Free 12-Week Support Programme – Supporting Independence

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The Supporting Independence Programme is a Northamptonshire Public Health service, delivered free of charge across the county. We provide tailored support to members of the community, (aged 18 & over) in several areas of their life which may be impacting their every-day independence & wellbeing.

With up to 12 weeks of one-to-one support within the community, our dedicated Wellbeing Advisors are committed to improving client’s health and wellbeing, helping them to achieve a better quality of life. We carry out numerous in-house interventions, and have excellent working partnerships with organisations and services across the county, to ensure the most appropriate support is put in place.

Examples of support include:

  • Opportunities to meet with your Advisor to ‘Walk and Talk’ with the aim of increasing physical activity and socialisation.
  • Support to access social opportunities within your local community to reduce isolation, including volunteering and clubs, groups and events to suit your hobbies and interests.
  • Identification, intervention and support for low-level mental health and emotional difficulties.
  • Identification, support and referral as appropriate to support daily life including housing support and money advice.
  • Advice, information and support on managing the long-term effects of COVID-19.
  • Advice, information and support on lifestyle issues such as nutrition, weight management, smoking and alcohol use.
  • Identification of other issues such as blood pressure or use of multiple medicines and referral where appropriate including to memory clinics, continence services or community pharmacies.

Individuals can self-refer or make a referral on someone else’s behalf and can do this by completing our short eligibility assessment via the link below. A member of our administration team will endeavour to contact clients within two working days to arrange an initial appointment.

https://www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/councilservices/health/pages/supporting-independence.aspx

Kind regards,

Elizabeth Shulver | West Northamptonshire Wellbeing Coordinator |Supporting Independence Programme.  Public Health Northamptonshire
T: 0300 126 3000 W: Supporting Independence Programme – Health and wellbeing (northamptonshire.gov.uk)

Northampton Forward seeks Champions for Communities

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Northampton Forward seeks champions for communities
Are you heavily involved in your community and keen to make a difference? If so, we need you to join a new group which will help shape the future development of Northampton.
The Northampton Forward Board is seeking to create a new sub-group consisting of those who represent local communities and organisations.

Northampton Forward is an informal partnership, with the primary role of coordinating and driving forward the integrated regeneration and growth within Northampton town centre.

Since its formation in 2018, its work has led to £32m in Government grants for a number of schemes including the improvements to the town centre, new and improved cultural venues, and several large scale developments.

Martin Mason, Managing Director of footwear firm Tricker’s and Northampton Forward Chair, said: “It’s incredibly important that as we work towards improving our town, we take people on that journey with us.

“We have always been keen to hear everyone’s views, and we’ve engaged with communities a number of times over a variety of projects, but we want to take that to the next level.

“We’re looking for people who feel they represent the views of their communities, who have a positive outlook and want to see the town improve, and who can throw some good ideas in to the mix.

“Of course, we welcome challenge, but it must be constructive rather than obstructive, as doing nothing is simply not an option.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Community Champions Sub-group is asked to fill in an expression of interest form offering a little information about:

  • Themselves and why they would like to be part of the group
  • The community they represent
  • Their ability to commit to at least one meeting every two months and some engagement work in between.

The process will be open for five weeks, from 27 June to 1 August and anyone is welcome to put themselves forward.
Contact Information

Sarah Newall

sarah.newall@westnorthants.gov.uk
 

Police Surgeries – Lilbourne, Long Buckby & Canons Ashby 14th July 2022

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On Thursday July 14th 2022 PCSO’s Cooksammy & Egdell will be visiting the villages of;

Lilbourne – Village Hall

10:30 – 11:30

Long Buckby- Fire Station

12:00 – 13:00

Canons Ashby – Visitors Car Park

14:30 – 15:30

Please come along and say hello, we will be able to answer questions and offer advice on any issue that may be affecting you.

Please come along to speak to your local officers and dispose of any unwanted sharp items from within your home.

