Problems with the groundworks mean that the price of the project has risen from £8.2million to £12.3million, while costs in relocating the library from its current premises at Mulberry Place - where the cinema would be built - to a refurbished Abbey Resource Centre have also spiralled from £700,000 to £1.5million.

Elected members decided to back the project, despite fears from some councillors that the authority is ‘overcommitting’ itself financially to both this project and agreed funding of £1.5million for the new Reach for Health premises that was agreed at the same meeting.

But portfolio holder for regeneration, Councillor David James, said that if the money wasn’t spent on this project, it would likely be swallowed up by the proposed unitary authority expected to replace it in 2020.

He said: “People want this development and its something we have had in mind for a long time. We originally estimated a ballpark figure of £8.2million, and that was a figure taken out of the air without costings.

“We want to get this concluded as quickly as possible. Hopefully, we will get planning permission by February, we may even get it to a planning committee by January. That would allow us to get a contract in March and work could start in June for completion by next August.

“If we don’t spend money on this project we will probably lose it, and I would rather it was spent in Daventry than on the regeneration of Northampton.”

Council leader Chris Millar admitted later on in the night that the council was ‘pushing the line a bit’ on its finances, but said: “I think this is a very popular move and has been well received. This would be a smaller three to four screen cinema, and the smaller ones tend to do very well and can make a profit much easier. It’s a very good cause for the future of Daventry.”

But a number of concerns were expressed over the viability of the project, particularly as no operator was yet in place for the cinema.

Conservative councillor and portfolio holder for finance, Colin Morgan, asked Councillor James if he could ‘guarantee that the scheme will be viable in the long run and not leave taxpayers at risk’.

Labour’s Councillor Stephen Dabbs added: “I’m conflicted on this because I’m concerned about the cost rise but I think the scheme is a good idea.

“I just wonder what danger there is of the costs creeping up further? I can’t help but feel that, along with Reach for Health, this council is about to over commit. We perhaps should not have spent money on repairing bridges that we didn’t own.”

And fellow Labour councillor Wendy Randall argued that ‘we could spend all this money and have an empty building’.

But Councillor James responded: “There’s no guarantee on the success of anything. We have had ten initial operators come forward and we are seriously considering three or four of them. There’s always an element of risk attached but to have ten operators at this very early stage is positive.”

One of UKIP’s East Midlands MEPs has resigned from the party.

Former Kettering councillor Jonathan Bullock, who was the party’s energy spokesman, says he has quit over the breach of the party’s constitution by leader Gerard Batten.

Mr Bullock said: “When I joined UKIP six years ago I had a meeting with Nigel Farage and asked one key question - how are you going to keep out the far right? - and he explained how the BNP and English Defence League were banned and how the constitution proscribed discrimination.

“I have over the course of the last few months challenged the current leader, Gerald Batten, over his increasing support for Tommy Robinson who is perceived to be ‘far-right’, banned from membership and breaks the constitution which proscribes discrimination on grounds of religion.

“The NEC of the party had the opportunity to uphold the constitution when the leader announced that he was appointing Robinson as an advisor and that they would both speak at a Brexit rally, but it chose to keep the leader in position.

“The contract with MEPs, and the party members has thus been broken. I will therefore be joining with Nigel Farage and other colleagues in writing to resign from UKIP. It is with great regret and disappointment that I have come to this conclusion. I will remain in the EFDD group in the European Parliament under Nigel’s leadership.

“I urge the many moderate and traditional members of UKIP to either force Gerard Batten out of the leadership or resign themselves from the party.”

More than one in every nine patients seen by a GP in Northamptonshire has been diagnosed with depression, according to health statistics.

New Public Health England data shows that, between April 2017 and March 2018, the proportion of patients in the local authority with depression was 12.3%.

And this figure has risen from 8.9% in 2013-14.

At the same time, in Northamptonshire, the percentage of patients being diagnosed with the mental health condition for the first time has increased from 1.7% to 1.9%.

Charities say the rise in prevalence could be due to less stigma surrounding depression.

