Next week’s meeting of North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive will receive a report seeking approval of the council’s Carbon Management Plan.In July 2021, NNC declared a Climate and Environment emergency and aims to be carbon neutral by 2030.The Carbon Management Plan is the first step and sets out how NNC will achieve the goal, by establishing its baseline carbon emission and identifying key areas of focus to ensure the targets are met.Broken down into priority areas (including buildings, fleet and carbon off setting) it has been developed with input from services across the council, to ensure that the ambition is achieved...

15 December, 2022

HMRC interest rates for late payments will be revised following the Bank of England interest rate rise to 3.5%.The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee voted on 15 December 2022 to increase the Bank of England base rate to 3.5% from 3%.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:26 December 2022 for quarterly instalment payments 6 January 2023 for non-quarterly instalments paymentsInformation on the interest rates for payments will be updated shortly. How HMRC interest rates are...

15 December, 2022

Businesses have less than two months to apply for the Help to Grow: Digital scheme, the government has announced, following a decision to close the programme. The programme will close to new business applications for discounts on 2 February 2023. Discounts issued for eligible software must be redeemed within 30 days from issue date.The scheme has supported businesses to grow, but with take-up lower than expected, the government cannot justify the continued cost of the scheme to the taxpayer. The decision has been taken to refocus efforts towards other support mechanisms for small businesses, ensuring businesses get the backing they...

15 December, 2022

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) sets monetary policy to meet the 2% inflation target, and in a way that helps to sustain growth and employment.At its meeting ending on 14 December 2022, the MPC voted by a majority of 6-3 to increase Bank Rate by 0.5 percentage points, to 3.5%.Two members preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 3%, and one member preferred to increase Bank Rate by 0.75 percentage points, to 3.75%. ...

15 December, 2022

Leading shared micromobility company Voi, together with North and West Northamptonshire Councils, today announces the extension of its e-scooter and e-bike service in the region until May 2024. Today’s announcement reflects the confidence in Voi’s operations by both Northamptonshire councils to deliver a safe and sustainable scheme that is at the forefront of changing how people get around. The extension sees Voi’s micromobility operations continue in Northampton, Corby, Wellingborough, Rushden and Higham Ferrers as well as Kettering which includes both e-bikes and e-scooters.One of the most important reasons for introducing micromobility in Northamptonshire is to reduce carbon emissions and help...

15 December, 2022

Creating an efficient council which can deliver vital services while being robust enough to withstand economic uncertainty is the cornerstone of North Northamptonshire Council’s budget proposals for 2023/24.A report to be discussed at Executive next week will propose a balanced revenue budget for 2023/24 as well as outline the medium-term financial plan for the next two years.While this has been challenging, the authority has laid strong financial foundations for financial stability against a backdrop of global financial uncertainty.The net revenue budget for 2023/24 is £335.9 million. This money provides a range of services to residents and businesses across the area...

14 December, 2022

NLive Radio has launched for a second year their dedicated Christmas radio station NLive Christmas, this time taking to the airwaves on 87.9FM from Monday the 12th until Boxing day on the 26th of December.The station features non stop Christmas music, from all the classics to a variety of covers, and also messages of thanks and goodwill from local businesses and community organisations.Martin Steers Station Manager of NLive Radio said; “I love Christmas music, and it’s been great to launch NLive Christmas again this year to bring festive cheer and fun to the town”The station has been launched in association...

14 December, 2022

A stylist from Northampton has scooped the UK’s most prestigious award for hairdressingRebecca Jacques, 26, a top stylist at Northampton’s Daniel Granger Hairdressing salon, has been unveiled as the Hairdresser of the Year for the Eastern region at the British Hairdressing Awards 2022.These awards, sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional, took place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and were hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, with a performance by artist Professor Green.Rebecca, receiving her award in front of a 1,300-strong crowd, said: “Winning this top award and surrounded by some of the very best in the business is incredible. This is...

14 December, 2022

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Stephen Mold has launched a consultation on the level of council tax precept for policing and fire and rescue services in the county next year, warning that these services are under pressure from the financial challenges facing the country.Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service  are funded by a combination of central government grants and local council tax. Around 18% of the council tax paid by households in the county comes to local police and fire services.This year, the settlement from the government is based on the expectation that the Police, Fire and...

14 December, 2022

AM Labels Limited (AM Labels), an award-winning supplier of complete labelling solutions including manufacturing and warehouse automation, barcoding and RFID systems, is celebrating the opening of its new Technical Experience Centre with a three-day event in January 2023. The occasion, which will take place from Tuesday 24th January to Thursday 26th January 2023 at AM Labels’ head office in Kettering, Northamptonshire, will be sponsored by leading printing technology manufacturer, Epson.After several years of continued and steady growth for AM Labels, the company conducted a significant expansion of its business and operations, which included relocating to a premises four times the...

14 December, 2022

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, lots of us think about making resolutions with a common theme around personal wellbeing.  Whether you want to get fitter, lose weight, stop drinking or even stop smoking – people make pledges that they don’t necessarily keep for too long.If you are looking to make a change this January and would like some extra motivation to keep focussed, why not take on the Northamptonshire Health Charity Step into January challenge and raise funds for your local NHS hospitals and community services at the same time.  Choose your favourite ward, department, or...

14 December, 2022