Information from West Northamptonshire Council relevant to the parish. Please follow this link to their website: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk
Northamptonshire Fix My Street: https://fixmystreet.northamptonshire.gov.uk/
Report portholes, gritting, fly tipping issues or highway problems: https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/roads-and-paths/report-potholes-or-highway-problem
Wellbeing Service
The new WNC Wellbeing Service, is working alongside Adult Social Care to support individuals, free of charge, to prevent and/or delay any decline in independence. Working with individuals on a one-to-one basis, we can provide tailored, in-house support in several areas of their life and aim to maximise all the support on offer in their local community, reducing the need for health and Adult Social Care services.
Examples of support include:
- Opportunities to meet with an Advisor to ‘Walk and Talk’ with the aim of becoming more active and increasing socialisation.
- Support to access social opportunities within the local community to reduce isolation, including volunteering and clubs, groups and events to suit hobbies and interests.
- In-house Friendship Groups and OTAGO classes (strength and balance exercise).
- Identification, support and referrals as appropriate to support daily life including housing support and financial advice.
- Identification, intervention and support for low-level mental health and emotional difficulties using behaviour change strategies.
- Advice, information and support on lifestyle issues such as nutrition, smoking and alcohol use.
- Support with budget planning, meal planning, long and short term goal setting.
- Identification and initial assessments of issues such as memory & continence concerns and making appropriate referrals.
Individuals can self-refer, or make a referral on someone else’s behalf (with consent). This can be done by completing our short referral form via the link below. A member of our administration team will endeavour to contact individuals within two working days of receiving the referral, to arrange an initial appointment. Wellbeing Service | West Northamptonshire Council
If you have any further queries, please contact our administration team on Wellbeingservice@westnorthants.gov.uk.
Winter Financial Support: Residents are urged to access vital winter financial support
West Northamptonshire Council is encouraging all residents, especially those most vulnerable, to take advantage of a wide range of financial support available this winter.
With rising costs affecting households, now is the time to ensure that everyone who is eligible can access the help they need.
A number of schemes are in place to help with heating bills, household expenses, and general financial hardship. Support available includes:
Pension Credit: this benefit is available to residents of State Pension age on a low income. Pension Credit can top up weekly income to £218.15 for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. Additionally, it unlocks access to other benefits, such as help with council tax, a free TV licence for over-75s, and additional support like the Winter Fuel Payment.
Winter Fuel Payment: residents born on or before 25 September 1957 could receive between £250 and £600 to help with heating bills this winter. The amount depends on age, household circumstances, and if other benefits are being claimed.
Cold Weather Payment: For those on certain benefits, a payment of £25 is made when the temperature drops to zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. It’s automatic for eligible residents, so no need to apply.
Warm Home Discount: this is a one-off discount of £150 on electricity bills for low-income households. Those eligible for Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits can receive this discount automatically through their energy provider.
Household Support Fund: this benefit is for residents facing immediate hardship, the Household Support Fund provides essential help with food, utilities, and other urgent needs. Applications can be made via the council’s website for those who need emergency support.
Council Tax Reduction: low-income households, including pensioners and those on certain benefits, can apply for Council Tax Reduction to lower their council tax bill. This is particularly useful for households balancing limited income with rising living costs.
To ensure residents have access to advice and support, West Northamptonshire Council is running drop-in sessions across the area. Here, residents can receive free money advice and assistance with filling out applications for these financial support schemes. The sessions will take place at local libraries, community centres, and GP surgeries throughout the winter months. For more information about the available support and to find out about the nearest drop-in session, visit www.westnorthants.gov.uk or call 0300 126 7000.
For further information please see here Cost of living support | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
What is a Welcoming Space?
Welcoming Spaces are run by local people for local people from the voluntary, community and faith sectors across West Northamptonshire. Residents are offered a warm, trusted setting for people to socialise and access services tackling social isolation and cost of living challenges. They are also non-judgmental and safe, all guests are treated equally, with dignity and respect. For more information please see Looking for welcoming spaces | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
What is the Chatty Café Scheme?
The Chatty Café Scheme is the UK’s leading non-profit organisation tackling loneliness. Within West Northamptonshire we offer face to face meet ups where venues offer ‘Chatter and Natter’ tables, where customers can get together and chat. There are hundreds of venues around the UK, many Chatter and Natter tables are hosted by Chatty Table Volunteers and designed to reduce loneliness and/or social isolation. For further information see Chatty Café Scheme | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
What is a Good Neighbours Scheme?
Good Neighbours Schemes are established and run by local people to provide day-to-day support for other residents who may need help on an occasional or regular basis. The aim is to support neighbours to maintain a good quality of life, remain independent in their own homes if they wish to, and reduce their reliance on statutory health and care support systems. Working in partnership with Northants ACRE there are many across West Northamptonshire. For further information please view here Good Neighbours Scheme | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
Garden Waste Collections
Residents across West Northamptonshire can now sign up for optional, chargeable garden waste collections from April 2024. The annual subscription charge for the fortnightly service from April 2024 to the end of March 2025 is £58 per bin and can be made online at www.westnorthants.gov.uk/gardenwaste.
Residents who are unable to access the internet can subscribe to the service by phoning the council on 0300 126 7000.
Paid Casual Employment Opportunities (Elections)
Have you ever considered working in a Poll Station or at a Count Venue during an election and supporting the democratic process? The Returning Officer for West Northamptonshire employs casual staff at different times of the year to assist with the running of elections. Staff can sometimes be required at short notice, for example when a General Election is called.
You can apply for an election job at any time of the year. Even if there are no elections scheduled, we continuously recruit to the staffing database in preparation for the next electoral event. Once you have joined the staffing database, you will be the first to hear of available jobs and be invited to confirm your availability to work. Many roles require no previous electoral experience. Where appropriate, full training is provided.
All applicants must be aged at least 18 and have the right to work in the UK. Political working restrictions apply. To register your interest and for more detailed information on these jobs, please visit https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/electoral-services and scroll down to the Employment Opportunities section.