WNC Notice: Residents urged to submit their application for a road closure to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III before 27 March 2023
Subsidence at Stoke Road – New Update 23/03/2023
Residents have noted an increase in the volume and weight of the traffic this week along Stoke Road, through the village. May we ask you, friends and neighbours to take videos, if at all possible, and then post them on the Police website: https://snap.northants.police.uk/snap/ This helps to highlight the problem, rather than having just one email from the Blisworth Parish Council. The Police may be more inclined to act if they get multiple emails from residents. Please note that it is an offence to video another vehicle while actually driving. Alternatively, if you could take the registration number and the name of the company etc on the overweight vehicle and notify the Police, they will investigate further. Blisworth Parish Council have notified the Bridge and Highway Structures Team Leader to alert them to the fact that there is increased and increasing volume of traffic using Stoke Road and an increasing amount of traffic that contravenes the 3.5 T weight restriction.
‘while it may seem to have deteriorated, the settlement (at Stoke Road, Blisworth) is the same as previously inspected.’
Cost of Living Support
Residents across West Northamptonshire can now sign up for optional, chargeable garden waste collections from April 2023.
Garden Waste Collections
The annual subscription charge for the fortnightly service from April 2023 to the end of March 2024 is £55 per bin and can be made online at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/gardenwaste
Residents now have the option to sign up for an annual direct debit to save having to remember to renew every year. Residents who are unable to access the internet can subscribe to the service by phoning the council on 0300 126 7000.
Once households are signed up to the service, they will receive their new 2023/24 garden waste permit which they will be asked to stick on their garden waste bin. Any bins that have not subscribed will not be emptied after 4 April 2023.
People who do not wish to sign up to the service have the option of composting their garden waste at home, either in a traditional compost heap or by purchasing a compost bin by visiting www.getcomposting.com and typing in their postcode to see offers available in their area.
People can also recycle garden waste for free at any of the Council’s household waste recycling centres. A comprehensive list of FAQs are also available on the Council’s website at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-street-cleaning/garden-waste-collection-faqs
More information can be found at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/gardenwaste
Increased volume of trucks through Blisworth
Blisworth Parish Council has received a number of complaints regarding the increased volume of heavy-goods vehicles using the village roads to access the EMERGENCY EARTHWORK INTERVENTION at Blisworth Embankment.
While Blisworth Parish Council recognises the importance of these works, the Council has contacted Network Rail and submitted a detailed letter outlining residents’ concerns and requesting that their suppliers/contractors use alternative routes to access the site to safeguard Blisworth’s residents and to safeguard the fabric of our roads as well as the homes along the main routes through Blisworth. We would like to thank residents who have already contacted the Clerk with their concerns and photos of the heavy-goods trucks in the village. You can use the following link to submit individual concerns on the Network Rail website: Network Rail Contact Form
Important Update: Network Rail have sent the following response to the Council’s concerns:
Thank you for contacting us about our trucks going through Blisworth village and creating traffic problems. I raised this with the project team and drivers have been advised to take a diversionary route along the A43 which means that no lorries should be entering Blisworth village. We take this very seriously and if any truck drivers ignore this they will be banned from site.
Blisworth Parish Council Councillors are working in unison with the Blisworth Baptist Church to provide a number of ‘welcoming and warm room’ sessions. NEW EXTENDED SESSIONS.
Thanks to volunteers, Blisworth Parish councillors and the Baptist Church team, the Baptist Church is now able to extend the sessions to also include Tuesdays 10am to 4pm and Fridays 10am to 2pm. If you would like to volunteer to help with some of the afternoon slots or are able to provide transport for residents, please contact the Clerk at blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Charging units for electric cars
Blisworth Parish Council have been contacted by Char.gy. Char.gy supplies options to allow drivers to charge an electric car on the street (where there is no off-road parking). Their charging units can be fixed to lampposts or onto purpose installed bollards. We would like to hear residents’ views about this proposal. Would you be interested in having a charging unit on the street near your property or do you envisage that this may increase parking issues?
Interested in a charging unit on your street: bit.ly/iwantacharger
WNC offers cost of living support
- West Northamptonshire Council Online Cost of Living Support Hub
- Cost-of-Living Support Line 0300 126 7000 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
WNC have set up a new area on their website to help people access a range of support and advice to help them through the current cost of living crisis. Financial help for low wage workers, households with children, and those most needing help towards rent, council tax, household bills including gas and electricity, childcare costs and important daily essentials.
