NN Journal

NN Journal focuses on delivering original news from Northamptonshire, covering a wide range of local issues such as political events, social care challenges, environmental activism, arts and culture, health services, and community campaigns. It features investigative reports, profiles on local figures, and updates on significant local developments.

Local Politics Social Care Environmental Activism Arts and Culture Health Services Community Campaigns Elections Local Government Public Safety Financial Challenges

The hottest Substack posts of NN Journal

And their main takeaways

‘I didn’t want to view my sight loss as a disability’

39 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Poetry Health Personal Development
  1. Carl Peach uses poetry as a way to express his personal experiences. Writing helps him process his feelings and move forward in life.
  2. After losing his eyesight, he has adapted his writing style to remember poetry better and uses technology to aid his memory.
  3. He is inspiring others by taking on challenges like walking 10 million steps to raise awareness for people with sight loss, and he aims to become a motivational speaker.

Friday brief: Course cuts considered by under pressure university

139 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher education
  1. The University of Northampton is considering cutting some courses due to financial issues. This may include merging or dropping certain subjects to stabilize their finances.
  2. Students are worried about how these changes might impact their education and the quality of teaching. Some are actively petitioning to save specific courses that they feel are being undervalued.
  3. Local MPs are concerned about the university's financial stability and have called for better funding for higher education. They emphasize that the university is important for the local economy and workforce.

Cleared: Police watchdog say ‘no indication’ acting chief constable committed any electoral offence

218 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigations Government oversight
  1. The police watchdog found no evidence that Ivan Balhatchet committed any electoral fraud. His registration at two addresses was just an error by the local authority.
  2. The investigation confirmed that dual registrations can happen due to administrative mistakes. Balhatchet was not at fault as the local authority admitted it was their mistake.
  3. The police commissioner is not pursuing any action against Balhatchet and he remains acting chief constable until a new one is appointed.

Number of people living in county could be as much as 50,000 higher than thought, health watchdog learns

218 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Community health
  1. The population in Northamptonshire might actually be about 50,000 people higher than previously thought.
  2. According to a health official, nearly 844,000 people are registered with health services in the county.
  3. This number is significantly more than what the last census recorded, which raises questions about population tracking.

‘This is becoming the biggest issue for councils’

178 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Funding Policy Local government
  1. There is a huge budget crisis for special needs education, with a national shortfall of £4 billion. This could lead to some councils going bankrupt if the situation doesn't improve.
  2. Many councils are facing growing deficits in their budgets because more children need special education services, but funding is not keeping up with demand.
  3. Families are struggling to get the education and support they need for their children, with long wait times for necessary plans and some choosing to educate their kids at home instead.
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Local education authority ‘not getting the basics right’,says council boss

198 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🚌 Education School funding
  1. The new director of children's services says the local education department is struggling and needs to improve quickly. Parents are pulling their kids from schools and choosing to homeschool them because they don't trust the system.
  2. There is a big funding crisis affecting the schools budget, which is in serious deficit. Officials warn that if things don't change, the entire system could collapse and impact everyone's education.
  3. The council is facing a crisis with increasing numbers of children in care and not enough support for those with special needs. Leaders say they need to act fast to fix these problems and make services better for the community.

Friday brief: Northants health system overspending as county’s two hospitals bust budget

99 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Healthcare Finance Policy Community health
  1. The Northants health system is spending a lot more money than it planned, with hospitals facing major budget shortfalls.
  2. Kettering General Hospital has a big overspend due to issues like rising costs and high demand for services.
  3. The council and healthcare system are looking for solutions, including an external review of the hospital finances to get back on track.

Friday brief: MP calls for Tory councillor to leave politics after wife’s prison sentence

178 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political News Elections Political issues Local Governance Public Discourse
  1. An MP is asking a Tory councillor to resign after his wife was jailed for a racist tweet that incited violence. They believe actions in politics should reflect higher standards.
  2. Lucy Connolly was sentenced to over two years in prison for posting a tweet during summer riots that encouraged violence against hotels housing asylum seekers. This led to her arrest and conviction.
  3. Members of the community took action to prevent potential riots and expressed discomfort with Cllr Connolly's continued presence on the council after his wife's actions.

