Schools, high streets and main roads will benefit from improved crossings and junctions to support walking and cycling, reduce emissions and boost local economies, thanks to a £200 million fund announced today (6 February 2023).Active Travel England is today inviting local authorities in England to apply for funding to make improvements to enable people to choose active travel, which can help them save money and stay healthy. Schemes could include:creating more paths in rural areas developing safer routes for children to walk to school improved safety at junctions for people walking and cyclingFunding will also be used to support...

06 February, 2023

Hundreds of people showed up online and in person for the emotional launch of The Lewis Foundation’s charity single this World Cancer Day, with donations flooding in within hours of the event.Spearheaded by Northampton’s ‘Singing Solicitor’ Kevin Rogers, chair of regional law firm Wilson Browne Solicitors, and broadcaster John Griff, with the help of talented school pupils, NHS staff and local musicians and businesspeople, the moving rendition and music video of Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars immediately captured hearts, with more than £1,600 raised in the first 24 hours.The video and live launch - which features Kevin’s daughter Bethany, Northampton School...

05 February, 2023

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps has today given energy bosses a deadline of Tuesday to report back to him on what remedial action – such as providing compensation – they plan to take should they have wrongfully installed prepayment meters in the homes of vulnerable customers.It comes in the wake of British Gas admitting fault as a result of the Times investigation which showed even those with small children or medical conditions have not been shown forbearance, with reports of debt collectors breaking into homes to install the equipment.But these findings by The Times newspaper follow several reviews by...

05 February, 2023

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has today set out budget proposals for 2023/24 that will address a significant funding gap whilst still protecting essential servicesIn common with local authorities across the country, the Council is facing severe financial pressures due to a range of factors including the current economic recession, high inflation rates driving up running costs and an unprecedented rise in demand for services, particularly around supporting children in care and vulnerable adults.Despite these pressures, the authority has worked hard to balance the books and is proposing to deliver a balanced revenue budget for 2023/24 of £382.4m (excluding grant funded...

03 February, 2023

The iconic cars of racing legends will be in the spotlight this February half term at Silverstone Museum which is staging an exclusive exhibition showcasing the racing cars of sporting stars, including Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Daniel Ricciardo and many more.F1 fans, families and motorsport mad visitors to Silverstone Museum will be able to get up close to Lewis Hamilton’s 2017 winning race car, on loan for a limited time only to the museum, which is unveiling its racing legends feature for February half term.The attraction is exhibiting the Racing Legends feature from February 11th – 19th where...

03 February, 2023

Today (Friday 3 February), the government supported Blackpool South MP Scott Benton’s Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill, which will bring forward huge changes for tens of millions of workers across the UK.The move, which would apply to all workers and employees including agency workers, comes after a review found many workers on zero hours contracts experience ‘one-sided flexibility’.This means people across the country are currently left waiting, unable to get on with their lives in case of being called up at the last minute for a shift. With a more predictable working pattern, workers will have a guarantee of...

03 February, 2023

Visitors to Chester House Estate can now weave their way through time – thanks to the introduction of large storyboards showcasing the site’s 10,000 years of history.Nine history boards, which take visitors from the Mesolithic age into the Bronze and then Iron ages, through Roman times and into the Medieval era, now line the Northamptonshire estate’s main walkway.This step back in time charts the extraordinary history of the Chester House Estate, a nationally significant heritage site and one of only a few places in the country which can demonstrate more than 10,000 years of human activity.Cllr Helen Howell, Deputy Leader...

03 February, 2023

The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee announced on 2 February 2023 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 4% from 3.5%.HMRC interest rates are linked to the Bank of England base rate.As a consequence of the change in the base rate, HMRC interest rates for late payment and repayment will increase.These changes will come into effect on:13 February 2023 for quarterly instalment payments 21 February 2023 for non-quarterly instalments paymentsInformation on the interest rates for payments will be updated shortly. How HMRC interest rates are set HMRC interest rates are set in legislation and are linked to the Bank of England base rate.Late payment interest...

02 February, 2023

February is LGBT+ History and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) are promoting and raising awareness of the support available for members of the LGBT+ community.LGBT+ History month is a national event that was set up to highlight struggles the LGBT+ community have faced over the years. It also highlights the achievements and the work that still needs to be done to ensure true equality.The month is about education, reflection and working together to spread kindness.NNC are committed to ensuring everyone has access to safe and thriving places, which can only happen when everyone feels safe to be themselves. With this in...

02 February, 2023

Performers, food vendors, stallholders, volunteers, and community groups are invited to take part in this year’s Northampton Pride, which will take place on Saturday, 8 July from 11am to 6.30pm.The event, which is organised by the Northampton Pride Committee and West Northants Council’s LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum, celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and encourages acceptance and equality for all.Previous celebrations have seen organisations such as Q Space, The Lowdown, Outlaws and Kinky Boots, Northampton Leisure Trust and Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust taking part by holding pop-up shops.The Pride Parade, which has become a central part of the celebrations, will also...

02 February, 2023

This year’s International Women’s Day event is set to be West Northants’ biggest yet with over 30 stalls, a variety of performances, workshops, and more.Taking place at the Guildhall, St Giles Square, Northampton, on Saturday, 4 March from 11am to 3pm, the event will include African drumming and dance performances, a Flavour of Somalia fashion show and a designated business corner for female entrepreneurs.Partner organisations from across the county including Eve, Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS), Gamcare, New World Women and Baby Basics will be among the many stalls in the event marketplace.There will be two free workshops taking place...

02 February, 2023