West Northants Council signs 2-year partnership with British Cycling

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has signed a two-year partnership with British Cycling that will bring a wide range of cycling events, opportunities and investment to West Northants.
The new partnership will see a shared commitment to supporting cyclists and para-cyclists through the sharing of world-class innovation and expertise whilst supporting the Council’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030, encouraging more people to ride and making cycling more accessible for everyone.


It will further establish West Northamptonshire as a destination for major international sporting events, with the partnership confirming the prestigious Women’s Tour and Men’s Tour of Britain cycling tournaments will be hosted in the area in the coming years.


Initiatives will also include free, friendly local rides led by knowledgeable ride Leaders, traffic-free family cycling events, and indoor and outdoor ‘pedal parties’ and will work towards embedding disability and para sport into the heart of communities whilst recruiting and training volunteers to create sustainable local delivery.


The two-year partnership, funded by UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF), will work alongside the active travel enhancements being installed along Abington Crescent, Bridgewater Drive, Rushmere Road and Brackmills, and will start in early Autumn with the support of a new Community Development Officer role.


The role will be responsible for maintaining and developing new partnerships and relationships with local communities and providing support for the delivery of cycling programmes while providing British Cycling with the most effective routes to deliver community programmes in West Northants.


Councillor Adam Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “This partnership reflects our ambitions to reach net zero by 2030 by encouraging more sustainable travel options, reducing congestion and improving air quality as well as providing opportunities for people to take up cycling and enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle.


“Alongside a programme of exciting events and activities, this partnership will play an important role in bringing communities together by providing many volunteering opportunities and helping us to establish West Northamptonshire as a destination for major sporting events, such as the prestigious Women’s and Men’s cycling tournaments which we hope to welcome here in the future.


“We have already invested in a range of cycling, sports and leisure facilities and I hope that this partnership will enable people to experience the full benefit of these – not only for their physical and mental health and wellbeing but also by providing a chance for people of all abilities to discover their passion for cycling.”


Other recent cycling initiatives in West Northants include a community cycling hub and Mountain Bike trails at Boddington and Delapré, supporting the Cycle Silverstone festival, establishing Northampton’s Active Quarter, and working with partners to host the final round of the region’s first ever Central MTB Cross County series.


British Cycling’s West Midlands and Central Regional Manager, Nick Barr, said: “British Cycling is delighted to be partnering with West Northamptonshire Council to deliver more cycling activity in the area.


“With the addition of a new Community Developer position, cycling in the area will thrive, opening up new and exciting opportunities for our growing cycling disciplines, engaging with people of all ages and abilities to try and, most importantly, enjoy the sport of cycling.
“At British Cycling, we are constantly trying to make our sport more accessible and inclusive, and this new partnership is an amazing opportunity for us to connect with the community.”

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England – Final recommendations for West Northamptonshire published

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https://www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/west-northamptonshire

Today we published our final recommendations for future electoral arrangements for West Northamptonshire.

We are proposing that West Northamptonshire should have 76 councillors. Those councillors should represent?13?three-councillor wards, 15 two-councillor wards, and seven single-councillor wards?across?the council area.

We are also proposing that the boundaries of all wards should change.

We have now completed our electoral review of West Northamptonshire.

We are extremely grateful to the people of West Northamptonshire who took the time and effort to send us their views.

We considered every piece of evidence we received before finalising our recommendations

As a result of our recommendations for new warding patterns, we are making changes to the parish electoral arrangements for the following parish and town councils:

  • Boughton
  • Daventry
  • Hackleton
  • Kingsthorpe
  • Northampton

The changes we have proposed must now be approved by Parliament.

A draft Order – the legal document which brings into force our recommendations – will now be laid before Parliament.

The draft Order will provide for new electoral arrangements for West Northamptonshire to be implemented at the local elections in 2024.

New voter arrangements finalised for West Northamptonshire

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The number of West Northamptonshire unitary councillors will reduce from 93 to 76 at the next local elections in 2025 under the final recommendations of a review by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).  

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has welcomed the outcome of the wide-ranging review, which is the first to take place for 10 years and sees changes to all electoral ward boundaries across the area.  

The LGBCE’s conclusion must now be scrutinised and approved by Parliament before legally coming into force for the next WNC elections in 2025.  

In their final report published today, the Commission has concluded that West Northants residents should be represented in the future by 76 councillors as the figure best facilitated a new warding pattern throughout the district. It means that from 2025 WNC councillors would be elected on a four-year term across 35 wards instead of the current 31 – comprising 13 three-councillor wards, 15 two-councillor wards, and seven single-councillor wards.  

