Tens of thousands of customers have used the HMRC app to pay their Self Assessment bill.Almost 65,000 customers have paid their Self Assessment bills, totalling nearly £67 million, via the HMRC app since April 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.In December 2022, 14,170 customers paid via the app – the highest number of app payments in one month since the facility was launched in February 2022.The Self Assessment deadline for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is 31 January and HMRC is urging customers not to delay completing their tax return and paying any tax owed. For customers who need some extra...

17 January, 2023

A HR and training company in Cogenhoe, Northamptonshire is celebrating 12 months in business.Ena HR and Training Ltd was established in January 2022 by Kate Coulson after working in corporate HR and management roles for more than 20 years.When Covid hit, Kate seized the opportunity to live in Greece for a year- a place she calls her ‘second homeland’. This love of Greece is also reflected in Kate’s choice of business name. Ena is Greek for the number one. Ena is also the goddess known for overseeing the preparation for a journey.At the end of 2021, Kate knew she didn’t...

16 January, 2023

Every year the Council plans for the money it will have available and how it should spend it in line with the priority objectives set out in its Corporate Plan.At a meeting held on 20 December, West Northamptonshire Council’s Cabinet approved for consultation its draft budget for 2023-24 and launched a six-week consultation seeking people’s views on a series of savings proposals to address a significant funding gap, whilst still protecting essential services.The public consultation runs until midnight on Tuesday 31 January 2023 and the council wants your feedback on the proposals, and for you to encourage your friends and family to also...

16 January, 2023

An award-winning hair salon in Northampton has unveiled a new campaign – one designed to thank and give back to its customers.This #MoreGoodHairDays campaign, designed by Northampton town centre-based Daniel Granger Hairdressing, will include weekly customer spotlights, top hair tips from the team and a competition to win free haircuts at this award-winning salon.Daniel Granger, salon owner and star of TV’s popular Body Fixers show, explained: “The cost-of-living crisis this year will no doubt mean a challenging time for many, so we wanted to give back and thank the people of Northamptonshire for all their support.“We will be sharing customer...

16 January, 2023

Future improvements and revised parking charges at Daventry and Brixworth country parks and Northampton Racecourse will be considered at the cabinet meeting of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) on Tuesday, 17 January.The current methods of paying for parking in Brixworth and Daventry country parks are inconvenient for users, do not offer a choice of periods, and are vulnerable to abuse and non-payment. The machines are also aging and prone to failure.While the Racecourse car park tends to be used by people who then walk to the town centre, meaning it is not fully available for its intended purpose.At the cabinet meeting,...

13 January, 2023

Scott Bader is proud to announce it has been awarded a Gold sustainability rating by EcoVadis, ranking it in the top 4% for sustainability of all companies evaluated globally.Previously awarded Silver, Scott Bader's sustainability rating has increased to Gold thanks to the implementation of additional measures to report on environmental management, the introduction of an annual Sustainability Report, the companies commitment to implementing green energy at its sites and its commitment to reducing emissions by 60% by 2025 and to be completely carbon neutral by 2028.Last year, Scott Bader also offset its scope 1 and 2 emissions for 2020 in partnership...

13 January, 2023

A Northampton sculptor has been reunited with one of her rare creations after decades apart, thanks to the Technique Exhibition at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.Wendy Hoare, an internationally acclaimed sculptor and ceramic artist, who lives in the town, produced large one-off pieces of pottery throughout her career which were sold around the globe.As a professional member of the Craft Potters Guild, an association of top potters where a ‘recognisable style’ was a pre-requisite of membership, she was well known for her particularly beautiful large designs, often purchased for the gardens of stately homes.Her work was inspired by the rhythm,...

12 January, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Cabinet is set to discuss plans to support the creation of a new Active Quarter in the heart of Northampton at their meeting next week.The report, which will be considered by members at their meeting on Tuesday (17 January) details how a new Active Quarter in the town would use and transform existing green and urban spaces and nearby waterways to improve people’s health and wellbeing, at the same time uniting communities, aiding regeneration and improving safety.The vision is to create an Active Quarter in the southwest area of the town to encompass Midsummer Meadow, Beckets...

12 January, 2023

Northampton health care provider General Practice Alliance is set to join forces with Delapré Abbey’s new Wellbeing Hub in Spring 2025, when it will move into a renovated stable block within the grounds of the Abbey.General Practice Alliance, which provides health care professional support for registered patients at 21 GP practices across Northampton, has been announced as a new partner for the hub.Dan Kane, CEO of General Practice Alliance, said: “It’s a great fit, collaborating ‘in situ’ with Delapré’s Wellbeing Hub from 2025, as GPA promotes and endorses a bio-psycho-social approach to health care.“This approach, put simply, is all about...

12 January, 2023

Voluntary and community groups who are looking for a funding boost to kick-start a project in 2023 are being encouraged to apply for small grants to help improve the lives of residents in North Northamptonshire.Community fundingFunding of up to £5,000 is being made available by North Northamptonshire Council.The second funding round is currently open:Grants up to £2,500– deadline 6 February 2023 Grants of between £2,500 and £5,000– deadline 6 February 2023The scheme is open to community and voluntary sector organisations, registered charities and not-for-profit organisations, with priority given to projects that support the council’s key priorities and the strategic aims.The...

11 January, 2023

The vision to enhance Northampton’s Market Square will start to become reality after planners approved the temporary relocation to the accessible Commercial St Car Park.The plans by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to redevelop the historic Market Square include:18 high-quality and bespoke fixed stalls which are larger and more structured to better serve traders, along with space for temporary stalls Permanent tiered seating Tree planting Relaying of cobbles New paving New lighting An interactive water feature.As part of the redevelopment work WNC looked at a range of alternative locations for the Market to continue trading while essential works take place....

11 January, 2023