Reminder : Holcot Speedwatch 2024

Holcot from the south

Our annual Holcot Speedwatch is set to run between March 30th and April 27th.

Would you like to volunteer and help reduce speeding in the village?

Speedwatch involves standing at the side of a road with the speed gun, recording vehicles that are exceeding limits. Speedwatch helps raise speed awareness and will hopefully lead to a change in driver behaviour. The Police have also offered to participate this year.

Please contact Cllr Chris Bailey on inthehedges@mac.com to offer your help.

Parish Council annual drop-in – this evening!

Holcot from the west

The Parish Council annual drop-in event is this evening in the White Swan. Please come along to the pub between 6pm and 7pm to chat to councillors and neighbours in an informal setting.

Possible topics this year could include Green Hill Solar, the draft Parish Plan, highways and road safety, being a parish councillor, community engagement…

Parish Councillor vacancy and co-option

cropped holcot parish council logo cmyk jpeg.jpg

Caroline Ferguson has resigned as a Councillor. She has served for 3 years. On behalf of the Parish, at last week’s meeting the Council expressed it’s gratitude for her service.

Please see below the statutory notice of the vacancy. Until 11 April, Parishioners can ask for an election – if one is not requested then the Parish Council may co-opt a replacement Councillor.

If you would like to find out more about being a Councillor, please don’t hesitate to give me a call, or get in touch with any Councillor.

If no election is requested, anyone interested will be able to put themselves forward for co-option by following a simple process – details will be posted here following the 11 April.

Thanks again to Caroline for everything you have done.

David Walker, Chair – 07802 416704

Today’s litter pick

Holcot from the south

Thank you to everyone who came along to the litter pick today.

The good news was that whilst there was a lot of litter collected, it was mostly from hedges and other hard to reach places. Finds included wine bottles, a hub cap, beer cans, and a land rover mud flap.

Consultation : Children and young adults

WNC have published a consultation regarding the health and wellbeing of children and young adults. Respond to it here before 28 April.


At West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) there is lots of work happening together to review our early help offer for children, young people, and their families, and to look at how we can strengthen this work to ensure there is the right preventative support available to those who need it.  

Our focus on the early help offer is about how together with other organisations such as health, voluntary sector and community organisations, we can ensure families can access timely and helpful support. This includes information, advice and guidance on a range of topics – this may be advice on newborn support and development, vaccinations for children, mental wellbeing advice for teenagers to name a few examples.

Continue reading “Consultation : Children and young adults”

Postal voters urged to apply early for the May elections

Residents in North and West Northamptonshire are being encouraged to apply early to vote by post for the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Elections this spring.

On Thursday, 2 May voters across North and West Northamptonshire will go to the polls to elect the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) is elected to oversee local policing and fire and rescue services, manage the police & fire and rescue budget, set council tax rates for policing, and ensure transparent communication about police activities in the community. They will also make key appointments of the Chief Constable and the Chief Fire Officer for the Northamptonshire area.

People are urged to apply for postal votes as early as possible ahead of the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, 17 April and those wishing to vote by proxy(when someone votes on your behalf) can also do this in advance of the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday, 24 April.

Anyone who is not yet registered to vote must do so by Tuesday, 16 April in order to take part in this spring’s election. You can register to vote on the gov.uk website.

Students have the option of registering at both their home and term-time addresses, and if they are in different local authority areas, they can vote in both locations during the election.

“For those who may face challenges in visiting a polling station on Election Day, whether due to health concerns or other circumstances, registering to vote by post or proxy ensures that your voice remains as vital and influential as ever.”

Voters intending to vote in person are urged to ensure they have one of the acceptable forms of photo ID prior to attending their polling station. Residents without an acceptable form of ID have until 5pm on Wednesday, 24 April to apply for their Voter ID.

Speed Watch Spring 2024

The next Holcot Speed Watch is set to run between March 30th and April 27th. Would you like to volunteer and help reduce speeding in the village? Even if you can only manage a couple of hours across the initiative your support would be gratefully received! Please contact Councillor Chris Bailey on inthehedges@mac.com to find out how you can help.