In response to residents’ feedback during the review, other recommended changes by the Commission include creating two single councillor wards in the north of Daventry and merging two of draft recommendation wards in the south-west of the area to form a two-councillor Middleton Cheney ward.  

The final recommendations report and interactive mapping can be viewed on the LGBCE website.  

Councillor Suresh Patel, Chairman of the Council’s Democracy Standards Committee and the Local Boundary Review Working Group said: “We welcome today’s publication of the Boundary Commission’s final recommendations in the first review of electoral arrangements across our area for a decade.

“Their conclusions strike a fair balance in making sure the number of councillors and electoral ward patterns reflect the democratic needs of our residents and support our council more effectively in representing communities, delivering council business and providing efficient governance. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to get involved in this process and gave their feedback to the Commission.

“Subject to parliamentary approval, these final recommendations will be put in place for the next WNC local elections in 2025 in and the run-up to polling day we will be ensuring that all residents are aware of how these new electoral arrangements will affect them.”

The last electoral review in Northamptonshire took place in 2013 and WNC’s current electoral arrangements are based on those of the previous county council, with 93 councillors serving across 31 wards.

LGBCE launched the review in summer 2022, holding its review in two stages with public consultation, firstly looking at the number of councillors, and then looking at how many wards, and the names of those wards.

To find out more about councillors, elections and democracy in West Northamptonshire, visit the Council’s website.

Free Mature Drivers Roadshow – 5th September 2023

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Are you a mature driver (aged 60+)? Live in Northamptonshire? Rely on being able to drive? This FREE roadshow is for you!


Driving is an important part of our everyday life and we (Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance (NSRA)) are keen to help to keep mature drivers driving safer for longer.


Our driving ability to drive changes over time for different reasons, especially as we get older. It’s important that we recognise whether and how our driving is changing so we can stay safe and protect both ourselves and those around us.


This Mature Drivers Roadshow is aimed at drivers 60+, and will cover all different aspects of driving. There will be a short talk and then plenty of time to meet informally with our many stand holders. Free advice will be available on car adaptions, eyesight, how your prescription medications may affect you, and much more.


There will be FREE IAM RoadSmart Mature Driver Assessments available.


Our aim is to keep mature drivers driving safer, for longer.


Book your Free tickets via Eventbrite: https://mature-drivers-09-2023.eventbrite.co.uk


The event is being held at The Goods Shed, 227 John Clark Way, Rushden NN10 0AW (what3words.com/minority.mows.interrupt) with two sessions, 9.30am and 1.00pm.


The roadshow starts with a talk, so it is best to arrive before the start time so you can get a cup of tea and get settled.

re you a mature driver (aged 60+)?  Live in Northamptonshire?  Rely on being able to drive?  This FREE roadshow is for you! Driving is an important part of our everyday life and we (Northamptonshire Safer Roads Alliance (NSRA)) are keen to help to keep mature drivers driving safer for longer. Our driving ability to drive changes over time for different reasons, especially as we get older. It’s important that we recognise whether and how our driving is changing so we can stay safe and protect both ourselves and those around us.

This Mature Drivers Roadshow is aimed at drivers 60+, and will cover all different aspects of driving. There will be a short talk and then plenty of time to meet informally with our many stand holders. Free advice will be available on car adaptions, eyesight, how your prescription medications may affect you, and much more.

There will be FREE IAM RoadSmart Mature Driver Assessments available. Our aim is to keep mature drivers driving safer, for longer.

Book your Free tickets via Eventbrite: https://mature-drivers-09-2023.eventbrite.co.uk The event is being held at The Goods Shed, 227 John Clark Way, Rushden NN10 0AW 

(what3words.com/minority.mows.interrupt) with two sessions, 9.30am and 1.00pm. The roadshow starts with a talk, so it is best to arrive before the start time so you can get a cup of tea and get settled.

Regeneration works continue to transform Northampton’s Market Square

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The build to transform Northampton’s Market Square into a community space and deliver a revitalized market for the town, is well underway.
Since our last update in May, West Northamptonshire Council and Stepnell Ltd have been working closely with Anglian Water to complete most of the works required for the surface water and drainage. The essential repairs to the Victorian brick sewer system are also nearing completion.

All works being carried out and delivered in conjunction with the watching archaeologists from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA). They are working closely with the team to monitor the works as they make regular discoveries of varying significance.

Works continue across the site area to the central part of the square and the perimeter phase to the outside of the square.

Cllr Dan Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with MOLA and Stepnell to move ahead with the transformation of the historic market square located at the heart of Northampton town centre. Following an extensive programme of essential investigations, we are now well into delivering the next phase of works.

