Local Nature Recovery Strategy – public consultation now open

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Please see below details of the consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy being developed by West Northants Council.

The public consultation will run from 11 Feb to 25 March 2026 – Local Nature Recovery Strategy Consultation | West Northamptonshire Council. We encourage you to read the strategy document, view the local habitat map, and complete the survey. Understanding our LNRS and incorporating it’s measures into Council functions helps us fulfil our Biodiversity Duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Please do share this email with your colleagues and managers. I welcome being contacted to discuss.

 Further information about our strategy is available on our LNRS web pages Local Nature Recovery Strategy | West Northamptonshire Council.

 Public consultation activities:

 Social media links:

 Any queries, please do contact me. Please remember to use my NatureRecovery (NatureRecovery@westnorthants.gov.uk) email when forwarding or sending information outside of West Northamptonshire Council.

 Many thanks

 Ruth

 Ruth Rolls

Nature Recovery Strategy Officer

Environment, Countryside & Parks, Assets & Environment

West Northamptonshire Council | Brixworth Country Park | Northampton | NN6 9DG

www.westnorthants.gov.uk/nature

Parish Precept 2026/27 – what this means for residents

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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

Management of Open Space in Harlestone Manor and Request for Assistance.

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Management of Open Space in Harlestone Manor and Request for Assistance

Harlestone Manor Parish Council have written to the West Northamptonshire Council Leader and Ward Councillors regarding the longstanding concern affecting a significant number of residents within the parish boundary.

We hope West Northamptonshire Council may be able to assist us in identifying a fair and workable resolution.

Please see attached letter.

West Northamptonshire Consultation Hub – Have your say.

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Please visit the West Northamptonshire Consultation Hub for more information about all consultation or engagement activities and how to have your say.
 
  • 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.
    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.
     
You may also be interested in the following consultation being held by a partner organisation:

Road Closure: Nobottle Road

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T & W Civils are intending on carrying out major development works on the above road, including the construction of a new roundabout and resurfacing works. To undertake this work safely it is expected that the road will be closed in sections from the 5th January 2026 until the 25th September 2026.

The closure and diversion can be viewed here https://one.network/?tm=GB147129043

Council Tax 2025/2026 – Parish Precept Update

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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.

Notice of Election 2025

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Election of Councillors for the Parishes listed including Harlestone Parish Council.

Parish Notice of Election 2025

Planning Application by Barwood Development Securities Ltd

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Barwood Development Securities Ltd (‘Barwood Land’) will shortly be submitting an outline planning application on land at York Way.

The site is located on the north side of York Way. Access would be off York Way. Please see leaflet attached below.

For more information or if you have any questions or queries, please follow the link to the website: www.dallingtongatewaynorth.co.uk where you will be able to ask questions directly with the developer.

3517_Flyer_high resolution (1)

 

 

HMPC Open Spaces Tender July 2024

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Harlestone Manor Parish Council are seeking a contractor to maintain the open green space around the parish.

Please find below the relevant documents in relation to the tender, which explains in detail what is required.

All the documents below can be downloaded. If you would like to submit a quote, please complete the Harlestone Manor Parish Council Green Spaces Tender Submission Document below

Quotes must be submitted in a sealed envelope by Friday 30th August 2024

Open Spaces Tender
Harlestone Manor Parish Council PO Box 1747
Northampton
NN2 1NP

If you wish to pass this tender onto a contact of your own, please feel free to do so.

Harlestone Manor Parish Council.

 

Clarification Questions

Q1. – Is it necessary to ‘clear’ for the bi-annual full mow if my equipment will mulch the material down to a sufficiently small particle size, around 1 to 2 inches.

Answer – If the equipment in use for the BiAnnual Cut and Clear of the JWG mulches the cut material down to a sufficiently small size so as not to hamper regrowth and the natural habitat, there is no requirement to clear.

Q2. The service spec includes litter picking and clearance. Please clarify your expectations in terms of fly-tipping?

Answer – Any instances of fly tipping should be notified to the council when found. You will not be expected to clear any fly-tipped items.

Help shape West Northamptonshire’s approach to manage flood risk across the area

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Local Flood Risk

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) lead in managing local flood risks, this includes risks of flooding from surface water, groundwater and ordinary (smaller) watercourses.
Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, WNC is required to develop, apply, and monitor a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy which sets out how it intends to manage floods and the effect of flooding on our area. The Strategy will focus on local flood risk from surface water, groundwater, and watercourses including rivers, streams and brooks, culverts and ditches and sets out the way the Council manage flood risks for the next six years.

People across West Northamptonshire are being invited to share their views during this non-statutory consultation which will help shape the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy during the early stages of its development.

This is a consultation on the draft strategic objectives for the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy. It is open for people to share their views from Monday 8 April to Sunday 16 June. To view the draft strategic objectives and provide your feedback visit: https://westnorthants.citizenspace.com/cet/local-flood-risk-management-strategy

Cllr Pinder Chauhan, Assistant Cabinet Member for Flooding at WNC, said: “Flood risk is changing as changes in our climate contribute towards increased rainfall. In addition, pressures such as population growth and new development across the area means we must adapt to future flood risks. Planning to manage flood risk is more important than ever and the Strategy seeks to consider local issues, including environmental and planning challenges to ensure we’re able to strategically manage flood risk across the area.

“In order for us to shape the Strategy we would like to understand the public’s main issues and concerns in relation to flooding across West Northamptonshire to ensure we are focusing on the right themes to manage flood risk in the future. I would also encourage everyone to review the draft strategic objectives and have their say as part of the consultation.”

WNC’s current Northamptonshire Strategy requires updating as a result of environmental and governmental changes, in addition to West Northamptonshire Council now operating as a unitary body. The feedback collated from the consultation will help to shape the Strategy during the early stages of its development. A statutory public consultation will take place once the draft Strategy has been developed, which will give you another opportunity to have your say. The Strategy will then be presented to cabinet for consideration and adoption.