Stephen Buckley, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said this could be positive “if more people feel they can ask for help”.

“It might also be that GPs have a greater understanding of mental health and are more able to spot symptoms of depression,” he continued.

“However, it’s crucial that resources are made available to GPs to cope with this increase in demand.”

Mr Buckley said it was essential GPs have the correct training, as most people go to their local doctor for support for their mental health.

“As part of the NHS long term plan, due very soon, we need to see a plan for how Government will work together to make sure people with mental health problems can get the right support,” he added.

Northamptonshire has a higher proportion of patients with depression than the East Midlands does overall, where 10.8% of patients on GP lists are diagnosed with the condition.

There are large regional variations across England. Rochdale has the highest prevalence, where more than one in seven patients have been diagnosed with depression, while in Newham, east London, more than one in 20 have the condition.

Lucy Schonegevel, from the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said a huge amount of work has been done over the past decade to “reduce the stigma associated with mental illness”.

She explained: “People are more likely to now reach out for help and rightly not feel ashamed to do so.

“We also have better data collection now than in previous years, so we have a more accurate picture of mental health problems across the nation.”

Ms Schonegevel added that a rise in demand must be matched by “much needed improvements to services”.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “Mental health is a key priority for Government. We are transforming services with record amounts of funding, with the NHS spending almost £12 billion on mental health last year.

“We have introduced access and waiting time standards, expanded talking therapies, and are revitalising crisis care services.”

Hundreds of girls in Northamptonshire were not fully vaccinated against the potentially cancer-causing HPV virus last year, new figures show.

Girls in England are offered free HPV jabs at school during Years 8 and 9, when they are aged between 12 and 14.

However, Public Health England figures show 94.1% of girls in Northamptonshire were given the recommended two doses of the vaccine by the end of Year 9 in 2017-18.

This was one of the highest coverage rates in England - but 225 girls were still left unprotected.

The HPV vaccination protects against the human papilloma virus, which is responsible for more than 99% of cervical cancer cases as well as some other rarer cancers.

Cervical cancer charity Jo’s Trust said it was important “not to get complacent” despite overall coverage remaining high.

“The vaccine is one of the best tools we have for preventing the disease,” said chief executive Robert Music.

“It prevents seven out of 10 cases of cervical cancer, so we absolutely encourage all young women to take it up when offered.”

According to the NHS, the vaccine works best when girls receive it before they become sexually active.

HPV can be spread through any kind of skin-to-skin contact, as well as through sexual intercourse.

England has seen declining rates of HPV vaccination over recent years, falling from 86.7% in 2013-14 to 83.8% last year.

PHE has suggested the decline could be due to an increased focus on flu vaccinations taking up the resources of school health teams in some parts of the country.

However, a spokeswoman said the immunisation programme was still “one of the most successful around the world” and had helped protect millions of girls since its launch in 2008.

Cancer Research UK said they expect to see a drop in cases of cervical cancer over the coming years.

Katie Patrick, from the charity, said: “The first group of girls to be vaccinated are now approaching the age where cervical cancer risk increases.

“It will be exciting to see the benefits of the vaccine.”

The minimum vaccination target set by PHE for local areas is 80%, but local teams are encouraged to aim for 90% or above.

Last year coverage for Year 9s ranged from a low of 65.3% in London’s Hammersmith and Fulham to a high of 94.3% in North Yorkshire and Tameside, near Manchester.

Mr Music said more insights were needed to understand why there are disparities between local authorities.

“It is key that coverage remains high and so educating girls and parents about the role of the vaccine and breaking down any myths surrounding it is vital”, he said.

HPV vaccines will also be rolled out to 12 and 13-year-old boys from next September.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisations at PHE, said this would help prevent more cases of HPV-related cancers such as head, neck and ano-genital cancers.

Girls remain eligible for the vaccine until their 18th birthday and should speak to their GP or school nurse if they have missed one of their jabs, she added.

Detectives have renewed their appeal for information following a serious assault on a woman last week.