Have you ever considered working in a Poll Station or at a Count Venue during an election and supporting the democratic process? For further details please visit: www.westnorthants.gov.uk/electoral-services/employment-opportunities-elections.
Coronation of King Charles III
His Majesty will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London on Saturday 6 May 2023. Plans are under way to organise a packed weekend of festivities in West Northamptonshire from 6 to 8 May, including street party-style activities and big screens in Northampton town centre on the Saturday, a Big Lunch at Delapre Abbey on the Sunday and local volunteering opportunities for the Big Help Out on Bank Holiday Monday. Further details will be available on The Big Help Out website. Residents are encouraged to hold coronation street parties in their communities.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has set up a digital hub for all the guidance and information residents need for holding a community events or street parties.
Local community and voluntary groups can also apply for grants of up to £10,000 for events and activities through the National Lottery Awards for All programme. There’s no deadline, but it can take up to 12 weeks from the point of submitting the application to receiving funding, so groups are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Plans are also under way by multi-faith groups to organise a countywide Coronation Service at All Saints’ Church in Northampton on 30 April.
National events planned to celebrate the Coronation include:
- Saturday 6 May: Coronation Service, coronation procession, Buckingham Palace balcony appearance by members of the royal family
- Sunday 7 May: Coronation Concert and lightshow at Windsor Castle, Coronation ‘Big Lunch’ street parties held by communities
- Monday 8 May: Big Help Out encouraging people to get involved in local volunteering.
Office of Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner today launches Flare Report App
Flare Report App allows women and girls to report, anonymously and quickly, incidents and behaviour that are inappropriate and make them feel unsafe, such as comments or touching, street harassment or other threatening behaviour when they are out and about in Northamptonshire. Police will collate and analyse the reports made, so that problem areas can be identified and action taken to improve those areas where people feel unsafe.
The Police want to encourage as many people as possible to download the app and to cascade through their own contacts and networks. Flare Report can be downloaded to Apple or Android devices. Crimes can be reported on Flare Report but call 999 if you need an immediate police response. Flare Report App Information
Blisworth Round and About – Blisworth Newsletter. R&A No 148 December_January
Public Spaces Protection Order
The PSPO means dog owners could be fined £100 if they fail to:
- pick up their dog’s mess and dispose of it properly
- carry the means to pick up after their dog
- prevent their dog from entering public places from which dogs are excluded, including children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and bowling greens
- keep their dog on a lead when in cemeteries, burial sites, graveyards, memorial gardens, allotments, car parks, sports grounds, fields and pitches – when in use for authorised sporting activity
- put their dog on a lead when asked to do so by an authorised officer
The order also restricts a person from walking more than four dogs at any one time and prohibits smoking in: children’s play areas, schools, skateparks, tennis courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), and bowling greens. You must have the appropriate means to pick up dog faeces deposited by your dog. It is recommended that you take out several bags with you so that if your dog decides to go to the toilet more than once, you are not without a bag. Dispose of the bag correctly in either a dog waste or litter bin, or take it home and place it, suitably wrapped, in your own waste bin. Do not dump the bag in a hedge or hang it from a branch, this is littering. Littering is also an offence and you can receive a fine of £150.
Blisworth Parish Council Surgery
We will be hosting another informal surgery session where councillors will be present at the Blisworth Baptist Church for discussion on any parish issues. It will be a great opportunity to join us for a chat and air any concerns over a cup of coffee and maybe a bit of cake! We are extremely grateful for the support of the Baptist Church and the use of their facilities to further support our local community. Our next session will be on Tuesday 11th April 2023 (10:00 – 12:00). If you are concerned about the traffic issues in the village or have any other worries please come and have your say.
Blisworth Notice Boards
Funding for Community Renewal
Some community groups and organisations are struggling to bounce back after the Coronavirus pandemic, and a bit of money to fund a new activity or to energise a relaunch might go a very long way. The Janet and Bryan Moore Trust is a local charity which is inviting applications for funding for projects that help enhance and unite local communities such as childcare, scout groups, fitness groups and churches. Parish and town councils are not eligible bodies themselves, but if you know of, or are a member of, a community group in need of funding it might be just what you’re looking for. Grants up to £20,000 are available. See www.janetandbryanmooretrust.
