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21 December 2023
ABM which provides catering services for Green Nortons CE Primary School near Towcester has agreed to pay full council fees, in lieu of a legal trial after admitting guilt for failing to follow food hygiene law, following a visit from West Northamptonshire Council Health Protection Officers in 2018.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and ABM Catering Ltd based in Warwickshire have come to an out of court settlement, with ABM being served with a simple caution – which is an admission of guilt on four offences – and agreed to pay full council costs, in lieu of a legal trial.
Health Protection Officers from WNC (previously South Northants Council) visited the primary school following complaints from parents about reported mice sightings in summer 2018. The officers found evidence of a widespread mouse infestation in the school kitchen which was being used to prepare and serve food for children.
It was found that ABM were made aware of the infestation a month prior to the health protection visit, however continued to trade. WNC sought prosecution of ABM on four offences relating to the failure to ensure a safe environment for food preparation, failure to comply with food hygiene standards and failure to implement adequate pest control procedures, alongside failing to register their business.
Despite ABM launching a legal challenge against the council, the court ruled in favour of WNC to dismiss these challenges which resulted in the catering company putting forward an out of court settlement offer.
We are determined to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in our schools. It is unacceptable that ABM put the health of our children at risk by continuing to serve them food after being made aware of a mouse infestation.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services at WNCam pleased to hear that the Councils actions were validated by the court and the company then admitted to the offences and put forward the offer of settling out of court
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21 December 2023
A new taxi marshal service has been launched in Northampton to help people to travel more safely during peak Night Time Economy (NTE) periods.
The marshals will be positioned at the taxi rank on Mercer’s Row in Northampton town centre between 11pm and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights during pay weekends, bank holiday weekends and additional weekends during busy and festive periods.
Taxi Marshals will be responsible for making sure lone females, vulnerable people and those accompanied by children are safely supervised when using taxis as well as addressing any conflicts arising on the taxi rank and reporting any incidents to the Licensing Authority and Northamptonshire Police.
They will also help to manage taxi queueing systems and move on private hire vehicles ‘plying for hire’ and will be SIA licensed and accredited in accordance with Security Industry Authority (SIA).
The scheme, which launches on Friday 22 December through to September 2025 with the possibility to extend, will be funded using Safer Streets 5 funding led by the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (OPFCC) and delivered by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC). EP Traffic Services LTD have been successful in procuring the contract.
This initiative pilot will enhance the current work carried out by WNC and Northamptonshire Police to work with taxi drivers and private hire vehicles to ensure they comply with legislation and carry out the relevant training.
This innovative pilot is just one of the steps we are taking to improve the Night Time Economy in West Northamptonshire and make our town centres a safer and more welcoming place for everyone.Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory ServicesAs well as improving the safety of women and girls and vulnerable people, the taxi marshals aim to reduce illegal ‘pick ups’ and diffuse confrontational situations to make nights out more enjoyable for both members of the public and our taxi drivers who play an important role in getting people home safely.
The marshals will also help to reduce the pressure emergency services face each weekend by reducing the risk of road traffic accidents and using conflict management training to diffuse escalating situations.
Other projects and improvements in the Night Time Economy funded via Safer Streets funding include taxi rank lighting upgrades, additional CCTV cameras and Safer Night’s Out routes and help points. In addition to this, Northants Police also staff permanent Operations around predatory behaviour in the town centre.
This taxi marshal scheme will make a positive contribution to the safety and confidence of people who are out at night in Northampton town centre.Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen MoldIt is one of several schemes that have been funded through money I have secured from the Government’s Safer Streets initiative, which has provided more than £4 million for practical projects to prevent crime and reduce anti-social behaviour.
The scheme is also part of a wider programme of work to tackle violence against women and girls in the Night Time Economy that has seen £1.2 million spent on initiatives including ID scanning technology at late night venues, environmental improvements such as lighting and CCTV, training for staff in pubs and clubs to recognise vulnerability and challenge harassment, the introduction of the SNOvan and the Licensing SAVI scheme to help premises improve safety for customers at their venues.
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21 December 2023
These days it’s so easy to apply for a temporary event licence, and today West Northamptonshire Council has received an unusual application for an event, right before Christmas. Submitted by S. Claus, the application states that the ‘Chief Toymaker’ intends to issue a present to everyone in West Northamptonshire.
