Down Your Way, for Mon 2nd April

The results of the recent permit parking consultation are being collated and are due to be presented to the council for ratification and residents with permits will be informed in due course. However early information is that a total of 822 questionnaires were hand delivered to residents living within St. James. A total of 258 were returned which represents an 31.4% response rate. The average return rate is around 20% to this type of consultation so this represents a good response rate for the zone. It was also one of the highest return rates of all the zones consulted.

A total of 97% of respondents were residents and 3% businesses. An average  proportion of residents (24%) do not own a vehicle, 49% have 1 vehicle and 27% of respondents have more than one vehicle. Of all the responses, 26% have access to off-street parking. The majority of residents 86% still want a permit zone in their area, 14% want the permit zone removed. From the feedback to the consultation it is clear that residents want to see the permit scheme operate over a 24hour period and this is partly due to the perception of non permit holders parking overnight. It is also clear that residents want the scheme to operate 7 days a week and the common reason for this is because the Saints also play games on a Sunday. There was a general consensus that lack of parking was an issue and that a limit should be introduced of 2 permits per property. Given the number of businesses in the area and different user groups requiring parking, residents identified that some short stay parking is very valuable to the area and didn't want to see a change to reduce the amount of limited waiting. However there is conflicting views about the 'free spaces” with some residents seeing the benefit for these areas and others thinking they were open to abuse by residents who were using these spaces to avoid buying a permit.

Council Campaign To Tackle Dog Fouling

A campaign to remind dog owners of what could happen if they don’t clear up after their dogs is being launched by Northampton Borough Council in April. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the issue, encourage more dog owners to pick up after their pets and appeal to the public to report incidents and problem areas to the council so that targeted action can be taken. Campaign posters and lamppost stickers will be going up across the town as the council’s neighbourhood wardens prepare for a three-month crackdown on anyone they see not clearing up after their dogs.  Verbal warnings, written warnings and Fixed Penalty Notices of £80, which if not paid could lead to a fine of up to £1,000, will be handed out to those spotted not clearing up their dog’s mess.

Northampton Borough Council media release:

Shared services on the agenda for Northampton Borough Council

Northampton Borough Council is working with LGSS, the organisation set up to share services between Northamptonshire County Council and Cambridgeshire County Council, to explore the potential of joining the partnership.

 LGSS was set up more than a year ago to provide a wide range of support services for both local authorities.  Since the establishment of LGSS, the two founding authorities have saved £11 million and to join the partnership could pave the way for savings for Northampton Borough Council in administration and other back office costs.

Down Your Way, for Mon 26th March

Residents Association committee member Gloria Richardson, recently completed her sponsored abseil down the Lift Tower. In doing so she has raised nearly £400 for the Beating Bowel Cancer charity. Thank you to all those who supported Gloria with donations. (Well done Gloria)

More fundraising activity will be happening in the area on April 14th, when the Terry Wire April Fools motorcycle run takes place. This annual event, now in its eighth year has raised £22,000 for Friends of Cynthia Spencer hospice. Nearly 200 Harley Davidson motorcycles are expected to gather at the car park of the Cobblers in Sixfields before setting of on the run to the town centre via Weedon road and St. James Road. The bikes will assemble at 9.00am before departing at approximately 1030 am to arrive in Abington Street at around 1045-1100. There the bikes will be on display and a collection will held to raise money for the Friends group. This event goes from strength to strength and is an unforgettable sight and sound! The event organised by Cllr. Terry Wire is supported by Dave Barringer from Northants V-Twin, the Harley Davidson and Buell specialists of Stenson Street, Towergate Risk solutions and Northampton Town Football Club, as well as logistical support from Northants Police, NBC and NCC and of course the local media.

Many of you will already be aware that the Olympic torch will pass through the streets of St. James as part of the Olympic torch relay. This will be on Monday July 2nd at around 10:20 am and should provide a bit of a spectacle. Organisers are hoping that as many people as possible will line the route and that individuals will organise events around it as “Local Leaders”. In addition they are also encouraging people to plant Olympic themed gardens and planting areas, even window boxes! More information is available from http://www.london2012.com/.

