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15 February 2024
Cabinet members set out budget proposals for 2024/25 while protecting the most vulnerable in our community and tackling a significant rise in costs and demand for services.
In common with local authorities across the country, the Council is facing financial pressures due to a range of factors including the current economic climate, inflation rates and a rise in demand for services, particularly around supporting children in care and vulnerable adults.
However, given these pressures, the authority is proposing to deliver a balanced revenue budget for 2024/25 of £889.5m (£414.5m excluding dedicated Schools Grant).
The budget was presented to Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday and follows a six-week public consultation which allowed residents, businesses, partners and other stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the proposals. It has also been subject to continuous review and scrutiny, including consideration by the cross-party group of members of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
The proposals seek to raise the average Council Tax by 4.99%, which is in line with the Government’s allowance, generating extra funding of around £13.1m – with 2% of the increase going towards funding adult social care and represents an increase on a Band D property of £84.52 a year, the equivalent of £1.63 a week.
The budget follows a strong commitment to making services as efficient as possible and reviewing income streams in order to maintain and protect services, with £24.1m of savings proposals put forward.
These will be found through savings in operating costs and includes restructuring departments, introducing back-office savings without impacting on how services are delivered to residents.
In the face of severe financial pressures, rising costs and the continuing increase in demand for services, such as those supporting vulnerable adults and children, putting this budget together has been extremely challenging and we’ve faced some really tough choices. However, despite these pressures, we have still managed to protect services and there are no service reductions contained within these budget plans which I believe is a great achievement.Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire CouncilEvery decision we've made, every penny we've allocated, has been with you, our residents, in mind.
Balancing the budget hasn't been easy, but it's necessary to ensure we can continue to provide the vital services our community relies on.
We’ve therefore focused hard on how we can save more money and raise extra income to address inflationary pressures and cover the increasing costs of high service demand. Your needs are at the forefront of everything we do. We're dedicated to finding ways to ease the burden and ensure that our community thrives, even in challenging times.
At their meeting, Cabinet members agreed to recommend the final 2024/25 budget to next week’s Full Council, which will take place in Northampton’s Guildhall on Thursday, 22 February at 5pm. The agenda will be published this week on the Council’s website.
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15 February 2024
Students from Primary Schools across Northampton learned about being a good citizen and personal safety in the second Young Citizen’s Day Event of this academic year.
Over 650 Year 6 students from 12 Primary Schools attended the event at The Deco Theatre, Northampton, on February 6 and 7.
The day was developed by West Northamptonshire Council’s Community Safety and Engagement Team and funded by the Northamptonshire Serious Violence Prevention Partnership.
Watch our video of the event.
Good Citizens event videoThe two-day event aimed to give young people a greater understanding of emergency services, to instil an understanding of personal safety and to encourage being considerate towards others.
The students took part in a variety of engaging interactive workshops and group presentations delivered by agencies from across Northamptonshire. These included substance abuse, rail and road safety, crime prevention and personal safety, hate crime, online safety and serious violence. During their lunchbreak students watched an engaging performance by Rushden Academy.
The Young Citizens schemes gives us the opportunity to work proactively with children and young people to explore community safety issues and encourage them to be good citizens. The event provides a greater understanding of emergency services, imparts essential safety skills and cultivates compassion towards others.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services at West Northamptonshire CouncilWe are proud to be involved in such an impactful event and hope that the experience gained will equip these students for their futures.
It’s so important that local partners work together to help inform young people and encourage them to make the right choices in life.Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen MoldI am delighted that the Serious Violence Partnership has been able to fund such a fantastic event. I’m sure the students who attended will have found it really beneficial in helping to improve their awareness and ensure they can stay safe in their local communities.
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15 February 2024
Future plans to lease out parts of the former County Hall buildings in Northampton aim to ensure a positive future for these important heritage buildings.
County Hall, along with other historic buildings like the Guildhall, holds significant importance in the town and county's history and forms an integral part of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC's) collection of heritage assets. However, after a thorough review of WNC office space and assets, it became clear that there is a surplus of office and administrative meeting rooms within these historic sites, which could be better utilised whilst reducing costs on the public purse.
