20 November 2024

A rogue trader who charged people for work that was never started or not completed has been sentenced to 8 months in prison. 

On 13 November, Jonathan Welch, a landscape gardener who previously received a caution for similar offences, was found guilty under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for eight separate offences. These offences stemmed from complaints by members of the public who had contracted Welch and paid in advance for landscaping work that was either never started or left incomplete. 

Welch had previously pled guilty at Northampton Magistrates Court but it was felt that the matter was serious enough to be committed to the Crown Court for sentencing. 

As part of his sentencing, Welch was also disqualified from acting as a company director for five years, in order to protect the public from further harm.  

The court was told that Welch’s actions had caused significant harm to his victims, who had collectively lost over £40,000. In delivering the sentence, the Recorder described Welch as a "rogue builder" whose deliberate actions resulted in considerable distress and financial hardship for his clients.

“This case serves as a strong reminder of the consequences of fraudulent business practices. We are pleased to see that the court has taken firm action to ensure that Welch faces the appropriate penalties for his actions. We hope this will provide some measure of justice for those involved, and send a clear message to others who may consider engaging in similar behaviour.”Cllr Matt Golby, WNC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services

Residents who are looking for reputable traders in their area are encouraged to visit the Buy With Confidence website for those that are Trading Standards approved.
 

19 November 2024

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) is launching its comprehensive Winter Provision Service and Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide vital support for people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping and other vulnerable individuals this winter.

The service, developed in partnership with local charities Northampton Hope Centre and The Salvation Army, will provide crucial support to the most vulnerable residents from November to March 2025, ensuring they have access to shelter, warmth, and essential services.

This will include implementing a temporary nightly shelter when SWEP is activated and temperatures reach zero°C and below, providing verified rough sleepers with a safe place to sleep as well as access to housing advice and wrap around support. In addition, a winter shelter will be run by Northampton Hope Centre during January and February, to provide verified rough sleepers with a safe place to sleep during the worst period of winter.

In addition, expanded day centre services will be available at the Northampton Hope Centre offering hot meals, health check-ups, and access to housing support services seven days a week. The programme will also provide holistic services including mental health support, debt advice, and substance misuse counselling to help individuals transition towards long-term housing solutions.

"We are deeply committed to ensuring no one in our community is left out in the cold. This Winter Provision Service is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together for a common cause and not only provides a safe space for those in need, but also integrates services to address a range of challenges, from healthcare to long-term housing assistance.

"We are incredibly grateful to our partners Northampton Hope Centre and The Salvation Army for their continued collaboration and support to help keep our communities safe.”

Cllr Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing at WNC

SWEP is usually activated when the temperature is forecasted to drop below 0°C for three nights in a row or during extreme weather conditions such as heavy snowfall or storms. WNC’s outreach teams will be deployed to identify and assist individuals at risk, ensuring they are aware of the overnight accommodation and available services.

“We are pleased to be able to support West Northamptonshire Council’s SWEP and winter provision this year and will be working with them to ensure the vulnerable and those at greatest risk are safe during cold weather. We will be open for extended hours, 7 days a week to provide support as quickly as possible to those that need it.

"We are also pleased to be offering a night shelter service again this year, open for 7 weeks during January and February, making sure that we can keep the most vulnerable safe during the coldest winter nights. Winter poses significant high health risks for the street homeless and working in collaboration with West Northamptonshire Council and other charitable organisations, we are confident that this work will save lives this winter.”

Alex Copeland, Northampton Hope Centre CEO,

“We are delighted to further extend our support to some of the most vulnerable people in Northampton at this most difficult and challenging time of year. We’re able to offer our building as an emergency night shelter during the freezing temperatures, a place where people will also be able to access holistic support from the team at West Northamptonshire

Council. I would encourage the public to look out for those who are less fortunate on the streets and urge them to get in touch with the local council or Streetlink for emergency shelter and other support.”

Captain Tim Stone, Commanding Officer at Northampton Salvation Army

To find out more about support available for people sleeping rough in very cold or extreme weather, please visit our housing advice and support page. If you are concerned about someone who maybe sleeping rough, or are sleeping rough yourself, you can let us know by using Street Link. This is a national service that informs local authorities about people sleeping rough in their area and helps to connect people to local services and support. You can also email the Council’s Outreach Team. If you use What Three Words, you can email the location this gives you to let us know where we might find someone.

18 November 2024

Residents in West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to open their homes to individuals in need, helping them secure short-term accommodation while they regain stability as part of a new initiative.

Welcoming Homes is an innovative pilot programme which invites local residents to open their homes to individuals in need, helping them secure short-term accommodation while they regain stability.

Through the scheme, residents can step forward as hosts and offer a spare room to individuals seeking temporary accommodation. Each guest is provided with a private bedroom and shared access to living spaces, creating a safe and comfortable environment that goes beyond traditional housing support.

