Rural South Northamptonshire Ward Newsletter

📅 July–August Edition

🏛️ Council & Cabinet Activity

A full Council meeting was held on the 26th of June followed by a Cabinet meeting on 16th July the majority party Reform still have not produced a Manifesto and we have had as yet to see sight of any policy.

💰 Finance & Budget

The Reform Party elected at full council not to accept the annual increase 2.5% on allowances until the end of their first working year;

💰 Finance & Budget

The 40 new Councillors are beginning to find their feet, and the officers continue to instruct them with endless Teams meeting on Local planning strategy, child welfare adult social care budget strategy etc

The cabinet met on 16th July.  A somewhat disruptive meeting as protesters (1000 voices) appeared from Northampton to voice their objection to the Net Zero policy.

The cabinet after a lengthy discussion approved the 3.1 section laid out in cabinet papers to no longer retain targets for achieving net Zero Carbon emission; but to be net zero in its own operation by 2030 and for business and residents by 2045 but also to continue to progress “the Sustainability project” improving the warm homes initiative and affordable housing scheme.   Mark Arnul, Reforms leader commented that to follow the current net zero trend would have left us bankrupt.

🏘️ Housing & Development

8 houses one bedroom houses have been purchased in Brackley as part of a wider development plan  1.3m

💰 Finance & Budget

At cabinet, it was agreed that Doge would visit WNC in the coming weeks, with the idea of monitoring expenditure and looking for cost savings within the council  in preparation for 25/26 budget however protective measures will be put in place to ensure the data processing is not challenged or exposed.  The information would NOT be shared beyond the walls of Angel Square.

🏫 Education

Gateway School Towcester expansion opens in September to better support pupils with social emotional needs.  It will offer a broader more inclusive curriculum and a range of new facilities tailored to their needs. Fiona Baker and her team were the author of this development.

🏘️ Housing & Development

West Northants Council validate application for Northampton Town to develop land for new houses at Sixfields Stadium ;

🏘️ Housing & Development

The Guildhall extension has been put up for sale, with the hope of the potential of building a new Hotel, residential flats etc

The SPC will shortly have to consider two applications for Woolgrowers (Greens Norton v concerns about traffic implications onto Tove roundabout) and Shacks Barn (Podium Park) where both Whittlebury and Silverstone are very concerned about visual and traffic impact.   Our residents need to be supported 19th August and 23rd September.

💡 Grants & Community Support

Grants schemes are now open for community funding.  The Portfolio holder is Laura Couse Laura.couse@westnorthants .gov.uk.   There is £500.000 to be allocated.  Applications need to be submitted before 5.00 August 20th.

Five grant schemes.. Food aid network; struggling to afford energy bills, education for everyday living, temporary accommodation, household and wider essentials.

💰 Finance & Budget

Sunday 20th Nigel Farage boasted that £1m  Pounds had been saved at WNC.   it was a fabrication: money has indeed been saved re-negotiating licences for Microsoft.  It began 7 months prior Reform to coming to power.   £320,000, has been saved and a E3 M365 system ordered, started from 1st July.

🏛️ Council & Cabinet Activity

We plan to submit another report after the next Council meeting September 26^th. However if you wish to make contact ,then don’t hesitate to do so.

Alison Eastwood      Charles Manners   David Smith