An additional £10 million will be invested into improving roads across West Northamptonshire.The extra funding will allow WNC and its highways partner Kier to extend the surface dressing programme for roads and paths across the area as well as carrying out bridge maintenance schemes and work to resolve drainage issues across the area.This will also provide the opportunity to trial an innovative road surfacing technique (called in-situ recycling) that produces a long-lasting repair and reuses existing material to reduce costs and carbon emissions, resulting in more sustainable repairs across our rural network.The additional funding (which was approved at Council on...

23 July, 2024

Join this free webinar on August 5th at 2pm from the Sustainable Business Alliance to find out how a materiality assessment can help your business to prioritise action on sustainability.In the rapidly evolving landscape of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations, understanding materiality is crucial for businesses aiming to create sustainable and impactful strategies. Materiality, in the context of ESG, refers to the identification and prioritization of the issues that are most relevant and significant to a business and its stakeholders. Conducting a materiality assessment helps businesses focus on the key areas that will have the greatest impact on their...

23 July, 2024

"The planet that we are on is falling apart at high speed," warned acclaimed author and academic Mike Berners-Lee, highlighting the urgency for businesses to "create the conditions under which humanity can undergo the systemic change it so urgently needs." Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Business Alliance (SBA) earlier this month, Berners-Lee emphasized the critical role of businesses in addressing the interconnected crises we face, urging leaders to take transformative action towards sustainability and resilience.Also speaking at the event was Adrian Pryce DL, Associate Professor at the University of Northampton and founder of a new sustainability consultancy called...

23 July, 2024

A restaurant in Northampton is the toast of the town having been named the best in the country at a national awards ceremony.Saffron in Castilian Street was crowned the winner of the Restaurant of the Year category at the 2024 The Bengal’s Pride Awards, held at the House of Commons in London on Wednesday, July 17.It is the sixth year of The Bengal’s Pride Awards, dedicated to celebrating the achievements of the Bengali ethnic community from India and Bangladesh.As the global Bengali community grows, numerous Bengalis have made significant contributions to every professional area, including healthcare, banking, politics, education, arts among others.The...

23 July, 2024

North Northamptonshire Council has launched two grant schemes to help businesses increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.The NNDecarb business grant scheme is offering grants of up to £5,000 to support businesses and funds are to cover up to 50% of project costs for the installation of low carbon and energy efficient measures. Applications for this scheme can be made online via the NNC website.Also available are capital grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 to help businesses become more resilient and support growth, under the NN2NZ Green Transition Grant scheme. A particular target for this scheme is decarbonisation or green...

23 July, 2024

A project designed to provide an improved and safer route for pedestrians and cyclists between Corby train station and the town centre will start early next month.The Town Centre to Train Station link road is one of the projects which North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) was awarded funding from Government to deliver.In September 2022, residents were asked for their views on a concept design. With the comments received, a revised plan was then consulted on in December 2023. This consultation has led to further improvements and now work will start on the final plans for the scheme to be delivered.The new...

22 July, 2024

A Northamptonshire heritage attraction has joined forces with Northamptonshire Community Foundation to support their Family Food Aid Appeal this summer.The Chester House Estate, based in Irchester, has relaunched their food venue ‘The Farmhouse’ last month, and as part of their new summer menus, the team have included a £4.95 option for visitors to ‘donate a meal’ to help provide nutritious meals and essential support services to families in need across Northamptonshire.The launch of The Farmhouse was part of the Northamptonshire Food and Drink Week, and includes new menus, branding, fixtures and fittings and welcoming a host of new local suppliers....

22 July, 2024

Through the Rural Community Needs Fund, Northamptonshire Community Foundation has awarded more than £109,000 to 13 charities and community organisations working to tackle urgent needs such as poverty and access to services across local rural towns, villages and the countryside.Rachel McGrath, Chief Executive of Northamptonshire Community Foundation, said: “We established our Shining a Spotlight on Rural Community Needs appeal in March 2023, with the aim of supporting rural communities across Northamptonshire, improving their access to vital services and ensuring that they receive their fair share of funding.“We’re very grateful to every generous donor who supported the appeal, and to the...

22 July, 2024

An award-winning Northamptonshire-based construction consultancy has pledged its support to a successful sector-specific networking group in neighbouring Milton Keynes.Bhangals Construction Consultants has joined the MK Property and Construction Network (MKPCN) as a new sponsor. The announcement was made at the recent MKPCN summer event.MKPCN is an informal networking event designed for property development and construction professionals in the region. It provides a forum for like-minded individuals to meet, share best practices, discuss current challenges, and identify business opportunities in a relaxed and casual setting.Bhangals Construction Consultants joins the ranks of existing sponsors Aureum Finance, Aureum Insurance, Smith Jenkins, and FormFive,...

22 July, 2024

Historic and cultural sites across Northamptonshire are invited to take part in this year’s Heritage Open Days, which will take place between 6 and 15 September.Venues such as stately homes, buildings of historic interest, museums, places of worship, and archaeological sites can now register to participate in Heritage Open Days, which is England’s largest annual festival of history and culture.This year’s event will utilise the theme Routes, Networks & Connections to bring together the past and present with workshops, walks, talks, hidden spaces, and activities for all the family, and for the first time will include many offers from attractions...

19 July, 2024

Corby Foodbank, which supports local people in food crisis, has benefitted from a £20,000 donation of food – the equivalent of an incredible 6,262kgs – from VolkerFitzpatrick, one of the UK's leading engineering and construction companies.The generous donation was made as part of VolkerFitzpatrick’s commitment to engage with the community and leave a lasting legacy during the completion of two state-of-the-art units totalling £84 million at Magna Park in Corby – one of the UK’s largest logistics and distribution parks.Corby Foodbank distributes three-day emergency, non-perishable food parcels to local people in food crisis and the provisions, provided monthly over the...

18 July, 2024