Thank you to the Volunteers
Thank you to the Volunteers
Volunteers’ Week is 1 – 7 June and Maidwell with Draughton Parish Council would like to say thank you to the many volunteers who are doing so much to help our community at this difficult time.
Four nights of overnight lane closures from 2nd June 2020
/in General News /by ClerkFour nights of overnight lane closures from 2nd June 2020
Highways England will be returning to carry out four nights of minor finishing remedial works on the essential maintenance works project between the M1 at junction 19 and the A14 at junction 2 completed earlier in the year.
During this return works, they will:
- clear some sections of vegetation on the verges and in the ditches
- inspect sections of drains and replace some damaged pipes
- replace a section of fencing
When will the work take place?
Over two nights shifts (2 & 3rd June) A14 Westbound starting tonight and two night shifts (4th & 5th June ) A14 Eastbound this Thursday and Friday, so scheduled for completion by 6th June 2020. Their return visit to the A14 will just in be sections of Lane 1 closures with no layby, slip or any other closures involved.
To keep the these works as short as possible and to minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and road users, they’ll deliver the scheme overnight between 8pm and 6am.
This may be subject to change due to weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances and network availability.
As the works will be completed under lane closures, NO ROAD CLOSURES AND DIVERSIONS WILL BE REQUIRED.
ACTIVE NORTHANTS – June Special – FREE online Classes for Teenagers
/in General News /by ClerkACTIVE NORTHANTS – June Special – FREE online Classes for Teenagers
Are you a teenager struggling with motivation? Are you looking for something new to try? Or do you just want to hang out with your mates doing something?
ACTIVE NORTHANTS offers Boxing, Calisthenics, Dance, Fitness and Yoga classes FREE OF CHARGE throughout June, you can sign in and spend time with other teenagers in a socially minded physical activity setting.
To make it even better, the more you participate the better the chance of winning prizes. If you attend at least two sessions you have a chance of winning, but the more you do the more chance you have to win.
Northamptonshire Sport have linked up with Born to Perform Dance School, Hale Training, Megan Robinson Personal Training, Namastella Yoga and The Compound, alongside CIRV (Community Initiative to Reduce Violence) to deliver these amazing sessions aimed specifically at teenagers aged 14-19 (year 9 upwards).
Register via www.northamptonshiresport.org/activenorthants to get access to all these sessions live each week.
Three Children First Northamptonshire consultations
/in General News /by ClerkThree Children First Northamptonshire consultations
Northamptonshire County Council, Children First Northamptonshire has just launched consultations on the following services:
- Residential Short Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children
- Services to support young people that are not or are at risk of not being in education, training or employment (NEET)
- Targeted Safeguarding Intervention Services
There is an opportunity to provide feedback through the Councils Consultation Hub on all three of these services. Please see below for further details or visit their web site for further information.
Residential Short Breaks for Carers of Disabled Children
The current residential short breaks contract ends on 31st March 2021. This means they need to start preparing to purchase a new contract now so that it will be ready by 1st April 2021. Starting a new contract is an opportunity for them to review how the service could work differently. The amount of money they have to spend on the service remains the same and they want to get the best value and outcomes for families from this funding.
Give your views in a number of ways. Please visit web site for all of the different ways you can give your feedback, including the online questionnaire. This consultation closes at midnight on 3 July 2020.
Services to support young people that are not or are at risk of not being in education, training or employment (NEET)
The current NEET contract provided by Prospects comes to an end 31st March 2021. This means they need to start preparing to think about a new service so that it will be ready by 1st April 2021. Starting a new service is an opportunity for them to review how the service could work differently. They want to make sure that the service still meets the needs of those who need it and are welcoming ideas and suggestions on how it can improve.
Give your views in a number of ways. Visit the web site for all of the different ways you can give your feedback, including our online questionnaire. This consultation closes at midnight on 3 July 2020.
Targeted Safeguarding Intervention Services
The current Targeted Safeguarding Intervention Services contracts will expire on 31st March 2021 and procurement rules mean that a new tendering process will need to take place to award new contracts from 1st April 2021. The current contracts are with Catch 22, Action for Children and Cambs and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and provide services that are designed to work with the whole family to support and develop strategies that enable the family to stay together and to help to prevent the children from coming into care. They want the services to be using the latest approaches as the current funding budget has reduced by £671,000 to give a total budget £940,000 on which to buy services. Therefore they will be looking for innovative ways to keep the service levels the same as they have less money to spend on them.
Give your views in a number of ways. Visit the web site for all of the different ways you can give your feedback, including our online questionnaire. This consultation closes at midnight on 17 July 2020.
Support available during Covid 19
/in General News /by ClerkSupport available during Covid 19
The National Lottery Community Fund has announced that the Government’s Coronavirus Community Fund will be open for business from 10am on Friday 22 May.
The first tranche will be £200m which will focus on two objectives:
- To increase community support to vulnerable people
- To reduce temporary closures of essential charities and social enterprises
Grants will cover service costs, where organisations are experiencing an increased demand and/or short-term reduction in income.
