Archive for category: News

Local government in Northamptonshire is changing.

The existing system, which has been in place since the 1970s, is like a three-tier cake.  The bottom layer is parish and town councils which typically cover one village or town.  The middle layer is borough and district councils, which are responsible for things like planning applications, collecting the bins, tourism, and dealing with benefits.  The top layer is the county council, which is responsible for things like social services, education, and highways.

From 1 April 2021 the top two layers of the cake are being replaced with one layer, known as unitary councils.  There will be two in Northamptonshire: North Northamptonshire Council, and West Northamptonshire Council.  Parish and town councils remain as they are.

West Northamptonshire Council will cover the area currently covered by Daventry District Council, Northampton Borough Council, and South Northamptonshire Council.  The area contains the towns of Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and Brackley and nearly two hundred villages and hamlets.  West Northamptonshire Council will be one of the larger unitary councils in England.  It will be responsible for all the services currently being provided in the area by the district, borough, and county councils.

The main reason for replacing the district, borough and county councils with unitary councils is to save money.  Northamptonshire County Council had well-publicised financial issues in 2017 and 2018, which led to a government inspection of the council.  The inspector’s report recommended that creating unitary councils was the best solution.

Most people will not notice any difference, certainly in the first few years of the unitary councils.  In fact, great efforts are being made to ensure that is the case.  For example, the lorry collecting the rubbish might have a different logo on it, but the bins will still be collected.  Council services will continue as normal, and any changes will be gradual.

From 2021 you will see three lines on your council tax bill.  You will pay an amount for the parish or town council that looks after your village or town, an amount for Northamptonshire Police, and an amount for West Northamptonshire Council for all the council services it provides.  The amount you pay to each body is set by that body.

West Northamptonshire Council will have 93 councillors, who will be chosen at the local elections on 6 May 2021.  Some will be people who have been district, borough, and county councillors before; others will be new.  Anyone over 18 and living in West Northamptonshire can put themselves forward to be a councillor.   The councillors elected in 2021 will serve a four-year term of office and may seek re-election in 2025.

Council meetings are held in public, and all the information, reports, and papers for the meetings are published on the council’s web site.  Councils are open and democratic bodies and are accountable to the people they serve.

If you are interested to find out more about the changes happening to local government in Northamptonshire please visit https://futurenorthantswest.org/.

So, as I write this on the 23rd November we are more than halfway through lockdown 2, the Parish Council met on the 10th just after the lockdown was announced, and later today Prime Minister is to announce any Christmas arrangements and by all accounts any new tier system after we come out of this lockdown. 

So where are we?  Hard to say the lockdown isn’t as stringent as before, and certainly to my eyes traffic through the Village is almost at normal levels. An increase in people exercising again, many walkers and cyclists having reappeared. Some new puppies and kittens have joined the families in the Village.

Unfortunately the Royal Oak and other hospitality and non essential businesses had to close again or modify their operation  – what a struggle they are having.

Villagers are once again really looking out for each other, I have encountered many instances of neighbours doing what good neighbours do –  helping each other. 

The PC decided that we didn’t need to do a formal activity this time as Villagers know how to get help – ASK – when you need assistance, ask you neighbours or friends in the Village, everyone I have spoken to says the same – we are happy to help!

If you have special requirements or a sudden emergency and you need assistance and can’t get help, please don’t hesitate to contact me or another member of the PC, we will do our very best to assist you or find someone who can. No one needs to struggle alone in Eydon we are a community as we have proven this year. 

I still have the list of contact numbers we produced earlier in the year and so we will be able to find someone who can assist you.

As we approach the festive season, it’s going to be different for most of us. We  will have to find different ways to celebrate it. But,  the season of goodwill is needed more than ever and there is light at the end of the tunnel with great news on Vaccine development and hopefully roll out.

So my message is keep safe, continue to observe the rules and guidance, – hands – face – space  etc, and we wait to see what the next stage brings us. 

P Cllr Keith Simmons

Chairman

 

This year, given covid-19 restrictions, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Police in encouraging young people not to trick or treat, but suggesting alternative fun activities instead.

The attached newsletter gives lots of good advice and also details of a pumpkin trail in which families may choose to participate (more details also on the police and fire websites).

N_Fire_Comm_Halloween_News_Letter_20_V3_med

Some residents may want to discourage any “Trick or Treaters” from calling at their door, and so NFRS have provided the attached sign that can be printed and place in a visible location at or near your door. You can download it here.

Every year, the village looks forward to the annual fete, which is usually held on the first Sunday in September and raises funds for three village organisations: St Nicholas Church, the Village Hall and the community Sports Field.

This year, of course, all events have been cancelled due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.  So the committee came up with a new idea: a socially distanced Village Promenade with stalls along the High Street, hand sanitisers were available at every stall. There was even a social distancing monitor, who patrolled the street with his measuring tape.

 

 

The day began with a fun run at 11 a.m., with the Village Promenade running from noon through to 3 p.m.  The Promenade was opened by our own village ‘crier’, Matthew Tasker, with his bell.

All the usual attractions were there: Made In Eydon, with food made by villagers, the book and bottle stalls, as well as Play Your Cards Right and Hook a Duck. You could also buy cupcakes, have a drink at the bar, or have a hot dog. You could  buy a raffle ticket (I fancied the third prize, a flight in a Gypsy Moth but unfortunately didn’t win).

The classic car display was a lot smaller this year, but still very interesting and, of course, there was live music from our resident oboe player, Kim,  and you could also see a display from the village Historical society.

It was lovely to see so many residents come out to enjoy the day, and to see friends I hadn’t seen since before lockdown began in March.

Hopefully next year things will get back to normal.

Parish Cllr. Carol Henson