Latest news with #WestNorthamptonshire
BBC News
a day ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Kilsby new-build plans rejected despite previous approval
Plans for homes to be built near a village have rejected despite having been previously December, West Northamptonshire Council had granted planning permission for 19 homes, including seven affordable properties, towards the western edge of after changes to part of Section 106 contributions - money from the developer for infrastructure - the Barby Road application went back to the planning committee and has now been than 230 objections were raised by members of the public against the plans, which were also not supported by the area's Conservative MP, Stuart Andrew. Following the decision in December, the plans were heard again in June but deferred for a site visit before appearing in front of members for a final time on Thursday, the Local Democracy Reporting Service Gidley from the Kilsby Action Group said the need for more houses in the village - which lies a few miles outside Rugby, Warwickshire - was a "fallacy" and called on members to reject the proposals as it was outside of the village on behalf of the applicant, Alasdair Avila-Thorne said it was "clearly evidenced" that there were insufficient sites within the village boundary to meet the identified local housing voted to refuse the plans on the basis that the development would be outside the village confines and did not meet the 'exceptional criteria' necessary to do also found that the proposal would result in the loss of open land, which would conflict with the character of Estates have up to six months to appeal the decision with the planning inspectorate. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Calls for more youth services in West Northamptonshire
There are calls by providers, young people and backed by councillors for more youth services, like youth clubs and youth workers, in West Northamptonshire Council recently committed to exploring new opportunities for improving youth support and Family Centre in Northampton provides 16 youth sessions a week over six Malatji, Development Manager at the centre, said: "There's definitely a need for a better youth system in Northampton to support all the kids." "We have people from all sorts of backgrounds, the majority of the kids are in overcrowded housing, they have two to four siblings, plus two parents in a two-bedroom house," Mr Malatji said. "There is no room to play or even for them to do their homework or just to breathe."So having this space within their community is helpful to get away from that crowded environment."Springs Family Centre has seen a 37% increase in attendance in the first six months of this year compared to the same period in people between eight and 25 years old can attend the centre, but most (70%) are aged between 11 and 18. Teenager Cedric Kwarteng said coming to the youth club has "had a positive impact" on him. "I get to meet new people from different backgrounds and understand where they've come from, and it just builds me as a person," the 18-year-old said.A cross-party group of West Northamptonshire Council members recently visited the WEST London Youth Zone in Shepherd's Bush to see what facilities are provided for young Arnull, leader of West Northamptonshire Council, said: "It was inspiring to learn from such a positive initiative and how we can take away key points to consider our opportunities for our young people locally here in West Northants."Every area is so different, and we definitely need to scope out the art of the possible within our local area, however it is encouraging to see this cross-party support and to experience such a positive scheme." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brackley school and Daventry industrial development up for sale
A former school and an industrial development are to be sold to generate income for a council. West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) hopes the sales of the now closed Southfield Primary School, in Brackley, and the industrial site in Heartlands, Daventry, could generate income of about £500,000. Two public open spaces are due to be transferred to Crick Parish Council for £1 each, as it is felt they can be better managed by the community. It is also aiming to formalise its ownership of two pieces of land in Green Lane and Off the old A45, both in Northampton. Members of WNC approved the plans at a meeting on Wednesday. The change comes after the authority agreed to put the modern extension of Northampton's Guildhall up for sale. Southfield Primary School, which closed in July 2024 due to a shortfall in pupils, could be demolished and the land used for housing. Its existing theatre block will be kept, along with 50 car parking spaces for the community, to be used as a family hub, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. WNC said "extensive checks" were made to see if there was a viable educational use for the site, but none came forward. 'Delighted' Brackley Conservative councillor Fiona Baker said the closure of the school had been "pretty devastating". "The space can provide a permanent home for a 'spoke' of the family hub service, the much-loved youth club, a community larder, a stem school for Send students, along with other early health groups that currently lack a dedicated venue."Now is the time to invest in infrastructure for Brackley that supports the expanding community."Regarding the sale of the open spaces, Liberal Democrat councillor Rosie Humphreys said: "Cracks Hill is known and loved by everyone in Crick. "It's widely used by the villages and outdoor amenity for ramblers, dog walkers and families."The parish council has long wished to have ownership of this local landmark and will be delighted if the transfer process is approved."WNS said solidifying its title on the Northampton land would enable it to be better managed. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Reform council agrees plan to share data with savings unit
