In a letter received on the 21st December, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) confirmed that the government had wrapped up its monitoring of Guildhall performance.

The Guildhall was formally assigned inspectors back in 2004, when the then-Conservative Council posted a rating of ‘Poor’ in its annual assessment.

The ‘Poor’ score meant a Monitoring Board tracked the Council’s activity until steps could be taken to improve quality and value for money across the Council’s services.

Inspectors last met in January 2009, almost a year ago, but today announced the Guildhall had been given a clean bill of health.

It is the third piece of good news for the Lib Dem authority in recent weeks.

Scott Collins Commented “A trio of presents for Northampton this Christmas, Out of Government monitoring, Recognised as having improved significantly by the Audit Commission and shortlisted as one of the most improved Councils in Britain, I’m not sure we could have written a better Christmas list for Santa this year if we’d tried”

Earlier this month, the Audit Commission said the Council had ‘transformed’ itself and was now on a par with its peers.

And last week, the Council was shortlisted for the Local Government Chronicle’s ‘Most Improved Council’ award.

Lib Dem Leader Brian Hoare welcomed the news, saying:

“This is another piece of good news for hard-working local taxpayers.

“After two years under the Lib Dems, the Council is now recognised as being well run, with solid plans for improvement.

“We now want the Guildhall to be up there with the best-run Councils in the country by 2013.

“Like the rest of the country, the Council is facing financial challenges the likes of which local government hasn’t seen in years.

“That’s why we are taking the tough choices now to work more smartly with neighbouring Councils, local charities and the private sector to get better value for people’s £200-odd a year.”

The LGC also announced that the Guildhall would be shortlisted for a high-profile regeneration award following this year’s Market Square revamp.

Every year, the LGC recognises achievements in local government. The awards are considered an industry standard in local government.

The nominations wrap up a good year for the Guildhall, following hot on the heels of the Audit Commission’s assessment of the Council as a ‘transformed’ authority.

The judging panel were especially impressed by the transformation of Northampton’s historic Market Square.

Responding to the news, Council Leader Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington), said:

“This is great news and another vote of confidence in the progress we have made since 2007.

“The Council’s pace of change is now being recognised by residents, public sector partners, the Audit Commission and local government peers.

“We won’t hear if we have won until 24 March. But to be up there with the best is a huge achievement and shows we are making a difference.

“The Council still has a long way to go. But with Liberal Democrats at the helm, we can and we will make the Guildhall greener, smarter and more relevant to people in their everyday lives.”

“More good news!!” said Eastfield Councillor Scott Collins

Commenting further Scott said ” This is becoming a Christmas to remember for Northampton and the Liberal Democrats.

Following on from the Audit Commission report this is proof positive that Northampton under the Liberal Democrats is not just changing for the better but is actively being recognised for its progress, and not by Lib Dems or Councillors who might be expected to say such things, but instead by completely independent bodies”

“The only thing we can guarantee is that opposition councillors will refuse to believe any of this. So whilst the County Council under the Tory’s is floundering the Lib Dems are showing true leadership and direction for Northampton and our County town.

In its annual assessment, published on the 9th December, the spending agency praised the improvements made at the Guildhall, commenting that the Council now has ‘the leadership and capacity to continue to improve’.

The report comes just two years after the Lib Dems took control at the Guildhall and is a marked improvement on the Conservatives’ tenure, during which the commission judged there was ‘little real progress’.

In 2007, the Audit Commission criticised Conservatives in the Guildhall for failing to improve on the Council’s ‘poor’ rating. The report picked out numerous failings, including lacklustre management, poor political leadership and inadequate financial controls.

According to their latest report, the Borough Council is now performing as well as most other comparable Councils - a huge improvement since their previous inspection, which rated the Council among the worst 13 authorities in the country.

Commenting on the report Scott Collins said “This is truly a great way to start the Christmas period. After so many years of mismanagement by both Labour and Tory administrations it has fell to the Liberal Democrats to make real change for the better across Northampton.

It hasn’t been easy but then good and lasting change never is. It would be foolhardy to say we have become the best council we can be but i feel we are more than aware that there is still so much to do if we want Northampton to emerge from this recession as a real force to be reckoned with across the region”

The report highlights how the Council is now better at listening and helping residents get involved. The ongoing regeneration and rejuvenation of the town centre also comes in for praise. There is also recognition that ‘good progress’ has been made to improve the Council’s Revenues and Benefits service and its Housing team - both of which support the town’s most vulnerable residents.