In an emergency, when there is a crime in progress or a life at risk, always call 999.To report a crime or incident, provide information or for advice, call 101 or visit www.northants.police.uk

To contact your Neighbourhood Team covering Northampton, they can be contacted on the following email: NeighbourhoodTeamDaventry@northants.pnn.police.uk

You can also provide confidential information should you wish to remain anonymous. These calls can be made to the Independent Charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Residents views sought on shaping future employment sites in South Northamptonshire

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Residents called to help shape future employment sites in south Northamptonshire
Residents are being asked to help shape extra guidance for land allocated for commercial development in the south Northamptonshire area.
Members of West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Planning Policy Committee recently approved plans to seek people’s views on a new draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for employment land allocations in the area, which would sit alongside the South Northamptonshire Local Plan Part 2 to help inform decision-making on planning applications.

The draft SPD aims to provide greater detail and certainty to the public and developers by setting out overarching design principles for the future development of the employment sites identified in the Local Plan, including guidance relating to size, scale and density of buildings.

A six-week public consultation on the SPD opened on Thursday, 7 July, with residents encouraged to attend drop-in sessions taking place in Towcester and Old Stratford next week.

People have until midnight on Thursday, 18 August to give their views – to take part, visit the consultation hub on the Council’s website or view the draft documents at the WNC offices and library in Towcester, as well as libraries in Brackley, Deanshanger and Roade.

Cllr Rebecca Breese, WNC’s Cabinet Member for strategic planning, built environment and rural affairs, said: “It’s important that we have effective planning policies in place which support our goals to boost our local economy by bringing new employment opportunities into the area.

“Our policies must be underpinned by clear and robust guidance for both local residents and developers to ensure future development of these sites is appropriate in size, scale and density, and this Supplementary Planning Document aims to do just that.

“I would urge everyone with knowledge of this area to get involved in this consultation to help shape guidance that will inform our future decision-making on these issues.”

As well as being able to view the SPD documents online, residents can view them at the WNC offices and the library at The Forum, Moat Lane in Towcester NN12 6AD, and libraries in Brackley, Deanshanger and Roade.

Drop-in events, which include opportunities to view information boards and talk to planning officers, take place between 2pm and 6pm at The Forum in Towcester on Wednesday, 13 July and at The Memorial Hall, Deanshanger Road in Old Stratford on Thursday, 14 July.
Contact Information

West Northamptonshire Council Communications Team
communications@westnorthants.gov.uk
Notes to editors

Full URL for the SPD Consultation Hub – https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/place/sn-employment-allocations-spd_consultation/

JOB VACANCY

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Casual work opportunity, Canvasser – Elections Team

The Elections Team are currently recruiting for the exciting role of Canvasser, encouraging local people to be fully engaged with the democratic process. The role will involve personal visits to those who have not yet responded to our canvass communication. We are seeking an outgoing individual to assist with ensuring the register is accurate and completed to a high standard for the election team.

This is a temporary position with canvassing due to take place between September and October. The work can fit around your current employment and commitments. We are looking for applicants to work in various locations across the West Northamptonshire area.

Full training for the role will be given at either the Council Offices in Daventry, the Guildhall in Northampton, or the Forum in Towcester during September.

This role will be paid on an hourly rate of £11ph plus £30 for completing the training course. Travel expenses will be paid at £0.45 per mile.

If you would like to discuss the role further, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Elections Team for more information and to register your interest at electoralservices@westnorthants.gov.uk

M1 J18 Liaison Forum – Meeting on 15th June 2022

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Update from National Highways (formerly Highways England)

National Highways Route Manager Introduction

My name is Bill Freeman and I am the National Highways England’s (a new role for the East Midlands Region since October 2019) for a number of Trunk Roads and Motorways falling within the East Midlands region that are pertinent to the former Northamptonshire (parts of Leicestershire & Warwickshire).

I am happy to act as the 1st point of contact for National Highways (see contact details below) if any attendees have any issues that they would like to raise about Motorway and Trunk Road routes assigned to myself that are not related to ‘Development Proposals’ and ‘Planning Applications’.

Bill Freeman Route Manager
Planning & Development
Operations Directorate East Midlands
National Highways| Stirling House | Lakeside Court | Osiers Drive | Annesley | NG15 0DS
Mobile: +44 (0) 7710100481 generally-only available on mobile (current telephone contactable hours sometime between 07:00 to 16:00/16:30)
Bill.freeman@nationalhighways.co.uk

• Cold Ashby – Volume of HGV Movements from A14 – DIRFT

Bill Freeman National Highways Route Manager 8th June 2022 – full Origin Destination surveys on all routes between M1 and A14 plus local roads. It is local authority led with funding support from National Highways. Awaiting survey and analysis / reporting. Note: I am not really in the loop on this within National Highways and have not managed to ascertain from colleagues what the latest position is for the purpose of this update; sorry.

