypass is open we have secured significant improvements for the High Street which will include a ban on HGVs, improved paving and parking, and more landscaping We have worked with Stagecoach to secure a £9.4m Government grant to bring a fleet of electric buses to West Northants by late 2026 We have opened up new Active Travel routes to encourage walking, wheeling, and cycling, including a new 1.3km accessible path through Delapré Park to link Far Cotton with Brackmills We joined with partners to offer new and improved bus services across West Northamptonshire, increasing services in our rural areas, for example between Buckingham and Brackley, which will also provide services to Evenley. This service launched on 25 February. We aim to deliver further public transport improvements to the Brackley area later in the year We recently completed a further study with Northampton General Hospital and St Andrews Hospital. We hope this will be a catalyst for service improvements and increased bus patronage which the study indicated there was significant potential for. We are about to start similar studies in the areas served by bus services 33 (Northampton to Milton Keynes) and 41 (Northampton to Bedford). This will guide efforts to better meet bus user needs and grow bus use. Environment, Recycling and Waste Portfolio From 1 April, residents will be able to take their waste to recycling centres across West Northants seven days a week, offering a better service and value for money We have increased recycling with our new contract reducing the amount of our waste which goes to land fill We delivered efficient waste services and street cleansing to all residents, collecting more than 84 million bins over the past four years and clearing over 14,487 fly tips In excess of £700k of funding has been invested to support West Northamptonshire business to decarbonise through the Towards a Net Zero West Northants and NGAGE projects Through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, we have invested £7,074,540 to upgrade the heating of the four rural leisure centres to air source heat pumps and solar panels WNC has committed £1.2m for the feasibility assessment of a large-scale solar project to deliver on our net zero commitments WNC have been successful in bidding for £2.6m of funding to support our residents with home energy efficiency improvements through the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme We have agreed a climate change strategy outlining our approach to reducing locally produced greenhouse gases, improving air quality and placing people at the heart of the climate emergency response We have worked with neighbouring authorities to launch a new campaign tackling littering on the A5 and other major routes We have retained international Green Flag Award status for a number of our parks and open spaces We have seen significant improvements year-on-year in regard to air quality. We have supported our communities with the emergency response to flooding incidents and committed to working with partners to review flood defences and improve community resilience. We currently have 11 active investigations across West Northants following the November floods. This includes details surveys, cleaning of culverts, coordination with water authorities, land owners and council and to develop mitigation strategies working with residents and parish councils. Adult Social Care and Public Health and Regulatory Services Portfolio We have provided essential support to families and individuals struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis , with a specific focus on helping with the cost of food, free school meals, utility bills, and other vital household expenses. West Northamptonshire is expected to distribute £3.66 million in Household Support funding for the 12-month period and has committed to ensuring the funds help as many people as possible There are 112 welcoming spaces across West Northamptonshire, which are delivered through collaborative working with parish and town councils and partners in the voluntary and community sector to create a network In West Northamptonshire our vision and aspirations for Adult Social Care are aligned to the ‘Live Your Best Life Strategy’ which was developed in partnership with our Integrated Care System partners and launched in early 2023 We have improved our hospital discharge rate to the highest levels on record getting more residents home sooner with the right support Our three-year plan for locality based prevention work that brings together our three conversations model in Adult Social Care, with social prescribing and GP-based wellbeing interventions that are commissioned by Public Health. This approach will provide significantly increased reach to enable proactive preventative interventions that reduce crisis and reliance on services Ratings in our care homes are improving due to our monitoring approach, which has seen the number of inadequate providers reduced to just a single organisation due to our investment in our quality improvement programme and robust governance arrangements We have developed a buoyant home care market that has meant a reduction in delayed transfers of care alongside a reduction in the number of 18–65-year-olds needing to go into residential care Developments are underway to progress proposals for a new Health and Wellbeing Surgery in Moulton. This new facility would enable the expansion of the established GP practice into larger premises, along with additional supporting medical services, to cater to the growing needs of the local community. We held a vape summit with partners in advance of government changes which will assist all partners in responding to this significant threat to children in particular Introducing new powers to promote responsible pet ownership and ban smoking in children’s play areas, launching new charters setting out our approach to tackling litter and fly-tipping in our streets and green open spaces, and protecting the public from harm through the ongoing efforts of both our Food Safety and Trading Standards teams Worked to protect the public thanks to our Food Safety and Trading Standards teams, and continued to tackle fly-tipping, littering and other environmental crimes Developed and established new Local Area Partnerships (LAPs) across West Northants, listening to and engaging with residents at grassroots level to understand health and care needs to help them live their best lives Children, Families & Education portfolio Ofsted have reported a good judgement for Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Adoption Agency and recognised outstanding leadership and management Ofsted rated our Independent Fostering Agency as good in January 2024 Ofsted have rated our youth justice service as good with outstanding features in October 2023 Our children’s services have improved to requires improvement and there are 241 (17%) less children in care than the 2020 forecast projected We are investing over £20 million in property to provide more in house facilities to support our children and young people 2.7% 16-18 year olds not in education, employment and training, which is below the national average. 