Row breaks out over council’s redundancy plans

178 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Policies Elections Public Services Local Governance
  1. The West Northamptonshire Council is offering voluntary redundancies to staff to cut costs as they face a budget shortfall. This could also include options for early retirement and reduced work hours.
  2. The Labour party is very unhappy with this decision, calling it a 'debacle' that risks worsening already strained public services.
  3. Current waiting times for services are long, and losing staff now might make these services even harder to access for the public.

Northampton MP labels plan to move statues ‘cultural vandalism’

298 implied HN points • 08 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art History Politics Community Heritage
  1. Moving the statues is seen as cultural vandalism by MP Lucy Rigby. She believes they should stay in the town center where people can learn about the important figures they represent.
  2. The West Northamptonshire Council is exploring options for using the Guildhall, which has made the statue relocation a topic of discussion. They plan to consult the public before making any decisions.
  3. Local residents feel strongly that the statues belong in their current location. Many consider the historic Guildhall an important part of the town's identity and heritage.

Development hailed as biggest transformation of town’s centre since ‘great fire’ has likely ‘considerable viability and funding gap’

238 implied HN points • 10 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Public Policy Urban Development Economic Development Infrastructure
  1. The Greyfriars area in Northampton is set for a big redevelopment, but there are concerns about money to make it happen. A partnership with a regeneration company aims to figure out the costs and plans soon.
  2. This project could create over 7,000 jobs and boost the local economy by one billion pounds, but how to pay for it all is still unclear.
  3. Local leaders are excited about this transformation, viewing it as a chance to fix past development mistakes and improve the town's center significantly.

New head of children's services investigates ‘growing trend’ in home education

218 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🚌 Education Policy Issues Community Response
  1. More families are choosing to homeschool their kids, with a big increase in the number of children learning at home. This is being noticed especially in the North area, where the rate is one of the highest in the country.
  2. The council is looking into why so many parents are withdrawing their children from schools, especially to see if kids with special needs are affected. They want to understand if families feel their children's needs aren’t being met in traditional schools.
  3. Covid-19 seems to have pushed more parents to consider home education as a safer option for their children. The local children's services are now focusing on addressing this situation.

Friday brief: Concern as Northampton’s Guildhall statues set to move

218 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Local Governance Civic engagement Public Policy
  1. There's a plan to move statues from the Guildhall courtyard, which is causing concern among locals. These statues honor important figures in the town's history.
  2. The town council is being asked to move out of the Guildhall but still wants a say in what happens to the statues and the building's future.
  3. A vacant council building is set to be sold to a shoe manufacturer after previous plans for it fell through. This sale could lead to the creation of new jobs and restoration of the building.

Is this a watershed moment?

178 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Weather Patterns Environmental Policy
  1. Northamptonshire experienced the wettest September on record, leading to serious flooding and a review of flood management systems in the area.
  2. Experts emphasize the need for communities to adapt to climate change to become more resilient against flooding risks.
  3. Local leaders are seeking funding to improve flood defenses, as more extreme weather events are expected in the future.

‘It’s about changing minds. I want to make choosing bhangra ‘normal’ for everyone.’

139 implied HN points • 05 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Dance Tradition Community Fitness Wellbeing Inclusivity
  1. Bhangra is a fun and energetic dance from Punjab that is great exercise. It has traditional roots but now mixes with popular music and fitness classes.
  2. Everyone is welcome to join Bhangra classes, no matter their background or skill level. The focus is on inclusivity and making dance enjoyable for everyone.
  3. Dancing Bhangra can help improve mental health and build confidence. It's not just about physical activity; it also provides a break from everyday stress.

Can Weekley Hall Wood become another Stanwick Lakes?