The two men arrested in connection with the assault in Walgrave, near Kettering, have been released under investigation pending further inquiries.

The men, aged 34 and 35, were arrested on Saturday morning (December 9).

The assault happened between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Wednesday, December 5.

The victim, a 50-year-old woman, suffered significant injuries, including a broken nose and jaw during what is believed to have been a robbery at an address in Old Road.

Det Insp Johnny Campbell is leading the investigation.

He said: “Although we have made initial arrests, no-one has yet been charged for this shocking assault and the investigation is very much ongoing.

“The assault happened in the middle of the afternoon.

“There will have been people around the village and I’m sure someone will have seen something that could help us identify the person or people responsible for this vicious attack.

“If you were in Walgrave on Wednesday afternoon, please think about what or who you might have seen and if there is anything at all you think might be useful to our investigation, however small, please get in touch.”

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A police car was set on fire in Daventry yesterday evening with officers calling the attack "unacceptable" and "disgraceful".

The response team's car was parked in Trafalgar Way in Southbrook when it was targeted while an officer attended an incident.

The car, which is in constant use by the police, had its rear windshield smashed.

"It's unacceptable to set any car on fire but to set fire to an emergency service vehicle, a vehicle that we use 24/7 to attend incidents to protect and help people, is disgraceful," the response team tweeted.

The attack was also condemned by Daventry Neighbourhood Sergeant Sam Dobbs.

He tweeted: "This is a police car but it effectively belongs to us all.

"Its replacement will come from the public purse.

"Stupid, senseless, mindless, reckless criminality which hampers emergency responders."

Anybody with any information please should call 101 and quote NP-20181209-0461, or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

Sophie Carter, 11, is a student at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and will play Clara in the English National Ballet's adaptation of the Tchaikovsky composed ballet.

Sophie started dancing at two years old at her mum Natalie's school - the Northamptonshire School of Dance - where she learned ballet, contemporary, street and tap dancing.

However, Natalie says it was during a performance Still Life at the Penguin Café at the age of seven that Sophie really discovered her passion for dance.

She said: "I'm extremely proud. She's worked really hard, it has not fallen on her lap. To get The Nutcracker is the icing on the cake for her, she's so lucky to get this part.

"I remember when I first looked at her on stage, there was something in her eyes. The whole audience went quiet and it was beautiful.

"She has always loved dancing since she was two years old, she couldn't stand still. It's okay being a technical dancer but you need to have someone who has passion and that drive."

Sophie attended the Classical Ballet Academy every Sunday at Tring Park School for the Performing Arts and danced at the Royal Ballet School Junior Associates on Saturdays.

For the last two years, the former Pitsford School pupil has had lead roles with the Junior Company of the National Youth Ballet of Great Britain, performing at the galas at Sadler's Wells.

After dancing with the National Youth Ballet, Sophie was certain that dancing was going to be her life and auditioned for a full-time place at Tring Park School.

She is now a full-time student and boarder, returning home to East Haddon at weekends.

Sophie will be performing in The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum from December 13 to 20.

Bread & Circus in Sheaf Street is a family business that sells bread, patisseries and savouries made with specialist flours from France and Italy and locally-produced and organic ingredients.

It occupies a previously empty unit in a 400-year-old listed building and only opened once head baker Julien was happy with the produce.

"I didn't want to open until we were ready," said manager Tom Welch, a keen home baker.

"We opened the doors at around 10am and there was no-one about - but it didn't take long before we had a queue of people."

"We have already got regulars," he added.

Popular products so far include the chocolate bread, the curry baguette, raspberry tart and the eclairs described by one punter as being "to die for".

Tom's team includes two bakers, two pastry chefs, one vegan chef and five front-of-house staff.

Their number will grow next year when the pizzeria section of Bread & Circus opens and 2019 will also see the introduction of afternoon tea and bakery workshops.

"Bread brings people together and that's what it's all about, building a community in Daventry," said Mr Welch.

The shop is set out as an open plan kitchen so customers can watch the bakers at work.

