Council plans activities based on feedback from residents

Residents have given their views on what they want their local council to do for them in the coming year.

People in Kettering were asked what they wanted the town council to focus on and how it should spend its budget.

The consultation ran in November and December, and councillors have now agreed on their priorities for the next financial year – based on the feedback received.

A range of projects are now being planned which aim to boost the economy, improve the environment and local facilities, as well as supporting groups and residents with local grants.

The majority of respondents were in favour of providing new public toilets in the town centre at Wadcroft Road and spending more on events throughout the year, including:
• Taking over the Christmas lights and switch on event from North Northamptonshire Council
• Running Kettering By The Sea in the Market Place over the summer
• Organising Bands in the Park throughout the summer, with a greater range of music
• Putting on more events with live music, street food, markets and fairs

Comments were also in favour of increasing the grants budget to £30,000, with a £20,000 allocation to local organisations and £500 per councillor to be spent in their ward.

Respondents also made a number of detailed comments about how the council's events and services were run and organised and these will be taken into account during the year.

Chair of the Finance and Governance Committee, Cllr Mark Rowley, said: "We have taken on board what local people want for Kettering and are working to make some real differences to people's lives in the area."

Kettering Town Council's precept will mean an annual cost of £23.50 for someone in an average, Band D, property – about 45p a week. This will still be one of the lowest precepts in North Northamptonshire or in England for a town or parish council.