Citizens Advice Bureau – If you are worried about debt, benefits, housing or anything else – Drop in to see an advisor at the Towcester Foodbank every Tuesday 12-2pm. Citizens Advice & Food bank
Blisworth Football Club
Blisworth Football Club have asked Blisworth Parish Council to post their presentation detailing their forthcoming plans. Football Club Presentation
Don’t forget to contribute to the Northants Police current priorities survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.
Police & Neighbourhood Watch Scheme (helping to prevent and detect crime and anti-social behaviour). If residents would like to receive notifications direct, you can register with: www.northamptonshireneighbourhoodalert.co.uk/
Please help Blisworth Parish Council to support residents. Click on the ‘Operation Snap’ link below to find out how to report vehicles that exceed the 3-Tonne weight limit situated on the Stoke Road (near the canal tunnel entrance). Operation Snap
Yet more warehousing developments
Eastfield Play Area
Many residents will be aware that we recently received a small lottery grant to improve Eastfield Play Area. The play area improvements were selected by the pupils at the local primary school. The play area is now OPEN to residents. Please contact the parish council if you have any concerns/issues regarding the play area.
Details of End of Year Accounts and Exercise of Public Rights to view accounts for 2021 – 2022: Please click on the Documents Tab, Finance.
Covid Update
Public Health Northamptonshire has asked us to let you know that the Public Health Mobile Vaccination Service will be at the following locations next week:Saturday, 20-Aug-22 9am-5pm – Wootton Community Centre, Curtlee Hill, Northampton NN4 6ED.
The latest figures show that the drop in COVID-19 case rates has been slowest in the over 70s. Sadly we are still seeing deaths from COVID-19 in Northamptonshire and nationally. The Spring Booster campaign began in March. Anyone over 75 who got their previous booster around six months ago is invited to get an additional booster dose of vaccine. Residents of older adult care homes are also eligible to receive the Spring booster jab, as well as people aged 12 and over who are immunosuppressed. This additional booster is currently being offered to those at extremely high risk to help minimise the chance of becoming severely ill with COVID-19 and having to be admitted to hospital. Will you check if loved ones who are older or immunocompromised have had their Spring Booster or have been invited but not yet booked an appointment, or taken up the offer? This can be accessed online at http://nhs.uk/covidvaccine or by calling 119.
COVID Clinics
We all need to help keep on top of the Coronavirus infection rate, and key to that is to keep up the vaccination programme. Details about where people can get vaccinated can be found here: Coronavirus vaccination in Northamptonshire – Countywide services, and here: Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site – NHS (www.nhs.uk). Further information about the vaccination can be found here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
WE STILL NEED YOU! Parish Councillor Vacancies
There are four vacancies for a member of the public to become a Parish Councillor. If you feel you would like to get involved in making decisions about your local community, local issues and make a significant contribution to the area in which you live or work, then this is the position for you! Do you have an interest in your local environment, local transport, local government finances, amenities, planning and housing issues, community events, anti-social behaviour and policing, and want to make a difference then please apply!
- You must be aged 18 years and over, eligible to vote and have lived or worked in the parish of Blisworth for 12 months or more, or within 3 miles of the parish boundary.
- Any elector can identify a potential councillor and nominate candidates for election and have the right to elect a councillor who represents their interests.
- The role of Parish Councillor is unpaid however training and support is provided. If you are interested please contact the Parish Clerk on blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com.
Support to elderly residents
Northamptonshire Age UK provides support to elderly residents with a wide range of services including domestic cleaning, gardening, handy person, carer sittings service, day care at home, information and advice. For more information please call 01604 611200 or email access@ageuknorthants.org.uk or visit www.ageuknorthants.org.uk.
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Grass cutting
Residents with any questions, concerns or issues about grass cutting in the village please could you contact the Clerk of the Parish Council and not the contractors that way we can make sure issues are logged and tracked. Blisworth Parish Council: blisworthparishcouncil@gmail.com
Blisworth is a thriving, picturesque village in South Northamptonshire situated 5 miles south of the county town. It has some 900 homes and an estimated population of 1870 (2010 village survey).
The West Coast Railway runs close to Blisworth and the Grand Union Canal passes through the village which extends from the famous Blisworth Tunnel, to the outlying residential areas of Blisworth Arm and Blisworth Park.
Village amenities include a primary school, a village shop with news agency and post office and two local pubs. Many small businesses surround the area, largely in discreet attractive business parks.
Please contact the Clerk for a copy of the signed minutes.