Leader of the Council, Cllr. Brian Hoare (Lib Dem, Abington) welcomed the assessment as good news for local taxpayers, saying:

“I am pleased that the Audit Commission now recognises we are a transformed Council. Earlier this year we were told we had made significant progress; this report is further evidence that we have improved local services across the board.

“We will not be resting on our laurels and we have many more tough changes to make. This year has seen the financial climate change considerably; spending cuts and fewer jobs have a huge effect on the Council’s coffers and we must do everything possible to protect vital front line services.”

A copy of the report is available on the Council’s website - www.northampton.gov.uk

The 2009 Audit Commission’s Organisational Assessment has found:

The Council has transformed how it works.

The Council has the leadership and capability to continue to improve.

New staff and departments have enabled the Council to improve services for local people.

The Council has made good progress in improving the revenues and benefits Service, and has improved its approach to housing.

Local people are more involved with the Council.

The Council is aware that more improvement is needed to provide the Borough with cost effective services that meet people’s needs and hopes.

The Council has put in place good clear plans to continue to improve, linked to what is important.

The Council has set up good processes to manage and improve value for money.

“In the name of all the hard working, scandal-weary taxpayers in Northamptonshire I am demanding that the financial incompetence of the Conservative administration be made public knowledge.

“First the Conservatives made this disastrous contract, now they have to pay the termination fees using tax-payers’ money. It is a terrible waste of funds at a time when the cash is needed elsewhere: to pay off the Conservative council debt and to ensure quality care services.

Scott Collins commenting on the continuing farce said “It is a public disgrace to see such mismanagement of the public finances by the Tory administration, not only in the initial awarding of the Carillion contract but now to have the costs to the tax payer to resolve these failings hidden from the taxpayer smacks of holding taxpayers across the County in contempt”

“This from a Conservative Council that constantly crows about how well it is performing, but constantly fails to tell the public the real story, that the facts just do not bare any resemblance to the tall tales they tell”

Brendan Glynane further commented “Tax-payers have a right to know what the finance-bungling Conservatives in County Hall are wasting their money on; especially when that waste is due to mismanagement and incompetence by those they elected to govern sensibly.

“Before long the council tax-payers of Northamptonshire will have to be told of transition costs, legal fees, compensation payments and a host of other costs; the sooner the better.

“As Lib Dems we believe whole-heartedly in openness and honesty; council tax-payers can be sure that we will be pushing the Conservatives for them, all the way until they reveal these figures.”

Scott added “We must have clarity if we are ever to be able to believe a single word this Tory administration says. This never ending charade of smoke and mirrors to avoid their true failings is becoming the stock in trade of this Council and if George Osborne (Conservative Shadow Chancellor)* and Eric Pickles MP** to be believed we can only expect this kind of disdain for the public to continue in Whitehall should the Conservatives take power at the next General Election”

The full report on the Carillion contract will be debated at a meeting of the County Council Cabinet on Tuesday December 1st, at two pm. Northamptonshire County Council Liberal Democrats would like to urge concerned members of the public to register to speak at the meeting. This must be done before two pm on Monday November 30th.

The report can be found at http://cmis.northamptonshire.gov.uk/CmisWebPublic/Meeting.aspx?meetingID=461 as a PDF file titled ‘Item D1 Facilities Management Update Report’.

“Conservative Whitehall will have much to learn from Conservative town [/county] halls.” George Osborne, speech to Conservative councillors, 10th September 2009.

** “Our Conservative Councils will demonstrate how we will run the country.” Eric Pickles (Big Ideas, Building on Conservative Fundamentals, Localis 2008).

Liberal Democrats in Northampton have reacted strongly to news that Northamptonshire County Council faces a £100m shortfall over the next five years.

The news, announced ahead of a crunch Cabinet meeting next week, puts hundreds of public sector workers’ jobs at risk.

Responding to the announcement, County Hall’s Opposition Leader, Brendan Glynane (Lib Dem, Delapre), said:

“As far back as 2005, the Liberal Democrats warned against keeping Council Tax artificially low while the going was good.

