Archive for category: News

Harlestone Manor Parish Council has formally written to West Northamptonshire Council Highways to raise serious concerns over pedestrian safety on the A428 and Harlestone Road following increased traffic levels linked to the Northampton Western Relief Road. The Parish Council highlighted a recent collision involving a pedestrian and has called for urgent safety assessments, including the widening of footways, improved crossing facilities and upgraded speed limit signage. The Council highlighted that these routes are heavily used by residents, families and school children and has requested prompt action together with an on-site meeting to review the identified risks.

A copy of the letter can be viewed below

Harlestone Manor Parish Council has submitted a response to the West Northamptonshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation, recognising the importance of protecting and enhancing biodiversity, improving habitats for wildlife, and supporting long-term environmental sustainability across the parish and wider area. The strategy sets out priorities and practical measures for nature recovery, including habitat restoration, better management of green spaces, stronger ecological networks, and opportunities for communities, landowners, and local authorities to work together to conserve and enhance the natural environment.

To read the full response please see below

Parish Precept 2026/27 – What this Means for Residents

Each year the Parish Council sets a budget to fund local services and community initiatives. This budget is funded through:

• The Precept (the parish portion of Council Tax)
• Council reserves
• Occasional grants for specific projects

What is the Precept?

The precept is the element of Council Tax collected specifically to fund parish council services. It is calculated by dividing the total precept amount by the parish tax base (the number of Band D equivalent properties).

It is important to note that the parish precept forms only a small part of your overall Council Tax bill. The majority funds West Northamptonshire Council, as well as Police, Fire and other services.

2026/27 Precept

For the financial year beginning 1 April 2026:

• Total precept: £27,000
• Tax base: 252.4 Band D equivalent properties
• Band D charge: approximately £107.00

This represents an approximate 21% reduction for an average Band D property compared to the previous year.

The Council has been able to reduce the precept through careful financial management while continuing to support local services and community activity.

If you have any questions about the budget or precept, please contact the Parish Council.

Are You Eligible for a Council Tax Reduction?

If you’re on a low income, receiving certain benefits, or facing financial hardship, you may be entitled to a reduction or support towards your Council Tax bill. West Northamptonshire Council runs a Council Tax Reduction Scheme that could reduce your bill by up to 100%, depending on your circumstances, and also offers discounts and exemptions in specific situations. You can find full information and apply on the West Northamptonshire Council website:

West Northamptonshire Council

• Have your say on delivering infrastructure and services to help mitigate development
  Give us your views on the draft Infrastructure and Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and help us to shape how we secure the infrastructure and services needed to support sustainable growth.
  Share your views by completing the online survey.
  This activity closes on 21 December 2025.
   
• Consultation on school admission arrangements for September 2027 intakes
  West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) co-ordinates an annual school admissions consultation on behalf of all schools in the council area. The consultation is to raise awareness of any proposed changes to school admission arrangements.  To take part and find out more, please view Consultation on school admission arrangements for September 2027 intakes. This activity closes on 31 December 2025.
   
• Have your say on smartphone and smart device use in schools or colleges
  We are inviting the public — including all interested parties and, in particular, young people, parents, carers, and professionals working with children — to take part in a consultation on the use of smartphones and smart devices in educational settings. The feedback will be used to shape potential guidance. Have your say by completing the survey on smartphone and smart device use in schools or colleges. This activity closes on 4 January 2026.
   
• Have your say on Further Road Traffic Enforcement Camera Locations in West Northants
  This consultation seeks feedback on the proposed placement of road traffic enforcement cameras new and existing locations. This initiative is part of a broader ongoing programme aimed at reducing congestion and enhancing road safety. To find out more, go to Have your say on Further Road Traffic Enforcement Camera Locations in West Northants. This activity closes on 5 January 2026.
   
• Abington Active Travel Scheme – Phase 3 Consultation
  We’ve launched a consultation on updated proposals for Phase 3of the Abington Active Travel Scheme. Your feedback will help shape improvements to walking, cycling, and wheeling routes in the Abington area. Find out more and provide feedback go to: Abington Active Travel Scheme – Phase 3 Consultation. This activity closes on 18 January 2026.
   
• Call for Sites – meeting the needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople
  Local Plan – for Sites to identify land, to inform long-term planning up to 2043, that could help meet the future needs of Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Showpeople. Submit a site by completing the form. This activity closes on 26 January 2026.
   
• Help Shape: Draft Active Travel Strategy, Mobility Hub and Rail Action Plans
  As part of the developing strategies for the Local Travel Plan for West Northamptonshire, we are asking for feedback to help shape the vision and themes in the draft Active Travel Strategy, Mobility Hub Action Plan and Rail Action Plan. Your views will help shape transport priorities and improve accessibility, connectivity and travel choices across West Northamptonshire. For more information and to complete the survey please see: Help Shape: Draft Active Travel Strategy, Mobility Hub and Rail Action Plans. This activity closes on 27 January 2026.
   

• Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Public Consultation: Precept and Public Confidence Survey 2026/2027.
  You can take part by completing the survey on the OPFCC website. This activity closes on 5 January 2026.

Council Tax 2025/26 – Parish Precept Update

Harlestone Manor Parish Council set its precept for 2025/26 at £32,156 – the same amount as the previous two years, with no increase.

However, after the precept was agreed, we received updated tax base figures from West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), which showed a reduction in the number of homes currently contributing to the council tax. This means that although the total precept amount hasn’t changed, the contribution from each household has increased – resulting in a 13% rise in the parish element of your council tax bill.

The increase does not reflect a rise in council spending – it is due to the reduced tax base, which is outside of the Parish Council’s control. While the number of contributing homes may increase again in future years, the tax base can fluctuate and is determined annually by WNC. We want to reassure residents that the tax base will be taken into account in all future precept calculations and where rises in the precept are necessary, explanations for this will be provided on our website before you receive your council tax bills.