The remainder (£160m) will come as a second tranche later on but within the agreed timeline.
Aquarius Northants Healthy Futures are still providing one to one counselling to problem gamblers and those affected by someone else’s gambling, this is all accessible via telephone counselling support. They are taking new referrals as well as supporting their ongoing caseload. If you are concerned about someone’s gambling call them on 0300 456 4292 to speak to our practitioners, or email them on northamptonshire@aquarius.org.uk
As well as continuing to deliver their NCC funded Drug and Alcohol Awareness training to teams across the county on line, via Zoom, they are now able to provide Resilience and Stress Management training. If you would like to know more or would like to book a training session, please contact 0300 456 4292, or email northamptonshire@aquarius.org.uk
DEFRA; referring vulnerable people for food deliveries
DEFRA has launched a system which allows vulnerable people to be referred for reserved food delivery slots with Tesco or Iceland. It says that the referrers can be local authorities and a small number of charities.
They are rolling this out across 35 local authorities this week, and the rest over the following 2-3 weeks.
The form for local authorities to register an interest in the scheme can be found at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek7JG_9m7pjr0FDXyFnc2PVdCzPX-JCLjr5fKcmw7k73sqwA/viewform
DEFRA also has a live document listing the alternative grocery delivery services available which is being regularly updated which can be found at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SIpvvfywO2m3gKOutCL4BJoVw6bxyF0S/view.
Shadow authorities set to meet for first time in early June
/in General News /by ClerkShadow authorities set to meet for first time in early June
Two new Northamptonshire shadow authorities will hold their first meetings early next month as preparations progress to create the North and West Northamptonshire unitary councils on 1 April next year (2021).
Members of the West Northamptonshire Shadow Authority will meet for the first time on Tuesday, 2 June at 7pm and the North Northamptonshire Shadow Authority will hold its first meeting on Thursday 4 June at 7pm.
The meetings will be held virtually via video-conferencing in the light of the ongoing coronavirus social distancing measures, with all members of the North and West Shadows – 152 and 132 Members – invited to take part.
The North Shadow Authority is made up of the existing Members of Corby, East Northamptonshire, Kettering and Wellingborough councils and County Councillors representing electoral divisions in these areas, with the West Shadow Authority comprising Members of Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire councils and County Councillors covering these geographical areas.
At the two meetings, the shadow authorities will adopt their constitutions and appoint their interim statutory officers (interim Head of Paid Service, monitoring officer and chief finance officer).
The agenda for the West Northants Shadow Authority meeting is available to view at https://cmis.northamptonshire.
The North Northants Shadow Authority meeting agenda will be available to view from 27 May at https://cmis.northamptonshire.
The first meetings of the Shadow Executives (executive committees) for each authority will convene next month. Further details and agendas will be available nearer the date.
The composition of the Shadow Executive is set out in legislation recently passed by government. Cllr Russell Roberts will be the Leader for the Shadow North Northamptonshire Authority with Cllr Martin Griffiths as Deputy Leader whilst Cllr Ian McCord will be the Leader for the Shadow West Northamptonshire Authority with Cllr Jonathan Nunn as Deputy Leader. The full executives for both authorities will be approved at their first full meetings.
All Members of the Shadow Authorities and Shadow Executives will be clear that, when they are debating and making decisions in these bodies, they are representing the new Shadow Authorities and not any other Northamptonshire Council of which they remain a Member. It is important for the work of both the existing sovereign councils and the new shadows that there is this distinction of roles.
Essential Maintenance work 1 June 2020, M1 Junction 18 to Junction 20
/in General News /by ClerkEssential Maintenance work 1 June 2020, M1 Junction 18 to Junction 20
Essential carriageway and bridge maintenance work to the M1 from the Crick interchange at junction 18 to the
Misterton interchange at junction 20. To minimise disruption to motorists two essential roadworks schemes will be delivered concurrently. This work will be carried out at night, whilst the road is at its quietest.
As part of this scheme, new specialist material designed to protect the structure underneath the road from water seeping into it will be used. By doing this scheme now, this will prevent more disruptive roadworks in the future. Also, approximately 2 miles of the road surface on the northbound and southbound carriageways will be replaced.
Once completed, the work will protect the structure of the Shawell Walcote bridge and provide a smoother journey for motorists.
The scheme is due to start on Monday 1 June 2020 and is scheduled for completion by end July 2020.
To minimise disruption to the local community, residents, businesses and road users, work will be carried out:
• between 10pm and 6am, Monday to Thursday
• between 10pm and 8am, Friday and Saturday
• between 10pm and 6am on Sunday
• from 10pm on Friday until 6am on Monday (full weekend closures are scheduled: southbound 5th – 8th June and northbound 10th – 13th July)
All planned roadworks may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.
To maintain a safe environment for workforce and customers, they will work under full carriageway closures on the M1:
• southbound carriageway from junction 20 to junction 18
• northbound carriageway from junction 18 to junction 20.