It is also the Queens Diamond Jubilee in June and the council is encouraging residents to celebrate with a street party. All relevant information is on the borough council website at http://www.northampton.gov.uk/.

The next residents meeting will be on Thursday 19th April at the Doddridge Centre in St. James Road at 7.00pm. Amongst the the agenda items we have on confirmed speaker form Northampton Sikhs who will be informing us of the new Sikh Gurdwara in St. James Mill Road, and how it will support and become part of the local community.

Down Your Way, for Mon 12th March.



As previously reported the recent meeting of the St. James Residents Association was very well attended with over 50 people present. Those gathered listened to all the latest news within the area and were asked whether they would be interested in a parish council for the area. A straw poll taken at the meeting indicated that initially they were not in favour the idea.The main topic of conversation however, was the subject of permit parking in the area and Jim Whiting, Senior Traffic Engineer for the County Council was on hand to address the meeting and outlined the improvements to the scheme that were needed but stressed the importance of residents giving their views to the consultation that ends on 2nd March. Jim outlined the importance of returning the questionnaires to tell the council what they want from the scheme. Many questions were asked and they were dealt with in a refreshingly honest but professional manner. The consultation has now closed and the responses are now being sifted. The SJRA will meet with the County Council this week to discuss the findings.

National Personal Safety Day - 8th October 2012

Hands Off Our Homes!

Northamptonshire County council approves £28 million of budget savings

BUDGET savings of £28 million, including the controversial scrapping of a £500,000 fund to provide Police Community Support Officers, have been approved by councillors. During a marathon, six hour meeting at County Hall yesterday, the Conservative leaders of Northamptonshire County Council approved their money saving plans. The move will mean almost 300 council jobs will be cut, charges for adult social care will rise, £500,000 will be taken away from children’s centres and the council will take away the money it currently gives to fund Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

Councillor Jim Harker

Leader of the County Council (Con)

The leaders of the council defended the cut to PCSO funding, arguing the police authority should foot the bill, but opposition leaders and anti-cuts demonstrators condemned the party for going back on their 2009 election pledge to “provide £500,000 per annum for extra PCSOs”.

The leader of the opposition, Councillor Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre) said: “They’re failing to support the people of Northamptonshire by failing to support visible policing and they’ve now lost the right to call themselves ‘the party of law and order’. “They were elected on a promise of providing more visible policing. They had the opportunity to do that, but they’ve failed.”

He was backed by the deputy leader of the Labour group, Councillor Mark Bullock (Lab, Corby Central) who added: “The Conservatives promised the community they would fund PCSOs and they’ve let them down.” Instead of providing £500,000 for PCSOs, the county council will give the police £300,001 to help tackle violent crime.

The leader of the authority, Councillor Jim Harker (Con, Kettering Rural) said: “The hard fact is that crime prevention is the responsibility of the police and our reduced reserves don’t allow us to carry on with our funding indefinitely.” The cabinet member for finance, Councillor Bill Parker (Con, Brambleside) added: “The money we’re giving the police to tackle violent crime will allow the police authority to spend a similar amount on front-line policing. This really is a win, win for everyone in Northamptonshire.” He also said the council’s decision not to increase council tax would be welcomed by residents, adding: “I’m sure Northamptonshire residents will be grateful that more money will be staying in their pockets. “Not only does this help reduce the burden on household budgets, it also supports our local economy.”

Trees felled in an attempt to speed Northampton bus station plan

Trees have been cut down at the site of a proposed bus station in Northampton - to prevent nesting birds from delaying the work. Council workers have started preparing the Fishmarket site. Independent Northampton councillor Tony Clarke said it made a mockery of the planning consultation process. Conservative council leader David Mackintosh said the development could be held up if birds nest on the site.

Workers have felled trees at the Fishmarket site

where the bus station could be built.

A planning application for the £8m replacement for the Greyfriars bus station is expected to be submitted next month. Mr Clarke said: "The council would be the first to take action if a developer proceeded with works prior to obtaining planning permission, but they obviously think they're a law unto themselves. "It makes a mockery of consultation and weakens our democracy in the process. "They've proven to the public that their views are not worth tuppence and they're carrying on regardless." Mr Mackintosh said: "For too long the council has been criticised for producing plans that never became reality. "It would seem ridiculous if the planning committee approved plans for the new bus interchange only for months of delays because we would not want to disturb any nesting birds."