99.6% referrals to children’s social care receive an outcome within 2 working days Work has officially begun on the construction of Overstone Park Primary School, a state-of-the-art, non-selective, state-funded primary school at the Overstone Leys development in north-east Northampton. The Council continues to make progress against its action plan to address ongoing challenge of increasing SEND placements to help ensure better outcomes for families across West Northamptonshire. Positive progress has been noted in our Ofsted monitoring visits and complaints have reduced by a third. November 2022: the opening of 20 places at Hunsbury Park primary school as part a new autism spectrum disorder (ASD) unit for children in foundation stage, early years and key stage 1. January 2023: 10 places created at Hardingstone Academy for pupils in key stage 2 with autism spectrum disorder. This department is for children who need mainstream curriculum and provides that access to this provision as and when they are ready. February 2023: 10 places provided at Castle Academy for pupils in key stage 1 and foundation / early year pupils. Chiltern Primary School located in Northampton, opened its doors to its 30 place SEND unit called The Nest on 2 October 2023. A further 15 Key Stage 2 places were created from September 2024, taking the total number of places at this site to 45. The Nest caters for children in Key Stage 2, Years 3 to 6 and is a designated specialist provision for children with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) diagnosis. The NEST has specialist learning facilities with new classrooms offering breakout spaces, new signage to offer privacy to the playground as well as the new, engaging play area that is available for use by all pupils at Chiltern Primary School. We have made significant progress on a new specialist school in Tiffield near Towcester for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) We launched our Family Hubs initiative to provide a one-stop-shop for families in need of support with the first hub opening in Towcester on 31 March followed by further hubs in Daventry and Northampton town centre. HR and Corporate Services portfolio We have extended our customer satisfaction survey to all service areas and our latest data shows over 71% customers have a positive experience of our services We have relaunched our website with over 3 million views per year and 95% of customers rating our online information and services helpful We have invested in innovation, using artificial intelligence to drive improvements in services from homelessness to special educational needs We completed a full division restructure and contract rationalisation programme in DTI, delivering almost £1 million of savings to support the overall corporate position, but adding in much-needed missing skills and a more streamlined structure We have rolled out a single Customer Records Management system across all teams, and implemented a new telephony solution unifying the infrastructure in our contact centres and enhancing the available functionality We have delivered almost 30 outreach surgeries, with some of them becoming more and more popular and well-attended, and others being ceased either due to low demand or a transition to a different offer 88% resident complaints are resolved at the first stage and complaints during the last quarter have fallen across all service areas We have invested in our permanent colleagues, reducing our spend on agency staff by over £6 million since day 1 with agency staff at lowest levels across all services. Finance portfolio To date WNC has delivered over £115 million of savings, transforming the services we inherited – this has involved bringing together over 3,000 staff and hundreds of services from the four former councils, over 800 systems, four main office buildings and thousands of inherited contracts We have kept our budgets balanced, enhancing productivity and protecting essential frontline services in the face of continuous financial challenges, rising service demands and inflationary pressures affecting all councils nationally Our reserves currently stand at £96 million. When we landed in unitary, our opening balance was £171 million, however around £70 million of this opening balance related to ringfenced Covid monies, business rate reimbursement income and a high balance of public health reserves. These balances do not represent the financial health of an authority, are ringfenced, and were expected to be spent. We have benchmarked our General Reserve balance of £35 million with our nearest statistical neighbours which demonstrates that the balance being held is above average and prudent. Housing portfolio Announced plans to invest over £9.5 million on building new homes to tackle pressures on the local housing market We secured £3.2 million in Single Homeless Accommodation Programme funds to acquire and remodel an affordable housing scheme as a specialist supported housing facility for people with complex needs who are at risk of homelessness/rough sleeping, and revenue funding to fund a high need support service for three years. We have allocated more than £12.3 million to provide relocatable temporary accommodation for those experiencing homelessness We have developed a pipeline of new housing sites at the bus depot in St James and land at Dallington which will provide 200 affordable homes. We worked with our partners and people experiencing homelessness in West Northants to launch the innovative streets of change project, learning from experiences of homelessness and support prevention and recovery. We developed the West Northants Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy, adopted by Cabinet in March 2024. We have implemented a new governance framework between the council and Northamptonshire Partnership Homes – the council’s arms-length management organisation responsible for managing council housing stock – and continue to strengthen working arrangements across the two organisations. Planning and Community Safety & Engagement Portfolio Involving and engaging communities across West Northamptonshire to help shape our new Local Plan, which will guide how our area is developed over the next 15 years Working with parish councils on producing new Neighbourhood Development Plans and Conservation Area Appraisals to help further protect and enhance our area We have transformed our planning service, with over 90% of major and minor applications now delivered on target Distributing around £5.6m in community grants funding for hundreds of projects, from helping local clubs and groups to improve their facilities to initiatives tackling young violence and knife crime We have also held over 170 community events and weeks of action with partners promoting the culture and diversity of our area, from Coronation celebrations, Pride and Diwali to Black History Month, Inspirational Women’s and Men’s Awards and International day of People with Disabilities We have achieved Gold Status in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and are proud of our work to support the armed forces community as Armed Forces Covenant Signatories We are making a significant investment in Kings Heath, Northampton, to support community-led improvements and enhance local facilities. Through the Kings Heath Partnership Group, which includes local schools, charities, sports organisations, and Northamptonshire Police, a range of initiatives are underway to create lasting benefits for residents. During the past year alone there has been £140,000 of investment into a range of interventions including work to bring the former Sure Start Centre back into use, community cohesion events, dedicated staff to support community work and grants for charities providing programmes there Working with our residents who opened their homes to nearly 1,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine, while assisting more than 500 Afghan nationals escaping conflict and persecution through providing emergency accommodation as well as support to help them settle in the UK. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 13, 2025