Hosts will receive a monthly thank-you payment to cover household expenses as well as ongoing support from a dedicated caseworker who will provide assistance to both hosts and guests. Hosts are not required to provide meals or additional support, though they are welcome to offer help or companionship if convenient.

Similarly to the Homes for Ukraine scheme, individuals will be carefully matched with hosts, considering factors like property type, location, transportation, and other relevant factors. All participants will also undergo thorough DBS and safeguarding checks to ensure a safe, supportive experience for everyone involved. Once a match is identified, the host and guest have the opportunity to meet, view the accommodation, and discuss any questions before confirming the arrangement.

With wraparound support provided by trained caseworkers, individuals and families have access to essential services tailored to meet a variety of needs, including financial guidance, mental health support, skills training, and assistance in securing permanent housing. This holistic approach gives participants the vital ‘breathing space’ needed to take steps towards independent living.

As well as providing personalised support to help individuals get back on their feet, the scheme aims to help relieve housing demand, alleviate housing pressures, and provide a sense of connectedness while helping guests to integrate into the local community.

“Welcoming Homes is more than a housing programme, it’s a powerful example of community spirit and mutual support which reflects the Council’s commitment to creating compassionate and connected communities.

“This scheme is designed to support individuals and families who may not qualify for emergency or immediate housing assistance but still have a genuine housing need. It provides a valuable transitional solution, offering stability and support as they prepare for independent living.

“We’ve learned a lot from the Homes for Ukraine scheme and by connecting people in need with those willing to help, we’re not only addressing housing needs but building relationships and creating meaningful change within West Northamptonshire. We encourage anyone interested in becoming a host to reach out, have a chat with us, and join us on this impactful journey.”

Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Planning and Communities

To learn more about becoming a host or to register interest, please visit the WNC website.

15 November 2024

Residents in West Northamptonshire are invited to share their views on polling district and polling place arrangements as part of a newly launched public consultation.  

The polling district and polling place review is the final stage of a process that began with the boundary review in 2022, followed by the Community Governance Review, and aims to ensure that local voting facilities are fully accessible, convenient, and tailored to meet community needs. The newly established ward boundaries will come into effect for the West Northamptonshire Council and Parish/Town Council Elections on Thursday, 1 May 2025.

Residents have until Sunday 5 January 2025, to provide feedback on the Council’s proposed polling arrangements via the council’s consultations hub.  

“This review is the final piece of the puzzle that began with the boundary review in 2022. It’s essential that our polling places are easy to access and suitably equipped, so every resident can participate with confidence. This allows us to build a system that supports every resident in casting their vote with ease, and we are committed to creating accessible and practical polling places that best serve our communities. I encourage all residents to take part and share their feedback on these arrangements.” Cllr Mike Hallam, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and HR at West Northamptonshire Council

 The review, legally required every five years, seeks to improve accessibility and convenience for all electors. Details on the current and proposed arrangements, as well as the reasons for any changes, can be found in the official Notice of Review, available on via council’s consultations hub.   

14 November 2024

A plan to improve air quality across West Northants, which has been shaped with the help of local residents, businesses and stakeholders, takes an important step forward, following approval by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) resubmitted the Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) earlier this year following feedback from DEFRA and a public consultation that saw over 1,000 responses to help model the approach. 

The Council monitors the air quality across West Northants which shows a continuing improving position. We have produced the AQAP which identifies a series of measures to reduce pollution and support ongoing improvement in most areas of West Northants as we seek to support the health and wellbeing of residents.  

WNC will now progress a range of actions including carrying out research into domestic fuel burning habits, as there is little local research available on the health and environmental impacts that solid fuel burners may create. 

We have bid for and been granted government funding which will go towards improving public awareness of the risks of air pollution in relation to the type of fuel and how and where burners are used.

This comes as WNC is set to drive forward a strategy to improve electric vehicle infrastructure for the area, subject to Cabinet approval on 19 November. The strategy sets out how the Council will support the roll-out of charging infrastructure and help to address the climate challenge and reduce transport emissions, which remains our biggest pollutant. 

WNC monitors air quality in several locations across the area in line with current national guidance and the Annual Status Report detailing the air quality for West Northants has recently been approved by DEFRA and has been added to the Council’s air quality webpages.

“It is great news that the AQAP has been approved by DEFRA and we can continue to move forward with our efforts to reduce pollution across the area to make our environment cleaner and healthier for local communities.

“Although levels across West Northants generally fall within Government limits, we know there is more work to be done and I would like to thank those who took part in the consultation that helped shape the plan and confirm that we are committed to improving the air quality in our area.”

Cllr Matt Golby, WNC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Public Health and Regulatory Services

The AQAP can be viewed on our recently refreshed air quality webpages. We will continue to keep residents and stakeholders updated on the work we are doing to monitor and manage air quality with the support of our partners and the community.