We asked, you said, we did

In December 2023 we started a consultation to ask for views from residents, local partners, and other stakeholders, on our budget proposals for 2024/2025. The budget for West Northamptonshire Council is a financial plan that ensures we can appropriately prioritise and fund projects and services. 

During the consultation period which ran from 13 December 2023 to 23 January 2024, people were invited to make comments on any part of the Draft Budget.  

Comments were also invited on proposals contained within the Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2024-2025 and Medium-Term Financial Plan.

The West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2024-2025 consultation received a total of 654 responses, the majority were via an online consultation. 

The following is a summary of responses to key proposals: 

• 38 per cent of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree Council Tax should increase by 2.99 per to address additional costs of our service provision while 52 per cent said they tend to disagree or strongly disagree. 10 per cent neither agree nor disagree. A total of 306 comments were received for this proposal. 
• 37 per cent of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that Council Tax should increase by a further 2 per cent to fund the increase in costs of providing Adult Social Care while 46 per cent said they tend to disagree or strongly disagree. 16 per cent neither agree nor disagree. A total of 242 comments were received for this proposal. 
• 50 per cent of respondents said that they strongly or tend to agree to the proposal to increase some fees and charges in line with inflation, in order to help fund services. 32 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 18 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 121 comments were received on the proposal.  
• An invitation to comment on the Draft General Fund Capital Programme 2023-2027 received 63 comments. 
• Additional comments on the Draft Budget were invited, 60 further comments were received. 
• 57 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget proposal to increase rent by 7.7 per cent across the councils housing stock in line with national government policy. 28 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 16 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 60 comments were received on this proposal.  
• 65 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft HRA proposal to increase garage rents and commuter surcharges by 7.7 per cent. 12 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 23 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 
• 51 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft HRA proposal to increase general service charges by 7.7 per cent in line with current inflation. 29 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 20 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 
• 54 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree with the planned investment within the HRA of £54m for social housing during 2024/25. 25 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, and 21 per cent neither agree not disagree. There were 93 comments made on this proposal. 
• Additional comments were invited on the HRA Capital Programme, 23 comments were received. 

For more information about the responses to the West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2024-25 Consultation, please see the below consultation analysis report. 

The Council considered all feedback from the consultation and has agreed on income and savings which means it could set a balanced budget for 2024/25.

The Council’s Cabinet approved the 2024-2025 Budget for West Northamptonshire and recommended the Budget to the Full Council meeting on 22 February 2024.

Budget 2024/25 Consultation Analysis Report Appendix H WNC Budget Report 2024-25.pdf (moderngov.co.uk) 

Full details are available on the Cabinet and Full Council meeting papers: 

• Cabinet – Tuesday 13 February 2024:  Decision - 2024-25 Final Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)
• Full Council - Thursday 22 February 2024: Agenda for Council on Thursday 22 February 2024, 5.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

In Autumn 2023, we conducted a survey seeking 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. 

The following sets out the key findings:

• 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 2^nd year of the contract after modelling the viability of this.

Next steps 

• 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.

To read more and see the report you can visit the Northamptonshire Childrens Trust News page

From 4 September to 29 October we asked for your views on how we were proposing to develop our libraries as thriving community hubs, guided by the priorities we have identified, ensuring we continue to support people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our draft strategy was developed through engagement with staff, partners and stakeholders and sets out West Northamptonshire Council’s ambition for the library service for the next 4 years (up to 2027), which will apply to the public libraries we are responsible for.

We sought views on the draft strategies priorities and what you felt we could do to improve the service.

There were 598 responses to the online consultation. A further 5 were submitted in written form (email/letter).

The priorities identified within the draft strategy were mostly supported, with a number of suggestions to make improvements to the strategy wording.

There was also feedback on awareness of the services currently provided through our libraries, that the draft strategy needed more information, and suggestions of other partners we could work with.

All responses to this consultation have been considered and we have made some changes to ensure that we can help deliver this strategy and help guide the future improvements and use of this service.

Our draft strategy has been amended to provide further understanding where it has been suggested we do so through the consultation. We have also taken feedback on board to help us to promote the services and look at ways we can communicate our quiet times and offers to certain groups with varying needs and abilities. We have also updated out list of partners we can work with.