Vulcan Works supports hundreds of businesses in just two years

13 March 2025 Innovative office hub Vulcan Works is celebrating two years of supporting businesses in West Northamptonshire. The purpose-built serviced workspace, which is in the heart of the Northampton’s Cultural Quarter, has firmly established itself as a vital part of the local community and economy, and is renowned for its dedicated business support for customers including grant and tender opportunities, networking and topical masterclasses. Vulcan Works drives growth in the local economy by boosting the West Northamptonshire eco system for businesses, by creating a collaborative and inclusive community, supporting and signposting business owners with a network of industry experts and mentors as well as growth programmes, events and workshops, and investors and funding streams. Since it launched in April 2023, the hub has supported hundreds of local businesses. In the last year alone, 43 local companies have called Vulcan Works home, including 14 new customers. These businesses range from creative industries such as architects, artists, and graphic designers to cutting edge technology including artificial intelligence and cyber security. The small units have provided a flexible option for new businesses to be created, and have facilitated their expansion and growth. In 24 months, more than 200 entrepreneurs have used the space for coworking, and the venue has hosted more than 100 business events annually, both internally and through organised groups such as The Marketing Meetup, Entrepreneurs Circle, Digital Northants, Coworking Club and NN1 Dev Club. A total of 486 meetings have also been held in the dedicated meeting rooms. Vulcan Works, which has been recognised with prestigious awards for its innovation and positive impact across the county, also offers access to a trio of specialists onsite – the centre’s own business growth manager Darren Smith, Barclays Eagle Labs’ Eco System Manager, Owen Moran, and experts from South East Midlands Growth Hub. Every customer who moves into Vulcan Works is offered 1-2-1 business support with Darren. So far, 145 internal customers have engaged with Darren, whether that be to discuss grant applications or ask his opinion on contracts. Darren has also established 64 new stakeholder relationships in 2024/25, adding to the 189 stakeholders engaged with in the centre’s inaugural year. Vulcan Works has delivered 12 business support clinics in the last 12 months, with external experts talking about a wide range of topical issues including finance, sustainability, IP, HR and accounting. In November, the Vulcan Creatives incubation initiative welcomed its second cohort of 10 entrepreneurs. The six-month program run Darren and funded by West Northamptonshire Council utilising £40,000 of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), supports ambitious local people hoping to kick start a new business or grow an existing idea with specialist support. Vulcan Creatives has already supported 21 entrepreneurs to become enterprise-ready and plans to contribute to the creation of at least 75 new start businesses by 2028. The incubator programme also aligns with Vulcan Works’ objectives of retaining local talent in Northamptonshire. Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC, added: “It is great to see the tangible impact that Vulcan Works has had on our county in the short time that it has been open. “We have seen numerous businesses thrive under the centre’s roof, as they choose this innovative community as a base in West Northamptonshire. No doubt there will be plenty more success stories to come from inside as the community grows and flourishes, especially with the continuation of the Vulcan Creatives incubation programme and the calibre of the support on offer.” Vulcan Works centre manager Garrick Hurter said: “We are immensely proud of what has been built so far here at Vulcan Works and the contribution we have made to support our customers in their growth. I am in the wonderful position to be able to see, daily, the difference that our centre makes, not just to the local economy but to aspiring entrepreneurs who simply need a little guidance in their quest for success. “I would like to thank the whole Vulcan Works team for their dedication and hard work and also our stakeholders and customers for trusting and believing in us. Together we have created something very special in Northamptonshire.” To find out more about Vulcan Works or request a show around, email [email protected] . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 13, 2025

Community invited to visit West Northants’ first family hub

13 March 2025 Families across West Northamptonshire are invited to visit the first one stop shop for family support as the hub opens at the forum in Towcester on Saturday, 29 March. West Northamptonshire Council is holding a ‘come and see’ event between 10am and 3pm giving residents the opportunity to meet the team and the partners that will be delivering services at the new location. There will be activities for all ages, allowing families to get a taste of what the Hub offers. Towcester Family Hub will be offering a programme and timetable of activities from Monday 31 March. Family Hubs provide a place to go for face-to-face support, making it easier for families to access information, advice and guidance they may need at various times throughout their child’s life. As well as a hub, Family hubs have an online offer where families can access a range of resources. Children, young people and their parents can access the hub from pre-birth to 19 years and up to 25 if they have additional needs. Towcester Family Hub will offer a range of bookable and drop-in sessions for families. Strong Start, a well-established early years provision will be joining the Family Hubs team, and a new youth space will offer young people a place to socialise, unwind and access support. Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council, said: "We are thrilled to open the doors of the Towcester Family Hub, our first one-stop shop for family support in West Northamptonshire. This hub represents our commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive services to families in our community. We invite everyone to join us on 29 March to explore the wide range of activities and resources available. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where children, young people, and their parents can find the support they need at every stage of their lives. We look forward to seeing you there and working together to build a stronger, more connected community." Please look out as there will be other Family hubs opening in Northampton and Daventry as well as s number of spoke sites across West Northamptonshire. For more information, please email [email protected] Follow the Family Hubs team on Instagram and Facebook for updates. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 13, 2025

