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19 July 2024
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The leader of the council thanks residents, businesses, and partners as the council launches its Annual Report for 2023/24.
Presented at last night's Council meeting, the report highlights key achievements, including significant progress in economic regeneration, enhancements in community services, and initiatives to promote sporting excellence across the region. It also outlines strategic priorities for the upcoming year, reflecting the Council's commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable development.
This year, our commitment to supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis remained a top priority. Working with community partners, we successfully distributed over £5 million in government funding. This included food and meal vouchers, hardship payments, and support for food banks and larders, all aimed at helping residents reduce their energy bills and meet essential needs.
Despite economic pressures, we have maintained and protected essential services within budget. Our continued efforts toward our anti-poverty strategy led to the creation of 100 welcoming spaces, fostering community connections and support.
We have continued to drive economic growth, transforming £45 million of grants into £350 million of private investment for major town centre regeneration schemes. This includes the new Sponne Arcade Car Park in Towcester and the development of a Masterplan for Daventry town centre.
Our commitment to making West Northamptonshire a destination for sporting excellence, arts, and culture saw us successfully bid to host the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025. We also initiated plans for large-scale live music festivals, starting with a performance by James Arthur at Delapré Abbey, and celebrated the Coronation of King Charles III with thousands of residents.
We worked hard to support and guide local businesses, and our efforts in broadband roll-out ensure that 93.8% of premises now have access to gigabit broadband, outpacing the national average. We also secured more than £5.4 million from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund to boost our local economy.
Significant progress has been made in our improvement journey for children’s services. Our Children’s Trust fostering service was rated “Good “by Ofsted, and we developed new approaches for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Over 103,000 visits were made to our 88 welcoming spaces. Additionally, we supported around 12,000 adults to remain safe, well, and independent.
Investments in technology have improved road maintenance, with the JCB Pothole Pro speeding up repairs fourfold. We also launched a Rural Business Grants programme to support local business.
Our focus on environmental sustainability continued with various initiatives to support local businesses and protect our environment. Six of our green spaces retained the prestigious Green Flag Awards, highlighting our commitment to maintaining high-quality recreational areas. Our communities came together for over 30 varied events, including Pride, Diwali, International Women's Day, and Holocaust Memorial Day demonstrating our rich cultural diversity and community cohesion.
The council has remained dedicated to its transformation plans, enhancing the services inherited from legacy councils, while developing and implementing new strategies aimed at creating sustainable communities and improving outcomes for local residents. Recognising that there is more work to be done, the council's priorities for the upcoming year reflect its ongoing mission to provide even better services that enable residents to lead their best lives.
"The annual report showcases the dedication and resilience of West Northamptonshire Council in delivering services and meeting the needs of our communities.Cllr Adam Brown, the Leader of West Northamptonshire Council“I’m immensely proud of the progress we have made over the past year, and I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all residents, businesses, partners, and colleagues for their unwavering support. Their invaluable contributions, resilient spirit, generosity, and determination continue to play a fundamental role as our council strives to make West Northamptonshire a remarkable place to live, visit, work, and thrive.
“We have made significant strides in this year, and while challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, we are confident in our ability to adapt and respond effectively, guided by the unwavering support of our community."
For more information and to access the full annual report, please visit the West Northamptonshire Council website.
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19 July 2024
![Appointed members Mark and Charles.](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/Mark%20and%20charles.png)
Charles Davidson and Mark Jones have been appointed as Independent Members of the Audit and Governance Committee, with their appointments confirmed at last night's Council meeting.
In their new roles, Charles and Mark will be vital in strengthening the Council's governance, risk management, financial reporting, and anti-fraud efforts. Their independent oversight will ensure the highest standards for the Council's members, residents, and stakeholders. As non-voting members with relevant expertise and knowledge, they will assist the committee in overseeing internal and external audit arrangements, reviewing financial statements and statutory accounts, and evaluating the Council’s governance, risk management, and control measures.
Charles Davidson brings a wealth of experience from senior roles in central government, specialising in information technology and security. Charles is a Chartered Engineer and Chartered Cyber Security Professional, he has also been a dedicated school governor in Northampton for many years.
I think West Northants Council has shown a real commitment to good governance by creating these new independent positions. I'm thrilled to join the committee and look forward to making a meaningful contribution to the community I've called home for over 34 yearsCharles Davidson
Mark Jones is a partner with a global audit and accounting firm, leading a portfolio of over 20 outsourced internal audit clients across various sectors, including housing, emergency services, NHS, charity, and education. A qualified CIPFA accountant, Mark has previously served as the chief internal auditor for several local authorities.
