30 January 2024

Work to make the former Balloon Bar in Bridge Street, Northampton, safe have been agreed between West Northamptonshire Council and the site’s owner.

During a First Tier Tribunal hearing this week the building owners, following discussion with the council, agreed that they would carry out initial work by 12 April 2024.

This will include installation of a retaining structure to the front wall of the building to prevent collapse, and clearance of loose fire damaged material to allow safe access.

We’re pleased to have reached an agreement with the site’s owner which will result in necessary work being carried out, which will take us a significant step closer to reopening Bridge Street.Cllr David Smith, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Engagement and Regulatory Services

30 January 2024

A new tourism strategy for Northamptonshire has been given the go ahead by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) at their Cabinet and Executive meetings this month (16 and 18 January).

The Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy sets out a vision and approach to nurturing and enhancing the county’s visitor economy and aims to improve pride in place, generate inward investment and create new employment opportunities as well as reduce carbon emissions in line with both councils’ sustainability goals.

The strategy, which has been developed over an 18-month period and co-produced by WNC and NNC alongside partners and stakeholders from across the public, private and voluntary and community sectors, will be implemented between now and 2030 focussing on 4 key themes: Visits and Value, Great People, Better Business and Inspirational Places.

Plans also include the exploration of a new private sector-led Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) which will work with national tourism agency Visit England to oversee and drive the delivery of the strategy while playing a crucial role in promoting and marketing specific destinations to attract tourists. The LVEP will also be responsible for identifying and bidding for Government funding streams.

Similarly to Visit England, which focuses on showcasing the diverse attractions, cultural heritage, and experiences offered by different regions across England, a LVEP would work on developing and implementing strategic marketing initiatives to boost tourism, support local businesses, and enhance the overall appeal of Northamptonshire to visitors both domestically and internationally. 

The development setting out what the LVEP could look like in Northamptonshire is a priority following the adoption of the Northamptonshire Tourism Strategy and will be explored in partnership with the private sector.

The visitor economy in Northamptonshire is diverse, robust and has extreme potential for largescale growth. By developing a Local Visitor Economy Partnership between the private and public sector, we can source support from Visit England to expand Northamptonshire’s tourism offer even further and realise growth for the entire county.

Our strategic location in the country, boasting proud culture and heritage, along with world-class attractions and events, makes Northamptonshire the perfect destination for visitors and engagement. National statistics show over 18 million visits to the county spending close to £1 billion a year which supports over 30,000 jobs across the county and 3,000 businesses, including a wide range of attractions, hotels, pubs and other venues that visitors enjoy."

We will work collaboratively and creatively to ensure every resident and visitor in Northamptonshire utilises the tourism offer of the county, and we will work with attractions and employers to overcome barriers and realise opportunities for growth.

Cllr Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth, at West Northamptonshire Council

Both councils will continue to deliver specific tourism activities at a local level but will work with wider partners for larger initiatives when appropriate and necessary.

We are extremely proud of the county we call home - it really is a hidden gem, which in the past may have been overlooked when people are looking for places to visit and stay.

But that shouldn’t be the case at all, and this new strategy sets out how we can attract and improve visitor numbers, encourage people to return and boost the tourism economy. It also looks at how we can maximise future potential, where both councils can continue to work together and in close partnership with the tourism industry, education and other stakeholders to promote Northamptonshire.

Our diverse offer gives visitors a huge variety of experiences and activities to enjoy, alongside beautiful towns and villages packed full of unique shops, cafes and restaurants to explore. We are also extremely fortunate to have some stunning countryside on our doorsteps, with routes and trails to help you get back to nature. We also want to encourage visitors to stay in our county and to do that we need to enhance our accommodation offering from camping, glamping, and budget to high end accommodation. We really need to shout about Northamptonshire and what it has to offer.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who has engaged in the process so far, this is the first stage of many and stakeholder involvement plays a vital part of this plan.

Now that the strategy has been approved by both councils, we can continue to grow and develop the relationships between us, WNC and partners to put the strategy into action, alongside developing the LVEP, which will all in turn help us showcase this fantastic county.

Cllr Helen Howell, Deputy Leader of North Northamptonshire Council and Executive Member for Sport, Leisure, Culture and Tourism

View the strategy on the WNC and NNC websites. A full designed version of the strategy will be available on both councils’ websites the coming weeks.