Vehicle Supplier Day event to help shape new vehicle fleet

13 March 2025 As part of efforts to drive an increasingly environmentally friendly vehicle fleet, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is hosting a Vehicle Supplier Day to help shape its Fleet Climate Strategy. The event will take place on Wednesday 26 March from 10am to 4pm in Northampton’s Market Square with WNC employees, partners, local residents and businesses invited to go along to find out more. With a number of fleet hire companies, exhibitors and the MG Motor Group attending the event, it’s an opportunity for those who either use, or are responsible for Council operated vehicles to meet with specialists and discuss their future requirements and understand their impact on our environment. The development of the Fleet Climate Strategy will support the Council’s aims to improve air quality and create a greener environment for residents to live, work, visit and thrive in. “We are conscious of the impact the vehicles we use to deliver our services has on air quality and the local environment. This event will help us research and better understand the future of vehicle fleets and help us to achieve our goal of being a net zero authority by 2030. “Our vehicle fleet play a crucial role in helping us to deliver many of our services and we’re keen to take action to ensure we’re doing this in the best way possible, with a focus on reducing emissions and creating environmentally-friendly travel.” Cllr Rebecca Breese, Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste “We use a variety of vehicles, ranging from refuse collection lorries, coaches, mini buses, vans, MPVs and cars, and each one is crucial to our ability to deliver the services our communities need. “The event is an opportunity for us to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the range of more environmentally-friendly vehicles options available and I would encourage officers, partners, local businesses and residents to attend to find out more.” Cllr Malcolm Longley, Cabinet Member for Finance Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 14, 2025

Plans revealed for new fire station in Moulton – as Commissioner pledges to keep services at ‘heart of the community’

Plans have been announced to build a new £17 million fire station at Moulton that will deliver first-class facilities for firefighters and the local community. At the same time, a new site will be found for a visible, accessible police station in the busy Eastern District of Northampton, eventually replacing the current, out-dated Weston Favell building. The new fire station will be built on the site of the current Moulton fire station and the adjacent former office complex, which has been vacant for several years. The new building at Moulton will be a stand-alone fire station. Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone has reversed a previous decision to make the building a joint Fire and Police hub, so that a visible, accessible police station can be maintained in the heart of the busy Eastern District of Northampton. The existing Weston Favell police station building will be closed as it is no longer fit for modern policing purposes and a new location will be found for a police station in the area – either from the existing police estate or by buying or leasing a suitable building. The existing police station will remain open until a replacement is ready. Subject to planning permission, the new fire station at Moulton will offer flexible working spaces for firefighters and fire staff, a community room for use by local groups and residents, and a building more suited to modern operational firefighting than can be delivered at the current station, which opened in 1977. New facilities will include a larger bay with more space for fire engines – which will comfortably house the 42-metre-high aerial turntable that was purchased in 2023 – as well as enhanced welfare facilities for crews such as toilets, showers and changing rooms. There will be eight individual dormitories which will offer greater dignity and privacy for a diverse workforce compared to the current shared accommodation. The station layout has been designed so that firefighters can remove uniform and store equipment that has been exposed to contaminants in a safe environment and meets best practice guidelines from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). A planning application for the project, which will cost £17 million to deliver, will be submitted to West Northamptonshire Council shortly. When work on the new building gets underway, the wholetime and on call fire crews will be relocated, but Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said that arrangements will be put in place to ensure that crews are based in the heart of Moulton to serve residents and the business community at the busiest times. Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Northamptonshire and our Fire and Rescue Service, and an absolute commitment to keep a police station in the heart of one of Northampton’s busiest communities. “The fire station at Moulton will deliver real benefits to the local community and ensure firefighters and fire staff are easily accessible at the heart of their patch. Importantly, it will also give crews the facilities they need to support the vital work they do to keep people safe. “I want both services to work together and share buildings where it makes sense to do so, but I want the Eastern District to retain a visible policing presence – that’s central to my public safety plan. We are working at speed to review the wider estate to make sure it is fit for purpose and to find a way to close Weston Favell as quickly as possible.” Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson said: “This marks an incredible opportunity to give our crews modern, safe working conditions that they both need and deserve. “Firefighting continues to evolve, and the design of this new station will allow us to strengthen our current levels of service and meet any future needs we identify. The addition of space for use by residents and groups means we can foster even better relationships with our local community and further enhance our prevention work.” Weston Favell police station no longer meets the operational needs of Northamptonshire Police. It is now old and expensive to run and cannot be reconfigured to provide police officers and staff with the best environment to do their job. Ivan Balhatchet, Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police, added: “We will keep a police station in Weston Favell. I want us to increase our presence in the communities we serve and as we strengthen Neighbourhood Policing across the county, which means having buildings and officers that are visible and accessible to the public. “It is important that, right across the county, we ensure our officers and staff are based in the right locations so we can focus on tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and keeping people safe. “The Commissioner and I both agree that this is so important in helping to regain the public’s trust and confidence. “We will find a new site in the Weston Favell area to replace the existing police station, which will stay open until then. Our policing teams will remain where they need to be – in the heart of neighbourhoods tackling crime and keeping people safe.”