I am eager to give back to the community I live in by working as an Independent Member of the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee. I look forward to supporting the Council’s governance and risk management efforts and ensuring the highest standards of accountabilityMark Jones
We welcome Charles and Mark to the Audit and Governance Committee. Their expertise will be invaluable in ensuring that our governance, risk management, and financial oversight are of the highest standard. I am confident that their contributions will greatly benefit our communityCllr Malcolm Longley
The Council is following recommended good practice by appointing independent members to its Audit and Governance Committee to provide impartial oversight and give assurance on the Council's operations. Their role includes assisting with the supervision of audit arrangements, the review of financial documents, and the assessment of governance and risk management frameworks.
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19 July 2024
![Church archway with stoned pillars.](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-07/HOD%20All%20Saints%20Church%20web.jpg)
Historic and cultural sites across Northamptonshire are invited to take part in this year’s Heritage Open Days, which will take place between 6 and 15 September.
Venues such as stately homes, buildings of historic interest, museums, places of worship, and archaeological sites can now register to participate in Heritage Open Days, which is England’s largest annual festival of history and culture.
This year’s event will utilise the theme Routes, Networks & Connections to bring together the past and present with workshops, walks, talks, hidden spaces, and activities for all the family, and for the first time will include many offers from attractions across the whole of the county with the aim of making the heritage festival more diverse than ever before.
The festival offers the public free entry to places which might normally be closed or have an entrance fee, and where admission is charged, venues will offer something new to see, with many connected by Northampton Transport Heritage buses’ free hop-on hop-off service.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is an official promoter of the event and a list of all participating attractions and events can be found on the Council website, which will be updated regularly as more attractions register.
Events will include a film of Northampton’s evolving Market Square, a student showcase of Northampton’s rich heritage, and fun runners getting into the heritage spirit. More details will be revealed shortly on the WNC website together with details of where and when the heritage buses will be running.
This year's Heritage Open Days is set to be bigger and better than ever before with events and attractions opening up across the whole of the county to provide something for everyoneCllr Daniel Lister on Culture and TourismNorthamptonshire boasts a wealth of historic and cultural sites – from Tudor manor houses and unique theatres to an Iron Age hill fort and Buddhist Meditation Centre – and Heritage Open Days provides the perfect opportunity to showcase this offering to visitors from far and wide
This event not only promotes our rich heritage but also boosts local tourism and stimulates the local economy. We encourage local attractions to register now and join us in celebrating and sharing the unique history and culture that Northants has to offer
Registration can be completed by emailing [email protected]. For more information, please visit the Heritage Open Days page. Sites can also register on the national Heritage Open Days website before 8 August 2024.
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17 July 2024
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Silverstone Technology Cluster (STC) held its annual showcase event in West Northamptonshire this week with an Innovation & Growth Roundtable.
The sold-out conference event, which relocated from Milton Keynes to Northampton this year, provides attendees with an opportunity to listen to insightful presentations, debate with peers, share knowledge, and network with business leaders across the cluster.
This year, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) joined forces with the South Midlands Growth Hub and Bucks Business First to sponsor the event and showcase its support for all businesses as well as its dedication to STC and the industries it represents.
The Council, a founding member of the STC, joined exhibitors and speakers including experts from the Ministry of Defence, US Army DEVCOM and HCR Hewitsons, at the event on 16 July.
“It’s a privilege to host the STC’s Innovation & Growth Roundtable event in West Northamptonshire and partner with the South Midlands Growth Hub and Bucks Business First to showcase our support for our local enterprises.Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Local Economy, Culture &“West Northants is an exceptional area for investment and growth and events like this demonstrate the diverse range of industries we support here, from advanced manufacturing and engineering to high-tech innovation and research & development, as a Council we strive to continue doing all we can to support local businesses and drive positive economic growth in our area.”
“We enjoyed a fantastic event and we’d like to thank our supporters Silverstone Park, Jaltek, HCR and of course our friends at WNC for their help and support with this event.Pim van Baarsen, CEO of STC“WNC have been a great partner of the STC from the outset and we very much enjoy working with them. Their support to help us put together these types of events where we can bring the industry together and encourage collaboration are critical to foster and grow the advanced engineer ecosystem in the area.”
In addition to supporting the STC, WNC has dedicated over £3million to supporting local businesses through Central Government’s Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) including growth, innovation, decarbonisation and more.
Find out more about the Council’s free business support on the WNC website.
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17 July 2024
![blue sky sunshine and clouds](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-06/Heat%20Health.jpg)
A Yellow Heat-Health Alert has been issued across the East Midlands from Thursday (18 July) to Saturday (20 July) by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office, with temperatures predicted to reach the high 20Cs.
The warmer weather poses a much greater risk to the most vulnerable in our community, such as the very young and older people.
Residents are advised to remain cautious and seek advice from 111 if non-emergency health advice is required. 999 services should be used in emergencies only.
The top ways for staying safe in the heat are to:
- Look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk.
- Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors.
- Use cool spaces if going outdoors.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children, vulnerable adults, or animals.
- Try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest.
- If you have to go outside in the heat, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid physical exertion during the hottest parts of the day.
- Make sure you take water with you if you are travelling.
Stay up to date with by visiting our hot weather web pages.
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