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21 December 2023
People across West Northamptonshire are being asked to share their views on the public e-scooters, to support councillors who are scrutinising the effectiveness of the scheme.
As part of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Scrutiny process, the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee is seeking people’s feedback on the scheme, which is currently operated by Voi and WNC in the Northampton and Moulton areas.
The Committee is looking for evidence into the opportunities and issues around the e-scooter scheme, which has been running in the town since 2020.
At their recent meeting (4 December), Scrutiny members decided to establish a task and finish group on the issue, to include WNC colleagues and representatives from various organisations to establish a course of action.
Residents are now being encouraged to give the Committee their views on the e-scooters scheme by completing a short survey. The deadline for comments is Thursday 11 January.
WNC and Voi are committed to delivering a micro mobility scheme in Northampton which offers a safe, sustainable and affordable transport option for our residents and visitors.Cllr Alison Eastwood, the Vice Chairman of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Chairman of the Task and Finish GroupSafety is a core priority – including the safety of riders and other road and footpath users – and we always seek to address key concerns, working with the police to ensure the scheme meets the safety needs of residents.
It is important that the service meets the needs of all, and upholds the principles of safety, health, cost and sustainability. Our new task and finish group will look at this in depth, but we can’t do this without the views and feedback of our residents. This is democracy at work, and we want all to have the ability to have their say.
The outcomes of the scrutiny review will then be presented to WNC’s Cabinet at a future meeting. The Cabinet will take the report into account when it considers if the trial will continue for a period of another two years, and if so on what basis.
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19 December 2023
Local people and organisations have been working together to help make it easier for people in Northampton to reconnect with nature.
The Active Quarter partnership is made up of landowners, charities, businesses, community groups and organisations including West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), who have been working together to improve access to the vast greenspace between the south of the town centre, Brackmills Industrial Estate and Hardingstone.
This outdoor space offers a range of attractions including the award-winning Northampton Bike Park, the Washlands Nature Reserve and miles of footpaths through nature.
Since 2020, residents have played an active role in improving these spaces for the community including curating a range of new workshops and classes at Delapré Abbey and completing public research projects with the University of Northampton to help demonstrate the need for more accessible footpath signage in Delapré Park.
This month, the vision for the Active Quarter takes another step forward with the launch of a brand-new website designed to make finding and enjoying great outdoor spaces in Northampton even easier. The website includes an outdoor spaces directory and information about street lighting, seating, public toilets, and other useful details as well as upcoming health and wellbeing events and updates about improvements in the area.
The ambition for the Active Quarter partnership is to help make it easier for everybody to access safe, high-quality outdoor spaces - and enjoy getting active however they choose.Dr Declan Ryan, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of NorthamptonThe partnership aims to champion community engagement and ensure local residents play an active role in deciding how to improve these spaces.
We’re really excited about the launch of our new website. Parks and outdoor spaces are vital for our health and wellbeing and we hope this can become an excellent resource supported by the community to help people get outdoors with confidence.
In keeping with the aims of the Active Quarter project, the website will grow and evolve over time with residents being invited to contribute. Visitors to the site can complete a website feedback form, contribute to a map of outdoor seating in the area and share any local community groups they are part of.
We are delighted to be working in partnership with local organisations and residents to develop this new initiative which enables people to discover the beautiful scenery and walking routes available in the heart of Northampton.Councillor Adam Brown, WNC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and LeisureThe Active Quarter covers an extensive area of green space and water, miles of footpaths, cycle routes, and sport and leisure facilities, all of which are featured on the new website.
We hope this project will play an important role in protecting and enhancing our valuable recreational spaces while helping to shape the future health and wellbeing of communities in Northampton and the surrounding areas.
Find out more by visiting the new Active Quarter website.
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19 December 2023
Are you on the lookout for ways to help family members or friends stay steady on their feet?
We have fun and effective strength and balance exercise sessions taking place across West Northants this winter. Meeting others and doing exercises as part of a friendly Get Up and Go group, is a proven way to stay fit, safe, and well.
The classes use exercises that have been designed to improve strength and balance, and help people stay independent and falls free. They have a brilliant atmosphere and go at a pace that works for everyone.