March 14, 2025

International Women’s Day event celebrates women in the emergency services

Women across Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), Northamptonshire Police and the Office of the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) Danielle Stone came together in Northampton’s Guildhall this week for International Women’s Day with a special event to celebrate women in the emergency services. The room heard personal stories about their journeys from Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Marianne Kimani, NFRS Area Manager Lisa Jackson and Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Emma James. Guest speakers Tracy Whittaker-Smith MBE and Maisie Summers-Newton MBE also joined the event, who have both excelled in their areas of sport and shared stories of their professional and personal growth. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day was Accelerate Action for gender equality, and many of the speakers spoke of how far we have come in creating more inclusive and equal places of work, but also how there is a still long way to go and how we can all work to achieve more for our future generations. Deputy Police Fire and Crime Commissioner Marianne Kimani gave the opening speech, in which she shared her own personal journey to the role she is in now, and the importance of mentorship. Marianne said, “I am so proud of how far we have come, even myself being in this position shows how much has changed, but we still have a long way to go. “Our job as women now, is to inspire those younger than us, to be mentors, to offer our support to ensure that the future generation can be the absolute best version of themselves they can be.” Marianne also spoke of the importance of workplace policies that favour, and benefit women. “To keep making meaningful changes within our places of work we must look internally at our policies and how we can make sure they support our women in the workplace. There is so many hidden figures that are vital to our organisations, and we must do more to acknowledge their contributions.” NFRS Area Manager Lisa Jackson, who is also chair of the NFRS Women’s Staff Network, shared her journey of 35 years in fire and rescue, and how she would have given up if not for the support of other women in the Fire Service. Lisa spoke of how she has learnt to just be herself after years of fighting to prove herself to be equal as her male colleagues, and how we need to continue having the audacity to just be who we are in our places of work. Lisa also echoed the importance of workplace policies that support women. She shared that when she was pregnant as a firefighter, she fought for meaningful training to accommodate her while she was off operational duties, which had not previously been in place, paving the way for other women who came after her. Highest ranking female police officer in Northamptonshire ACC Emma James was frank and honest about the journey she has been on to reach where she is today, including tales of misogyny and homophobia that could have set her back, but didn’t. Emma spoke of how she worked her way through the ranks, and the difficulties that came with being good at her job, fitting in, and just being herself. She shared how much she has grown in confidence over her 25 years of service, and that she has achieved a balance of being both brilliant at work and at home, a challenge many working women face. Olympic gymnastics coach Tracy Whittaker- Smith MBE, and Paralympian Maisie Summers-Newton MBE were also in attendance, who shared with the room their inspiring journeys and stories of how hard they have worked to achieve what they have. Both women spoke of the importance of the visibility of those who have inspired them, and how those people have shaped their journeys. OPFCC Danielle Stone wanted the event to take place so that women from across all three organisations could come together and celebrate each other. Danielle and Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson could not attend in person due to a National Fire and Rescue meeting they both were at. Both leaders joined the event through a video link. They spoke about how we should be celebrating ourselves and all women every day, but especially on International Women’s Day. Danielle commented on how women are helping to reshape our organisations for the better by continuing to break barriers and leave it in a better place. The day ended with the three leaders, Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Ivan Balhatchet, Chief Executive Officer for the OPFCC Jonny Bugg and Assistant Chief Officer and Head of Enabling Services for all three organisations Paul Bullen, giving their commitments of what they were all going to do to make the three organisations better for women.

