WNC News – Police, Fire & Crime consulation, Christmas bins, reducing food waste & Nov newsletter

On this page you can view the latest news from West Northamptonshire Council and the office of the Northamptonshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner.


WNC Town & Parish Briefing – monthly newsletter

November 2024 Town & Parish Briefing


WNC & OPFCC News Releases – highlighted by East Farndon Parish Council

Nov 28th 2024 – Police, Fire & Crime Consultation

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone has launched an online consultation on her draft police, fire and crime plan, which sets the blueprint for police and fire services in Northamptonshire. Both a copy of the plan and the link to the survey can be found on the OPFCC website, here: Precept and Plan Consultation – Northamptonshire Police & Fire Commissioner


Nov 18th 2024 – Christmas 2024 bin arrangements

Daventry area collections, which includes East Farndon, due to take place on Wednesday 25th December 2024 will instead take place on Saturday 21st December, while collections due on Thursday 26th December will take place on Saturday 28th December. Collections due on Wednesday 1st January will take place on Saturday 4 January. All other collections will take place on their normal days. Garden Waste – those subscribed to the service are advised there will be a short break in collections from Monday 23rd December until Monday 6th January. Crews will collect real Christmas trees over a two-week period starting Monday 6th January. Please ensure trees over 6 feet (183 centimetres) tall are cut in half so they fit in the lorries safely. They can also be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. Residents in the Daventry and South Northants areas should put real Christmas trees out on the day garden waste is due to be collected in their area.  


Nov 18th 2024 – Spotlight on reducing food waste – article in Nov newsletter

In the UK we waste a quarter of all the food and drink we buy! This is responsible for producing 18 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year (imagine 36 million standard sized water butts full of petrol on fire) which contributes towards climate change. One of the best things we can do for the environment and our wallets is not waste our food and drink. An average family can save £1,000 a year by reducing their food waste. Some top tips to reduce food waste include:

  1. Planning ahead – by planning your meals and sticking to a shopping list you will avoid overbuying food and use up food you already have – remember to check what food you already have before going to the shops.
  2. Know your dates – remember that a ‘Best Before’ date only refers to the quality of food, but most items are ok to eat after this date.  ‘Use By’ dates refer to safety and food should not be eaten after this date.
  3. Make the most of your food – correct storage of your food can extend its life by weeks (or months in a freezer), your fridge should be below 5oC and you can freeze any food right up to the ‘use by’ date – ideal if your plans change.
  4. Perfect Portions – cook only what you need and if you do have any leftovers they can be stored in the fridge for another meal another day.  You can take the guess work out of portion sizes by using the food portion calculator on the love food hate waste website.

The Love Food Hate Waste website has lots of great hacks and guidance for making the most of food at home and saving you money.  See www.lovefoodhatewaste.com Any food that can’t be used (for example tea bags, bones, plate scrapings etc) or does become wasted, should be placed into your food waste bin and put out for collection each week, on the same day as your other bins (currently unavailable to most flats but will be available to all by April 2026). More and more people in West Northamptonshire are recycling their food waste when they see how easy it is. Visit www.westnorthants.gov.uk/foodwaste for more information or to order a free food waste bin. Did you know?:

  • recycling your food waste, rather than putting it in your rubbish bin, saves the council, and therefore you, around £100 per tonne – money which could be spent on other services.
  • all food waste bins are provided free of charge (an indoor caddy and an outdoor bin) and are collected every week.
  • you can use any bag to line your indoor kitchen caddy, including plastic.
  • food waste caddy bags are now stocked at all WNC libraries and are just £1 a roll (30 bags).
  • food waste is processed into green electricity and compost, which fertilises local farmers’ fields
  • reducing and recycling your food waste is one of the best ways to lower your carbon footprint and fight climate change.

For a FREE weekly reminder of which bin goes out when, and a comprehensive list of what can and cannot be recycled in West Northamptonshire,  download the West Northamptonshire Council App – available on either Google Play or Apple App Store


Oct 29th 2024 – Residents are urged to access vital winter financial support

WNC is encouraging all residents, especially those most vulnerable, to take advantage of a wide range of financial support available this winter.


Oct 26th 2024 – Sepsis: get to know the risks, spot the signs, and act fast

Recent reports highlight that local communities remain unaware of the risks and signs of sepsis. By raising awareness of how people can spot the signs and symptoms, and know how to act fast, if sepsis is suspected, it can help families across West Northamptonshire and beyond. WNC urge everyone to familiarise themselves with the symptoms and seek immediate medical attention if they suspect sepsis. Timely treatment with antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and support for organ function is critical for saving lives. Click here to find out more about sepsis and infections.


Sept 18th 2024 – It’s time to apply for you child’s school place for September 2025

Parents and carers of children living in West Northamptonshire can now apply for a reception place in a primary or infant school, a year 3 place in a junior school, or a Year 7 place in a secondary school, for the September 2025 intake. Parents and carers can apply for a place in reception if their child will be four years old on or before 31 August 2025. The closing date for applications for places in reception (and year 3 at junior school) is 15 January 2025 at midnight. The closing date for applications for Year 7 places is 31 October 2024 at midnight.


Sept 18th 2024 – 24 hour mental health text message service launched for Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) along with North and West Northamptonshire Councils have partnered with charity Mental Health Innovations to offer free, confidential and 24/7 mental health support to those across the county through the charity’s text messaging support service Shout.


July 20th 2024 – WNC service to deal with Wasp problems


Mar 13th 2024 – Eligible households urged to access funding to save money to heat their homes

Residents who have an annual household income of under £31,000 or less and are not connected to mains gas networks could be eligible for government funding to help to make their homes more energy efficient and save money on heating their homes, reducing fuel poverty. From Tuesday 2 April the criteria will change to less than £36,000 combined gross annual income.