15 May 2023

Following a series of fires, residents across West Northamptonshire are being urged to help reduce risk to lives by disposing of batteries safely.

People are being urged to ensure that they only recycle batteries using specialist recycling services to help tackle the cause of fires happening in refuse collection vehicles and waste facilities.

Household batteries that are being thrown away in rubbish and recycling bins have caused a number of incidents, including causing refuse collection vehicles to catch fire. West Northamptonshire Council, with the support of Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue Service, are issuing a warning never to bin batteries in household waste after a series of vehicle fires. There is a serious risk of fires happening in both homes and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) if batteries aren’t disposed of properly.

There are three simple ways residents can reduce the risk of fires:

1. Never put any kind of battery into your wheeled bins
2. Use the Council’s separate battery recycling collection, take batteries to supermarkets, or to a HWRC (please let staff know of any batteries when you arrive)
3. Remove all batteries from old electrical or battery powered items before recycling electricals using the separate small electrical recycling collections. If you can’t remove the battery out of an item, if it fits in a carrier bag – this can go with the separate electrical recycling collection, if it is too big – please take this to your nearest HWRC.

Battery fires can start just as easily in someone’s home as they can in one of our refuse trucks or at one of our waste and recycling centres.

We want to ensure that all residents are aware of the risks of not disposing of batteries correctly and know where they can take batteries to be safely recycled. Please, let’s work together to avoid risk to life and prevent any future fires.

Cllr Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste

We are happy to be supporting West Northamptonshire Council in this campaign to help avoid preventable fires caused by incorrectly disposing of batteries. Batteries are safe during normal use but can present a fire risk if they are damaged, short circuited or if they are submerged in water.

The advice being given is designed to avoid fires occurring in either recycling vehicles or at household waste recycling centres. We are urging people to dispose of batteries using the specialist services available in the county and not to throw them into recycling bins or general rubbish bins.

Many people do not realise the importance of the correct disposal of batteries so this simple advice can make a real difference in preventing waste fires.

Lisa Bryan, Prevention, Safeguarding and Partnerships Manager at Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service

Domestic batteries can be put into a small plastic bag and tied to the handle of your wheeled bin for safe collection and recycling. Please put them on the following bins:

• Blue lid recycling bin in Northampton
• Black lid general waste bin in Daventry
• Either bin in South Northamptonshire

To find out more details of where you can recycle household batteries visit our battery disposal page.

12 May 2023

The day aims to raise awareness of the work still needed to end discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) people and will be marked in West Northamptonshire with an event embracing this year’s theme: "Together always: united in diversity”.

The event will take place at midday on Wednesday, 17 May, in the Guildhall Courtyard, Northampton, and will start with speeches from the Chairman of West Northamptonshire Council, Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage and the Chair of West Northants LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum, Matthew Toresen MBE.

It will conclude with a ‘Minute of Noise’ to commemorate all those who have suffered LGBTQ hate and discrimination and for all those who cannot have their voices heard, and the lighting of a candle. The LGBTQ+ flag will also be raised from 8am to 8pm.

The Lowdown charity will be present to provide information and advice, and refreshments will be served in the Court room.

 “On this International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, let's pledge to support our LGBTQIA+ communities. 

“This important day reminds us how far we’ve come but can also inspire us to continue progressing towards a community where residents feel safe, included and accepted reminding us of the importance of tolerance and respect. Together, we can break down stigmas and create a safe and respectful community for everyone.”

Cllr David Smith, West Northamptonshire Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement

The date of May 17 was specifically chosen for IDAHOBIT to commemorate the World Health Organisation’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. 

“IDAHOBIT is a chance to remember and commemorate all the LGBTQIA+ people around the world whose voices are silenced by oppression.

“In a time where the progress made by our LGBTQIA+ communities worldwide is increasingly at risk, it is crucial to recognise the power of solidarity, community, and allyship across different identities, movements, and borders. 

“By coming together and raising our voices, we can make a difference in the lives of LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities worldwide.”

