Author Archive: Peter Rowbotham

Northamptonshire Libraries has announced its second phase of re-openings across the county, following official guidance from central government.

From 3 August, more of the county’s libraries will reopen to ensure accessibility for the maximum number of customers. The libraries to reopen include Brixworth. Open hours are:   

Tuesday: 10am – 4pm

Thursday: 10am – 4pm

Saturday: 10am – 2pm

Due to the necessity for safe ways of working, including rigorous cleaning regimes and the management of staff timetabling, library services will initially be restricted to:

• A signposting enquiry service
• Access to the internet by booked appointment
• A select and collect lending service by prior arrangement only

The normal range of activities and browsing will not be possible at this stage and customers visiting the library may find they need to wait outside to be assisted by staff.

As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of Brixworth Parish Council.  This includes inspecting our accounting records and related documents. We have made available all of our 19/20 financial documents on line.

The opportunity is afforded to Parish Councils, applicants and objectors to speak will be the only opportunity for them to speak.

In support of your case you may wish to use a map/photograph/other visual aid but this must be received by the Planning Department by 17.00 two days before the date of the Committee meeting  in order that it can be added to the presentation.

If you wish to speak, please notify the Committee Clerk, Governance Resources Team by either emailing on or telephone on 01327 302236/302324, anytime before 17.00  two days before the date of the Committee meeting. They will provide details of how to access the virtual meeting.

• The Planning Officer will outline the item.
• Members of the committee may with the permission of the Chair question the Planning Officer (questions only, not comments or general discussion).
• A representative of the Parish Council will be allowed to speak to convey the views of the Parish. The speaker will be allowed no more than 3 minutes
• The objector or a representative of the objectors (if more than one objector is present) is then allowed to address the meeting.

(NOTE: Only one person is allowed to speak for the objectors, but it is open to the Chairman to allow any more parties to speak, to enable further points to be raised).

The speaker will be allowed no more than 3 minutes in which to state his/her case.

• The applicant or his/her representative (if present) may then address the meeting.

The speaker will be allowed no more than 3 minutes in which to state his/her case.

• Debate takes place by the Council Members through the Chair.
• The matter is put to the vote.

Small businesses in Daventry District are encouraged to apply for grants of up to £10,000 in the latest round of Government funding aimed at easing the impact of Covid-19.

Daventry District Council (DDC) is inviting small businesses that were not eligible for the Government’s other coronavirus support schemes to make applications to the new Discretionary Grant Fund.

The funding is aimed at businesses with under 50 employees that have seen a significant drop in income due to coronavirus, such as those in shared offices or other flexible workspaces, bed and breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of Business Rates, some eligible charity properties and those who spend less than £51,000 a year renting or mortgaging a property.

The deadline for applications to the Council is the end of Sunday, 14 June 2020 and businesses can check the eligibility criteria and apply online via the DDC website at https://www.daventrydc.gov.uk/your-council/news/advice-on-coronavirus/businesses/discretionary-grant-fund/

DDC has already distributed £13.41m of Government funding to 1,138 local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic – including grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses, plus a series of small business rate relief grants.

Councillor Colin Morgan, Resource Portfolio Holder at Daventry District Council said: “Our staff have been working hard to ensure that local businesses receive the Government funding support that they are entitled to during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“The Discretionary Grant Fund is aimed at those small businesses struggling significantly during these difficult times that aren’t eligible for the other government grant support schemes. I would urge any small local businesses who think they may qualify to visit our website to check the criteria and then apply online.”

As you know Anglian Water has been making plans to reopen PItsford Water safely and they know that many have been looking forward to getting back on the local trails. As AW are now confident that the reopening preparations are all in place, it is very happy to let you know that it will be reopening Pitsford Water (and its other water parks) from Tuesday 2nd June.

However, there will be some changes across the park to make sure social distancing can be maintained, to protect visitors and our colleagues. Toilets at the Fishing Lodge will be open though. AW ask people to check its  web page for full details: https://anglianwaterparks.co.uk/pitsford-water

It is clear that there is still a long road ahead in respect of living with Covid-19 and it’ll come as no surprise that, as with all walks of our current lives, things will look a little different for some time to come. AW will be monitoring the Government’s advice and the situation at the parks as the summer progresses, and will keep you updated on any changes that it needs to make.