“We continue to work with Market Traders to encourage everyone to visit their stalls at the temporary market at Commercial Street. We are delivering a free summer events programme, where people can join the beach event and take part in mini golf and circus skills workshops. Head to our website to find out more.”

People of all ages are invited to join in a summer of fun at Northampton’s Market, located in Commercial Street.

Free activities will be taking place from Saturday 22 July through to Sunday 3 September, offering something for everyone. Click here to find out more about the free family fun.

Are you up to date with your Cervical Cancer Screening?

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Cervical Cancer Screening is available to those between the ages of 25 to 64 and is crucial in helping to pick up signs of cervical cancer at an early stage.


Cervical cancer is when abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix grow in an uncontrolled way and in time, form a growth also known as a tumour. If not caught early, cancer cells gradually grow into the surrounding tissues and may spread to other areas of the body which can be life threatening.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a major cause of the main types of cervical cancer. Most sexually active people come into contact with HPV during their lifetime. Most are harmless but some cause genital warts, and others cause abnormal growth of cells that can develop into cancer. HPV can be passed on through close skin to skin contact, usually during sexual activity.


To help prevent the development of cervical cancer, the screening tests for abnormal HPV cells. By having a cervical screening, it will help with an early diagnosis of any abnormal cells if there are any or genital warts and will stop further development of the cancer through early treatment.


With West Northamptonshire data showing a percentage of people not taking up a cervical screening test, the local Public Health team is advising residents between the age of 25 to 64, who are eligible for cervical cancer screening to make sure they attend their screening appointment and remain up to date with their screening.


Dr Annapurna Sen, Consultant in Health Protection for West Northamptonshire Council says:
“Across West Northamptonshire 30% of the eligible population between age 25-64 did not have their cervical screening test, especially younger women. This may risk many of these people with cervical cancer go undetected, which may spread due to delay in diagnosis and treatment.


“I urge to you protect yourself from a risk of developing a cervical cancer. Attend your screening appointment as it is reliable at picking up cancers or abnormalities that could lead to cancer and will do more good than harm to you.


“If you have missed your last appointment or are putting it off, take the time to call your GP and discuss booking an appointment.”

Town and Parish Briefing – July 2023 edition

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Please find attached the July edition of the Town and Parish Briefing.  

We hope you find this briefing useful and informative, and we encourage you to share it widely within your organisations.  

If you have any ideas and feedback for shaping future content, we’d really like to hear from you, so please feel free to contact us.  

Kind regards   WNC Communications Team

July-23-Town-and-Parish-Briefing-002Download

Explore West Northamptonshire’s extraordinary heritage and history this September

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Everyone is invited to explore West Northamptonshire’s historical heritage this September with the two-week Heritage Open Days festival taking place between 8 and 17 of September.

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 across the county will all be taking part in England’s largest annual festival of history and culture.

As well as opening up buildings or parts of buildings not normally accessible to the public, there will also be individual events on offer including guided tours, walks and open days, all free to attend.

Although booking is required for some activities, others are open for people to drop into on the day and many venues taking part will be connected by Northampton Transport Heritage buses, which will offer a free hop-on hop-off service during Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is an official promoter of the event and a list of all participating attractions and events is available on the Council website to endorse the festival and boost visitor numbers. This will be updated as more attractions register, so be sure to keep checking back!

Cllr Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to explore and enjoy West Northamptonshire’s many fascinating cultural sites and learn about its rich past which has played an important role in our nation’s history since medieval times.

“I am pleased to see so many of our local attractions taking part and providing activities which are accessible and free for all, including the fantastic Heritage Bus Service which forms an important part of the event and enables people to travel between venues freely.

“I’d like to thank all of our local organisations and dedicated volunteers who share their passion for local history all year round and strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity and see what you can learn about the wonderful area in which we live.”

Heritage Open Days is organised by the National Trust and run by thousands of local organisations and volunteers across England. The aim of the festival is to encourage people to learn more about the area in which they live. Last year, around a third of visitors said they hadn’t visited a heritage site or event in the past year and 80 per cent said their visit made them proud of their local area.

A full programme of events, with details of dates, times and how to book, can be found on the Heritage Open Days webpage.

Knife Amnesty bins installed across West Northants to tackle serious violence

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Five Knife Amnesty bins and Emergency Bleed Control cabinets have been installed in communities across West Northamptonshire as part of a partnership approach to tackle knife crime and serious violence.

The amnesty bins allow people to discard knives or harmful weapons without fear of being prosecuted. The bins are securely bolted to walls with a letter box design to allow knife deposits whilst stopping people from reaching inside and are emptied regularly.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in partnership with Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Partnership Homes, and anti-knife crime charity Off The Streets NN have installed the bins over the past 12 months in the Kingsthorpe, Blackthorn, Thorplands and town centre areas of Northampton, and New Street in Daventry.

