West Northants to celebrate Local and Community History Month

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To celebrate Local and Community History Month in May, people are invited to join Northampton Central Library to learn about the rich heritage and history of West Northamptonshire.
The library will be hosting a community history fayre on May 17, from 10am to 4pm inside the Gathering Space at the Grosvenor Shopping Centre in Northampton, where 11 local groups will have stands and be available to talk to anyone interested in learning more. The aim of the month is to increase awareness of local history and promote history in general, whilst engaging with local communities and helping them to discover more about the area where they live. Groups attending on the day will include Delapré Abbey, Northamptonshire Family History Society, 78 Derngate, Heritage Hunters and more.

The library’s monthly Reading Friends session will take place from 11am to midday, with this month’s session featuring a special Q&A discussion from the Delapré Abbey Cluniac Research Group on how they combated loneliness throughout the pandemic with their collective interest in the Cluniac Abbey. The Radical History group will also be present to give a talk about the suffragette movement in Northamptonshire, taking place at 1pm. In addition, The Northampton Central Library local studies department, Discover, will be showcasing their work and talking to residents about the information and resources they can access through the library.

Councillor Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of WNC and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said: “West Northamptonshire has a rich historical past which has played an important role in our nation’s history since medieval times. “Whether it’s traditions and tales from around the county or your own family history, learning about our past and how it has shaped our society can help us to become stronger and more unified communities today. “I hope that people will come along to this event and enjoy discovering more about the wonderful history of West Northamptonshire.” To find more events and become a member of the LibraryPlus service, visit the WNC website.

West Northamptonshire Council receives Bronze iiE accreditation

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has reached a key milestone in its journey towards becoming a net zero local authority by achieving its first national environmental accreditation.

Following an independent audit, the Council has earned Bronze Award accreditation with the Investors in the Environment scheme (iiE), recognising its commitment towards sustainability.

The iiE scheme is designed to help organisations improve their environmental performance and reduce their impact on the environment, save time and money as well as get recognition for their progress. Bronze status is the first of three iiE accreditation levels the Council is working towards achieving to ensure environmental excellence.

WNC is committed to achieving Net Zero for its own emissions by 2030 and Net Zero West Northants emissions by 2045, with the recent publication of its baseline emissions report for 2021-22 last month representing a significant step forward in meeting its sustainability goals.

In just 12 months since the launch of its Sustainability Strategy and less than two years since the Council was formed, WNC has made great progress in meeting its sustainability objectives, including:

– Setting out a new Sustainable West Northants Strategy and mapping activities, services and priorities against the UN Sustainable Development Goals so everyone can see how they contribute

– Establishing a new dedicated Sustainability Team, staff network and councillors net zero action group to guide, influence and involve communities, colleagues and partners

– Harnessing strong support from our Leadership Team and signing up to the national UK100 Network to drive forward change and gather best practice

– Establishing an online Sustainable West Northamptonshire information hub and social media channels to promote, share and encourage good practice

– Building upon early activities from the legacy councils and improving and expanding use of innovation and technology such as e-scooters and robot deliveries

– Expanding electric vehicle charge points  by installing 62 new charging bays giving residents the confidence to choose clean green transport

– Extending our e-scooter scheme that led to 1,055,769 car journeys being avoided and 505 tonnes CO2 reduction

– Supported our partners at Starship Technologies and the Co-op to extend on-demand robot grocery deliveries to over 80,000 homes across Northampton leading to 131,383 miles in car journeys avoided and 56,293kg CO2 reduction.

Councillor Jonathan Nunn, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded Bronze iiE Accreditation, recognising our commitment to cutting emissions and meeting our 2030 target to achieve net zero as well as celebrate our achievements so far. 

“Like many other organisations across the country, we are aware of our climate impact and are dedicated to making changes to our relationship with the environment in order to make a difference today, and for future generations. Now we have this initial recognition, we look forward to achieving a higher-level rating as soon as possible, as we progress our Net Zero journey.

“We have ambitious targets, and it is essential that we come together to make a change with both large and small steps in the right direction. There are a number of ways you can join and support our journey. You may already act sustainably in your daily life without thinking about it, whether it is walking to the shops, recycling milk bottles or donating clothes to charity. So, to make an even bigger impact, let’s all make these acts a conscious and concerted effort.”