“By raising Council Tax just 2% their first term, the Tories would now been sitting on a £20m fighting fund to ease the pace of these cuts.

“It is sad fact that public sector workers in Northamptonshire will now be paying for the ‘lowest Council Tax in the country’ with their jobs.”

Liberal Democrat Scott Collins commented

“I am stunned that a Tory administration that spent the County elections telling voters that only they could be trusted with the counties tax payers money. Well following hard on the heels of the collapse of the schools sell off deal, Carriliongate, endless mishaps and debts set to reach £629m this administration has changed tack from financial mismanagement to a ’slash and burn’ farce.

The ramifications of which the public will be feeling for years to come.

George Osborne recently told delegates that he would learn lessons in good governance from Tory run Councils, Lets hope he isn’t including Northamptonshire County Council in his lesson!!

Whilst in his key note Conference speech Mr Osborne continually said “We are all in it together”, Well i’m not sure beleaguered Council Workers would agree with his sentiment”

“All of this is just more proof, should it be needed, that this current administration cannot be trusted with our money or our services.

Lib Dem-run Northampton Borough Council has agreed a landmark deal with Legal & General binding the developer to push ahead with the redevelopment of Northampton’s Grosvenor Centre and Greyfriars bus station.

As part of a multi-million Pound town centre overhaul, historic pedestrian routes across the town would be complemented by a open and covered shopping areas, better car parking and modernised bus facilities to replace the outdated bus station.

Legal & General will now work with the Council to set priorities for the venture before a planning application is submitted. Northampton’s biggest ever public consultation will form part of the work, involving businesses, bus companies and the public.

Responding to the news, Lib Dem Cabinet member for Planning & Regeneration, Cllr. Richard Church said:

“I am delighted that we now have a binding deal with L&G. It is a significant step forward towards a better, brighter town centre.

“The deal is a huge commitment by one of the country’s largest corporate developers in Northampton’s future and is doubly impressive given the state of the economy.

“The Lib Dems want Northampton to be a town with a stronger sense of identity, community and civic pride. Better shopping facilities and public transport facilities are a must, not an optional extra.

“There is still a huge amount of work that needs to be done before work gets under way, but this is good news.”

Commenting on the news Scott Collins, Cllr for Eastfield, said “This is fantastic news, not just for Northampton but also for wider Northamptonshire.

This is just another example of the the Liberal Democrats to re invigorate Northampton and make Northampton a destination for shoppers and businesses across the country and also the confidence a major developer has in our ambitions for the town”

Brian’s elevation from Deputy Leader saw Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem, West Hunsbury) elected in his stead as Deputy Leader.

Cllr. Hoare will now formally be elected by the Borough’s 47 Councillors at their next meeting on Monday 26th October. Cllr. Varnsverry will also be formally noted.

Changes to Cabinet posts, committee positions and Council appointments to outside bodies will also be confirmed at the meeting.

“The Conservatives only have themselves to blame. Liberal Democrat County Councillors warned that the Conservative budget was unsustainable six months ago.”

“This comes after the Conservatives announced a huge increase in borrowing - up from £427 million to £629 million - a debt of £2400 for every family in Northamptonshire.”

“Add to that the £32 million Carillion contract that went bad; on which we are still waiting for the Conservative administration to explain why they failed to apply due diligence when implementing the contract.”

“Finally, so far, there is the fiasco of the aborted sale of surplus school sites sales in Northampton. Now the Conservatives are holding a ‘fire sale’ to offload these sites individually at knock down prices due to the property price-crash. We warned that the planned sale of the sites to one bidder was doomed to fail.”

“The Conservative administration is locked into a pattern of financial incompetence. This latest budget crisis just serves as further confirmation of that.”

Scott Collins commenting on the news said “This is just another example of the Tory administration failure to manage the finances of the County Council. This from a party that spent months extolling the virtues of financial stability, the truth is now being laid bare on a daily basis to the cost of every tax payer and service user.”

