Work is progressing well with new play facilities. The Planning Committee unanimously backed the planning application, which will allow for one particularly tall piece of play equipment, which will be set in the dip and close to the trees. It is expected that the play ground will be open in April to allow time for the grass to grow.

People in Northampton will have the chance to get involved in deciding how the Borough Council spends money on services. Northampton Borough Council is inviting local people to discuss its proposed budget at:

The Guildhall, Northampton on 4 February from 6.30pm.

Neighbourhood Partnership 8 meeting held at Barry Road School, on Wednesday 3 February from 7pm to 9pm.

The Conservative County Council’s plan to hand over Unity School to an academy run by Mr David Ross is due to come to the County Council’s cabinet this month. With the council’s plans to transfer Weston Favell school to an academy collapsing in chaos with the government pulling the rug from the United Learning Trust, many questions now remain over the proposal to hand over Unity to the David Ross foundation.

Lib Dems will continue to make the point that academies are being imposed on Northampton schools by a Labour Government and a Conservative County Council without the support of the people who use the school. It is time our schools were given the support and the stability to do the job without constant meddling from outside.