North Northamptonshire Council recently completed a public consultation process for the setting of its 2023/24 budget.  The Council is proposing to set a balanced budget and this will be presented to the Executive for approval on February 9.One of the proposals set out in the budget consultation focused on the standardisation of grants for community centres.  The impact of this standardised approach would have resulted in a reduction in grants to a number of community centres.  The Leader and the Executive have considered the feedback received in preparation for their meeting on February 9.In light of the feedback received from...

02 February, 2023

The government’s Start Up Loans scheme has achieved another landmark milestone as the 100,000th business loan is granted, bringing the total support given to firms to more than £941 million, it has been announced today (Thursday 2 February).The scheme, administered by the British Business Bank, offers financial support, guidance, and advice to entrepreneurs looking to start their own business.Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake visited the 100,000th recipient, a thriving St Albans based noodle shop Ramen Electra, run by James Fraser, to hear about how crucial the firm’s Start Up Loan was in getting the successful business off the ground and to...

02 February, 2023

People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to provide their views on plans to improve walking and cycling routes in the Abington Park area and encourage more active ways of travelling.Residents, businesses and community groups can provide their feedback on West Northamptonshire Council’s consultation from Wednesday 1 February to Wednesday 15 March.The Abington Park Area Active Travel scheme proposes the introduction of segregated cycleways and footways connecting Abington Park Crescent with Wellingborough Road, Bridgewater Drive, and Park Avenue South, as well as improvements to the junction of Billing Road and Rushmere Road. These proposals support safe active access to Abington...

01 February, 2023

Work has started on transforming Chisholm House in Corby into a new state of the art campus, for 16 – 18-year olds, ahead of its opening in time for the start of the Autumn term.Once completed, the 4000 sq. ft Corby Sixth Form will offer a wide range of A Level subjects and comprise an impressive new entrance, more than 25 classrooms, state of the art science labs, resource centres and performance areas. The students will be able to enjoy an external roof terrace, a modern café and common room areas – all in a town centre location.The design will...

01 February, 2023

HMRC has revealed that 11.7 million customers filed their tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year by 31 January.A record 11.7 million customers submitted their tax returns on time, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.On 31 January, 861,085 customers filed online to meet the deadline, some with minutes to spare. There were 36,767 customers who filed in the last hour before the deadline, but the peak hour for filing on the day was 16:00 and 16:59, when 68,462 customers submitted their tax return.More than 12 million customers were expected to file a Self Assessment tax return for...

01 February, 2023

The 2017 non domestic rating list is closing. This means that you have up until 31 March 2023 to make sure that the information we hold about your property on this list is correct, and to let us know if it isn’t.In England, this is known as making a Check case.In Wales, this is known as making a proposal.You will then be able to challenge or appeal the 2017 assessment if you are not happy with the outcome.Making a Check case (England)If your property is in England, you will need to have an account set up on the Government Gateway...

01 February, 2023

Residents, businesses and professional drivers are being invited to have their say as West Northamptonshire Council launches an eight-week consultation on the Draft West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) Private Hire and Hackney Carriage Licensing Policy.If adopted, the draft WNC policy will replace the current policies for the former local authority areas of Daventry, Northampton, and South Northants.The policy sets out the driver, vehicle and operator standards for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles for current licence holders and all new licence applicants.The consultation specifically focuses on continuing to increase standards and robust measures to ensure public safety at all times, and...

01 February, 2023

Passengers will be boarding the world’s first fully sized, self-driving bus service in Edinburgh from the Spring, after it was awarded a share of £81 million in joint UK government and industry support for self-driving transport technology.The project is one of seven successful projects from around the UK, and forms the most advanced set of commercial, self-driving passenger and freight operations anywhere in the world.The grants, part of the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Connected and Automated Mobility programme, will help British companies seize early opportunities to develop experimental projects into offerings ready for the market.The joint government and...

01 February, 2023

AM Labels Limited (AM Labels), an award-winning supplier of complete labelling solutions including manufacturing and warehouse automation, barcoding and RFID systems, celebrated the opening of its brand new, state-of-the-art Technical Experience Centre with a three-day event from Tuesday 24th January to Thursday 26th January 2023.The occasion, which was sponsored by leading printing technology manufacturer, Epson, took place at AM Labels’ head office in Northamptonshire. To celebrate the opening of the new facility, the event brought together many of the print and packaging industry’s leading suppliers and manufacturers, as well as current and prospective customers from across the country.The Mayor of...

31 January, 2023

Business owners and employees in Northamptonshire can make substantial savings on company cars with a brand-new salary sacrifice scheme recently launched by Silverstone Leasing.The vehicle leasing company began offering the money-saving scheme at the start of 2023. In it, an employee can forgo a proportion of their monthly salary in exchange for a brand-new electric vehicle.The sum sacrificed is taken out of the worker’s gross pay, before any PAYE tax and National Insurance is applied, therefore an employee’s taxable salary is reduced which means that they pay less tax.The payments are calculated and taken automatically each month and Silverstone Leasing...

31 January, 2023

A three-year project set to support more than 300 young people, recruit 300 new volunteers and develop a trio of new community green spaces in Northamptonshire has been given the green light.Groundwork Northamptonshire, which runs an extensive youthwork programme, helps people access and enjoy green spaces and provides support to those in need, has this month been awarded nearly £314,000 of lottery funding for a new project called ‘Come Together @ Green Patch’.The 2.5-acre Green Patch in Kettering is an award-winning community garden and Groundwork Northamptonshire’s flagship project at which the charity runs a host of school clubs, adult volunteer...

31 January, 2023