- Details
13 June 2024
![An elderly person in a wheelchair being pushed up a ramp onto a bus.](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2023-11/Community%20transport%20web%20image.png)
This week is national Carers Week (10 -16 June) - the annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as Carers and access much-needed support.
As part of the Council’s commitment to improving support for our local Carers, a new draft carers strategy that sets out our priorities over the next five years is in its final stages of development. The draft strategy that has been created together with local carers, ensuring their voices drive forward progress to provide the right support and information for them. Following the latest round of feedback, the strategy is now in its final stages of review, with responses being collated before being taken to the next Cabinet meeting.
To help mark the week, our partners at Northamptonshire Carers have been sharing messages highlighting our carers and the valuable work they do, as well as promoting a range of events and activities that carers can get involved in.
These include wellbeing events such as an online ukelele group, the 'Pawsivity' dog walking group, coffee mornings and more. There are also a range of activities to support those with health conditions and their carers, from Breathing Space Moulton, for those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, to dementia groups and sessions to support those suffering from long covid. All of the events can be viewed on the Northamptonshire Carers website
Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?
- Details
The latest intake of wholetime firefighters for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service have completed an intense period of training with their Passing Out parade at the Fire Service College.
The 12 new apprentices had been welcomed to the Service back in April and underwent a two-week induction course in Northamptonshire before attending the College, which is in Moreton-in-Marsh.
They have since been put through a comprehensive eight-week training package that tested them on the new skills they have learned, including how to use breathing apparatus, put out different types of fires and deal with hazardous materials.
This culminated in their Passing Out parade on Thursday (June 6), where they were joined by family and friends to celebrate.
Watching on and congratulating them on their achievements in person were new Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson and new Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone.
One of the recruits to graduate from the Fire Service College was Josh Block, who was also presented with the Silver Axe for ‘Best New Recruit’ as voted for by the College instructors. He is pictured below with Nikki Watson (left) and Danielle Stone (right).
Josh, aged 33 from Desborough, attended a Have A Go Day at his local station in Corby last summer, and from there wanted to become a firefighter full-time, having been a self-employed electrician beforehand.
He said: “The past eight weeks at the College have been absolutely fantastic and I’ve learned so much. It’s incredible to think I only met the rest of the group a few weeks ago, and how close we are now as a result of this experience – none of us would have reached this point without the help of all our colleagues.
“The Passing Out parade was an immensely proud moment for me. It’s been a tough eight weeks and I’ve been away from my family throughout that, so there’s a real sense of achievement, and it was wonderful to have my family there at the parade.”
Josh will now be posted to his new position on Green Watch at Moulton Fire Station in July and can’t wait to get started.
He added: “I’m just looking forward to fully submerging myself in every aspect of the job. It’s all new to me, so I just want to get to the Station and learn from the people who have been doing the job and getting stuck into it all.
“Being a firefighter allows me to give back to my local area and I’m looking forward to the community outreach it will have. I remember when the Fire Service came to school or they were at the local fete – it was always amazing to see them, and hopefully I’ll now be able to help inspire the next generation of firefighters.”
For Chief Fire Officer Nikki Watson (pictured above), this was the first set of new recruits under her leadership.
She said: “I’ve had a long career in the emergency services, and so I know from experience what a proud moment it is when you get your first posting.
“This will be the next step for our new recruits following their training at the College. Having spoken to them I know they can’t wait to get started on their Watch, and what is clear is how passionate they are about helping people.
“I’m sure they are going to make very valuable contributions in the communities in which they will serve, and I hope they all go on to have long and happy careers with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service.”
Danielle Stone, the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said: “It’s really inspiring to come and visit the Fire Service College for the first time and see our new firefighters at their Passing Out Parade at the beginning of their career of public service.
“The new recruits have put a lot of hard work in to reach this stage, and I’m sure they are going to find their new careers in keeping our residents safe very rewarding. I wish them all the best for the future.”
The 12 firefighters to pass out at the College were Josh Block, Adam Cator, Lucy Craddock, Tamas Fazekas, Harry Lee-Smith, Ross Lyons, Selina Scott, Thomas Sheppard, Robert Shipman, Mitchell Sloan, Kirsty Smith and Fiona Vaughan.
All 12 will now return to Northamptonshire where they will undergo three weeks further training before being posted to a Watch at one of the stations within the county. They will then continue to develop into competent firefighters over the next two years, following completion of their apprenticeship.
- Details
07 June 2024
![](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-06/Polling%20station%20outside%20%28stock%29.jpg)
Candidates for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Daventry, South Northamptonshire, Northampton North, and Northampton South have been announced today.
The Council has published today a Statement of Persons Nominated listing all individuals who will be standing for the election.