To minimise inconvenience to road users, work will be carried out on one carriageway at a time.
During these full motorway closures we will put in place signed diversion routes which
will be agreed with the Local Authority. All carriageways will remain open throughout
the daytime.
Domestic Abuse during coronavirus
/in General News /by ClerkDomestic Abuse during coronavirus
People’s day to day life has drastically altered due to the coronavirus pandemic. New measures to tackle the disease means people are social distancing and self isolating. These changes are essential to beat coronavirus and protect our NHS. The order to stay at home can cause worry and anxiety for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is unacceptable in any situation, no matter what stresses you are under.
For anyone who feels they are at risk of abuse, it is important to remember that there is help and support available to you. Guidance is also available to help perpetrators change their behaviour. Under the current restrictions, victims are still legally allowed to leave their homes to access domestic abuse support and resources.
Local Support, Northamptonshire victims can contact:
VOICE on 0300 303 1965 or go to www.voicenorthants.org
You can also download the Voice Home Support Hub app www.voicehomesupporthub.co.uk
EVE on 01604 230311 or go to www.eveda.org.uk
Northampton Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) on 0300 0120154 or go to www.ndas.co
National Support:
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or go to www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Male victims can call Respect on 0808 8010 327 or go to mensadviceline.org.uk
LGBT victims can call GALOP on 0800 999 5428 or go to www.galop.org.uk/domesticabuse/
Quit for Covid with Public Health Northamptonshire’s Stop Smoking Service
/in General News /by ClerkQuit for Covid with Public Health Northamptonshire’s Stop Smoking Service
Public Health Northamptonshire is encouraging smokers to #QuitforCovid, not only to protect themselves but to reduce demand on NHS services. The coronavirus pandemic is putting an unprecedented strain on the NHS, and England’s Chief Medical Officer is urging smokers to give up smoking to lower their risk, so there has never been a better time to quit.
The #QuitforCovid campaign, www.todayistheday.co.uk encourages people to join the conversation, share their own stories about quitting and hear from other people about how they are getting on with their quit attempts. There is also a “Twitter Quit Clinic” from 7.30pm to 8.30pm every day which quitters can join at www.twitter.com/quitforcovid using the hashtag #QuitforCovid.
The Northamptonshire Stop Smoking Service is encouraging smokers across the county to take part in the campaign, and use the lockdown period as an opportunity to significantly improve their health and whilst also protecting the NHS.
For some smokers the thought of giving up smoking during such a stressful time may seem particularly daunting. A common misconception about smoking is that it relieves stress and anxiety, whereas in fact the opposite is true. Smoking interferes with chemicals in the brain, and when smokers go without cigarettes the cravings that occur will create, or heighten, feelings of stress and anxiety. The feeling of relief you get when having a cigarette is temporary, and is only really satisfying your need for nicotine.
Thankfully there are much cleaner ways to get nicotine, such as through a nicotine patch or an electronic cigarette. Products like these will satisfy your cravings, and are available for free from the Northamptonshire Stop Smoking Service when you take part in their 12 week quit programme. The service, which is now offering telephone support Monday to Friday, can provide you with advice on how to quit and send nicotine replacement products directly to your door.
Lucy Wightman, Director of Public Health, Northamptonshire said:
“Our Stop Smoking Service offers a range of products and specialist support on quitting smoking. People who quit with the support of a service such as this are 4 more times likely to succeed than those who go it alone and the benefits of quitting start to take hold immediately.”
There is also support available in Northamptonshire for those feeling stressed or anxious due to the current pandemic. Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘Changing Minds IAPT’ service supports Northamptonshire residents who are feeling stressed, low in mood or have mild to moderate depression and/or an anxiety disorder. Visit www.nhft.nhs.uk/iapt for more information. If you would like to take part in #QuitforCovid, please send your name, address, DOB, and contact number to smokefree@northamptonshire.
Have you renewed your garden waste collections yet?
/in General News /by ClerkHave you renewed your garden waste collections yet?
Residents in Daventry District have just a few weeks left to ensure they have renewed their garden waste collections for the year ahead.
The annual charge for the fortnightly service from the start of June 2020 until the end of May 2021 is £37 per bin. Households wishing to continue with the service must ensure they have renewed their subscription by Friday, 15 May to ensure no disruption to their collections cycle.
Residents can renew or sign up for the service using their credit or debit card or by direct debit by following the sign-up link at www.daventrydc.gov.uk/gardenwa
Those who sign up will then receive a permit sticker to place on their bin or it won’t be emptied. Residents who do not wish to renew the service for 2020/21 will receive their last garden waste collections during the week beginning 25 May 2020.
More than 20,000 homes have signed up annually to the chargeable garden waste service since it was introduced in June 2018 by Daventry District Council (DDC) and its environmental services partner Daventry Norse. The service is not paid for by Council Tax and was made optional and self-funding so it could continue for only those who want it.