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02 November 2022

A national housing order will be introduced across England on Monday 7 November making it a legal requirement to house flocks.
Mandatory housing measures for all poultry and captive birds were introduced to all areas of England from 00:01 on Monday 7 November, following a decision by the United Kingdom’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
The housing measures legally require all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow stringent biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks from the disease, regardless of type or size.
The order will extend the mandatory housing measures already in force in the hot spot area of Suffolk, Norfolk and parts of Essex to the whole of England following an increase in the national risk of bird flu in wild birds to very high.
Over the last year, the United Kingdom has faced its largest ever outbreak of avian influenza with over 200 cases confirmed since late October 2021.
The introduction of the housing measures comes after the disease was detected at over 70 premises since the beginning of October, as well as multiple reports in wild birds.
The Chief Veterinary Officer is now encouraging all bird keepers across England to use the week to prepare, including taking steps to safeguard animal welfare, consult their private vet and expand housing where necessary.
“We are now facing this year, the largest ever outbreak of bird flu and are seeing rapid escalation in the number of cases on commercial farms and in backyard birds across England.Christine Middlemiss, Chief Veterinary Officer for the United Kingdom.“The risk of kept birds being exposed to disease has reached a point where it is now necessary for all birds to be housed until further notice.
“Scrupulous biosecurity and separating flocks in all ways, from wild birds remain the best form of defence.
“Whether you keep just a few birds or thousands, from Monday 7 November onwards you must keep your indoors.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the best way to protect your birds from this highly infectious disease.”
Evidence shows that housing birds reduces the risk of kept birds being infected with bird flu.
However, housing alone will not protect birds and all keepers must still follow the other enhanced biosecurity measures mandated by the AIPZ at all times to protect their flocks and prevent the risk of future outbreaks which is circulating in wild birds. Housing combined with stringent biosecurity measures can provide even greater reduction in risk.
The new housing measures build on the strengthened biosecurity measures that were brought in as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) earlier this month.
The AIPZ means that all bird keepers need to take extra precautions, such as restricting access for non-essential people on site, ensuring workers change clothing and footwear before entering bird enclosures and cleaning and disinfecting vehicles regularly to limit the risk of the disease spreading.
The UK Health Security Agency continue to advise that the risk to public health from the virus is very low and the Food Standards Agency advice remains unchanged, that avian influenzas pose a very low food safety risk for UK consumers. Properly cooked poultry and poultry products, including eggs, are safe to eat.
Further Information
Biosecurity guidance and a biosecurity self-assessment checklist have been published by Defra to assist all bird keepers in instigating and maintaining good biosecurity, which together with further updates on the latest avian influenza situation, can be found via GOV.UK/bird-flu
The addition of housing measures to the AIPZ already in force across England means all bird keepers across England must:
- housing or netting all poultry and captive birds
- cleanse and disinfect clothing, footwear, equipment and vehicles before and after contact with poultry and captive birds – if practical, use disposable protective clothing
- reduce the movement of people, vehicles or equipment to and from areas where poultry and captive birds are kept, to minimise contamination from manure, slurry and other products, and use effective vermin control
- keep records of mortality, movement of poultry and poultry products and any changes in production
- thoroughly cleanse and disinfect housing on a continuous basis
- keep fresh disinfectant at the right concentration at all farm and poultry housing entry and exit points
- minimise direct and indirect contact between poultry and captive birds and wild birds, including making sure all feed and water is not accessible to wild birds
- prevent access by poultry to ponds and watercourses and ensure that birds are kept in fenced or enclosed areas
Further information on the mandatory biosecurity measures can be found: Latest Government Update on Avian influenza (bird flu).
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03 November 2022