Update 2 February 2024: View the current West Northamptonshire Council Library Strategy 

During July 2023 we launched a consultation to seek views from all stakeholders including residents and residents families about the future options for Boniface House.

This was to review the current and future uses of the home and to enable decision makers to understand the impact of any decision that is made on the future running of the home.

We also engaged with those affected most by any future decision by visiting the home to have a more in-depth conversation about the options available for the home in future.

The options consulted on were to either make no changes to the home, to renovate and refurbish the home, or to commence with a safe closure programme of the home.

There were 42 responses to the consultation, of which 28 people submitted responses online.

The quality of the care and support recieved has been overwhelmingly praised by the residents of Boniface house and their families.

Summary of responses: 44% are supportive of making no changes. Those who were supportive of changes highlighted the need for the facilities in the building to improve and the associated safety issues with the design and layout of the building.

82% of respondents supported the option of the redeveloping the home, on the basis that residents remained in the home whilst building work was carried out. In contrast to this, of the residents and families who responded to the consultation less than half of them agreed or strongly agreed with this approach.

62% of responses, largely from staff and other stakeholders strongly disagreed with the option of commencing a safe closure programme, citing the impact on residents, staff, and the local community as being the main reason for this; the main support for this option came from the residents and families with 42% agreeing or strongly agreeing with this option, with a preference for only moving once and residents needing to receive the best possible care being given as the main reason for this.

All responses have been considered and will help to shape decisions by the council on the future proposals for Boniface House. The findings of the consultation will be considered and presented to Cabinet later in 2023.

The consultation analysis report is available as part of the reports presented to Cabinet and are available to view at West Northamptonshire Council - moderngov.co.uk

During July 2023 we carried out a consultation with residents aged 40 – 74 to gather their views and experiences of the local NHS Health Check offer. 

This was to inform and support the improvement of the NHS Health Check programme across West Northamptonshire for future delivery.  

They survey gained insight to the Health Check invitation process, awareness of the offer and what could be done to improve the service. 

There was a total of 67 responses to the consultation, the highest response rate by age was those aged between 40 to 49 and 60 to 69. 

Summary of responses:  

• Around 62.5% of the respondents had never received an invite to take of the NHS Health Check offer. 

• Of those who were invited for the Health Check 88% of the response received their invite to the Health Check programme by letter, followed by text message (22.2%) and through other methods including events, emails (11.1%). 

• Respondents indicated the need for additional route to access the NHS Health Check programme. 

• It was also indicated that the availability and accessibility of the service required improvements to improve residents' opportunities.   

All responses collected have been used to help shape and improve the local NHS Health Check programme.

In April and May 2023, we launched a consultation to seek and understand the views of families, staff and other professionals on the future shape of the way that short breaks are provided for children with disabilities.

This was to review and check the feedback received from families in 2020 about what was not working well with short breaks and what they wanted to see in the future. The online survey asked parents/carers, staff, practitioners and members of the public about their feelings on the proposed new model of short breaks, such as, having one lead provider for all of the short breaks services. It also asked about their needs and preferences of what short breaks could look like in the future.

There were 195 responses to the online consultation, with the highest proportion from parents/carers of someone who uses the Short Breaks services (32%), followed by members of staff working in Short Breaks services (21%).

Summary of responses: 25% of responses agreed with bringing residential and non-residential short breaks services together to support the needs of children with disabilities. 32% of responses agreed with having a staff team that could flex support across residential and non-residential short breaks and potentially also support in the home. 40% of responses agreed with one referral point and joined up assessment and reviews for all of the short breaks services. 16% of responses did not feel that improved access and flexibility of non-residential short breaks would reduce their need/or the need for residential short breaks. 12% of responses asked for more support when using direct payments.

All responses have been considered and will help to shape the future direction for short breaks. The information received will be used in the development of the specification for the tender of short breaks. The new model of short breaks will be in place by Spring 2024. There will be a further consultation survey and some workshops happening in Autumn 2023 which will give families and practitioners another opportunity to engage and discuss the new proposed model of short breaks.

Between March and May 2023, we consulted on the Arthingworth Neighbourhood Plan Submission Regulation 16 Consultation 2023 that was submitted by Arthingworth Parish Council and the Arthingworth Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Committee Group.

