09 November 2023

A visitor feedback survey has revealed that this year’s Heritage Open Days event was the most successful in West Northamptonshire yet following peak engagement, brimming attractions and glowing feedback.

The survey captured highlights from residents, visitors and attractions who took part in the 10-day festival, which took place between 8 and 17 September, as they discovered and explored cultural and historical attractions across the area.

West Northamptonshire is rich in culture and heritage, with dozens of stately homes including Sulgrave Manor, Lamport Hall and Canons Ashby; buildings of historic interest including 78 Derngate and Weedon Royal Ordnance Depot; and museums and places of worship, which all took part in the annual festival organised by the National Trust.

Many attractions not normally accessible to the public were opened up for visitors to explore and special guided tours, walks and open days took place in Daventry, Northampton and South Northants, all free to attend. Many venues were also connected by Northampton Transport Heritage buses, enabling visitors to get between attractions in vintage style for free.

Feedback from the survey revealed that 74% of people felt the event made them feel prouder and more part of their local community while 87% said they learned something new about their local area from attending a Heritage Open Days event.

Users commented on the friendliness and professionalism of the event staff, the variety of workshops, exhibits and events, and the overall organisation of the event and free Heritage bus service.

We are dedicated to growing the visitor economy within our area, so I am thrilled that West Northants’ Heritage Open Days event saw such a great turnout once again. For many, the event provided a unique opportunity to access places they may have thought were off-limits or may not have even known existed – all for free!

Through the event, residents and visitors were able to learn about West Northamptonshire’s rich history and culture, gaining new perspectives on the area’s past; from exploring behind the scenes in historical buildings to hearing tales about residents’ fascinating lives and getting stuck in with creative activities, there was something for everyone and I am delighted that so many of our local venues took part.

Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure

Heritage Open Days is a colossal community effort – thousands of organisations, community groups and individual volunteers come out in force to share their enthusiasm, passion and love for the places and spaces they introduce visitors to every year.

We’re delighted to see that it went so well in West Northants this year, so many brilliant places opened up their doors and so many people were able to access history and culture for free over the 10 day period.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager

09 November 2023

Grants of up to £10,000 have been awarded to Voluntary and Community Sector organisations for projects that aim to alleviate youth violence and knife crime in local communities by promoting community safety, deterring potential offenders, and providing support and resources to at-risk individuals or groups to prevent their involvement in violence and crime.

Projects which have been awarded funding include Northampton Town FC Community Trust’s Anti-Crime Ambassador project which will deliver sessions across Primary and Secondary Schools on anti-social behaviour, youth violence and knife crime. The Secondary School sessions will also look to develop youth ambassadors who can help carry on the project’s messages.

Northampton’s Rough & Ready Boxing Academy have been awarded funding to deliver their Knifes Down Gloves Up programme which provides boxing training for young people who have been through the Youth Offending Service deterring them from carrying knives as a means to address real-life situations.

Daventry Youth Hub has also been awarded funding to deliver sessions to 10–18-year olds on exploitation, youth violence, knife crime and how to de-escalate situations, and provision and diversionary activities will be delivered by South Northants Youth Engagement in Brackley and Towcester.

We’re thrilled to be awarding this funding to help organisations continue their great work with young people to mitigate violence and knife crime in West Northants. These initiatives are a testament to our commitment to building safer communities, by working with partners to empower local people to become actively involved in developing solutions to protect and improve our communities.Cllr David Smith, WNC's Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services

Working with community groups to make the county safer is at the heart of my Police, Fire and Crime Plan, and these grants are a shining example. Local community groups have an enormous role to play in supporting young people and tackling crime at the earliest stage. The successful organisations have come forward with some really exciting programmes that I am certain will be a real investment and a powerful tool in tackling violence.Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold

Projects awarded funding, include:

• ASSIST Trauma Care- Guiding Young Minds for Streetwise
• Trilogy Active for Talk and Sport
• Future Challenges for Youth Leadership Ambassador
• Emmanuel Group of Churches for Emmanuel Community Youth Groups
• Safety Centre (Hazard Alley) Ltd for Knife Crime Prevention through Safety Education
• The University of Northampton Students’ Union and Niger Delta Youth Association for Anti-Knife Crime & Youth Violence Concert

10 November 2023

Work to relocate residents of Boniface House care home to more comfortable accommodation has been successfully completed this week. The move to alternative accommodation means the residents can continue to receive quality care in an environment that will better meet their needs.  