In a move aimed at ensuring these buildings have a productive future and have the best chance of retaining their character and historic significance, the Council’s Cabinet has approved the following:
- Judges’ Lodgings: The property will be transferred on a long leasehold basis, with potential use as a hotel or private residence, maintaining its character as a dwelling.
- Centre Block and Former Constabulary Block: the Council will seek to transfer this on a long leasehold basis for restoration and conversion, probably to flats, to maximize the property's potential, ensure its preservation, and allow people to enjoy its historic features.
- Sessions House and Front Block: whilst elements may be leased for commercial food and drink operations, the Council will continue to investigate alternative uses which retain public use of these historic spaces and enhance the regeneration of the town centre seeking to attract and increase future footfall. Separately, work will be pursued on options for greater public access to experience the history of justice in Northampton.
We appreciate the significance of our cherished County Hall buildings and the role they play in our town and county's history. This week, we announce a decision aimed at securing their preservation and beneficial future use.Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire CouncilOur goal is threefold: first, to increase public access and enjoyment of these heritage assets, allowing them to play a valued role in our community. Second, by transforming County Hall, we contribute to the preservation of our heritage and the regeneration of Northampton. Thirdly, we make good use of public money and reduce our operating costs, allowing us to put more money into services for our residents.
By approving the transfers, we pave the way for restoration, preservation, and where appropriate, conversion, ensuring a brighter future for these significant landmarks.
This decision aligns with our commitment to the community, aiming to enhance public use and enjoyment of County Hall's rich history. We will continue to engage with the public and stakeholders throughout this process, ensuring transparency and collaboration.
For more information, please visit our website.
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15 February 2024
On Saturday 24 February, it will be two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In West Northamptonshire Ukrainian families and their hosts will join people across the UK to observe this anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine on Friday 23 February.
The Ukrainian flag will be raised at all West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) office buildings in Towcester, Daventry, and Northampton to mark two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
There will be a ceremony to commemorate the day starting at 11am until 11:30am in the Guildhall courtyard, followed by the raising of the Ukrainian flag at the front of the Guildhall in Northampton. The event will be attended by the Chairman and Leader of WNC and representatives from the Ukrainian community.
A minute’s silence will be held to honour all of those affected by the ongoing war followed by the lighting of candles. Speeches will be translated into Ukrainian, and Sunflower seeds will be available for guests to take away. The proceeds from the sale of these will go directly to the Red Cross- Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
As we mark two years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we continue to show our support and solidarity to Ukrainians in our local community and beyond. I want to take the opportunity to thank all the people across West Northants for welcoming our Ukrainian guests into our communities.Cllr David Smith Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services
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14 February 2024
Tens of bags of litter, and fly-tipped items including sofas were collected and removed by volunteers, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Northamptonshire Partnership Homes (NPH) as a collective effort to tidy up Kingsthorpe, Northampton.
Litter pickers from Community Safety, Engagement and Resettlement Team at WNC held the Day of Action, alongside recycling and waste services partner, Veolia, The Wombles and NPH who all took to the streets to collect items which had been strewn carelessly and illegally.
All of the items collected will now be disposed of responsibly and will no longer be causing a negative impact on the environment.
The litter picks took place at Nursery Lane, Cranford Road, Norton Road, Eastern Avenue, Bondfield Road, the corner of Kingsland Avenue opposite the church, and Newnham Road.
It is disappointing that some people show such little regard for the environment and their local community that they drop litter wherever they like.Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Climate, Transport, Highways and Waste at West Northamptonshire CouncilWe’re committed to tackling this issue, and it is always heartening to see the great work of our partners, officers and volunteers who work so hard to keep their communities clean and green. We want to do all we can to support their excellent work, as well as encourage and assist other groups to join them. By working together, we send a strong message to offenders that their actions are not acceptable and will not be tolerated.
If you would like to hold a litter pick in your community, please get in touch with us to find out more about borrowing free litter picking equipment.
People can report fly-tipping and littering on our website, along with details of any information which can help to pinpoint the offenders. To find out more visit our cleaner communities page.
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