With classes happening in Daventry, South Northants and Northampton, book onto the nearest one by calling Katy on 07955 441975, emailing [email protected] or visiting: Find a Get Up & Go class - Northamptonshire Sport
If you are looking for more information on staying steady on your feet please visit: Welcome to Steady on Your Feet Northamptonshire or for information on staying well over the winter period, please visit: Adult social care and wellbeing | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
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20 December 2023
Pupils from a West Northamptonshire School have received bikes for Christmas as part of a scheme to support children’s mental wellbeing and grow a love for cycling and being active.
Nine students in Years 5 and 6 at Daventry’s Monksmoor Primary School received the free bicycles under the pilot initiative, which aims to encourage young people to take part in physical activity, enjoy the outdoors and connect with friends. By having access to these bikes, will help to support our younger generation to consider active travel options that are local to them, as well as prompt enjoyment through using more sustainable modes of transport.
All the bikes were donations gifted to the project and refurbished by The Delapre Bike Doctor, Steve Adams, making them into their good-as-new condition, before presenting them to the children.
The pupils also received safety equipment including cycle helmets, as well as cycling proficiency lessons from Space 2 Talk, insight into cycling safely through Northamptonshire Police and a short course in basic bicycle maintenance from The Bike Doctor.
The pilot scheme is a partnership effort which has stemmed from the Rural West Local Area Partnership, serving the communities of Daventry East & Woodford, Daventry West and Weedon. Partners involved include; West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), Daventry Town Council, The Delapre Bike Doctor, Space 2 Talk, Northamptonshire Police, Goodwill Solutions, Daventry Community Shed and Olleco.
This project is the first of its kind in West Northamptonshire and is being piloted in a small number of schools initially, with the aim of rolling it out further if it proves a success.
As part of the scheme, people with old bikes they no long use are being asked to consider donating them to the cause in the New Year.
Anyone who would like to support the initiative can donate their old bike by dropping it off at The Stable Block at Delapre Abbey, Tuesday to Friday between 10am to 3.30pm, or on Saturdays between 10am to 1pm starting from the New Year. All bikes will be assessed to ensure they can be refurbished to a high standard and cost effectively before they are gifted to others. Not all bike donations may be accepted. We are particularly interested in XS adult bikes with 26”wheels and 24” wheeled children's bikes.
This is a fantastic initiative that is only made possible by partners working together. I would like to say a huge thank you to all involved and those who have donated. We know the positive benefits physical activity and being outdoors has on our young people and it is great that this scheme brings these elements together. I look forward to seeing how we can further roll this initiative out to other schools in the area and hearing from the students how they are enjoying the use of their bike.Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at WNC
Watch a video about the bicycle scheme here.It is great news that we have been able to work with partners to donate bikes to young people. This will provide them with a fantastic opportunity to meet with friends and get outside. By travelling by bike they can not only enjoy the local area but help reduce their carbon footprint and travel sustainably.Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste at WNC
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Organisations across West Northamptonshire come together to deliver operation to keep residents safe
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18 December 2023
West Northamptonshire Council’s Licensing Team and Northamptonshire Police Safer Roads Police Team are working in partnership to work with licensed vehicle drivers to carry out spot checks, focusing on vehicle safety.
On Friday, 8 December, they carried out an operation where several licensed taxis and private hire vehicles in West Northamptonshire had their licences suspended due to failing safety spot checks.
The vehicle spot checks carried out by the Police Safer Roads team and the Council’s Licensing Officers identified several vehicles that were deemed unsafe to carry passengers.
Four vehicles out of 23 inspected by officers and examiners were found to have immediate safety defects which included worn tyres and faulty lights. One vehicle was found to have a tyre which was worn to the extent the cord was exposed. An additional vehicle was found to not be compliant with law around smoking in vehicles.
By working with the police to carry out regular checks of the way that licensed vehicle drivers are working we can make sure that they’re adhering to the conditions of their licence and insurance and residents are travelling safely.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services at WNCOur officers will now take the appropriate steps in relation to the minority of licence holders whose vehicles were found to be unsafe. Officers are also working with other drivers to raise awareness of how they can keep their vehicles in tip top condition and keep users safe.
When people pay to take a taxi or private hire vehicle, they should be able to feel confident that it is in safe, roadworthy condition and is being driven by someone with the necessary licences and the checks that sit behind those.Matt O’Connell, Safer Roads Team manager at Northamptonshire PoliceThese vehicles and the service they provide are a lifeline for a lot of people, and we’re here to make sure they are as safe as possible when using them. We’re committed to improving the safety of all road users and will continue to work with council partners across the county to achieve this aim.
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