People are advised to keep an eye out for unusual activity on the evening of 24 December, into the early hours. This may include jingling sleigh bells, trotting reindeers and sipping milk.
The unusual event application to the Council states that the purpose of this event, which will be delivered by a flying sleigh and eight flying reindeers, is to spread joy to all this festive season.
Christmas is a very busy time of year, and we are very surprised to have received this unusual but very exciting event notice last minute. I would urge everyone, particularly our younger residents, to please be vigilant this festive season and if they hear sleigh bells, not to go outside. Instead, they should close their eyes, and go back to sleep right away.The Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Jonathan Nunn
Are you planning an event in 2024? Be sure to notify West Northamptonshire Council by visiting Notify us of an event.
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20 December 2023
Head down to Northampton’s Market at Commercial Street to join in free ice-skating and curling this Christmas.
Taking place daily up until 22 December between 10am and 4pm, people are advised to put on their skates and join in the festive fun. Northampton BID has kindly sponsored this year's curling lane event. All skates and equipment are provided free of charge.
West Northamptonshire Council is working with market traders to deliver a free events programme to offer something for everyone. Following the summer of fun throughout the summer holidays, we’re pleased to extend this throughout December.
To help support with access to the market’s temporary location at Commercial Street, WNC is working with Bounds to offer free journeys for the bus station to the market. Simply press a button at either location and a free taxi will be called to take you to or from the market.
To find out more about the local produce, gifts and services on offer at the Northampton Market, visit Love Northampton Market on Facebook.
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21 December 2023
Help shape the future of the Greyfriars sites in Northampton as West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) seeks views on the first stage of engagement to ask the community their views on the emerging vision.
Over 1,100 people have shared their feedback on the emerging vision, there are just a few weeks left to share your thoughts on how the site could be transformed.
The online engagement launched on Tuesday, 5 December and will run through until Sunday, 7 January. Visit ampnorthampton.com to view the emerging vision to amplify the area and have your say.
The area includes the former Greyfriars bus station site, the East and West Island, the Mayorhold multi-storey car park, Belgrave House, the Corn Exchange and the Victoria Street car park.
Residents, visitors, businesses, and community organisations are being asked to provide their ideas for the future of this area and celebrate the heritage of the site through sharing their memories of Greyfriars from years gone by.
This is a really exciting opportunity for the community to help shape the future of one of the most prominent empty spots in Northampton. Be sure to be a part of the emerging vision as we breathe new life into their area.Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at West Northamptonshire Council
Ambitions to amplify Northampton and establish Greyfriars as a creative hub for the town, weaving together culture, performance, craft and youth facilities, have been met with much positivity. Respondents also welcome the creation of a new town park and multi-layered landscape that transforms existing levels to create a sequence of blue-green open spaces that support intergenerational living in the town centre.
There has been clear support for the creation of a pedestrian-first environment that facilitates walking and cycling and makes it easier to get around the area. Many have embraced the ambition to make Emporium Way more inviting as the first step in reconnecting the site with the Market Square and the rest of the town centre. Overall, the vast majority of respondents agree that movement and access should be prioritised at Greyfriars. Some have offered ideas including better lighting and signage, dedicated cycle routes and safer pedestrian access.
WNC have commissioned architects, urban designers and landscape architects Studio Egret West to lead on the development of the vision and proposals for the site in collaboration with transport consultant Civic Engineers. Deetu are the consultation experts behind the online platform. The emerging vision includes new high-quality homes offering multi-generational living, dedicated community space, a new park as well as exploring where commercial and leisure uses could be developed. A core element of the proposals is to improve connectivity within the surrounding area and provide enhanced walking and cycling.
Our emerging proposals have the potential not only to revive Greyfriars, but to ripple far beyond the site to the wider town centre and Northampton as a whole. It is clear from the enthusiastic response, and constructive feedback received so far, that many share this sense of opportunity, and we look forward to taking this energy forward.David West, Founding Director of Studio Egret West
The initial feedback collated from the first stage of engagement will be considered by WNC and a highly experienced multi-disciplinary team of architects, transport and commercial experts, to develop a vision by spring 2024 and launch a second stage of engagement.
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