• National Highways / DIRFT III Unforeseen Highways Impact Fund Jointly funded M1 J18 along A428/A5 to A5 Roundabout Layby Improvements (installation of bollards)

Bill Freeman National Highways Route Manager Update 8th June 2022 – Known to National Highways as 606168 M1 Crick (J18) Interchange Underbridge Protection & 568286 A5 DIRFT Cycle Protection Scheme

✓ Scheme works are still in Detailed Design Phase
✓ Commercial Pricing Phase Target Completion By Beginning of September 2022
✓ Target Construction Dates 10-Oct-22 to 28-Oct-22

National Highways General Counsel has sent draft Legal Agreement documents to Prologis regarding their contribution to the works.

National Highways await a response from Prologis. Prologis David Mellor acknowledged their legal team received the agreement and advised will chase them 5th October 2021.

Action Request: Can Prologis chase this up please?

If this matter is not attended to then this will prejudice delivery of the works.

• National Highways Maintenance Scheme Works 611631 (608302) M1 J18 Crick Waterproofing

National Highways maintenance scheme in pipeline on the M1 main line through J18 to re-waterproof across the structure. It is very early days and National Highways have only just started to assess the options and what needs to be done.

The works are potentially more than a year away in the future possibly September 2023.
Until there is an understanding about what needs to be done, we are unable to advice how these works are to be planned in terms of traffic management & network occupancy. Worst case scenario is that full main line M1 closure(s) will be required for a couple of weekends Friday night through until Saturday morning. This will obviously be very disruptive for motorists and businesses.

• Street racing, DIRFT

This is an issue that has arisen for discussion at the West Northamptonshire Council Community Safety Partnership Road Issues Joint Action Group (JAG) meeting

Kevin Fagan, Community Partnerships Manager, Housing and Community, West Northants Council is heavily involved in this matter. I have included a few extracts from the minutes of the last meeting below.

April 2021 –green light from National Highways in principle to for a CCTV unit to be fixed to one of their lamp posts. Check required for compliance with installation specification and a price required; an order will then be raised for the work.

22/06/21 – CCTV will be deployed by CrimeSecure who have sent a quote to Kevin.
25/01/22 – There was no update on the High Court case. Crime Secure tried to install the CCTV unit but did not have the right equipment to enable them to do it. Kevin will find someone else to undertake the work.

There have been no further issues from a Police perspective.

27/04/22 Kevin was quoted £1,000 to install camera, without electrical works; he has asked the company to review this. The decision from the High Court is that injunctions against persons unknown are still allowed, so evidence is now needed; the NPT have been asked for information from the past two years. The focus will remain on DIRFT as evidence for all areas would be needed if an injunction was served across the whole of West Northants.

Date for next JAG Meeting tbc.

• Highways Act 1980 Section 142 Cultivation Licence DIRFT / Prologis
Location: A5 Trunk Road or the A5-M1 link road, DIRFT
Name of Customer: Aaron Hinds, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Customer Contact Details:
• aaron@ah-la.co.uk
• A H Landscape Architects, 25 Victoria Street, Warwick CV34 4JT
27th May 2022 – National Highways provided A H Landscape Architects with a copy of the latest draft of the Licence pursuant to s.142 of the Highways Act 1980 expressing the view that we are nearly there. Awaiting comments/agreement upon the “22.04.25 – S.142 Blank” document;

The clock continues to tick towards the existing Agreement expiring in August. This issue has now been ongoing since December 2021.

• Resurfacing scheme on the A5 that covers Kilsby Rbt, Kilsby to A428 main carriageway and A428 rbt (Half Way House)

National Highways maintenance scheme in pipeline on the A5 that covers Kilsby Rbt, Kilsby to A428 main carriageway and A428 rbt (Half Way House). It is very early days and National Highways have only just started to assess the ‘needs’ and the works are 2-3 years in the future.

Aware there will be significant issues when works are undertaken to A428 rbt (Half Way House) because last time National Highways were threatened with legal action from Tesco due to accessibility issues and access restrictions. The situation is even worse now as more distribution units have been installed west of this island and there is only one route to them, which is via the roundabout.

