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22 January 2025

The school have been working hard to improve their food culture and pupil wellbeing and were delighted to receive their Food for Life Foundation Award during a recent assembly.
Attendees included Sally Burns, Director of Public Health, Deborah Mbofana, Healthy Improvement Principle, and councillors Matthew Golby and Fiona Baker.
They are the first school in West Northamptonshire to achieve this award.
To accomplish this, they established a pupil group of Wellbeing Champions. This group meets regularly to discuss making improvements to the school’s health and wellbeing.
Last year, they focused on school lunchtimes. Changes included adjusting lunchtime entry times to improve queueing times and topping up the salad bar throughout lunchtime. In 2025, food education is at the top of their priority list.
Following the assembly, Councillor Baker has invited the Wellbeing Champions to visit her and other councillors to meet up with pupils from some other schools in the county. This visit will be a fantastic opportunity to discuss their ideas and plans for making progress towards their Food for Life Bronze Award.
"Pineham Barns Primary School's Food for Life Foundation Award highlights their commitment to encouraging pupils to learn more about healthy eating and championing wellbeing across the school."Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at WNC
"I am proud of Pineham Barns Primary School for achieving the Food for Life Foundation Award. Their dedication to food culture and wellbeing is inspiring. I look forward to working with the Wellbeing Champions and other pupils to support their journey towards the Food for Life Bronze Award."Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education at WNC
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20 January 2025

A survey that aims to gain a better understanding of the impact of fuel burning on air quality and explore any potential links to health conditions closes in less than two weeks.
Residents throughout West Northamptonshire who use solid fuels in open fires, burners, or stoves are invited to participate in the government-funded study. Solid fuel can include things such as coffee logs, wood, briquettes, coal and there is little information available locally on the types of burners people use, the kind of fuel they burn, and how often they’re used.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has been successful in bidding for Government funding so it can work with residents to understand the impacts of solid fuel burners in the home. With the increased popularity of solid fuel burners alongside a potential link with exacerbating existing health issues such as asthma and other lung conditions, the Council wants to see if there are any links between what we burn and the impacts on our most vulnerable adults and children.
Whilst accepting that items such as wood burners are now part of a lifestyle choice for some and can be an essential way of heating and cooking in the home for others, this funding will enable the Council to gather information to help people to make more informed decisions on how they heat their homes and cook. Particulate Matter (PM), which is small particles about the width of a human hair, are released when fuel is burnt.
The work also forms part of a wider range of actions being progressed to improve air quality across the area and raise public awareness in relation to the type of fuel and how and where burners are used.
People who complete the survey will have the option to provide their details to enter a draw to win a bespoke Better Burning bundle, these will be stored separately to ensure that responses remain anonymous. Items in the bundle could include a stove thermometer, stove fan or a supply of compliant fuel.
The survey closes on Friday, 31 January
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20 January 2025

Residents across West Northamptonshire can find out more about local services which provide a warm space this week as West Northamptonshire Council recognises warm welcome week.
The annual awareness week takes place from 20 January to 26 January. Warm Welcome Spaces are places where everyone, no matter where they come from or what they believe, can come together. By being together, we can help people feel less lonely and make everyone feel like they belong.
Warm Welcome Week celebrates the over 4,600 Warm Welcome Spaces all over the UK. These are safe and friendly places like community centres and libraries where everyone can come together to stay warm, make friends, and have fun.
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 of Welcoming Spaces. West Northamptonshire Council has created a directory of all the places available to our residents across the public, private, health and voluntary sectors so that anyone who is cold knows where they can go to stay warm and enjoy a little company and some hot refreshments this winter.
"Warm Welcome Week is a time to celebrate how friendly and caring our community is in West Northamptonshire. Since we started our Welcome Spaces in December 2022, over 178,000 people attending to access vital services. These spaces are not just for staying warm, they are for making friends, getting help, and making sure no one feels lonely during the cold months. I hope everyone joins in to help spread warmth and happiness in our communities.Cllr Matt Golby, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services at WNCA further 6,557 referrals to vital services including Money & Debt, Housing & Homelessness, Welfare Rights, Immigrations Issues, Education, Employment & Support, Mental and Physical Health.”
WNC is asking local groups, clubs, and places to become Warm Welcome Spaces. By opening your doors, you can help people in your community stay warm during the coldest months. To find out more and join in, visit Welcoming Spaces | West Northamptonshire Council.
We want to make sure no one feels alone this winter. We hope to bring friendship, connection, and support to everyone.
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16 January 2025