Matthew Toresen MBE, Chair of West Northants LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum

People can help spread awareness about IDAHOBIT by sharing the social media hashtags #IDAHOBIT #IDAHOBIT23 #diversityandinclusion.

The Lowdown charity offers support to anyone struggling including counselling, wellbeing and emotional support, sexual health and contraception.

12 May 2023

Shingles are a painful infection that can cause a headache, high temperature and an itchy rash, often accompanied with a burning, throbbing pain. The rash usually appears on the chest and abdomen (tummy), however any part of the body can be affected, including the face and eyes.

As older adults are more at risk of developing shingles it is important that people above the age of 70 years old get their free shingles vaccine to help lower the chance of catching the infection and reduce the nasty symptoms that can be experienced from it.

“In Northamptonshire, the number of those who have been vaccinated against shingles has declined, with only around 44% of people eligible having received the vaccine. The symptoms experienced from this infection are severe and can be life changing, therefore the vaccine is important in helping to protect people from this infection and help relieve the symptoms if they do catch it. So, please take the time to protect yourself from this infection.

“If you have not yet taken up the free vaccine and you are eligible to do so, please do get booked in via your GP or local pharmacy. If you have not yet been contacted that you are eligible, but think you should be please do speak to your GP or pharmacy who will be able to advise you further.”

Dr Annapurna Sen, Consultant for Health Protection at Public Health West Northamptonshire Council

The shingles infection cannot be caught from another person, however someone who has had chickenpox is at higher risk of developing the infection. After having chickenpox, the virus stays in the body but remains inactive. As people age, their immunity weakens which means the body cannot protect itself against infections or disease the same as it did, and as a result the virus can be reactivated later in life, causing shingles.

Most people will recover fully from this virus, but for some they may experience complications for several months or years.

If you are over the age of 70 and have not yet had your vaccine, please contact your GP or your local pharmacy to discuss how you can arrange to get protected.

12 May 2023

Provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be distributing over £187,0 00 in vouchers to help up to 12,500 of the most vulnerable families with the ongoing cost of living challenges.

Schools and those who are home educated have been contacted about the plans to issue the £15 (per week and per student) vouchers ahead of the half-term break, from week beginning 22 May. They can be used in supermarkets and must be used by the redeem date given.

The vouchers are the first step towards distributing £5,199,257 that has been allocated to the Council by the DWP in the fourth round of its Household Support Fund (HSF4).

WNC’s Cabinet will meet on 13 June 2023 to determine the best use of HSF4 within the scope set out by government over the next 9 months, which will support struggling residents and deliver better outcomes as part of its anti-poverty strategy.

Residents are encouraged to look out for further information on the support packages that will be available in the coming weeks.

“Cost of living continues to be the biggest challenge for our residents and we must ensure we are doing everything we can to provide the vital support they need through these tough times.

“We know that the school vouchers issued previously have been a true support for many families during these difficult times, so we have acted quickly to ensure they will be available again for those who need them ahead of this May half-term break.

“This is our first step towards distributing the latest round of the Household Support Fund, with a future package of measures to share out the remainder of the money to those who need it most set to be considered by Cabinet later next month and we will continue to keep residents updated."

Councillor Matt Golby, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health

For more information on cost of living support please visit www.westnorthants.gov.uk/cost-of-living or call 0300 126 7000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

11 May 2023

West Northamptonshire Council are carrying out enabling works at 24 Guildhall Road to complete the restoration and modernisation of the historic building at the heart of the cultural quarter.

This forms part of the wider regeneration to offer enhanced facilities for the artist community in partnership with NN Contemporary Art.

Vehicle and pedestrian access

• Pedestrians – Pedestrian access will remain in place on Angel Street and Guildhall Rd while the works take place
• Vehicles - A full signposted diversion will remain in place throughout this period

Businesses within the area will remain open during this time and will not be impacted by the works. We will continue to work with businesses and stakeholders during the redevelopment.

It is anticipated that Angel Street road will reopen mid-September. If you have any questions at all, please contact: [email protected].