“Following George Osbourne’s comments recently on learning from Tory Councils, we can only expect dark days of financial failure under a Tory Government if they learn from Northamptonshire County Councils administration”

Scott met with representatives from The Royal British Legion at the recent Liberal Democrat party conference in Bournemouth where he was presented with a copy of the Legion’s manifesto for the next general election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages politicians to “do their bit” for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion’s Head of Public Affairs, said, “We’re really grateful to Scott Collins for making the time to meet with us and listen to our concerns. Our message to every candidate standing at the general election is very simple: ‘It’s time to do your bit’.

“The entire Armed Forces family needs the support of politicians from all parties,” he added. “Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help, and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration”.

Scott Collins said, “I was delighted to meet with The Royal British Legion. They have an important role to play in highlighting the needs of the whole Armed Forces family. I have pledged to do my bit and would encourage everyone to do the same by visiting the general election manifesto website - www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk - to find out more.”

“With this being such an important issue for both military personnel current and past, and of course the families of these men and women, it would be a disgrace to not support these proposals, of which many, i hope, will be recognised in the party’s manifesto next Spring. I know that the effects of not treating both serving and former members of the armed forces now can leave a legacy which needs to be dealt with later. We must improve the support and care we give to them now and in the future” said Scott after meeting the British Legion at conference.

The shocking statistic that nearly a fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds are currently unemployed, compared to less than one-in-ten of all other ages shows that this policy is a key point in building a better future for Britain delivering a better trained and more motivated workforce and lifting almost a million young people out of a future of unemployment.

Nick Clegg Said “We cannot afford to let millions get trapped in a culture of dependency - which is why our new proposals make sure young people get the help they need before they give up hope”

With almost 800,000 young people being given the opportunity to get it industry through paid internships this will help raise the level of training and knowledge across the workforce preparing us for the challenges of a post recession Britain.

An extra 60,000 places will be funded in universities and colleges, opening up further and higher education.

we will also fully fund apprenticeships to put British industry back on track and give more youngsters places on essential back-to-work schemes.

The proposals would cost £1.1billion and would be paid for by scrapping the ill thought out and ineffective VAT cut immediately.

Commenting after the launch Scott Collins, Cllr for Eastfield said “This is a real plan for Britain future. At a time when the agenda is being monopolised by stories of cuts it is a real mark of the Liberal Democrats that we launch a policy that will lift the hopes and aspirations of a generation of unemployed young people and help build a well trained workforce fit to face the future in a post recession Britian”

Our proposals would cost £1.1billion and would be paid for by scrapping the VAT cut immediately.

Scott Collins, Cllr for Eastfiels said “This has to be a joke. Since the Conservatives took control of the Counties services there has barely been an area that has not failed, been slashed or just plain removed”

“For the man who wants to manage the countries finances to think that Government can learn lesson from Conservative Councils is a shocking statement and must herald an era of cuts in support for the most vulnerable, a reduction in investing in new services, massive financial mismanagement and debt and not surprisingly another era of spin and denials”

“This is the way the Conservatives have run Northamptonshire County Council. I am sure the exposure of the £268 Million of debt already accrued by this administration is surely only a sign of the slash and burn budget we can expect from the newly elected cohort of Conservative councilors. We all know how deep they cut in their first post election budget in 2006.”

The comment made to a Conservative Seminar in London surely highlights the Conservative mindset of cuts, cuts and more cuts.

Commenting further Scott said “Only the Liberal Democrats have the policies to make a real difference to the economy, education, employment and people’s lives in Britain . A careful future of support and the removal of government waste and mismanagement compared with the Conservative mantra of blindly cutting services to fit the budget regardless of the outcome or affect on peoples lives”

It has been revealed that the Conservative County Council is predicting a debt of £629 Million by the end of the financial year.

The debt is just another sign of a party in power but unable to govern for the people of Northamptonshire.

A series of blunders and gross mismanagement of the county Council has led to a mammoth debt being accrued and leaving the County finances in a disgraceful state.

“This debt is just another indictment of failed Tory policies in County Hall and proof of the Liberal Democrats assertion over the last few years that the Tories were producing undeliverable, ‘Fairytale’ budgets full of unaffordable aspirations and unachievable savings. ” Said Scott Collins, Cllr for Eatsfield.