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is inviting Leisure Services Operators to respond to a tender exercise to manage six key leisure facilities across Northampton and Daventry.
The new contract will commence on 1 April 2026, covering facilities currently managed by SLM (Everyone Active) and Trilogy Active. These include Daventry Leisure Centre, Daventry Sports Park, Moulton Leisure Centre, Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Mounts Baths, and Lings Forum Leisure Centre.
The tender process seeks not only to enhance the quality of local leisure facilities in West Northamptonshire but also to introduce significant improvements in inclusivity, accessibility, and social value.
Key Enhancements in the new leisure contract include:
- Discounted Fees for care-experienced young people, carers, Armed Forces members, veterans, Emergency Services workers, students, and those over state pension age.
- Support for vulnerable groups including free shower use and reduced membership fees for individuals experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping, or supported living.
- Enhanced social value initiatives including chronic rehabilitation services and discounted fees for those taking part in substance misuse programmes.
The tender process incorporates feedback from both pre-market engagement with operators and extensive public and stakeholder consultation and will follow Sport England's 2021 Leisure Services Delivery Guidance, ensuring industry best practices are upheld.
The contract operated by Parkwood Leisure in South Northants expires in 2034, therefore a separate procurement exercise will take place at a later date.
"This new contract represents an exciting opportunity to elevate our leisure services and continue improving the quality and offering of facilities while ensuring they are inclusive, accessible, and cater to the diverse needs of the whole community.Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture, and Leisure“We’re looking for a contractor that will not only achieve value for money but work innovatively to enhance our sports and leisure facilities, communicate effectively with the public and deliver activities and facilities that promote health, wellbeing, and social cohesion, promoting a stronger, healthier West Northamptonshire."
Find out more information and to participate in the tender process.
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13 January 2025

Efforts to reduce air pollution within West Northamptonshire continue as two Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs) that have seen significant improvements are removed.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) produces an Annual Status Report detailing data for the area in line with government guidance which is consistent across the country. The West Northants Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) was submitted and was then approved in October by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. This was shaped with the help of local residents, businesses and stakeholders and outlines a series of actions to reduce pollution.
WNC monitors air quality across the area and levels are generally improving, which is supported by the removal of two AQMAs in Northampton which have seen a reduction in pollution over the last three years.
The first AQMA being removed is between J15 and J15A on the M1 and the other is located near the A45 and London Road near Wootton.
The main causes of air pollution within West Northants are from vehicles and fuel burning. Local initiatives introduced, as well as changes to the way we travel for work and leisure including technological advancements, have all helped improve air quality and support the health and wellbeing of our residents.
Monitoring in the Bradshaw Street area of Northampton has shown that a new AQMA is required near to the North Gate Bus Station, where levels at a single monitoring location have been slightly above the national air quality objective level.
A series of initiatives are underway to improve the quality of air not just in the 7 AQMAs but across the whole of our area, including:
- In respect of Bradshaw Street, Government funding has been secured which will see 51 electric buses deployed on the Northampton network, which should have dramatic result in the bus station area quite quickly.
- The adoption of the West Northamptonshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.
- A Local Transport Plan for the area which is set to be published in the coming months following public consultation which seeks to improve existing public transport and encourage active travel.
- We’re also carrying out research into domestic fuel burning habits locally to understand what people are burning and how often. The survey is open until 31 January.
The Council also recently published a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) that explores the causes and health implications of poor air quality within our communities and identifies ways to improve it. The document has been developed with healthcare professionals and partners and focuses on the importance of good indoor air quality particularly for those with health conditions and our vulnerable residents.
“We are committed to working with our partners and stakeholders to improving air quality across the area and improving the health and wellbeing of our residents, and the removal of two AQMA’s is a significant step forward.Cllr Matt Golby, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services“The introduction of an AQMA in Bradshaw Street Northampton is due to vehicle emissions and as an authority, we’re working on a range of actions and initiatives to reduce pollution in that area, and wider West Northants.
“We are also pleased to have been included in the government pilot looking at the impact of fuel burning. This information will help peoples understanding and enable them to make informed decisions for their household."
More information as well as advice and guidance on reducing pollution outdoors and within the home can be found on our Air Quality webpages.
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