815 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Activism Environmentalism Local Governance Community Engagement
  1. A local community successfully campaigned to save a meadow from being turned into warehouses, showcasing the power of people coming together.
  2. The developer's plan was rejected due to concerns about biodiversity and the landscape, highlighting the importance of protecting natural habitats.
  3. The activist leading the campaign hopes to transform the area into a country park and is prepared to continue fighting against future development plans.

Friday brief: Spend limit council defends culture budget

715 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📰 News Local news
  1. North Northamptonshire Council is defending spending on cultural services despite overall spending limits.
  2. The council is justifying large cultural renovation projects by seeking grants and emphasizing the importance of cultural offerings.
  3. West Northamptonshire Council faces criticism for the closure of a care home despite protests and calls to preserve it for community use.

Hospital rebuild plans ‘progressing at pace' and ‘fairly simple’ says health boss

735 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Public funding
  1. Hospital rebuild plans for Kettering General Hospital are progressing quickly and smoothly.
  2. The hospital's director noted that the project is considered 'fairly simple' compared to others due to its location and lack of lengthy land sales and planning permissions.
  3. Some car parking on the site will be lost during the construction of a new energy center, resulting in a reduction in staff parking.

Reform UK enters Wellingborough byelection battle

735 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Election Political parties Candidates Conservatives
  1. Reform UK chose Ben Habib as candidate over Nigel Farage or Peter Bone for Wellingborough byelection
  2. Reform UK aims to contest every constituency in upcoming election as the party for the working class
  3. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green Party, and Britain First all preparing candidates for the Wellingborough byelection expected in February

Friday brief: Flooded out residents question holiday park living

695 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
📰 News Floods Local government Crime Elections
  1. Residents living in a Northampton caravan park are questioning their decision after experiencing floods and evacuation.
  2. Northamptonshire's health services are facing financial challenges with overspending predicted for the year.
  3. Local political figures are taking a stance on government issues in their areas and are gearing up for upcoming elections.

'We like to challenge our audiences'

536 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Theatre Performing Arts Entertainment Diversity Audience engagement
  1. White Cobra theater company founders aim to challenge their audiences with serious plays alongside lighter shows
  2. The company tours across the UK, exploring different locations and building a local following
  3. Richard and Kate, the founders, prioritize audience enjoyment over financial gain and work with a mix of professionals and local talent

‘I quit’

357 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Government Criticism Resignation Accountability Election
  1. An independent member resigned due to feeling voiceless in holding the police commissioner accountable.
  2. Concerns arise over controversial appointments made by the police commissioner.
  3. The resignation brings attention to ongoing issues within the panel overseeing police, fire, and crime matters.

It's going to be a big year

437 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics Politics Health
  1. NN Journal's focus for 2024 will be on politics and health.
  2. The author thanks for support in 2023 and looks forward to continued support in 2024.
  3. 2024 promises to be a big year for politics on both local and national levels.

The county’s billion pound battle

377 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Government Local government
  1. The two unitary authorities are in a dispute over how to handle the billion pound debts from the former council.
  2. Audits for councils' accounts are delayed due to a lack of professionals, leading to national issues.
  3. The debt standoff impacts financial sustainability, and overspending in children's services is a major concern.

‘We have far more ideas than space’

377 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Community Craftsmanship Volunteering
  1. Northampton Community Shed needs more space to accommodate their growing number of members and activities.
  2. The charity has been struggling to find a new venue despite efforts and a grant from the National Lottery.
  3. Members of the shed emphasize the sense of community, learning, and fulfillment they experience at the current space.

Friday brief exclusive: Fire chief candidate under investigation by police watchdog

178 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📰 News Investigation Local government Crime Elections Journalism
  1. The fire chief candidate is under investigation by the police watchdog for behavior during her time as deputy chief constable.
  2. North Northamptonshire Council is facing scrutiny for a planning fiasco involving a warehouse approval mix-up.
  3. A University of Northampton student has been sentenced to prison for the murder of another student during a drug dispute.