A Reform UK-controlled council in England is the first to approve a proposal to share sensitive financial information with the party's cost-cutting Northamptonshire Council is exploring options to share data requested by Reform UK's Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).Doge has asked the council to provide records of spending on IT systems, social care services and hotels housing asylum team of unelected volunteers - led by former Reform UK chairman Zia Yusuf - is aiming to enter into similar data-sharing agreements with all the councils controlled by the party. The BBC has been told Doge has submitted requests to access sensitive information to other councils, including those in Kent and far, Doge has focused on drawing attention to publicly available information about council spending, such as money spent on net-zero initiatives and asylum party insists it needs access to council records that are not public to make sure taxpayers are getting value for money."It's not a very well kept secret at council level that a lot of money is wasted on procurement," a party source opposition councillors have questioned the need for a team of outside auditors and have expressed concerns about how sensitive data would be handled by Harris, the Liberal Democrat group leader on West Northamptonshire Council, said he was sceptical of Doge's claims and argued it should be up to elected councillors to identify opportunities for saving money."They've said they're going to get fantastic data engineers in and use AI," Harris said. "That appears to be all smoke and mirrors."Harris said he had "lots of uncomfortable concerns about it because it's a PR exercise"."It's a promotional tool for Reform," he added. The council has not shared any data with Doge so the council said arrangements signed off by the cabinet on Wednesday establish "the framework under which information may possibly be shared in the future, including strict legal protections and confidentiality safeguards".Mark Arnull, the Reform UK leader of the council, said the proposed data-sharing arrangement would comply with the said: "I am confident the team will be able to support the council in identifying further efficiencies and potential future savings whilst continuing to protect and deliver services for residents across West Northamptonshire."The council said that since its creation in 2021, it had already saved around £115m by working more the finances of this council and others across the country are under massive strain, with many facing budget shortfalls because of rising costs and increasing demand for services. Doge was launched in June this year after Reform UK took control of 10 local authorities in May's local UK said a team of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors would "visit and analyse" local authorities to find "waste and inefficiencies" in unit is made up of about 15 volunteers and is run by Yusuf, who quit as party chairman in June, before returning to Reform to head up Doge days party has not revealed the names of any of the volunteers working with Yusuf on is modelled on the cost-cutting department set up by US President Donald Trump and previously led by billionaire Elon in the US has been hampered by legal challenges to its efforts to access the personal financial data of UK said Kent County Council - which it controls - would be the first local authority to be audited by its Doge - effectively civil servants - at the council are deciding how to respond to Doge's request for information.A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: "Officers at KCC are working closely and positively with the new administration to ensure that they achieve their policy aims, whilst doing so within the appropriate legal and governance frameworks."This collaboration with our newly elected members will ensure that any decisions taken are lawful, reasonable and proportionate, and we will be heading towards key decisions in due course through the governance process."When asked if there had been resistance to Doge's requests for information, a Reform UK source "I don't think there's been pushback as such"."It's more being wary and making sure that everything is legal," the source said.
Telegraph
16-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Reform council scraps net zero target
A Reform-run council has become the first in the country to scrap net zero targets and will abandon plans to replace its fleet of cars with electric vehicles. West Northamptonshire council agreed on Wednesday to refocus its sustainability work to 'ensure its efforts deliver the greatest value to local residents and businesses'. It means the council will no longer be tied to a target to reach net zero by 2030, nor to encourage residents and businesses to do the same by 2045. The Telegraph understands that existing plans to replace the council's fleet of cars with electric vehicles has been scrapped, and work to install charging infrastructure to power the cars will no longer take place. But some green initiatives that could save residents money will continue, including a home insulation grant scheme and a plan to save water in public buildings. Mark Arnull, the council's leader, said it 'simply cannot afford net zero' and that the decision would deliver better value for money for voters. 'Every year our council faces financial challenges to deliver the statutory services we have to provide by law,' he said. 'The previous administration set no budget to fund net zero and instead set undeliverable targets that, if attempted, would likely send the council bust.' 'The Reform UK administration is fully committed to creating a more sustainable West Northamptonshire and being responsible custodians of our local environment. 'We want to further prioritise our focus on delivering practical, high-impact projects that make a real difference to people's lives.' 'Reduce energy bills' Reform's rejection of net zero policies was followed by the Conservatives earlier this year, when Kemi Badenoch announced that reaching the target by 2050 across the UK was no longer achievable. A national, legally-binding target was first introduced by Theresa May's government in 2019, shortly before she left office. Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has begun an 'an exercise in radical truth-telling' to politicians who are sceptical of net zero, and says that extreme weather changes are threatening the 'British way of life'. Richard Tice, Reform's deputy leader, said: 'I am proud that a Reform UK council will be the first council in the country to scrap its net zero goals in order to prioritise practical, realistic projects that improve lives, reduce energy bills, and support local businesses. 'Reform UK is the only party that is committed to scrapping net zero in its entirety to save jobs and put more money in people's pockets.'