There were 11 responses to the online consultation 

Once the consultation ended the responses were sent to the independent examiner who considered them in an examination of the plan. As part of the examination the examiner held a hearing on 4 October 2023.

The purpose of the examination was to review whether the neighbourhood plan met the basic conditions and whether it could proceed to referendum. The Examiner's report on the neighbourhood plan was received on 19 October 2023 and published on the Councils website.

The Examiner recommended that with modifications the plan met the basic conditions and could proceed to referendum which was reported to Planning Policy Committee on 22 November 2023, who agreed to put the plan to referendum.

Agenda for Planning Policy Committee on Wednesday 22 November 2023, 6.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

Following a majority vote in favour at the referendum held on 8 February 2024, West Northamptonshire Council formally made the Arthingworth Neighbourhood Development Plan on 9 February 2024 in accordance with the decision of its planning policy committee on 22 November 2023. The plan now forms part of the Statutory Development Plan and will be used when determining planning applications in the Arthingworth Neighbourhood Area.

Further information is available on the Council’s website: Planning policy | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

Between 1 February and 15 March 2023, and 3 April to 15 May 2023 we consulted on proposed active travel improvements around Abington Park, Northampton to upgraded the cycling and walking networks.

The project encompassed enhancements like segregated cycle lanes and upgraded crossings at Abington Park Crescent, Bridgewater Drive, Park Avenue South, and the Billing Road/Rushmere Road Junction.

The scheme sought to create a safer and more accessible environment for those walking and cycling in the specified locations.

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) employed a comprehensive approach for inclusive stakeholder engagement, including discussions with local politicians, consultation events, postcard distribution, an informative brochure, and a virtual room. A survey gathered 281 online responses and 125 written responses.

Overall, most respondents supported proposed enhancements. Support varied across areas, with 44% in Abington Park South, 54% in Bridgewater Drive to Bridgewater Primary School, and 51% in Park Avenue South. The Billing Road/Rushmere Road Junction had the highest support at 64%.

A third of respondents (33%) believed enhancements would encourage more walking or cycling. Safety improvements, especially at Billing Road/Rushmere Road Junction, were endorsed. Support for upgraded crossings, wildflowers, improved landscaping, and Park Avenue South path resurfacing was noted.

Common feedback included concerns about parking and traffic management, especially at the King Edward Road junction. Worries about impacts on the tennis and bowls club due to lost parking spaces and questions about the scheme's value for money were raised. Safety concerns regarding e-scooters and cyclists on new paths were mentioned. Respondents emphasized extending proposals throughout Northampton for better connectivity and maintaining existing footpaths.

A comprehensive consultation report has been prepared and will be presented to West Northamptonshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, Transport & Waste Services. The input received during the consultation will guide the intricate design of the project, facilitating the eventual construction of the final proposal. The phased construction is scheduled to commence in 2024, with the aspiration for the scheme to be fully operational by early 2025.

We asked for your views on varying the existing Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which is in place across Daventry and South areas to also cover the Northampton area, require dogs on leads at all times in Upton Country Park Phase 2 (land between Kislingbury and Upton) and also in Northampton Town Centre.

The consultation ran for 4 weeks from 16th March 2023 to 17th April 2023. We asked for your views on the following 13 proposals. 

We received 436 responses to the online consultation. 9% were received on behalf of a business, organisation, voluntary or community group.  91% were individuals who responded to the consultation.

Support was received for all 13 proposals. A brief summary of the proposals and results are listed below:

Proposal 1 - The geographic extent of the PSPO. 95% of people responded to this proposal. 62% of responses strongly agreed or agreed that the PSPO (Dog Control and the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places) 2022, that is in place in the Daventry and South Northants Areas should be extended to cover the Northampton Area.

Proposal 2 - Failure to clean up after your dog. 93% of people responded to this proposal. 98% of those who responded believed that persons in control of a dog must clean up and remove its faeces from the area and place it in a bin or take it home for disposal.

Proposal 3 – Having the means to pick up after your dog. 93% of people responded to this proposal. 97% supported having the means to pick us after your dog with 67% experiencing issues with dog owners or walkers failing to remove their dog’s waste from public places and/or not carrying the means to do so in the Northampton Area in the last 6 months.

