How we could all travel and live sustainably in the future, re-naturing in North Northamptonshire and the development of renewable energy are just some of the topics that will be showcased at a virtual climate change conference next month.NNClimate22 – organised by North Northamptonshire Council – will take place online on Thursday, November 17.The day, which will start at 9.30am, will focus on three sessions:Looking forward – our new low carbon future Sustainability and nature recovery – the way ahead The future of our communities – providing local solutionsIt will feature keynote speakers including representatives from, Electric Corby, the University...

04 November, 2022

Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts were celebrating again last night at the Annual Northamptonshire Business Awards.The success continued following the creative arts centre being named as The Community Business of the Year at last month’s Kettering Business Awards as Directors Beccy Hurrell and Lindsey Atkins continue to make the arts accessible for all, empower people, develop artistry and use them to break down barriers to learning, work and society.Based in The Yards in Kettering Town Centre, both Beccy and Lindsey received the President’s Awards from the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce President Robyn Allen at last night’s event which took place at...

04 November, 2022

NNBN, the membership organisation for Northamptonshire and those that serve the area, have today been approved for the Prompt Payment Code by the Small Business Commissioners Office.The Prompt Payment Code (PPC) sets standards for payment practices and best practice and is administered by the Small Business Commissioner on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). The Code covers prompt payment, as well as wider payment procedures.The Small Business Commissioner, Liz Barclay, is responsible for regulation and governance of the Prompt Payment Code and signatories of the Code. The Small Business Commissioner has the power to determine...

04 November, 2022

As part of a report providing an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, North Northamptonshire Council’s (NNC) Executive will discuss a new visitor information centre at Rushden Lakes.The fund is a central part of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and North Northamptonshire has been allocated £4,835,332 (a mixture of revenue and capital funding) for local investment by March 2025.Projects must focus on three priority themes, Communities and Place, Supporting Local Business, People & Skills, with grant schemes, events to attract visitors to high streets across the area and work on the existing DiscoverNN app have all been identified as...

03 November, 2022

Customers must declare any COVID-19 payments received during the 2021 to 2022 tax year on their Self Assessment tax return.HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding Self Assessment customers that they must declare COVID-19 payments in their tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year.More than 2.9 million people claimed at least one Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) payment up to 5 April 2022. These grants are taxable and should be declared on tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year before the deadline on 31 January 2023.The SEISS application and payment windows during the 2021 to 2022 tax year...

02 November, 2022

The nation’s most loved independents have a chance to be put on the map, as the Small Business Saturday campaign announces plans to mark its ten-year anniversary with a special celebratory roadshow.Business owners across the country are being encouraged to sign up to get involved, as the campaign gears up to shine a massive spotlight on small firms in every corner of the UK, by visiting over 20 towns and cities this autumn, alongside a digital programme of support and mentoring.Supported by BT, ‘The Tour’ will kick-off in Glasgow, going on to visit small businesses in locations including Fife, York,...

01 November, 2022

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) have teamed up with partners for a wellbeing event for HGV drivers who use the Welcome Break Rothwell Truck Stop.The event, held on Thursday 27 October, tied in with National Lorry Week and followed on from a successful event earlier in the year.At the previous event, Officers from NNC’s Public Health, Community Wellbeing and Environmental Health teams worked in partnership with Welcome Break and the Road Haulage Association to support the wellbeing of the drivers. During the session, drivers could come and chat to the team, have their blood pressure check and use the body composition...

01 November, 2022

Around 20,000 people facing debt difficulties will be invited to receive free early-stage legal advice through a new pilot launched by the government on 31 October 2022.The pilot in Middlesbrough and Manchester expands the scope of legal aid funding to more people who previously would not have been eligible for free legal advice, to help them address issues before they become more complex or costly.The aim is to ensure people have a better chance of swiftly resolving legal problems, stopping them from spiralling into further difficulties.Currently, many people do not access legal advice until too late, causing further problems, such...

01 November, 2022

Fruit and vegetables are being grown from seed and distributed to local food banks and people in need – all part of a new project being co-ordinated by Groundwork Northamptonshire.Fresh, locally grown produce is being sown in a trio of Victorian glass houses, based in Delapré Abbey’s Walled Garden, to create row upon row of  ‘plug plants’ – young plants which can then be transplanted to containers or gardens.Food is also being grown in the vegetable beds inside the Abbey’s Walled Gardens, with volunteers from local businesses and community groups helping to sow, seed, water and distribute.Nathan Wearn-Hutter, Green Manager at...

31 October, 2022

From Monday 31 October, those wanting to build their own property in North Northamptonshire will be able to easily register their interest in a serviced plot of land for a custom or self-build property via a new online system.Custom and self-build housing covers housing built by individuals or groups for their own use, either by building the home on their own or by working with builders. They can offer a real alternative to buying ‘off the peg’ houses that may not fully meet a household’s requirements, including budget restraints and the desire for a more innovative, green design.Custom and self-build...

31 October, 2022

John Henderson from Sara Penrose writes: In the summer of 1990, I found myself well ‘tall’. I had grown to a height of 6 ft 4 inches (1.93 meters in new money). Returning to school, I stood out amongst all my friends, and regularly heard ‘what’s the weather like up there?’ Ooh, the delights of school japery, what wags!Oddly though this spurt, (can we use that?) was not without its problems. Back pain, clumsiness and looking older than I was. Mentally and in many ways physically I was still my old height, I was not prepared for the changes that suddenly...

31 October, 2022