March 13, 2025

Progress underway to deliver new SEND school in West Northamptonshire

13 March 2025 Considerable progress has been made on the construction of the new special education needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Tiffield, north of Towcester, which will benefit pupils aged 4 to 18 by providing a state-of-the-art facility designed to support their educational needs. With a total investment of £21.4 million, this project also enhances West Northamptonshire Council’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is working with Willmott Dixon through the Department for Education’s Construction Framework, to deliver this project which is set to be completed by summer 2025. The Council is also working closely with the Greenwood Academies Trust who will run the school from September. The school will have a number of specialist facilities, including dedicated teaching spaces, a soft playroom, a sensory room, a rebound therapy room, and expansive outdoor play areas. On the same site, the Council is working with The Gateway School and Creating Tomorrow Partnership to redesign old disused buildings to turn them into a new space with 55 extra places for children who need support with their social, emotional, and mental health needs. WNC is investing £5.5 million to turn these buildings into a unique special needs facility, working with Colam Construction and architects Sursham Tompkins. The new space, set to be ready by the end of May, will provide a modern learning environment with small outdoor teaching areas, as well as spaces for cooking, drama, IT, a gym, and nurturing support. “The development of this site is hugely exciting and important for us. Young people are referred to us because they have difficulties in coping socially and/or emotionally and/or have issues with their mental health. As a result, they can often be locked out of learning that other people can access. We know that if we give these young people the space, the right staff and the right content, they can be engaging, sociable and employable people who add a great deal to their communities. This new building gives us the necessary space and enables us to expand our curriculum to give them the content they need to achieve and thrive in school and beyond.” Conor Renihan, Head Teacher at The Gateway School Both developments have been possible through the Council’s work with local partners, including St John’s Tiffield Trustees who own the land. The trust has a commitment to ensure the land supports vulnerable children from West Northants and are actively involved in the new developments. “We are excited to see the progress being made at Tiffield School and the Gateway School. These facilities will provide invaluable support to our local children with special educational needs and disabilities, ensuring they receive the quality education they deserve. We remain committed to creating inclusive environments that cater to every child’s needs, while also prioritising sustainability.” Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at West Northamptonshire Council If a family is interested in a place at Tiffield or Gateway schools for their child, this will be considered as part of their Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) annual review or when a draft EHCP is issued. Key achievements to date at Tiffield Special School include the demolition of four derelict buildings and completion of the steel frame structure. As well roof works, windows, doors, and over 50% completion of the brickwork. Looking ahead, the next milestones will include the completion of brickwork to the external facade, completion of all classroom partition walls and doors installation of the rebound therapy room and adding green areas. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 12, 2025

Improvement works set to begin to improve Queen Eleanor Interchange

12 March 2025 An indicative overview of the scheme Works are set to start on the long-awaited scheme to improve the Queen Eleanor Interchange in Northampton later this month. West Northamptonshire’s Highways partner Kier Transportation will be starting the works, that will reduce congestion in the area, week commencing 31 March. The Queen Eleanor interchange is a busy roundabout that joins the A45 trunk road with the A508 London Road, B526 Newport Pagnell Road and Hardingstone Lane. As traffic has increased over the years, the junction has struggled to keep up, and improvements are needed to make it more efficient. The Council has worked closely with National Highway to develop a scheme to improve the junction to benefit residents and motorists for now and the future. Temporary traffic management measures will be in place from the week of 31 March to ensure that carriageway widening, new traffic signs and signals, drainage works, and resurfacing can be carried out in a timely manner, with the scheme expected to be complete by the end of the year. There will be lane closures on the Queen Eleanor roundabout, as well as on the road heading into Wootton Hall Park, with a full closure on the dedicated left-hand turn. A one-way system will be in place to minimise the impacts and motorist are advised to follow the signage. Full roundabout closures will be necessary at times, these will occur at nighttime whilst it is less busy, and dates will be communicated prior to any closure across our channels. A full closure will be in place on the cul-de-sac on London Road. The Council is engaging with local residents and businesses that may be impacted by the scheme works, access will be maintained at all times to properties and for emergency services, and during full closures, diversion routes will be in place. “We are committed to improving road infrastructure to better serve people who live, work and visit West Northants. The Queen Eleanor Interchange is a busy junction that is no longer fit for purpose, and this scheme is crucial to reduce congestion and keep traffic moving. "We know that as works progress, there will be significant delays for motorist and inconvenience to those who live in the area. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation during this period of improvement.” Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at WNC “We look forward to starting these works, which will bring long-term road improvements to the region, enhancing connectivity and easing congestion for road users. We would like to thank motorists for their patience as we carry out these improvements and will do all we can to minimise disruption throughout the project.” Peter Ingram, contracts director at Kier Transportation To keep up to date as this scheme progresses, please visit: Major highways projects | West Northamptonshire Council Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 13, 2025

The bold new vision for West Northamptonshire moves forward

13 March 2025 Plans for a stronger, more connected, and more prosperous West Northamptonshire have taken a significant step forward as the One West Northamptonshire Plan progresses towards adoption. The plan is a single vision and a commitment to a single set of outcomes across our area, in tandem with partners. Together we will tackle shared challenges, deliver key priorities and drive real improvements across our area for the benefit of residents. Through this plan we are committed to creating a better future for everyone, ensuring that West Northamptonshire remains a great place to live, work, and visit and one that continues to grow and thrive by: Supporting communities – strengthening local services, improving health and well-being, and enhancing community connections. Creating more opportunities – fostering skills, employment, and business growth. Investing in infrastructure – improving roads, transport, housing, and public spaces. Protecting the environment – working towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future. Following an extensive consultation process, the Plan was endorsed at this week’s Cabinet meeting and will go before Full Council for consideration next week. "The One West Northamptonshire Plan is a vision that commits this Council to working with our key partners in new and ambitious ways to shape the future of our area. I want to thank every individual, business, and organisation that contributed to this consultation. “Your voices have been invaluable in shaping this Plan, and your continued involvement will be key to making it a success. Together, we will harness the opportunities for growth, create a thriving economy, and improve prosperity for everyone who calls West Northamptonshire home." Councillor Adam Brown, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council The Council will continue to work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to ensure this Plan delivers on its promises. For the latest updates on next steps and to learn how you can help shape West Northamptonshire’s future, please visit One West Northants Plan. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 13, 2025