Possible resurfacing the footway along the length the main carriageway, the majority of which is adjacent to the northbound carriageway.

Possible Vodaphone fibre optic cable (ex- Cable & Wireless) that runs along the full length of the verge. Drawings indicate for some reason this was installed between the ditch and footway, which could be the reason why the footway is subsiding.

Northamptonshire Highways Junction 18 Forum update June 2022

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Crick

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on Church St, Watford Road, A428 VOSA layby, Main Road, Yelvertoft Road, Main Street Park End Farm, road to Silsworth Lodge

Kerb / slab repairs – VOSA layby, Bucknills Lane

Bid submitted for traffic calming feature on Yelvertoft Road, awaiting decision.

Kilsby

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on around the village on Crick Road, Ofield Lane, Ridgeway, Rugby Road, Main St junction.
Replace signs / bollards on Main Road, near Eddie Stobart A428

Site visit carried with Parish Council to chat about speed of vehicle travelling along the A361. Site visit also planned with the Area Maintenance Team to discuss maintenance issues in the village.

Barby

Daventry Road

A site visit has been carried out with the Parish Council to discuss traffic calming options on Daventry Road. This will be progressed once the new contract starts later this year.

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on Kilsby Rd, Ware Rd, road to Barby Wood Farm, Rugby Road, Barby Lane Fishery, The Ridgeway, Elkington Lane.

New signs provided on the Ridgeway junction/ Welton Road

West Haddon

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on around the village on The Green, Foxhill Road, Cold Ashby Road, High Street, Guilsborough Road, Station Road.

New Road Markings planned for The Green to the front of the Village Hall.

Surface Dressing

Surface dressing being carried out towards the end of July beginning of August on the A428 from Crick to West Haddon

Yelvertoft

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on West Haddon Road, Crick Road, High Street, School Close, Kings Lane, Stamford Road, Hilmorton Lane, Ashwells Lane, Swinnertons Lane, Brookside Close

Works to the rights of way network on FP11, FP8, FP15

Lilbourne

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, ort are planned to be carried out around the village on Rugby Road, Yelvertoft Rd

Cold Ashby

Traffic Issues

Ongoing dialogue with the Parish Council concerning traffic issues through the village. Traffic survey is due to take place.

Patching / Potholing

Various patching and pothole repairs have been carried out, or are planned to be carried out around the village on Church Ln, Stanford Close, Thornby Road, Cold Ashby Road, Naseby Road, Guilsborough Road, Crabtree Lane

New signs planned – Welton Road, Ridgeway, Northampton Road.

Surface Dressing

Surface dressing being carried out towards the end of July beginning of August on the A5199 from A14 junction 1 through to Welford Lodge

Rugby Parkway Update

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Rugby Parkway Update provided by Suzanne Page (vice Hannah Collett), Warwickshire County Council

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) are continuing to work on the development of a new station south of Rugby on the Northampton Loop, which is being referenced as Rugby Parkway and will be located adjacent to the Rugby Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) also known as the Houlton development. (Former Rugby Radio Station site to the south-east of the town).

The Lead Designer for the station is continuing to develop a station design that will provide for:

• 2 platforms with footbridge and lifts
• Station car park
• Public Transport Interchange
• Active Travel connectivity

The development activity to date has identified the following:

• A strong business case for the scheme based on updated Demand and Revenue Forecasts producing a revised BCR and NPV for the Scheme
• The December 2022 base timetable can accommodate the proposed train service for the station, which can now be presented to industry partners on 8 June
• The benefit of on-going stakeholder engagement with the relevant stakeholders including the DfT, Network Rail, West Midlands Rail and freight operators to ensure continued industry buy-in to the Scheme
• The benefit of best practice scheme management in terms of governance
Further work is being undertaken to deliver the following:
• Outline Planning Application with all matters reserved for a new station development and including public engagement by the end of 2022.
• Land Acquisition. Negotiations are continuing regarding the other plot required to deliver the station and associated works and is at present awaiting the outcome of the initial design activity.

Support for Carers

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Saxon Spires Drop in poster 27.4.22 png

Saxon Spires Drop in poster 27.4.22 png