Members may recall the announcement regarding the closure of Boniface House following public consultation.

The decision was made by Cabinet due to the care home being significantly under-occupied. The outdated design of the care home also meant it was no longer able to provide facilities to meet the needs of people who require residential care.

Earlier this week we issued a statement to counter false information in circulation suggesting that the building is set to accommodate asylum seekers  - which is not true. The Council is still in the process of considering the future use of this building and will provide an update when this decision has been made. To be clear, there is no agreed plan in place for the use of this building.

I would like to extend a huge thank you to all the staff at Boniface, as well as to the residents and their relatives.

08 November 2023

Those who are aged 65 years and over are being encouraged to get their free flu vaccination this winter to help them stay well. 

Flu is a highly contagious infection that anyone can catch, with many experiencing unpleasant symptoms such as a high temperature, body ache, headache, and sore throat. However, for vulnerable people which includes those aged 65 and over, flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, and can even be fatal. 

Those in this age group are also eligible to receive the free COVID-19 vaccine which can safely be administered with the flu vaccination, at one appointment. 

In Northamptonshire we are seeing a slight increase in respiratory infections across all age groups therefore we urge our residents who are eligible to get their free flu and COVID-19 vaccinations and stay protected this winter. Almost 38% of our population ages 65 and above have not yet received their flu vaccination putting them at risk of being infected with flu and developing complications.

It is important that we all take steps to look after ourselves and protect our loved ones, especially over the colder months when we know illnesses spread more easily. If you are eligible to receive a free vaccinations to please take up this opportunity as soon as possible, ahead of the winter months. The vaccinations not only protect you but also those around you who may be vulnerable and at high risk of being infected.Cllr Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health at West Northamptonshire Council

Older adults are more likely to suffer complications from flu due to their naturally weaker immune systems. This is why over 65s are given an ‘adjuvanted’ flu vaccine, one which improves their body’s immune response.  

Getting this protection means that over 65s can play an important part in lightening some of the health burden that seasonal flu places on the NHS. 

So, I’m urging over 65s to please get your vaccinations, to help reduce the need for GP appointments and hospitalisations this Winter.

Cllr Helen Harrison, Executive Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing at North Northamptonshire Council

If you have not yet had your appointment, please speak to your GP or a participating local pharmacy to book an appointment.  
Flu symptoms can come on very quickly and can include a sudden high temperature, an aching body, tiredness or exhaustion, a dry cough, sore throat and headache, among other symptoms. If you have flu, there are some things you can do to help get better more quickly – rest and sleep, keep warm, take paracetamol or ibuprofen, and drink plenty of water.
A pharmacist can give treatment advice and recommend flu remedies. You can find further information about flu and other respiratory illnesses, and how they can be treated, at www.nhs.uk/conditions/respiratory-tract-infection/
 

08 November 2023

Councillors will meet next week to consider the final draft of the West Northamptonshire Housing Allocation Scheme following the conclusion of a 10-week consultation with service users and stakeholders. 

The scheme has been developed to provide an aligned and harmonised approach across West Northants which will help in meeting the housing needs of West Northamptonshire’s most vulnerable residents whilst ensuring that the area’s valuable housing resources go to those most in need. 

The proposed Scheme sets out who is eligible to apply for social rented housing, how the Council will prioritise applicants, and the basis on which accommodation will be allocated. If adopted, the policy will replace the existing schemes operating in Daventry, South Northants, and Northampton and will operate through a choice-based lettings system which enables residents to make choices about which properties they are interested in.

Key proposals to the scheme include improving access to social housing for members of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families, care leavers, and our most vulnerable residents; including those experiencing homelessness, those with complex health and welfare needs, victims of domestic abuse and those subject to exploitation. People with a local connection to West Northants by residence, employment or close family will also be considered under the new criteria.

Ensuring those with the greatest need have access to social rented housing is a top priority for the Council and I am pleased that veterans and young people leaving care, as well as other more vulnerable groups will be recognised in the proposed scheme.

Through the 10-week public consultation we have had an opportunity to hear from a wide range of people and organisations to gain an understanding of the issues surrounding the current policies and the way social housing is allocated and this feedback has been incorporated within the proposed scheme.

The revised scheme aims to prevent and tackle homelessness and support strategic housing priorities to provide a much fairer and more sustainable approach to housing provision in West Northamptonshire as well as considering those with a local connection to the area.

Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of West Northamptonshire Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure

The report will be considered by West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet on Tuesday, 14 November. The full report can be viewed on the WNC website.