Proposal 4 – Dog exclusion zones. Persons in control of a dog must not take it into or onto certain areas. 91% of people responded to this proposal, of those, 77% agreed with this proposal.

Proposal 5 – Dogs on leads in specific open spaces. Persons in control of a dog must ensure the dog is on a lead in specified areas. 90% of people responded to this proposal with 76% of responses strongly agreeing or agreeing with this proposal.  35% of responses stated that they had encountered issues with off lead dogs in these specific areas.

Proposal 6 – Dogs on lead by direction. 90% of people responded to this proposal with 83% strongly agreeing or agreeing that persons in charge of a dog in the Northampton area must put the dog on a lead if asked to do so by an authorised officer. 54% of those who responded stated that they have had issues where dogs have been off lead and not under proper control.

Proposal 7 – Maximum number of dogs. 90% of people responded to this proposal. 55% strongly agreed or agreed that persons in charge of multiple dogs should not be allowed to walk any more than four at any one time. 21% of respondents had encountered issues.

Proposal 8 – Prohibition of smoking in specific public open spaces in the Northampton area. 88% of people responded to this proposal. 79% agreed with 43% respondents have experienced issues with persons smoking in specified open spaces.

Proposal 9 – Breach of the PSPO. 87% of people responded to this proposal with 70% agreeing to the proposal to charge the £100 maximum fine for breach of the PSPO and match the charge already set in Daventry and South areas.

Proposal 10 – Variation to the existing PSPO to enforce the requirement to keep dogs on leads at all times in Upton Country Park Phase 2. 85% of people responded to this proposal with 44% of respondents strongly agreeing. 16% stated they had encountered problems with off lead dogs in this area.

Proposal 11 – Variation to the existing PSPO to include the requirement for dogs to be kept on a lead at all times when in Upton Country Park Phase 2 in the PSPO.  49% strongly agreed or agreed with this proposal.

Proposal 12 - Variation to the existing PSPO to enforce the requirement to keep dogs on leads at all times in Northampton Town centre. 85% of people responded to this proposal with 83% of respondents agreeing.  13% stated that they had encountered problems with off lead dogs in this area.

Proposal 13 – Variation to the existing PSPO to include the requirement for dogs to be kept on a lead at all times when in Northampton town centre in the PSPO.  76% strongly agreed or agreed with this proposal.

All feedback was considered and a draft Order prepared.  Cabinet approved the variation to the Public Spaces Protection Order, 19^th September 2023.   The variation to the Public Spaces Protection Order will remain in place across West Northamptonshire until October 2025.

For more information on this and other WNC PSPO's please visit our Public Spaces Protection Orders webpage

West Northamptonshire Council along with the Governing Body of Croughton All Saints CE Primary School proposed to lower the age range from 4 to 11 years to 3 to 11 years from 1 September 2023.

As part of the statutory decision-making process for school organisational changes of this nature the Council is consulted on its proposal sought views.

There were no comments or objections to the proposal.

At the June Cabinet meeting the Council considered the proposal to lower the age range at Croughton All Saints CE Primary School.

The full report for the Cabinet meeting of Tuesday 13th June 2023 is now available. The Cabinet approved the Proposal to lower the age range. Further information Council's Agenda and decisions pages: Agenda for Cabinet on Tuesday 13th June 2023, 6.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

The budget for West Northamptonshire Council will provide a range of services to residents and businesses across the area including vital services like social care, refuse collection and recycling, transport, highways, planning and wellbeing.

The budget consultation period commenced on 21 December 2022 and ended on 31 January 2023.

The consultation provided residents, local partners, and other stakeholders the opportunity to review the budget proposals and provide feedback during the consultation period.

Although the consultation focused on the draft budget proposals that would likely affect residents and service users, respondents were invited to make comments on any part of the Draft Budget 2023-2024.

The council also invited comments on its proposals contained within the Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2023-2024 and Medium Term Financial Plan.

Using the various means available to consultees, local people and organisations provided 1203 responses to the West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2023-2024 Consultation.