Fire service leader going extra mile to keep public safe wins special recognition award

A female leader from the Fire Service has won an award for taking strides to reduce harm and enhance public safety. Head of Prevention for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS), Lisa Bryan, has been celebrated with a West Northamptonshire Council Inspirational Woman award for always going the extra mile to engage at-risk youth, manage the Arson Task Force and Emergency Services Cadets. Lisa was shortlisted from a list of five candidates at a ceremony hosted at the Northampton Guildhall on Saturday March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day. She said: “I’m so grateful to win this award as I feel it reflects how hard women in emergency services work. “I’m continually inspired and empowered by my female colleagues who work tirelessly to protect the public. “There is more work for us to do as a Fire Service, but our mission is to keep taking huge strides to improve our workforce diversity and inclusive culture.” The senior leader learned of her surprise nomination just last week after Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson put her forward for the award, citing how hard she works to make her colleagues and team feel valued. Lisa launched her career with NFRS in 2001, joining as a supervisor in community safety. Now, having worked her way up to the Strategic Leadership Team 23 years later, she helps to oversee that fire prevention themes reach communities by leading her teams to deliver targeted information on fire, road, and water safety. [embedded content]

March 11, 2025

“Good” judgement for Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Adoption Agency

11 March 2025 “Outstanding leadership” and maintained overall judgement of “good”. Ofsted have published their report on the inspection of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Voluntary Adoption Agency (NCT VAA). Inspectors visited NCT VAA 3rd-7th February and said: “The leadership and management of the agency is particularly strong and ambitious. Since the last inspection, managers have taken a proactive and imaginative stance in working with other agencies and professionals to enhance children’s lives. The NCT VAA is highly committed to this effective joint working. This results in well-planned and supported adoptions for children.” The Ofsted findings have been welcomed by North and West Northamptonshire Councils, which have been working closely with NCT on its journey to improve children’s services countywide. In their report, inspectors said: “Prospective adopters receive a warm and professional welcome. They say that they are given as much information as possible. This enables them to make an informed decision about whether adoption is right for them.” Prospective adopters told inspectors: “From the beginning we had ample information to proceed. Our social worker was very open and honest, and we have felt able to be very open and honest with them as a result.” Inspectors also saw that prospective adopters receive a good quality of initial training which builds confidence and knowledge and opportunities for early permanence, with the courses also being available to friends and family. Post-adoption support was found as a real strength of this service. It is consistently valued by all adoptive parents. Ofsted noted that: “Work completed by staff is child focused and details children’s wishes and feelings well.” Adoptive parents give consistent positive feedback about the impact of the service provided by the post-adoption team with adopters saying: “We have had brilliant support from post adoption. It’s been easy to access. It’s the best thing we’ve done. We have been so supported and we are so lucky.” Inspectors saw the careful consideration that is given to matching children with adoptive parents. They noted that: “Introductions are child-focused and well-paced. During the assessment process, adoptive parents’ other children are well considered. Overall, this helps children to develop positive relationships and experience long term stability.” Ofsted saw the growth in the effective leadership and management of NCT VAA and saw the management team as inspirational and the leadership as particularly strong and ambitious and rated this as “outstanding.” A social worker in the adoption team shared with inspectors: “I can honestly say that in the last three years I have seen the most improvement overall in the development of the service and in its culture. We feel supported, understood and appreciated. I am proud to be a part of this Voluntary Adoption Agency.” “It is very pleasing that Ofsted judge our voluntary adoption agency as ‘good’ with ‘outstanding leadership and management.’ This is a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of the service and shows the continued journey of improvement that we are on. “Ensuring children and young people have support, stability and the love and care they deserve is at the heart of what we do, and it is good that this has been recognised by Ofsted. We would encourage anyone who has been considering adoption to get in touch with us. Our expert, friendly team will guide you through every step of the process.” Julian Wooster, Chair of Northamptonshire Children’s Trust "I am assured by the news that Ofsted has recognised the great work of the NCT VAA and the positive impact they are making. There are few things more important than the lives of vulnerable children. "It is pleasing that Ofsted recognise the outstanding leadership and management within the adoption service and that they can see that are adoptions are well planned giving children permanent loving homes and adopters getting the support and guidance throughout the process. “I acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the team and thank the adopters and children who spoke to inspectors so openly and honestly.” Charisee Monero, North Northamptonshire Council's Director of Children’s Services “This is positive news for our children, our adopters and colleagues who work hard to improve outcomes and help give our children to have the best start in life. “I am pleased that Ofsted recognise the child-focused approach that the team take as well as the strengthened partnership working which all impacts on well matched adoptions and achieving early permanence for children. “I would like to share my thanks to colleagues who are dedicated and committed and will continue to support this improvement journey.” Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Childrens, Families, Education and Skills at WNC The full report can be read here: Northamptonshire Children's Trust Adoption Agency - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 12, 2025

