Monday, 20 January 2014

Northampton Borough Council - Northampton marks Holocaust Memorial Day

Local community groups, school children and councillors will gather at the Guildhall on Monday 27 January, to reflect on the millions of people killed during the Second World War under Nazi persecution.

The ceremony will take place in the Guildhall’s Great Hall at 6:30pm and there will be a number of speakers and performances, including contributions by children and young people from Briar Hill Primary School, Abbeyfield Secondary School and the Borough Council’s Northampton Youth Forum.

There will also be a short flower laying ceremony at 12 noon on Monday 27 January which will take place at the Holocaust Memorial Stone in The Courtyard at The Guildhall.

Councillor David Mackintosh, leader of Northampton Borough Council, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz Concentration Camp and also recognises other genocides around the world.

“It’s important for us as a community to come together and spare some time to mark this international event. I hope that everyone will join us for the ceremony on Monday (27 January) to reflect on the many people who suffered from prejudice because of their religious beliefs or nationality.”

Both events are open to everyone but booking is essential for the evening ceremony. Anyone planning to attend should contact Northampton Borough Council’s Communities and Partnerships Team at: alice.morgan@northampton.gov.uk or by calling 01604 837795.

Northampton Borough Council - Work to begin on new fountain for the town

Work to remodel the market square fountain is set to begin today, Monday 20 January.

The first phase of work will involve upgrading the underground systems serving the fountain. The area will be fenced off and this fencing around the compound will remain throughout the works.

Last year Northampton Borough Council asked people for their views about the future of the fountain and the majority of responses (58%) revealed that people wanted to see the fountain remodelled and switched back on.

The new fountain is due to be turned on in the spring.

Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: “Over 350 people took part in the consultation on Northampton Borough Council’s website and the results showed that the majority of the public were in favour of a new fountain for the town.

“Since last year, we've been investing in many improvements for the town centre to help welcome visitors to Northampton, and we hope that this investment will attract more shoppers to the Market Square.”

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Campbell Square public ‘enquiry desk’ to move to the Guildhall

A new public-facing police ‘enquiry desk’ will be opening at the Guildhall in Northampton next month.

From Saturday, 1 February, the new police desk at the Guildhall will replace the existing enquiry desk at Campbell Square police station.

The move to the Guildhall is an opportunity to bring together the service currently provided by police staff at Campbell Square with other local services offered by Northampton Borough Council, creating a ‘One Stop Shop’ for the public. All enquiries from the public, including reporting crime, producing driving documents or reporting lost property, will be made at the Guildhall.

Police in Northampton are reminding people to check their home security following a number of burglaries at homes where doors have been left unlocked.

Nineteen of the 51 burglaries reported in Northampton since 1 January have been at properties where the offender has got in through an unlocked front or back door.

Detective Sergeant Carrie Powers said: “Unfortunately, too many people still leave doors unlocked – often they simply forget to check or think someone else in the house must have done it.