Those tempted to hold firework displays at home are being told their safety begins at the point at which they purchase them.
West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Trading Standards team is reminding people to buy only from licensed sellers, and to avoid the temptation to pick up cheap fireworks from the back of a van, a market stall, or on social media.
"Celebrations around November 5 are some of our most exciting traditions, but they always put an extra strain on public resources.Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for community safety and engagement, and regulatory."The best way to enjoy the festivities is at an organised display. You can be sure the highest safety standards are being followed and you could be supporting your school, village hall or one of our many community groups by attending.
"But if you must have a display at home it is your obligation to ensure it is safe, for you own sake and for the loved ones enjoying it beside you.
"Fireworks are explosives, and your safety begins as the point at which you purchase them.
"Only buy from outlets you know and trust. Never buy fireworks via social media and be very careful when buy them online. Only use websites belonging to fully licensed firework companies.
"Always read the instructions and if they are not clear or not in English, they may be illegal.
"Our Trading Standards Team work hard to crack down on unlicensed sellers, but you can do your part by only buying fireworks from reputable retailers.
"By doing so, together we can put them out of business and ensure you avoid the potentially fatal consequences of unlicensed fireworks."
All fireworks sold in the UK must carry the CE or UKCA mark and come with English labelling and instructions.
Fireworks which lack this will not have been put through the same rigorous testing as genuine fireworks and could pose a serious risk to public safety.
People are also reminded that the sorts of fireworks typically designed for private displays can only be bought by those aged 18 and over, and that the most powerful Category F4 fireworks must only be used by professionals.
The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display, but those who choose to have a firework party at home should always follow the Firework Code.
“We want to ensure that everyone celebrates this time of the year in the safest way possible.Lisa Bryan, Prevention Manager at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.“We would encourage people to attend official fireworks displays if they can, but if you are hosting a firework display at home then we would ask people to make sure they purchase safe products from licensed sellers.
"You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and read them by torchlight, never by a naked flame.
"Make sure to use a safety firework lighter or fuse wick, and never go back to a firework once it has been lit.
"We would recommend keeping a bucket of water nearby, and make sure you collect fireworks after a display with care, douse them with water and dispose of them in a proper metal container.
"People should not drink alcohol when setting fireworks off, and children and pets should be kept at a safe distance from the display.
"Finally, remember to ‘stop, drop and roll’ if your clothing should catch fire."
People are encouraged to report any suspected illegal products or sellers to Trading Standards by contacting Citizens Advice and Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.
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03 November 2022

Litter pickers in Northampton collected more than 20 bags of rubbish from around Northampton Town Football Club and a further 10 bags near Duston Mill on Saturday, 29 October.
Community volunteers from the Wombles, representatives Northampton Town Football Club Community Trust (NTFCCT), colleagues from Sixfields McDonalds store, and waste and sustainability services from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) came together to don their litter grabbers and bagged more than 20 bags worth of rubbish.
"It is disappointing that people continue to discard of their items by littering and show little care for their environment and local community.Cllr Phil Larratt, WNC's Cabinet Member for environment, transport, highways and waste."We’re committed to working with local volunteers to tackle this issue together and create cleaner communities.
"It is always great to see the wonderful work of volunteers who take time out their days to clean up after others and care for our environment.
"We want to discourage anyone from dropping litter on the ground and ask that they take it home or use one of the many bins provided.
"If we see or receive reports of people littering, we will take enforcement action in accordance with our enforcement policy, including fines where appropriate."
"It was fantastic that the Wombles came out to support us on our Sustainability Match Day on Saturday, it really kickstarted the whole event off well.Damon Fox, Business Development Manager at NTFCCT."It was nice to talk to the group about what we're trying to do at the Community Trust and club to improve our sustainability and carbon footprint outcomes.
"We are looking forward to working with the group on future projects. The area looked fantastic by the time we had finished."
Residents across West Northamptonshire can hire litter picking equipment for free from WNC. Each kit includes litter pickers, sacks and bag hoops to assist with litter picking, as well as a step-by-step guide for holding a litter pick, to help you plan a safe, effective and well supported event.
WNC can also pick up and dispose of sacks of litter that have been collected from public land
To borrow equipment or book a collection, visit our page on the Litter Picking Charter or email [email protected].
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01 November 2022

On Tuesday, 8 November, West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Cabinet will decide whether to fund £1.2 million of improvements to facilities on the east side of Abington Park.
Abington Park is at the heart of Northampton Town and provides a vastly used green space for residents and visitors.
Welfare facilities are essential for visitors of the area, however, in recent years, the facilities at the east of the park have become disused and become an area for anti-social behaviour.
The Council took action to close the facilities in 2021, due to their partially concealed view the current location is no longer fit for purpose.
Cabinet will review plans to allocate £1.2 million worth of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds for 2023/24 to demolish the existing building and relocate welfare facilities to a new more visible and convenient location.
Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for environment, transport, highways and waste at WNC, said: "We are committed to work with our partners and residents to listen and respond to their views on our facilities.
"Abington Park is a focal point for the town, and is well-loved by many across the county.
"By providing improved welfare facilities, appropriate to the setting, in a more convenient and open location, we can ensure that they meet the needs of visitors and discourage anti-social behaviour."
Cabinet will review plans on Tuesday, 8 November and will outline the next steps for the project.
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01 November 2022

Inquests regarding the deaths of Diana Dafter and Quintis Pheonix Gouws will be opened and adjourned on Wednesday, 2 November 2022.
Diane Dafter died in Northampton on Friday, 7 October.
Quintis Gouws died in Nottingham on Friday, 21 October.
The inquests will be resumed at a later date by His Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Northamptonshire, Mrs Anne Pember at Northamptonshire Coroner’s Court, The Guildhall, St. Giles’ Square, Northampton.