Smokers in West Northamptonshire urged to quit this national No Smoking Day

12 March 2025 West Northamptonshire residents are being encouraged to give quitting a go to mark national No Smoking Day on Wednesday, 12 March. This year's awareness day focuses on the steps people can take to take their life back. According to recent data, 95% of ex-smokers experience positive changes within just two weeks of quitting, including increased energy (45%), feeling healthier (42%), and improved breathing (42%). Additionally, quitting smoking can save individuals approximately £38 per week, or around £2,000 per year. In West Northamptonshire, around 11% of adults smoke, having a significant impact on their physical and brain health, as well as their wealth. West Northamptonshire Council’s Stop Smoking Service offers a free 12-week course to help people quit smoking. The service provides both phone and face-to-face appointments, a free e-cigarette starter kit, and a 12-week supply of e-liquid or nicotine replacement therapy. One participant from West Northamptonshire reached out to the service for support. The service was able to provide free tailored guidance to help them quit for good. They said: "I found the programme extremely useful in helping me to stop smoking. Charlotte was very knowledgeable, thorough, supportive, and shared a wealth of experience. She was very punctual in attending the calls and also extremely reliable in shipping nicotine replacement products to me. Overall, the programme has had a massive influence on me quitting smoking." “Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to improve your physical and brain health, as well as your wealth. By taking the first step of quitting for one day, you will see your oxygen level return to normal. After 48 hours of smoking your last cigarette, your body will have flushed out all the carbon monoxide, your lungs will start to clear out mucus, and your senses of taste and smell will improve. After two to 12 weeks, your blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have significantly improved. “It is never too late to quit. To get in touch with the Council’s Stop Smoking Service , please visit our Stop Smoking Service page or call 0300 126 5700 (option 1) – people can contact the service directly without a referral from a health professional.” Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services Click here to find out more about the benefits of quitting smoking and how to access free local support. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 11, 2025

Landmark Greyfriars regeneration continues to make progress

11 March 2025 The long-awaited regeneration of Greyfriars in Northampton town centre continues to make progress as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and ECF – the partnership between Homes England, Legal & General, and Muse – collaborate to refine an approach. A Council decision, made on 4 March, means senior WNC officers will be able to work together with ECF to negotiate a Development Agreement, once a final plan and strategy has been agreed. A future Development Agreement could then unlock the potential of one of the region’s most significant brownfield opportunities and over 25 acres of Northampton town centre, setting the stage for a generational transformation. The visionary Greyfriars project will reimagine the heart of Northampton into a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood. The development will deliver over 1,000 new homes alongside commercial, community, cultural, and leisure spaces alongside enhanced public spaces, new parks and green areas, which will create thousands of jobs and generate an estimated £500 million in economic benefits for the local area. “By collaborating with ECF to transform Greyfriars, we will inject new energy into our town centre, providing much-needed new business spaces, vibrant community facilities and new homes. This project embodies our commitment to building a more sustainable, connected, and prosperous West Northamptonshire— a lasting legacy for generations to come.” Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture and Leisure at WNC Spanning key sites including the former Greyfriars Bus Station, the project will integrate high quality design with sustainable infrastructure and enhanced pedestrian and public transport links. ECF, brings an exceptional track record from high-profile projects such as Salford Central and Plymouth’s Docks. Their expertise will be instrumental in turning Greyfriars into a model of modern urban regeneration. “ECF has worked closely with West Northamptonshire Council to investigate the delivery of Greyfriars. There is an impressive vision and strategy for the regeneration of the town centre. It’s clear our developing partnership can have a real and lasting impact. “As we continue to refine our approach, we’re pleased the Council is making pro-active plans to prepare for us entering into the Development Agreement to enable to move the scheme forward. “We will collaborate with WNC at pace to finalise a strategy which will re-energise Greyfriars, attract investment, and deliver the homes, retail, workplaces, and public space the town centre deserves.” Maggie Grogan, Managing Director – Midlands at ECF Following cabinet approval on Tuesday, 4 March, detailed negotiations and design work will continue, with enabling works set to start in 2027 and construction due to commence in 2028. As WNC leads the charge in reshaping Northampton’s urban landscape, Greyfriars is set to become a transformative symbol of community spirit and visionary partnership. For further details, please visit www.wearenorthampton.com . Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

March 10, 2025

Subscriptions now open for the 2025/26 West Northants garden waste service

10 March 2025 Residents across West Northamptonshire can now sign up for optional, chargeable garden waste collections to start from 1 April. The annual subscription charge for the fortnightly service from April 2025 to the end of March 2026 is £60 per bin and can be done online: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/gardenwaste . Residents can also sign up for an annual direct debit to save having to remember to renew every year. Once households are signed up to the service, they will receive their new 2025/26 garden waste permit which they will be asked to stick on their garden waste bin. Any bins that have not subscribed will not be emptied after 1 April. People can also recycle garden waste for free at any of West Northamptonshire Council's household waste recycling centres that will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 4pm from April. A comprehensive list of FAQs are also available on the Council's website at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-street-cleaning/garden-waste-collection-faqs “Subscriptions to the 2025/26 garden waste service are now open and residents can either make a one-off payment or sign up via direct debit on our website or over the phone, saving them time and without having to remember to renew each year. “By making this an optional service, only those who wish to receive garden waste collections have to pay for it, making it as fair for residents as possible.” Cllr Rebecca Breese, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste More information can be found on our garden waste subscriptions page. Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?

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