The Kingsthorpe knife bin was installed with support from Cheri Curran, mother of Louis-Ryan Menezes who was fatally stabbed in St David’s in 2018.

Off the Streets NN has also installed emergency bleed control kits in locations across the county which can be used to provide emergency aid to treat patients injured in a serious violent crime and keep them alive until the emergency services arrive.

A map of all amnesty bin and bleed control kit locations can be viewed in the Knife Angel App, available via the Explore Northampton App, along with videos, downloadable pdfs and information for parents on how to look out for signs that their child is being drawn into gangs and carrying weapons.

There will be a free training session to teach people how to use the critical bleed kits at 6pm on Monday 31 July, at the University of Northampton. You can book your space for this session here.

Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services, said: “These bins form part of our wider plans to tackle knife crime and serious violence and make communities in West Northamptonshire safer for everyone.

“As part of our ongoing work with Northamptonshire Police and the West Northants Community Safety Partnership (CSP) we are taking a deep-seated approach to tackling knife crime by focussing our efforts on supporting young people in difficult circumstances, including support around mental health and addiction which are both factors in driving crime.

“The Knife Amnesty bins provide a safe and legal way to dispose of blades, knives and any other harmful weapon – and each one surrendered is potentially a life saved.”

The West Northamptonshire Community Safety Partnership (CSP) recently launched its 2023/24 strategy reinforcing its commitment to make West Northamptonshire a safer place for residents and visitors and outlining a number of key priorities to tackle all forms of crime, serious violence, and anti-social behaviour.

Northamptonshire Police Chief Inspector Nathan Murray, said: “We support any initiative that helps to make our streets safer, and the installation of permanent knife bins is to be welcomed. I encourage anyone who wants to safely dispose of a knife to use one of the bins.

“The impact of knife crime can be utterly devastating, and we’re committed to doing all we can to help reduce the number of offences that take place, using prevention and intervention as key tactics. This involves working with schools, colleges and community groups to educate about the dangers and potential consequences of carrying weapons, while at the same time providing intervention for those young people who we know are involved in knife crime.

“We will of course, also continue to investigate those crimes where a knife has been used, using all available tactics to uncover the evidence needed to put offenders before our courts.”

A church service and vigil were held in Northampton earlier this year to mark one year since the Knife Angel monument visited Northampton and to remember those who have died through knife crime or been affected by violence.

An augmented reality version of the monument along with more information about knife crime and a link to the Fearless website, where people can report information anonymously, can also be found in the Knife Angel App.

Panel convened to consider proposed interim fire chief appointment

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West Northamptonshire Council has convened a confirmation hearing of the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel following notification from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold of an interim appointment to the Chief Fire Officer role for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue.


West Northamptonshire Council has convened a confirmation hearing of the county’s Police, Fire and Crime Panel following notification from Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold of an interim appointment to the Chief Fire Officer role for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue.


The meeting will take place in the Great Hall at Northampton’s Guildhall from 10am on Thursday 27 July and will consider the proposed appointment of Simon Tuhill to the Interim Chief Fire Officer role.
Such panels are responsible for:


• Scrutinising decisions and actions taken by the PCC
• Reviewing the PCC’s draft Police and Crime Plan (and Fire and Rescue Plan where appropriate) and annual report
• Reviewing the PCC’s annual proposed precept
• Reviewing the proposed appointment of senior staff
• Resolving non-criminal complaints about the conduct of the PCC
• Making reports or recommendations to the PCC as needed
Cllr David Smith, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services, and panel chair, said: “When I was first advised that an interim appt had been made and was about to be announced, I was extremely concerned that it was not intended to bring this to a confirmation hearing of the panel. I sought confirmation of the legal position from the Monitoring Officer which confirmed my view that the panel must be consulted, and this was reported back to PFCC.

I am therefore pleased that this has now led to us having a properly constituted panel confirmation hearing scheduled to consider a full report on an interim appointment, in compliance with the proper process. We have strict rules within which we work and it’s vital that we abide by these so that any decisions we make cannot be challenged at a later date.


“Panel colleagues and I will have an opportunity to consider the proposal for Simon Tuhill, who has recently joined the service as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, to temporarily step into the more senior position following the departure of Mark Jones.”


Mr Tuhill was previously Assistant Chief Fire Officer at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and has served as a firefighter for more than 25 years.


Details for the meeting on 27 July can be found on the Council’s website and, as with all Police, Fire and Crime Panel meetings, it will be live streamed and available to watch back on YouTube.