Daventry:
- Stuart Andrew - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Scott Ewen Cameron - Reform UK
- Jonathan William Harris - Liberal Democrats
- Marianne Kimani - Labour Party
- Clare Patricia Slater - Green Party
Northampton North:
- Anthony Antoniou - Reform UK
- Eishar Kaur Bassan - Green Party
- Dan Bennett - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Paul Leslie Clark – Independent
- Christopher Gordon Leggett - Liberal Democrats
- Khalid Razzaq - Workers Party
- Lucy Rigby - Labour Party
Northampton South:
- Jill Susan Hope - Liberal Democrats
- Andrew Iain Lewer - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Tony Owens - Reform UK
- Mike Reader - Labour Party
- Katie Simpson - Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
- Simon Sneddon - Green Party
- Penelope Lucy Tollitt - Climate Party
South Northamptonshire:
- Rufia Ashraf - Labour Party
- Sarah Bool - The Conservative Party Candidate
- Paul James Hogan - Reform UK
- Ian Alexander McCord – Independent
- Stuart Robert McCutcheon – Independent
- Mick Stott - Workers Party
- Stewart Tolley - Liberal Democrats
- Emmie Williamson - Green Party
On Thursday, 4 July voters across West Northamptonshire will go to the polls to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament. Everyone who is eligible - and registered - gets to vote for one candidate to represent their local area, which is known in Parliament as a constituency.
Once elected, MPs work both in your area - or their constituency - dealing with local matters, and in Parliament, where they vote and help shape law, alongside 649 other MPs.
West Northamptonshire Council has four Parliamentary Constituencies, Daventry, Northampton North, Northampton South and South Northamptonshire.
The election on 4 July will be using the new parliamentary boundaries following the Parliamentary Constituency Order 2023 - more information on these boundaries can be found by visiting Boundary Commission for England.
Anyone who is not yet registered to vote should do so by Tuesday, 18 June in order to take part in this election. You can register to vote on the gov.uk website.
People can apply for postal votes by 5pm on Wednesday, 19 June (this deadline is for NEW applications to vote by post or postal-proxy and those making changes to or cancelling their postal or postal-proxy votes) and those wishing to vote by proxy (when someone votes on your behalf) can also do this in advance of the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June(not for postal-proxy or emergency proxy applications).
Students have the option of registering at both their home and term-time addresses, they can vote only in one of their registered locations for this election.
The UK Government has introduced a requirement for voters to produce acceptable photographic identification when voting in person at a polling station. This new requirement will apply to this election.
Voters intending to vote in person are urged to ensure they have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID prior to attending their polling station. Residents without an acceptable form of ID have until 5pm on Wednesday, 26 June to apply for their Voter ID.
For more information and to view the timetable of the election visit our website .
Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?
- Details
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service continued its recent run of winning medals at the Welsh Firefighter Challenge.
Taking place in Swansea over the weekend (June 3), the Welsh Firefighter Challenge is a regional sporting event for serving and retired firefighters.
The event raises both awareness of the skills that firefighters need to keep communities safe, but also helps raise much needed funds for The Fire Fighters Charity – which offers specialist lifelong support for current and retired members of the Fire family.
The challenge sees firefighters test their skills and fitness to the maximum in several stages including running, carrying hoses and dragging dummies, and seeing who can complete the gruelling tasks in the quickest time.
Firefighter Paul Webb won the Silver Medal in his age category (45-49), missing out on Gold by just two seconds, and Stef Douglas (who recently retired from NFRS as a Group Commander) went one better by winning Gold in his age category (50+). Stef is pictured in the middle below, wearing his gold medal.
In the relay event, two teams competed on behalf of NFRS. One team – consisting of Dan Ireland, Henry Sleight, Paul Webb and Stef Douglas – were runners-up, while a second team – consisting of Dan Harding, Ronnie Sherratt, Ant Atkins and Lee Brown – came in fourth place.
Dean Keeber also competed in the main challenge, but sadly had to pull out due to injury.
Reflecting on taking part, Henry Sleight said: “It was a fantastic day with loads of people cheering us on, and it was an incredible atmosphere to be part of.
“We had some individual success which was fantastic, but this was also the first time we sent two teams to compete in the relay, and we were really happy with how both teams finished.
“Representing Northamptonshire is always something we are proud to do, but it’s also a fantastic way of maintaining the fitness that we need for our jobs, and it helps in terms of keeping our skills sharp for incidents as well.”
- Details
06 June 2024
![Two poll clerks sat at a table talking to a voter](https://cms.westnorthants.gov.uk/sites/default/files/styles/responsive/public/1440/810/0/2024-06/General%20Election.png)
Residents can do their bit for the democratic process while earning themselves up to £288 per day by taking up a role in the upcoming General Election.
With the General Election scheduled for Thursday, 4 July, people are encouraged to consider a range of casual employment opportunities with the dedicated team responsible for organising elections in West Northamptonshire.
A variety of roles are available, with Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks in rural and urban areas to greet voters and issue ballot papers at polling stations. People are also needed to count the votes cast after the close of poll. Find out more and view detailed job descriptions on our website.
No prior experience in election administration is necessary as comprehensive training will be provided, however, applicants must be available to work outside of normal office hours to meet the demands of election activities, and not be campaigning for a candidate or party (this includes signing a nomination paper).
“At every election, we employ hundreds of staff to ensure that the process runs smoothly, openly and transparently for voters across West Northamptonshire and we always welcome residents to be part of this major effort.Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for the General Election in West Northamptonshire said:“Not only does it allow people to make their valuable contribution towards the elections process and shaping the future of their area but they can also earn some extra income in doing so.
“I would encourage anyone interested in doing their bit to go on our website and have a look at the many opportunities available.”
Find out more and view detailed job descriptions on the West Northamptonshire Council website.
Want the latest Council news delivered straight to your inbox?