Commenting further Scott said “Considering that the Tories sold themselves to many voters as the party of good governance and a ’safe pair of hands’ during the last County Elections, they must now hang their heads in shame given the debacles over the bungled Carillion contract, failed school site sales and now a debt which endangers the very stability of the County’s finances”

There can surely be no response from the County Council which can account for this ‘black hole’ in the finances of the County Council especially considering the number of cuts that have taken place in virtually every area of the County Council’s services.

The Lib Dem Leader of the Borough Council, Cllr Tony Woods, said, “This is by far the most positive report the Borough Council has received from the Audit Commission since they judged the Council as Poor in 2004.

“12 years of Labour rule resulted in that Poor judgement. In 4 years under the Tories the Council went backwards. Now, after just two years of a Liberal Democrat administration we have proof positive from the Audit Commission of significant progress, improving value for money and better services for local people.

“But we know there is a long way to go before the Council is performing up with the very best - and Northampton residents deserve the very best. Years of failure takes time to put right. We are putting things right and are determined that Northampton Borough Council will be amongst the best in the country as soon as possible.

£32M Carrillion contract failure could lose county tax payers £million’s

The Tories have again demonstrated that they are unfit to manage the County Council and it’s finances. The Tory County Councillors failure to act within the Councils own rules have been condemned an investigation an investigation released recently.

The consistent mistakes and failures, featuring key Councillors Tory Administration Tory Administration ToryAdministration at County Hall, have led the Council to act Ultra Vires(Illegally) I the awarding of a key Countywide contract worth £8 Million a year. The report points out the failure in following the Councils rules on agreeing contracts and more worryingly regarding the regarding the documents regardingthe awarding of the contract cannot even be located.

The Councils Cabinet made the decision to as it as it contract recently asit could no longer afford the costs this to compensation to compensation will surely lead tocompensation for West of the of the Carrillion for early termination ofthe contract?

Scott Collins Commenting said “This is just another example of the financial and contractual incompetence of the Tory’s on the County Council, risking more public money and as the investigation states “..the Council has acted Ultra Vires (Illegally)because it had no capacity to enter into the contract Whilst people struggle to make ends meet as the recession deepens in shows that people can no longer trust the Tory’s with their tax’s. They must go.”

The biggest improvement has been in Financial Management where the rating leapt from one star to three stars. With a new team making huge differences to the financial controls within the Borough Council helping to ensure that the council delivers the very best value for the tax payers money.

Under the previous Tory administration only 4 areas of the council met the Audit Commissions minimum standard. Under the new Lib Dem Administration 10 areas meet those minimum standards.

The report point out that the council has made significant improvements in managing performance against budgets and the ways it seeks to get value for money.

Speaking today Scott Collins, Parliamentary Spokesman and member of Northampton Borough Council, said “This is great news and a true reflection of the efforts of the staff at every level of the [Borough] Council and the political leadership that now exists within the council”.

“It is also a stark comparison between Tory administration before the Lib Dems took the helm at the Borough and of course the ‘flat lining’ Tories at the County Council” said Scott. (See previous story)

Yet more proof that Lib Dems have the idea’s, the policies and the political leadership to make a difference.

The publication today of the Audit Commissions report into County Council services has shown that they have failed to make a difference to the overall standard of services to citizens of the county.

“For an administration that arrived in County Hall espousing the rebirth of the County Council and promising to improve the lot of every resident this report is one showing abject failure to deliver on their promises” said Scott Collins, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for South Northamptonshire.

Commenting further Scott said “When we look back over the last four years we don’t see the calendar of highlights we were told to expect. Instead we see cut after cut after their failure to gain control of their budgets and address the real issues facing the council and more importantly the County”.

The report states that the County has still not risen above the two star rating the council had in 2005. The council has consistently failed to rise above the two star rating in 2006 and 2007.

“If you ask most people what the council has done in the last four years almost everyone remembers a cut or loss of service in those four years. This Council made great claims about the future but have backed them up with a myriad of cuts and failed policies, from the closure of care homes, cuts in respite care, the loss of the county’s youth service, removal of grants from groups like those that ran the Roadmender and charities. Not to mention the state of the roads which, in spite of protestations from the County Council, nobody can say they are markedly better and in many cases are very much worse. This is in contradiction of their 2005 Manifesto promise”.

