Kingsthorpe FOCUS

Why not join the b-Active programme?
1-day a week programme that helps you find a job/training. Every Wednesday starting on 3rd September at St David’s Church Hall (1.30-3.30pm)

• Increase your skills and confidence by taking part in team activities. It’s fun!
• Get involved in a community project
• Take part in a skills workshop: Driver theory or Sports coaching award
• Learn life skills such as Cooking or Painting & Decorating

Want to find out more?
Call (01604) 828400, or 07793 267990 and ask for Pete or Annie.

B-Active and chase those opportunities!

Northampton Borough Council has tonight objected to plans to build 1,250 homes at Buckton Fields, next to Whitehills and Spring Park in Kingsthorpe. The planning application will be decided by Daventry District Council, but Northampton Borough Council has objected on grounds of the traffic impact in Kingsthorpe. Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Northampton North had written in with his objection, and local councillors for Boughton Green, Trini Crake and John Yates have added their support to the objections.

If the Government insists, we cannot stop new development on green fields around Northampton, but we should not accept development without the roads and local facilities neccessary to protect the quality of life of existing residents.

Andrew Simpson, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North, has expressed concern over the future of Kingsthorpe (Thornton) Hall after publication of the latest historic buildings at risk register.

The register, published by English Heritage, draws public attention to important listed buildings that are neglected and, have fallen into disrepair, but have important historical character or significance.

“The hall was sold by the previous Labour administration of Northampton Borough Council to be converted for flats and whilst new flats and a small community centre have been built in the grounds there little has been done to restore the main building.”

Liberal Democrats opposed the loss of the community facilities in the hall, fearing that an important local building would be lost to the public. One of the arguments was that converting the building to flats was a way of preserving it, but it is now in a worse condition than when it was owned by the council.

“It looks like the developer has done the easy bit which is the construction of the new buildings in the grounds whilst still leaving the Hall to be completed. This calls into question whether it really is being preserved for future generations”.

A planning application has been submitted for the demolition of the United Trades Club at the corner of Balmoral Rd and Kingsthorpe Rd and the building of 23 flats with parking. The plans are available on the Borough Council’s website www.northampton.gov.uk, the reference number is N/2008/0762.

Looking for something for the Kids to do over the long summer holiday? There’s local courses in Badminton, Golf, Netball, Girls football, Athletics and Cricket at reasonable prices

In addition theres multi-sport activities on the Racecourse (meet at the changing rooms) and Kingsthorpe Rec (meet at the booking office) from 28th July to 22nd August for 5 to 12 year olds. 2 sessions per day 10am-12pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm. Sessions are £1 per child or 50p if they have a leisure card. For more information contact Northampton Borough Council’s Sports Development Team on 01604 837774, email sportsdevelopment@northampton.gov.uk or visit their website www.northampton.gov.uk/sports.

A new planning application has been submitted for the empty St. Davids Middle School building. Richardson Homes plan to convert it to a residential care home and nursing home, with access from Kingsland Gardens. The plan includes a new single storey extension and the closure of the vehicle access onto Harborough Rd. The old school is a grade 2 listed building. Comments to the planning department should quote ref.no. N/2008/746

A planning application has been submitted for a new house at 21 Manor Rd, together with a new garage and extension to the existing house. Plans can be viewed on the councils website or at the Cliftonville House Offices. Comments should quote the reference number N/2008/702

Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg has sent a message of congratulations to Liberal Democrats in Northampton celebrating a year of success in turning round Northampton Borough Council.

“It has been a fantastic year and I am very proud of the achievements of our councillors” writes Nick Clegg “The Council has made enormous progress in the last 12 months.”

A year since the Liberal Democrats took control of Northampton has been described as a year of solid achievement by Leader Cllr. Tony Woods “We inherited a council in a mess. A year ago Government inspectors had rated the council as one of the worst in the country, with weak political leadership and failure to deliver services people have a right to expect.”

“Three things stand out from our first year” said Tony Woods.

(1) The Council’s finances are under firmer control, with no cuts in this year’s budget.

(2) Day to day services such as planning, revenues and benefits, and housing management are at last showing real signs of improvement.

(3) We are setting in place firm foundations for the long term with progress on the Grosvenor centre and other key town centre projects.”

“We still have a long way to go” said Tony Woods. “We have more to do to persuade the people of Northampton that the council is improving. That will be our task in the year ahead.”

‘Putting the Pride back in Northampton -A year of Achievement’ A full briefing on the first year of Lib Dem run Northampton Borough Council can be downloaded from www.northamptonlibdems.org.uk

Residents of Clarence Avenue and Queens Park Parade have collected funds to build electronic gates on the rear service road. They have had continual problems with flytipping and nuisance at the rear of their properties. Sally Beardsworth has contributed £3,000 from the County Council to get the work done.

Residents have complained to me about children causing a nuisance at night around the garage and bus shelter on Welford Rd. I have reported these problems to the Police, who have responded promptly and said they will be talking to residents and businnesses on Welford Rd between the Recreation Ground and the library in the next few days. Meanwhile, do contact the Kingsthorpe Safer community Team at SCTKingsthorpeBoughtonGreen@northants.police.uk or phone 08453 700700 to report particular problems.