Harlestone Manor Parish Council

Armed Forces Day 2026 is Saturday, 27 June 2026. It is celebrated annually on the last Saturday of June to honor the service of military personnel, veterans, cadets, and their families.

The main national event for 2026 will be held on 27–28 June at Queen’s Parade, Aldershot.

Key details regarding the 2026 event:

National Event: The main event takes place on Saturday, 27 June, with a parade in Aldershot, followed by a weekend celebration.

Armed Forces Week: Celebrations begin on Monday, 22 June, leading up to the main day.

Reserves Day: This is scheduled for Wednesday, 24 June 2026.

Local Events: Various communities across the UK hold their own events, with some local events, such as in Camberley and Coleraine, scheduled for June 20, 2026

What3words: fruit.finger.brain
Between Dunkley Way and Harlestone Road, near the bus stop.
This is the location of our brand new Defibrillator and Bleed Kit.

The Highway Authority have revoked the road space licence for the Bloor contractor and therefore they will be de-camping and re-opening Port Road for next week. It is currently suggested that the works will take place in September 2026

Please see below details of the consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy being developed by West Northants Council.

The public consultation will run from 11 Feb to 25 March 2026 - Local Nature Recovery Strategy Consultation | West Northamptonshire Council. We encourage you to read the strategy document, view the local habitat map, and complete the survey. Understanding our LNRS and incorporating it’s measures into Council functions helps us fulfil our Biodiversity Duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity. Please do share this email with your colleagues and managers. I welcome being contacted to discuss.

Further information about our strategy is available on our LNRS web pages Local Nature Recovery Strategy | West Northamptonshire Council.

Public consultation activities:

The press release – Help shape the future of nature recovery in West Northants | West Northamptonshire CouncilPoster is attached – please print and place in your venues if near WN borders. Also, a jpeg to include in any newsletters, blogs, or articles.Hard copies of the strategy will be available in libraries across WN next week.Current events listed on the consultation page above, more are in planning stages.

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestNorthants/posts/1206927571628731 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/west-northamptonshire-council_our-draft-local-nature-recovery-strategy-activity-7427364878606311424-kImR?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGdW_kBlmPbdzOAEK_i7rAjUE2RV_-UGD0 X: https://x.com/WestNorthants/status/2021598587050758291

Any queries, please do contact me. Please remember to use my NatureRecovery ([email protected]) email when forwarding or sending information outside of West Northamptonshire Council.

Many thanks

Ruth

Ruth Rolls

Nature Recovery Strategy Officer

Environment, Countryside & Parks, Assets & Environment

West Northamptonshire Council | Brixworth Country Park | Northampton | NN6 9DG

www.westnorthants.gov.uk/nature

Our draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy sets out how nature across the area can be created, restored, enhanced, and connected for the benefit of wildlife, people, and the environment.

We've worked with local experts, communities, and organisations to shape it, and now it's over to you:

➡Have we captured your ideas and priorities? Is anything missing?
➡Does it focus on the right species and habitats?
➡Is it clear and easy to use for delivering nature recovery?
➡Do you have projects or opportunities we should include on the Local Habitat Map?

Please let us know your thoughts by completing our survey, linked in the comments.

Port Road towards Upper Harlestone road Closure.
This section of the road is currently closed whilst civil engineering work is done, including new kerbs, new entrance to Harlestone Park to connect the Fleetland Road spine Road, new road markings and completion of the new roundabout that will connect the north and south estates off Port Road. Completion date for all works is 17th July 2026

Parich Council Precept Update 2026/27

Each year the Parish Council sets a budget and agrees a precept. The precept is the small part of your Council Tax that funds parish services and community activities.

For 2025/26 we set a precept of £32,156 which resulted in a Band D charge of £135.61.

Although the Parish Council did not increase its overall budget that year, residents saw an increase because the number of Band D equivalent properties (the “tax base”) reduced.

For 2026/27, we are pleased to confirm:

- The precept has been reduced to £27,000
- The tax base has increased
- The Band D parish charge will be just under £107.00
- This represents an approximate 21% reduction for an average Band D property

We have been able to reduce the precept this year through careful financial management, while continuing to support services for our community.

Please remember that the parish element is only a small part of your overall Council Tax bill, which also includes West Northamptonshire Council, Police, Fire and other services.

📣 West Northamptonshire Local Plan – Public Consultation Events

West Northamptonshire Council’s Policy Team will be hosting a series of public exhibitions as part of the Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation.

🗣️ Residents are invited to attend to find out more about the draft Local Plan and speak directly with officers, who will be available to answer your questions.

📅 Upcoming exhibition dates and venues:

Sunday 2 February
🕜 13:30 – 16:30
📍 Moulton Community Centre, NN3 7AX

Thursday 6 February
🕛 12:00 – 17:00
📍 The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6AF

Monday 10 February
🕑 14:00 – 19:30
📍 Wootton Community Centre, NN4 6ED

Tuesday 11 February
🕛 12:00 – 16:30
📍 Middleton Cheney Village Hall, OX17 2LT

Wednesday 12 February
🕒 15:00 – 18:30
📍 Mercure Hotel, Daventry, NN11 0SG

Wednesday 19 February
🕧 12:30 – 16:30
📍 Grosvenor Centre, Northampton, NN1 2EW

Wednesday 4 March
🕒 15:00 – 19:30
📍 Long Buckby Community Centre, NN6 7QB

Wednesday 11 March
🕧 12:30 – 18:00
📍 Brackley Town Hall, NN13 7AB

🏡 This is an opportunity for residents to learn more about future planning across West Northamptonshire and have their say.

Dear Parishioners
HMPC has written to Cllr Arnull, Cllr Lister and Cllr Hastie WNC with regards to the possible release from the management company Greenbelt, please visit the HMPC website to read the full letter. If anyone with relevant knowledge that could help, please email the Clerk or use the submission form on the website. [email protected]
Best wishes, Paul

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1X5LEVVory/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A fresh draft of the West Northamptonshire Local Plan has been published ahead of a consultation which is set to launch later this month.

The Local Plan is a key document shaping the future of development across West Northamptonshire up to 2043, and setting out how land will be used for housing, employment, green spaces, and infrastructure, while supporting regeneration and protecting the environment.

It will be discussed at our Planning Policy Committee meeting on Thursday (8 January) ahead of debate at Full Council on 19 January. A major public consultation will follow in late January, giving everyone a chance to have a say on it.

Read more: https://ow.ly/PrKm50XRSj7