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07 April 2022

Our Cabinet is set to consider whether to adopt a draft Anti-Poverty Strategy at its meeting next week.
The strategy, which will be considered by members at their meeting on Tuesday (12 April), is designed to tackle poverty and deprivation and is particularly important in the context of current financial pressures facing households.
It would also form part of our bold new approach to improve social, environmental and economic sustainability, which will help protect communities for future generations.
We are all facing incredible pressure from the effects of inflation, which is pushing up the cost of living on so many fronts.Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Wellbeing and Health IntegrationThe COVID pandemic has also played a huge part, damaging the economy and forcing people out of work.
It means everything costs more, including the cost of our services, and it’s extremely important that we look to help those who are most affected.
Our approach is summed up in three overarching priorities, which are in turn built on some key principles aimed at helping people to live the best life possible.
The strategy identified ten underlying principles recognising that people need:
- The best start in life
- Access to the best available education and learning
- Opportunity to be fit, well and independent
- Employment that keeps them and their families out of poverty
- Housing that is affordable, safe and sustainable in places which are clean and green
- To feel safe in their homes and when out and about
- Connected to their families and friends
- The chance for a fresh start when things go wrong
- Access to health and social care when they need it
- To be accepted and valued simply for who they are.
In order to provide these opportunities for people, it will be necessary for us to work with a range of partners.
The three governing principles behind this approach are:
- Supporting people who are struggling in poverty now
- Preventing people falling into poverty in the first place
- Influencing the Government and other national organisations to get the best deal for the people of West Northamptonshire.
The strategy has been developed with cross-party support and its aims include improving health and wellbeing, increasing average household income, reducing reliance on benefits, lowering the cost of rented and social housing, improving outcomes for young people and tackling fuel poverty.
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07 April 2022
Our Cabinet will meet next week (Tuesday, 12 April) to consider two reports which could help maintain the momentum of Northampton town centre’s regeneration.
The first of these seeks approval for an outline business case for the former M&S and BHS sites in Abington Street, and the second proposes appointment of an operator for the Vulcan Works Creative Hub.
Abington Street Properties
Proposals for the Abington Street properties, which also incorporate a derelict property at the rear of the Grosvenor Shopping centre, involve conversion to residential.
Cllr Lizzy Bowen, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, said: “It’s vital that if we are to breathe life back into our ailing town centres, we introduce more people who will be ready-made customers for the fantastic businesses we have.
“A significant part of our strategy for the revitalisation of Northampton town centre is to introduce significant amounts of new residential development above ground level.
“We can then have catering and retail uses on the ground floor, and these will be supported by all of the new people living there.
“Town centres are suffering as a result of people’s changing shopping habits and we must evolve with the times.”
Vulcan Works Creative Hub
The Vulcan Works Creative Hub, a series of managed workspaces for creative businesses, is nearing completion and after a competitive process, a preferred operator has been identified.
At its meeting on Tuesday 12 April, Cabinet will consider whether to award this contract, which would see the company contracted for an initial three years, with an option to extend by two years.
Cllr Bowen said: “The Vulcan Works Creative Hub is an absolutely top-notch facility, and we need a high calibre operator to run it.
“The preferred bidder already operates a number of successful co-working spaces across the country, so would bring a huge amount of knowledge and expertise to the task.
“The vision behind Vulcan Works is that small businesses will be located in a cutting-edge facility, with shared spaces that allow them to collaborate and support each other.”
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06 April 2022

A woman who dumped nine sacks of rubbish and two carrier bags of used fireworks by the side of a road has been ordered to pay more than £1,300 in fines and court costs.
A Neighbourhood Warden from West Northamptonshire Council found the rubbish piled on a grass verge next to a zebra crossing in Holmecross Road in Thorplands, Northampton on 8 November last year.
Following an investigation, the Warden served a fixed penalty notice of £150 on Tanya Dawes (35), of Arbour View Court, Thorplands.
However after failing to pay the penalty notice or make any contact with the Council, she was prosecuted.
And at Wellingborough Magistrates Court on Tuesday 29 March, Dawes was found guilty in her absence of littering. She was fined £200 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,125, plus a victim surcharge of £34. A 28-day collection order was made for the total sum of £1,359.
The message is clear - we will not hesitate to take action against those who think they can dump their rubbish wherever they want. There is simply no excuse for littering, and offenders will face the consequences of their actions.Cllr David Smith, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services
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04 April 2022

Residents in the Daventry area of West Northants are now able to recycle small electrical items and batteries as part of their kerbside collections.
Under the scheme, people can place old electrical items no bigger than the volume of a plastic carrier bag on top of their black general waste bin for collection every three weeks.
Household batteries and any small item with a plug or battery can be recycled, including hairdryers, kettles, toasters, hair straighteners, power tools, electrical toys, phones, remote controls, radios, clippers and shavers.
All the items collected are then separated into different components for reuse, recycling or safe disposal.
The new service brings Daventry area into line with Northampton and South Northants, where these collections are already offered.
The kerbside collection of small electrical items and batteries has proven very popular in the Northampton and South Northants areas, so we’re very pleased to be able to extend this service to our residents across the Daventry area.Cllr Phil Larratt, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, Transport and WasteMany of us have broken or older unwanted items to dispose of, but these items contain valuable plastics and metals that can be recovered or recycled for use in new products. There are a finite amount of precious materials on the planet, so it’s very important we reuse as many of them as we can.
I’m always impressed by how quickly our residents embrace new methods of recycling, and I’m sure the people of the Daventry area will make very good use of this new service.
Larger electrical items such as washing machines and fridges should be taken to household waste recycling centres or can be collected through the council’s bulky waste collection service.
Car batteries and industrial batteries can be also taken to the household waste recycling centres.
Find out more information about waste and recycling services across West Northamptonshire
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04 April 2022

Historic buildings, churches and venues across West Northamptonshire will be open to the public for free from Friday 9 to Sunday 18 September, as part of the national Heritage Open Days event, including exciting events and new campaigns.
The initiative is a once-a-year opportunity to explore some of the area’s unique historic buildings and sites, many of which are usually restricted access or charge for entry, finding out about West Northamptonshire’s vibrant culture and heritage like never before.
Register your site for the Heritage Open Days Brochure
If you want to register your historic site or event for Heritage Open Days and feature in West Northamptonshire Council's promotional printed brochure for free, please email [email protected] for more information.
The deadline for registrations is 6 May 2022.
We will circulate copies far and wide to promote all that is taking place in the area for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Attending attractions and events
Look out for the brochure which will be available this summer - among the sites that have taken part in the past are Northampton's Guildhall and Holy Sepulchre Church, Blisworth's Canal Museum and Daventry Museum.
Many participating venues will be linked up by the much-loved Heritage Bus Service, so visitors can enjoy a free ride on a classic bus, with buses departing from George Row in the town centre. Watch this space for more information as we plan this exciting campaign.
Find out what's happening nationwide on the Heritage Open Days website.