The following is a summary of the responses received to the proposals:

•    31 per cent of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree Council Tax should increase by 2.99 per cent to help fund services while 56 per cent said they tend to disagree or strongly disagree. 12 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. A total of 721 comments were received for this proposal.
•    34 per cent of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that Council Tax should increase by a further 2 per cent to fund the increase in providing Adult Social Care while 51 per cent said they tend to disagree or strongly disagree. 15 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. A total of 494 comments were received for this proposal.
•    30 per cent of respondents said that they strongly or tend to agree to the proposal to maximise the income from certain discretionary services in order to support essential services. 52 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 18 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 355 comments were received on the proposal.
•    An invitation to comment on the Draft General Fund Capital Programme 2023-2027 received 148 comments.
•    26 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to a proposal to review services. 58 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, and 16 per cent neither agree nor disagree. 496 comments were received on this proposal.

• Additional comments on the Draft Budget were invited, 97 further comments were received.
• 42 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget proposal to increase rent by 7 per cent across the councils housing stock. 27 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 31 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know. 172 comments were received on this proposal. 
• 50 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft HRA proposal to increase garage rents and commuter surcharges by 10 per cent. 15 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 36 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know.
• 31 per cent strongly agree or tend to agree to the Draft HRA proposal to increase general service charges by 10 per cent. 38 per cent tend to disagree or strongly disagree, 31 per cent neither agree nor disagree or do not know.
• Additional comments were invited on the HRA Capital Programme, 34 comments were received.

For more information about the responses to the West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2022-23 Consultation, please see the below consultation analysis report.

Cabinet approved the 2023-2024 Budget for West Northamptonshire and recommended the Budget to the Full Council meeting on 22 February 2023. Full details are available on the Cabinet and Full Council meeting papers:

• Budget Consultation Report 2023/24
• Cabinet decision Monday 13 February 2023
• Full Council decision Wednesday 22 February 2023

Between November 2022 and January 2023 we consulted upon the draft Brockhall Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan and a proposed conservation area boundary.

The appraisal set out the character of the conservation area and identified important features in order to provide advice to those making proposals which might affect the designation’s special interest.

The appraisal also proposed candidates for the Local List, and formulated proposals for an Article 4(1) Direction.

One the consultation had completed the responses were set out in the report which was presented to the Planning Policy Committee on 28 February 2023:

• Agenda for Planning Policy Committee on Tuesday 28 February 2023, 6.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

As the result of the consultation, some additional text was added to the appraisal.

All of the relevant documents can be viewed on the Council’s website:

Conservation areas | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk) 

The appraisal and amended boundary were adopted at the meeting of Planning Policy Committee on 28 February.

During November and December 2022, we asked people for their thoughts on a proposal to permanently gate a historic pedestrian route called Francis Jetty through use of a Public Spaces Protection Order. This is in order to combat illicit and anti-social behaviour that has been evidenced in this location.

There were 43 responses to this consultation, 33 were full responses, 10 were not completed entirely. Over half of all responses said that they felt anti-social behaviour or crime was an issue in the Francis Jetty area, with just over half of all respondents supporting the gating of the route.

All responses have been considered and plans approved meaning that Francis Jetty will be gated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, under a Public Spaces Protection Order.

For updates on this and other WNC PSPO's please visit our Public Spaces Protection Orders webpage

During December 2022, as part of the International Day of Disabilities, West Northants Council’s Disabled People’s Forum ran a survey to find out what prevented people from accessing Leisure Centres for sports activities. This was carried out with the knowledge of Daventry, Towcester, Brackley and Trilogy Leisure Centres and Northants Sport. Drop in meet and greet sessions for people with disabilities were offered over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd December where people could meet staff and have a look around the facilities.

There were a total of 33 responses, 21 were full responses, the remaining 12 were incomplete. All responses have been incorporated into a report, which is available on the councils Disabled People's Forum webpage, (Events and Projects area).

The information is being shared with WNC’s Sports and Active Lives Service, Northants Sport and the Leisure Centres to understand the barriers people with disabilities face which could be useful information for shaping their future offer and will be discussed at a future Disabled People’s Forum meeting.  If you would like to join the Forum please contact us at Forums.NBC@westnorthants.gov.uk

Between September 2022 and November 2022, we consulted on the Harlestone Neighbourhood Plan Submission Regulation 16 Consultation 2022 that was submitted by Harlestone Parish Council and the Harlestone Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

As the local planning authority, the Council is required to carry out a consultation on the Plan to provide an opportunity for all parties to comment on whether the submitted plan meets basic conditions in line with the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations 2012 before it goes to examination.