Green Hill Solar Farm

Holcot Parish Council has been made aware of a project to build a solar farm across several Northamptonshire locations connected to a hub at Grendon. One solar array site is proposed to be on farmland to the south of Holcot. It is early days, but there is now a website with basic information https://greenhillsolar.co.uk/. The formal consultation regarding the proposals is expected in the Autumn, and subject to national-level approval, construction will be towards the end of the decade. We are engaging with the applicants and will post further information on the website as it becomes available.

Post-16 Transport Policy Statement Consultation 2024- your input required.

West Northants Council would like you to share your views on the proposed changes to the Post-16 Transport Policy Statement for students across West Northamptonshire.

We have reviewed our current Post-16 Transport Policy Statement and are proposing changes which apply to young people of sixth form age and young people with Education, Health and Care plans up to age 25. These changes are to meet demand and operating costs whilst promoting sustainability. Changes will come into effect for all students entering Post 16 education or training in September 2024.

This consultation is open to parents and carers, students, transport providers, education professionals, other stakeholders, and anyone else who may have an interest. Your views are important as they will help us to inform proposals.

This consultation closes midnight Monday 1 April 2024.

Have your say-if you would like further information and to comment on the proposals, please visit Post-16 Transport Policy Statement Consultation 2024.

Please visit the West Northamptonshire Consultation Hub for more information about all consultation or engagement activities.

New laws around dog fouling and smoking in play areas

Holcot Parish Council have recently received complaints about dog fouling in the village. This is a topic which never really goes away. So in-line with the new laws that go live on Tuesday 3rd October HPC will be investigating getting signs added to lamp posts around the parish to remind everyone of the penalties of both dog fouling and smoking in the playing field. HPC would also like to hear from any volunteers who would be happy to spray any dog poo with fluorescent spray paint to help bring it to everyone’s attention! Hopefully with the changes in the laws and the visual reminders around the parish we can encourage everyone to make Holcot safer and cleaner for our families and friends. To find out how to report a dog fouling incident please click on the link here.

Parish Council Responsibilities- a reminder

Ever wondered exactly what the Parish Council have responsibility for? Well below is the list…

  • Street Lighting
  • Playing Field
  • Grass cutting
  • Litter Bins
  • Bus Shelters
  • Public Seating
  • Landscaping
  • Newsletter
  • Website

If you see anything that needs repairing or that you are concerned about please let the parish council know. Each councillor has a responsibility for an area of the parish as well as other responsibilities for certain parish facilities. Please click here to find out the councillors’ contact details and the areas they cover. Alternatively please contact the parish council clerk, Ruby Cole on clerk@holcotvillage.co.uk

Street harassment is not OK!

Northamptonshire Police has launched the Flare Report App that allows women to report, anonymously and quickly, any incidents or behaviour that make them feel unsafe when they are out and about in Northamptonshire.  Police will collate and analyse the reports made, so that problem areas can be identified and action taken to improve those areas where people feel unsafe.  Flare Report can be downloaded to Apple or Android devices. Please share this news with your friends and family.

The app can be used to report incidents and behaviour that are inappropriate and make people feel unsafe, such as cat calling, comments or touching, street harassment or other threatening behaviour.  Crimes can be reported on FlareReport but not if they need an immediate police response.

“Fix My Street”

Did you know you can easily report damage & obstructions to roads and pavements with just a quick click?! As we are heading into pothole season this tool if perfect for anyone who sees or is impacted by a pothole. However this service can be used for many different issues which could impact the safety of anyone driving or walking around Northamptonshire. It can also be used to report low hanging and dangerous vegetation which could obscure visibility or fall into the road.

If you have anything to report, please don’t hesitate and click here to notify WNC. You can also click on the Street Doctor button on the website Homepage. Here you will find more information about the WNC Highways responsibilities.

Platinum Jubilee Parish Photo

Thanks to everyone who was part of the celebrations over the long weekend. It was lovely to see so many parishioners out and about over the last four days. Shame about the cool damp weather on Sunday, (but then again it is only June), but a bit of rain didn’t dampen the parish spirits!

We are now in possession of the Parish photos taken on Saturday morning. We have two versions for you to choose your favourite from. Don’t forget you can click on the link and save a copy!

Click here for A and here for B.

If anyone has photos of the Jubilee events they are happy to share please send them to editor@holcotvillage.co.uk and they will be added to the website gallery for everyone to have access to.

Subscribe to the Holcot parish website

Holcot from the East

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