The new bus station is being jointly promoted by the borough council, Northamptonshire County Council and the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation.

Northampton Borough Council refuse to back down on plan to cut £100,000 PCSO funding

THE LEADERS of Northampton Borough Council have refused to back down on controversial plans to cut £100,000 of funding from the police. When Guildhall officials announced their annual budget plans in December, they included proposals to withdraw funding for three of the town’s Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The council’s leading cabinet last night backed the proposals, despite opposition politicians claiming the reduction, combined with last year’s switch off of half the county’s street lights and new plans to reduce the number of people who monitor the town’s CCTV cameras, would lead to an increase in crime.

 

Councillor David J Mackintosh

Leader of the Council (Con)



Labour opposition councillor at the Guildhall, Councillor Terry Wire (Lab, St James) said: “We’re totally opposed to cutting PCSOs and we know the people of Northampton are up in arms about it. “But I don’t think the council is listening, that’s why we’ll put forward an alternative budget next week to show how the council could keep on funding PCSOs.”

The leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Sally Beardsworth (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe) also criticised the proposed funding cut, pointing out 71 per cent of people who had responded to the council’s budget consultation also opposed the move. She said: “People I’ve spoken to feel the presence of PCSOs makes the community feel a lot safer and there’s a concern crime will increase if they go.” But the leader of the authority, Councillor David Mackintosh (Con, Rectory Farm) stood by previous claims that the council should not fund the police. Pointing out the council’s budget would pay for extra neighbourhood wardens and staff in the council’s licensing department, he said: “We don’t have the money to keep funding PCSOs and do everything else we want to do. “We have to make some difficult decisions in the budget, but I’ve consistently said that policing should be paid for by the police authority.” Northamptonshire County Council also plans to pull £500,000 of funding for PCSOs, but it will give the police a further £300,000 to tackle violent crime.

Other proposals in the borough council’s budget include plans to keep council tax at current levels, the removal of four senior managers at the Guildhall and an investment of £430,000 in the town’s Enterprise Zone.

The budget is due to be finally approved by the council next week.

8,000 miles and more – a talk by Satish Kumar

 CORRECTION: Please note that tickets for this talk are available from Royal & Derngate Box Office and not Northampton Museum and Art Gallery as mentioned in the original release.

Former monk and peace and environment activist Satish Kumar will be visiting Northampton to talk about his 8,000 walk around the world urging peace to world leaders. For over 50 years Satish has been quietly campaigning for peace.  Aged nine he left his family to join the wandering Jains and at 18 he decided he could achieve more back in the world and campaigned to turn Gandhi’s vision of a renewed India and a peaceful world into reality.

Inspired in his early 20s by British peace activist Bertrand Russell, Satish set of on an 8,000-mile peace pilgrimage.  Carrying no money and depending on the kindness of strangers, he walked from India to America, via Moscow, London and Paris to deliver a humble packet of ‘peace tea’ to the then leaders of the world’s four nuclear powers. In 1973 Satish settled in the UK and took up the post of editor of Resurgence, a position he has held ever since.  Over the years he has won many accolades and awards, including Honorary Doctorates from the universities of Plymouth and Lancaster and the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Abroad.  In 2005 he was a castaway on Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs and is also a regular on a range of other programmes including Thought for the Day.

The talk is at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery on Friday 30 March at 8pm and is being staged as part of a series of events linked to the ‘Step into my Shoes’ exhibition, which is showing at the museum until 15 April.  Tickets priced £5 are available from the Royal & Derngate Box Office by calling 01604 624811 or visiting http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

St. James Residents Association - News

On behalf of the SJRA we hope you might give some sponsorship to SJRA Committee member Gloria Richardson, who on Saturday 10^th March at 11.00 am will be abseiling down the Northampton Lift Tower in aid of the “Beating Bowel Cancer” charity.

Great grandmother and Saints supporter, Gloria is hoping to smash her target amount and we can help her do it!

Please take a few minutes to find out more by clicking the links below;

http://www.sjra.info/gloriasabseilfor%20charity.html

http://www.justgiving.com/Gloria-Ann-Richardson