There are three key Sustainability Pledges which outline WNC’s primary commitments, which are to:
Net Zero the Council’s own emissions by 2030 and those of residents and businesses by 2045
Take a community leadership role for Sustainability in West Northants
Ensure all Council strategies and policies are aligned to and contribute to the delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Make your sustainability pledge, and find out more on our Sustainable West Northants page

West Northamptonshire Council launch free adult numeracy courses

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West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has launched a range of free adult numeracy courses aimed at helping people brush up on their maths skills and become more confident with numbers.
The courses, known as Multiply, are designed to make maths simpler for everyone and show that even those who struggled with maths in school can feel confident with numeracy in their day-to-day lives. Launched as part of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund programme, Multiply includes numeracy courses for beginners and those who want to build on the foundations of their maths knowledge, to more advanced offers such as GCSE Maths and Level 2 Functional Skills Qualifications.

There are a range of flexible online courses available as well as one-to-one mentoring – all designed to fit around people’s busy schedules. People can take a short quiz to understand which areas of numeracy they might want to improve by visiting the Skills for Life website.

The free Multiply courses are available for individuals who: live in West Northamptonshire and are aged 19 and over have not achieved a maths GCSE of at least a Grade C or equivalent may want to develop numeracy skills for work want to brush up and develop their numeracy skills for everyday life Multiply forms part of almost £575k allocated to help improve adult numeracy in the area by the Department for Education in partnership with WNC.

Councillor Daniel Lister, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, said: “Feeling confident with numbers helps in every aspect of life, from measuring food ingredients, mixing hair dye and checking invoices, to helping the children with their homework or even setting up in business.

“Through Multiply, we want to boost people’s confidence and ability to use maths and numbers effectively in daily life, at home and work. This includes helping people attain a formal qualification to open doors to new jobs, career progression and further study. “If you want to brush up on your numeracy skills and feel more confident with figures, don’t hesitate – take a look at the courses available today.” For more information about Multiply and to view the full range of courses, visit the WNC website.

Residents invited to have their says on new measures for public open spaces in Northampton

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People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to have their say on new measures being proposed in Northampton to encourage responsible dog ownership and prevent smoking in certain public open spaces.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) are consulting on a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the Northampton area. The proposals follow on from similar measures adopted across the Daventry and South Northants areas last year.

People could be fined £100 if they fail to:

*pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
*carry the means to pick up after their dog
*prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, such as play areas, schools and some leisure *facilities including skateparks, tennis courts, MUGA (multi-use games areas) and bowling greens.
*keep their dog on a lead in areas such as in cemeteries, allotments, car parks, outside schools on school days and sports ground *during sporting activity
*walk their dog on a lead when in Northampton Town Centre and Upton Country Park

The PSPO would also make it an offence to smoke tobacco, tobacco related products, smokeless tobacco products including electronic cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, or any illegal substances within the boundaries of play areas, land near schools, skateparks, tennis courts, MUGA and bowling greens.

Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for community safety and engagement and regulatory services said: “This consultation provides an opportunity for people to provide us with their views on the proposed measures for public open spaces in the former Northampton borough. The PSPO proposals seek to encourage responsible dog ownership and prevent people from smoking in public areas, such as in children’s play areas.

“We look forward to reviewing comments and looking at how we can further support our communities.”

The PSPO makes it an offence for someone to walk more than four dogs at once in public spaces. However, that requirement is not being enforced whilst conversations continue with representatives of professional dog walkers and consideration is being given to the development of a licensing scheme and associated code of conduct to support these groups.

Residents, businesses, and other organisations are invited to have their say on the proposed PSPO for the Northampton area during a four-week consultation which runs until Monday 17 April. People can view the proposals and have their say by visiting https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/place/pspo-dog-ownership-smoking-prohibition_2023

The consultation results will then be analysed and used to help shape a Draft Order. The feedback provided will help to shape the final proposals and guide councillors in their decisions.

If agreed by Councillors, the varied PSPO will apply across West Northants until October 2025.

Residents urged to submit their road closure application before 27 March

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Residents looking to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III by holding coronation street parties in their communities, parishes and neighbourhoods have until Monday 27 March 2023 to get their road closure applications in.

Communities across West Northamptonshire considering to close a road to celebrate the Coronation may need to apply for a temporary road closure – although there is no charge for the applications from 6-8 May, they should be made by Monday 27 March 2023. 