The Harlestone Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) has been prepared following the adoption of the Settlements and Countryside Local Plan (Part 2) for Daventry District in 2020 and the most recent revision of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in 2021. It took into account changes in the neighbourhood area and heritage evidence. The Parish Council also developed design guidelines and propose new Local Green Spaces. 

Once the consultation had completed the responses were forwarded to the independent examiner who considered the responses in her examination of the plan.

The purpose of the examination was to review whether the neighbourhood plan met the basic conditions and whether it could proceed to referendum. The Examiner's report on the neighbourhood plan was received on 1 February 2023 and published on the Councils website. The Examiner recommended that with modifications the plan met the basic conditions and could proceed to referendum and this was reported to Planning Policy Committee on 28 February 2023, who agreed to put the plan to referendum.

Agenda for Planning Policy Committee on Tuesday 28th February 2023, 6.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

The Regulation 16 consultation and responses were examined and then proceeded to referendum.  

Following a majority vote in favour at the referendum held on 20th April 2023, West Northamptonshire Council formally made the Harlestone Neighbourhood Development Plan on 21st April 2023 in accordance with the decision of its planning policy committee on 28th February 2023. The plan now forms part of the Statutory Development Plan and will be used when determining planning applications in the Harlestone Neighbourhood Area.   

Further information is available on the Council’s website: West Northamptonshire Council Daventry Area Made Neighbourhood Plans 

School admission arrangements must be consulted on in order to make any changes in line with statutory decision-making processes. The Council along with the Governing Body of Parklands Maintained Nursery School put forward and consulted on a proposal to lower the nursery age range from 3 to 5 years to 2 to 5 years from the 31^st October 2022. The changes have been proposed due to the number of childcare places reducing when existing Private, Voluntary and Independent (PVI) provider, Parklands Pre-school, closes and therefore offers 2 year old children within the community access to an alternative placement within the Nursery School.

There were no comments or objections to the proposal.

The October Cabinet meeting of the Council considered the proposal and as there were no comments received during the consultation period, the arrangements will come into place on 31^st October 2022 to allow admissions for 2 to 5 year olds for Parklands Maintains Nursery School.

The full report to cabinet and the decision can be seen on the Council's Agenda and decisions pages: Cabinet, Tuesday 11th October 2022.

In June-August 2022 we consulted upon the draft Newnham Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan and a proposed conservation area boundary.

The appraisal set out the character of the conservation area and identified important features in order to provide advice to those making proposals which might affect the designation’s special interest.

The appraisal also proposed candidates for the Local List, and formulated proposals for an Article 4(1) Direction.

Seventeen responses to the consultation were received.

These are set out in a report which was presented to the Planning Policy Committee on 28 February 2023:

•  Agenda for Planning Policy Committee on Tuesday 28 February 2023, 6.00 pm - West Northamptonshire Council (moderngov.co.uk)

As the result of the consultation, amendments were made to the proposed boundary, including reducing one of the proposed extensions at Mounts Lane.

One further candidate for the Local List was also put forward during the consultation period, which was adopted onto the Local List.

All of the relevant documents can be viewed on the Council’s website: Conservation areas | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)

The appraisal and amended boundary were adopted at the meeting of Planning Policy Committee on 28 Febuary, if you could add that in please.

We asked for your views on how to promote responsible dog ownership and prohibit smoking within the Daventry and South Northamptonshire areas. During a 6 week consultation, which ran from 21st February to 4th April 2022, we asked for your views on 9 proposals.

We received 1,275 responses to the consultation. 97% of responses were from individuals. The other 3% were from organisations, charities, parish and town councils or businesses. 

You said that you strongly supported all the proposals. A brief summary of the proposals and results are listed below: 

• Proposal 1 - Failure to clean up after your dog. 74% responding to the proposal. 93% agreed that persons in control of a dog must dispose of its waste responsibly. 

• Proposal 2 - Persons in control of a dog must not take it into or onto certain areas. 70% responded to this proposal, with 71% agreeing to it. 