“With yet another independent review of the Conservative County Councillors failure in administration it will be interesting to see if the public will accept four more years of the same on 4th June at the County Council Elections” said Scott who will himself be hoping to stand in the forthcoming County elections.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Trini Crake said, “The Liberal Democrat administration of Northampton Borough Council promised to introduce kerb side glass collection. If these proposals are approved we will deliver that promise. We are committed to helping communities become safer, greener and cleaner, and to improve recycling rates. Northampton is on course to match the best recycling rates in the country”.

Customer feedback shows there is strong public demand for kerbside collection of glass. The pilot scheme has shown that kerb side collection of glass is both popular and very well used. Even better, the scheme should save money.

Plans are also in hand to extend our plastics recycling to include yogurt and margarine pots shortly and to introduce a weekly collection of food waste for composting.

Again, positive action from the Liberal Democrats to improve services.

Over the next few weeks, the police are running a campaign along the length of the Kettering Road, and you will soon see signs going up to warn cyclists. Offenders face a £30 fixed penalty charge for cycling on the pavement.

Further afield there will also be a for pro active approach to stopping reckless cycling in Abington Street.

Good Luck Tony!!

After last years vitual washout it was great to think that this year Northanmpton was able to pull off a great day out for families of those that attended. I met many residents at the festival, non of whom had harsh words for the festival, although a ready supply of casework and new issues should keep me busy for the time being.

I never had one of those that i met complain about the price, again £4 as last year. One gentleman said he had taken the family to a well known burger establishment and had found that to be the highest cost of the day, almost doubling that which he had spent to enter the festival.

One of the strangest things was the fact that almost no one mentioned the balloon’s themselves or the lack of seeing them fly. Mention was certainly made of the stunt bike team ,Team Extreme, who kept my son engrossed for the entire show (I have to say i was stunned at the tricks and the bravery (or Madness) of the riders. In fact i didnt see anything that wasnt of the highest quality, just what we should expect from our biggest show of the year. The festival will i am sure continue to grow but have the balloons had their day?

I would be interested to find out the views of the residents of Eastfield as to what should change if anything. PLease feel free to click the contact button in the side bar or email me directly.

‘We want to work with the police and other public services to establish a restorative justice panel in Northampton’ said Lib Dem Council Leader Tony Woods. ‘By confronting the offender with the victim, restorative justice makes a young offender face up to what they have done. Early intervention using restorative justice has been shown to be both cheaper and more effective than dragging a young offender through the criminal justice system. It would give the police and the council another important tool to tackle anti-social behaviour in Northampton. ‘

Restorative justice is one of the key proposals in a new Lib Dem policy statement ‘A Life Away from Crime’. Lib Dem candidate for Northampton North, Cllr Andrew Simpson said. ‘It’s great to see a Lib Dem council taking the initiative in putting our positive ideas on tackling crime into practice. Other ideas proposed by Lib Dem shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne include a youth volunteer force, PCSO’s dedicated to youth work, 10,000 more police instead of ID cards, and community justice panels.’

‘Lib Dem ideas in Northampton, such as neighbourhood wardens, have already seen a sharp drop in anti-social behaviour, and the council is working closely with the police to deliver improved policing in local communities. It’s not good enough just to talk tough on crime and anti social behaviour, we have to work with local communities to nip crime in the bud.’

“It has been a fantastic year and I am very proud of the achievements of our councillors” writes Nick Clegg “The Council has made enormous progress in the last 12 months.”

A year since the Liberal Democrats took control of Northampton has been described as a year of solid achievement by Leader Cllr. Tony Woods “We inherited a council in a mess. A year ago Government inspectors had rated the council as one of the worst in the country, with weak political leadership and failure to deliver services people have a right to expect.”

“Three things stand out from our first year” said Tony Woods.

(1) The Council’s finances are under firmer control, with no cuts in this year’s budget.

(2) Day to day services such as planning, revenues and benefits, and housing management are at last showing real signs of improvement.

(3) We are setting in place firm foundations for the long term with progress on the Grosvenor centre and other key town centre projects.”

“We still have a long way to go” said Tony Woods. “We have more to do to persuade the people of Northampton that the council is improving. That will be our task in the year ahead.”

‘Putting the Pride back in Northampton -A year of Achievement’ A full briefing on the first year of Lib Dem run Northampton Borough Council can be downloaded from www.northamptonlibdems.org.uk