The groups planning larger parties are also urged to let the Council know about the event  to check issues such as licensing, safety and traffic management.

Additionally, anyone hosting an event or activity to celebrate the Coronation can share their plans and populate the official interactive map and events listing which will be promoted in the weeks and months leading up to the Coronation.

Councillor Adam Brown, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said:

“This is a wonderful opportunity for communities to come together and celebrate a significant occasion in our nation’s history. There are lots of different ways to get involved, including street parties and Coronation Big Lunches or volunteering during The Big Help Out to support causes that matter to you.”

“I hope to see many of our residents across West Northants taking this opportunity and encourage anyone looking to bring the Coronation celebrations into the heart of their own communities to get their applications in.”

Plans are under way to organise a packed weekend of festivities in West Northamptonshire from 6 to 8 May, including street party-style activities and big screens in Northampton town centre on the Saturday, a King’s Big Lunch and Afterparty at Delaprè Abbey on the Sunday and local volunteering opportunities for the Big Help Out on Bank Holiday Monday.

To support residents, businesses and local communities celebrate this historic occasion, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has set up a digital hub for all the guidance and information residents need for holding a community events or street parties.

Further information on the arrangements will be confirmed in the coming weeks and will be shared on West Northamptonshire Council website

Photos from Phase 1 Queens Canopy

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Boughton Parish Council can share that Phase 1 is now planted in Pocket Park, with the kind help of Year 6 children from Boughton Primary School. (Thanks to Mary James, Head Teacher)

2 cherries, 2 pear conference and 2 apple orange pippin and 2 apple Worcester pear main.

We should have fruit in 2 years’ time for all to share.

ELECTORAL REVIEW OF WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL – DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS

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ELECTORAL REVIEW OF WEST NORTHAMPTONSHIRE COUNCIL: DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has published proposals for new electoral arrangements for West Northamptonshire. A summary is attached. 

 
The electoral arrangements for your parish council may change because of our proposals.?Please find?attached?two maps outlining the proposed electoral arrangements for your council.? 

We propose that 76 councillors should be elected to West Northamptonshire in future. We also propose new ward boundaries across the authority. 

A public consultation on the proposals will run from 7 March 2023 to 15 May 2023. 

Once we have considered all responses to the consultation, we aim to publish final recommendations in August 2023. We will then lay a draft order in both houses of Parliament. Subject to parliamentary scrutiny, the new electoral arrangements are scheduled to come into effect at the authority’s elections in 2025. 

We considered all representations received from local people and organisations during our initial consultation when drawing up our proposals. We have sought to balance statutory criteria we must follow when drawing up these proposals, and we seek to: 

  • Make sure that, within an authority, each councillor represents a similar number of electors 
  • Create boundaries that are appropriate, and reflect community ties and identities 
  • Deliver reviews informed by local needs, views and circumstances 

We are now inviting comments on the proposals before we finalise the new electoral arrangements in your area. We will consider every response we receive during the consultation period and will weigh each response against the criteria above. 

If you would like to explore the draft recommendations, you can do so by visiting our consultation website at consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/36573. Interactive consultation pages give access to the full recommendations They allow people to explore maps of the proposals in greater detail and make comments. We also accept comments:  

by email           reviews@lgbce.org.uk 

by post             The Review Officer for West Northamptonshire 

LGBCE 

PO Box 133 

Blyth 

NE24 9FE 

The Commission’s main website contains further information about the electoral review and our work: http://www.lgbce.org.uk 

SummaryDownload
Boughton-parish-1Download
Boughton-parish2Download

New Website coming September 1st 2021

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This website will officially launch on the 1st September 2021 and is currently in the building phase. The website has been made available to the internet early to build search engine optimisation. If you find us, then welcome but please be aware that we are not officially in use until the launch date, so interaction is limited only to the website developer. We welcome followers and comment posting on the site in this early stage. If there is anything you would like to see on this site please email the website developer at clerk@boughtonparishcouncil.co.uk

We need your help! Volunteer drivers required.

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Northampton Community Transport urgently needs volunteer drivers to take elderly and immobile residents to appointments at places such as the hospital, doctors and dentists. Mileage is paid and insurers should not charge you for charity driving. If you own your own car and can offer half a day a week or more, email carscheme@voluntaryimpact.org.uk.