• Proposal 3 - Persons in control of a dog must ensure the dog is on a lead in specified areas. 67% of people responded to this proposal. 83% of these agreeing.  

• Proposal 4 - Persons in charge of a dog must put the dog on a lead if asked to do so by an authorised officer. 66% responded of which 80% agreeing. 

• Proposal 5 - Persons in control of a dog must put their dogs on leads near school entrances or exits during school days. 65% responded with 84% agreeing. 

• Proposal 6 - Persons in charge of a dog must carry appropriate means for clearing up after their dog. 65% of people responded, of those that did respond, 95% agreed. 

• Proposal 7 - Prohibition of smoking in specified areas. 64% of people responded to this proposal, of those that did, 78% agreed. 

• Proposal 8 - Maximum fixed Penalty Charge shall be £100. This proposal received a 63% response rate with 70% agreeing. 

• Proposal 9 - Persons in charge of multiple dogs shall not be allowed to walk any more than four at any one time. 63% of those that took part in this consultation responded to this proposal of which 57% agreed. 

All feedback was scrutinised, noted, and used to help draft the new public spaces protection order, which was considered by Cabinet (11th October 2022) who then approved the introduction of the new Public Spaces Protection Order and resolved to make the Order.

The Order will be bought into force on 1st November 2022 and will be in operation for 3 years until the 1st November 2025.

The duly made order can be viewed through the Council's PSPO pages, the consultation analysis report is available as part of the reports presented to Cabinet and are available to view at West Northamptonshire Council - moderngov.co.uk

The budget for West Northamptonshire Council will provide a range of services to residents and businesses across the area including vital services like social care, refuse collection and recycling, transport, highways, planning and wellbeing.

The budget consultation period commenced on 22 December 2021 and ended on 1 February 2022

The consultation provided residents, local partners and other stakeholders the opportunity to review the budget proposals and provide feedback during the six week consultation period.

Although the consultation focused on the draft budget proposals that would likely affect residents and service users, respondents were invited to make comments on any part of the Draft Budget.

Using the various means available to consultees, local people and organisations contributed to the West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2021-22 Consultation 853 times. 

The following is a brief summary of the responses received to the following questions:

•    24.1% of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree Council Tax should increase by 1.99% to help fund services while 69.9% said they disagree or strongly disagree.
•    32.9% of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that Council Tax should increase by a further 1% as part of the Adult Social Care precept, which would be used to directly fund Adult Social Care while 51.4% said they disagree or strongly disagree.
•    37.43% of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that rent should increase by the maximum 4.1% (an average increase of £3.84 per week) across the Council’s housing stock, in line with national government policy, while 35.6% said they disagree or strongly disagree.
•    40.1% of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that garage rent and the commuter surcharge on garages should increase by the maximum 3.1%, while 23.7% said they disagree or strongly disagree.
•    28.8% of respondents said they strongly agree or tend to agree that general service charges should increase by 3.1%, while 37.7% said they disagree or strongly disagree.

For more information about the responses to the West Northamptonshire Council Draft Budget 2022-23 Consultation, please see the below consultation analysis report.

Cabinet approved the 2022-23 Budget for West Northamptonshire and recommended the Budget to the Full Council meeting on 24 February 2022. Full details are available on the Cabinet and Full Council meeting papers:

Budget 2022/23 Consultation Analysis Report
Budget 2022/23 Consultation Analysis Report – Appendix
Cabinet - Tuesday 15 February 2022
Full Council -  Thursday 24 February 2022

School admission arrangements must be determined annually and consulted must be carried out if changes are proposed. We asked for comments on the proposed admission arrangements for the 2023/24 academic year for community and voluntary controlled (local authority maintained) schools as we plan to reduce a small number of schools' Published Admission Numbers (PANs). In addition, each year, all local authorities must formulate and publish on their website, a scheme to co-ordinate admissions to the normal year of entry for all publicly funded schools within their area. Applications are processed in accordance with the timetables set out in these schemes. We asked for comments on the proposed Primary and Secondary co-ordinated schemes for the 2023 intake.

There were no comments or objections to the proposals.

As no comments were received in the consultation, we plan to determine the admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools in West Northamptonshire as proposed.