• Historic England and Photoworks have launched an exciting new project encouraging people to look at their high street like never before. Over the next 12 months, they’re inviting everyone to respond to fortnightly challenges that uncover the secret life of their local high street by posting their own photographs on Instagram using the #PicturingHighStreets tag. To find out more, visit: https://historicengland.org.uk/get-involved/high-street-culture/picturing-high-streets/.
• British Gas have been in touch regarding their £2 million fund for their customers struggling with energy debt. As part of this, they’re contacting their most vulnerable customers to let them know they can apply for an energy grant. To find out more, see here.
• Further to the above, I wanted to share some useful resources Age UK have produced to help people save money on their bills, while still keeping warm. I understand that energy costs are a great source of concern to my constituents across Corby & East Northamptonshire right now, including my older constituents, so I know it is important to be aware of what help is available to you. You can access the new Age UK cost of living hub, here.
• Unfortunately, in extreme weather conditions, you won't be able to stop flood water, and you should always put personal safety above attempts to protect property and possessions. Despite this, there are steps that you can take to keep water out, to buy yourself time to preserve property and possessions, and to limit the damage that flood water does. Therefore, GoCompare have compiled a useful guide for preparing for a flood and how to best protect your property, which can be found, here.
• On the 24th October 2022, Royal Mail began their 100 day countdown for customers to use up their non-barcoded definitive stamps. These include the regular, ‘everyday’ stamps featuring the profile of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This means that, from the 1st February 2023, only barcoded definitive stamps will be accepted as a valid form of postage. Royal Mail are therefore encouraging their customers to use up their non-barcoded definitive stamps, with Christmas being the perfect opportunity! However, customers who are unable to use up their stock of non-barcoded stamps, of all values, may exchange them for the equivalent in barcoded stamps. There is currently no end date for when customers can swap their stamps – so this option can be accessed after the 31st January 2023. They can be sent, free of charge, with a completed form, to Royal Mail using their FREEPOST address. Swap forms are available from www.royalmail.com/barcodedstamps, where a form can be printed or requested; Royal Mail’s Customer Experience team – customers can call 03457 740740 and request a form be posted to them, as well as from more than 1,200 Customer Service Points at delivery offices. Please note that special stamps – those that are issued to commemorate special occasions or to celebrate British achievement – will not be barcoded and remain valid for use. This also applies to non-barcoded Christmas stamps and neither of these stamps can be exchanged.
• I wanted to highlight a campaign created by the brilliant Royal British Legion, in response to increases in the cost of living, which is also affecting members of the Armed Forces community. They have launched ‘Everyday Needs Grants’, providing up to £2,400 over 12 months for those eligible. You can read more and apply, here.
• The National Lottery have been in touch to highlight that the Community Fund has awarded over £248,000 of funding to provide activities and engagement with children and younger people in Corby, specifically from the Kingswood estate. This is great news for the local community and I'm sure it will be welcomed by local residents!
• I was pleased to hear from the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner that the Flare Report app has recently been launched for use across Northamptonshire. This is a tool to enable women to quickly and anonymously report non-emergency issues of street harassment and similar behaviour so the Police can create a clearer picture of what incidents are happening in the county, and, importantly, take appropriate action to stop them. Every month, they aim to feed back to the public and stakeholders that reports have been heard and outline what action has been taken. I very much welcome the introduction of this app, which is free to download onto any mobile device – street harassment like cat-calling and other inappropriate behaviour is unacceptable and women should not simply have to ‘put up with it.’
• I wanted to highlight an update made to Persimmon Homes’ 'Community Champion' scheme, which is now offering increased funding to local organisations across the constituency. In the last two years alone, Persimmon has donated over £1.5 million to over 5,000 charities, sports clubs and community groups across the UK, and local organisations may benefit from this fresh support - you can find more details and apply at the following link: https://www.persimmonhomes.com/community-champions-2022.
• The Northamptonshire Police, Fire & Crime Commissioner has recently launched a council tax precept consultation for the coming financial year and is very keen to gather the views of as many people as possible from across Northamptonshire, using the survey which can be completed at the link below before it closes on the 17th January 2023 at 4.30pm. I would encourage everyone locally to have their say! See, here.
• I wanted to share that Northamptonshire Sport have announced a new funding stream to help NGB-affiliated sports clubs most impacted by the increased cost of living. Sport is a fantastic way to improve physical and mental health, as well as sports clubs being a key part of our community more generally every week of the year - something I have never missed the chance to emphasise! Clubs can register their interest at the link below, and must do so by the 23rd December 2022. See, https://www.northamptonshiresport.org/funding/sportsclub/.
• I wanted to highlight the launch of Visa’s ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ competition, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium. It is a nationwide showcase of the hundreds of towns helping local businesses and communities to thrive. Towns could receive up to £20,000 for a community initiative alongside a learning development package to help local businesses grow. Towns must complete an application by the 11th January 2023 for a chance to win! More information at: https://www.visa.co.uk/campaign/talk-of-the-town/.
If you have anything you would like to be featured next week, please email all the details to pursglovet@parliament.uk.
Also, if you have taken any photos of constituency landscapes or landmarks, which could be featured in my ‘Community Notices’ headers, please send them in and I will try to use as many of them as possible (and credit them accordingly!), as a celebration of the fantastic place we live and work in. I know we have many budding photographers in our community and it would be great to showcase their work!