29 January 2024

In Autumn 2023, we conducted a survey seeking residents views on a proposed new way of delivering activities and respite (short breaks) for disabled children in Northamptonshire. It was important that we gave as many people the opportunity to feedback via an electronic survey and through face to face sessions.  

Conducted throughout October and November, the survey received an overwhelming response, with 150 individuals contributing their valuable insights and a further 134 attending the various workshops. We want to thank all those who took part and are immensely grateful for the enthusiastic participation of our community. These responses have proven instrumental in addressing key issues that currently exist.

Key Findings Include:

• The idea of a single referral pathway is beneficial to help avoid families having to tell their stories repeatedly.
• Any assessment that is already in place should be used for access to the short break’s services. Some respondents did want to keep self-referrals.
• Respondents agreed with the principle of reallocating funding, however, they did not agree with closing the residential short breaks unit 1 day a week.
• That daytime activities preferred included swimming, activities involving animals, cooking or musical activities.
• The need for better links with activities already taking place in communities and support for children and young people to access them.
• The need for 1:1 or 2:1 staffing, followed by secure environments and small groups to access services.
• The sleep service should not be added to the short breaks group of services.
• Sensory impairment services should not be added to the short breaks group of services.
• Adding personal care and support services to the short breaks group of services would be positive.
• That in general, respondents agreed with some parts of the proposals but not all of it.

The survey covered a broad spectrum of topics allowing us to review the entire provision and receive appropriate feedback. Thanks to this, a new model of short breaks and respite will be implemented; this will consist of:

• A single referral route into the short break’s services.
• Existing assessments being used to access the short breaks services and allowing parents to self-refer.
• Residential short breaks unit reducing the bed capacity rather than closing 1 night a week; analysis shows this will still enable the need to be met.
• The Sleep Service (and budget) will not be included in the Short Breaks group of services.
• The Sensory Impairment services will not be included in the short breaks group of service
• Consideration of adding PCaS services during the 2nd year of the contract after modelling the viability of this.

The next steps of the process are;

• Commissioning the new services to be in place by November 2024.
• Complete a whole service review of the sleep service and agree a joint plan to reduce the waiting list.
• Ensure the transition from the current services to the new services are as smooth as possible to avoid any negative impact on children, young people and their families.

Your voice has made a difference in how the new model is going to look.  We want to continue listening and supporting you as we go through the next stages. Keep in touch with us at [email protected] if you have any questions.

The complete survey report is available here. Whether you are a stakeholder, industry professional, or simply curious about the trends shaping our world, we encourage you to explore the report and gain valuable insights into the current landscape.

25 January 2024

A special school, to be located in Towcester gets the go-ahead from West Northamptonshire’s Planning committee. It is set to provide 250 places for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Approved by WNC’s Strategic Planning Committee, the new special school will continue in its development to provide much-needed spaces for 250 children and young people between the ages of four to 18 with SEND. The unit will cater for children who are on the autistic spectrum (ASC) and have speech, language and communication needs (SLCN), as well as those with severe learning difficulties (SLD).

The planning application was approved subject to conditions, which include managing traffic to and from the school. This will include the routes of minibuses, which will be used to transport the majority of children to the school.

The proposals approved are for a three-storey building that is specially designed to create an environment for children to learn, grow and thrive. The school will have general and practical teaching spaces, a lift providing access to the upper floor, with each key stage being located adjacent to a calm room, intervention room and a group room. There will be two halls proposed to provide physical activities, music, drama and assembly spaces.

The Early Years phase will be co-located with need specific sensory rooms and separate dining spaces for primary and secondary pupils.

This comes as a positive step forward as the demand for SEND placements continues to increase in West Northants, with this new provision providing additional school places for many local children in a specialist environment.

This is great news for children and young people with SEND, and their families. We know there is a shortfall of placements in West Northants and that demand is continuing to increase, so this is very much needed. The planning and design of the school has been really thorough in detail and I am confident it is going to offer fantastic education and learning facilities in an environment right for the children.

We know that this isn’t an instant solution, however it is a long-term one that will help us manage the demand we are seeing for placements as we continue on our improvement journey. The team involved will continue to work closely with all partners and stakeholders to ensure all are kept up to date and informed on progress.

Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Childrens, Families, Education and Skills at WNC