Bread & Circus creates naturally leavened sourdough breads, baked goods and fine pastries adhering to time honoured artisanal standards.

Using only the finest natural ingredients, made from scratch, everything is free from every kind of additives or preservatives

The phrase "bread and circus" originates in ancient Rome (circa AD100) when satirical poet Juvenal described an exhaustion in the general populace with politics, preferring instead to be distracted by food and entertainment.

"Likewise, we thought we could all do with a similar distraction here in the 21st Century," reads the bakery's Facebook page.

We were appointed by the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in May this year.

We were given powers to improve arrangements for governance and scrutiny in the county council and required to take responsibility for strategic finance.

We exercise our powers while being mindful of the need to continue to deliver public services in the interests of the residents of Northamptonshire. The financial situation we faced in Northamptonshire was serious.

The council ended last year in deficit of £35m, was likely to exceed its budget this year by £30m and faced the prospect of having to find a further £60m next year.

We asked the Government for permission to use some of the council’s own money from sales of assets to deal with last year’s debt, and this has been granted.

We have required the council to produce a plan - the Stabilisation Plan - to balance the books this year, and to set out proposals for a balanced budget for next year.

The Stabilisation Plan continues to deliver, and whilst balancing the books this year remains a challenge, the situation continues to improve.

The draft budget for next year has been published.

It involves making some hard choices, hard choices that have had to be made by every council in the country over the last few years but choices that have not always been made in Northamptonshire.

We believe that the draft budget, which will naturally be subject to some changes as it is developed, nonetheless weighs the need to meet the legal obligation of balancing the books
against that of needing to maintain public services and protect vulnerable people.

While the work on finances has been developing we have appointed a chief executive who has an excellent track record of delivering good quality services, including children’s services which have been rated as good by Ofsted, particularly important for Northamptonshire given the difficulties to be addressed; a finance director who is one of the leading subject matter experts in the profession and a transformation director who has private and public experience of delivering significant budget savings while improving the quality of services.

The last six months have not been easy and we are continually conscious of the effect of this turmoil on the council’s staff, who are in the main diligent, hard-working public servants and who deserve to be well led.

Over the next couple of months, quite separately to the council’s legal responsibility for consulting on the draft budget proposed, we thought it right to make ourselves available to you to discuss your concerns.

It is our intention to spend time in every district hosting drop-in sessions for you as individual council taxpayers and residents to come and have a chat.

The dates for these will be published very shortly on Northamptonshire County Council’s website.

If you cannot manage any of the times proposed and have a burning issue that you wish to make us aware of please get in touch.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

AUGUST 30:

Jamie Davies, aged 40, of Abington Avenue, Northampton, attempted to steal a car; jailed for four weeks suspended for 12 months. Damaged a car window; jailed for four weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months, compensation £150, surcharge £115, costs £85.

Jessica Hendry, aged 18, of HMP Drake Hall, assaulted a custody officer; conditional discharge for 12 months, compensation £100, surcharge £20.

Ashley Jakeman, aged 33, of Leicester Parade, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; order to continue. Stole alcohol and food worth £11.40 belonging to Spa Westbridge; community order made, compensation £11.40. Failed to surrender to custody; community order made.

Wain Wynter, aged 44, of no fixed abode, stole 10 jars of coffee worth £69.90 belonging to Iceland; jailed for two weeks, surcharge £115. Failed to pay for fuel worth £17.51; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Stole 20 rump steaks; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Stole meat belonging to Asda; jailed for two weeks consecutive. Failed to comply with a supervision order; jailed for two weeks consecutive.

John Howard, aged 49, of Campbell Street, Northampton, stole ladies coats belonging to Marks & Spencer; community order made.

William Parker, aged 43, of Leyside Court, Northampton, drug-driving; pleaded guilty, sent to Crown Court for sentence.

Gareth Thomson, aged 40, of Rillwood Court, Northampton, used threatening or abusive words or behaviour; fined £40, surcharge £30, costs £85. Damaged a custody desk pen; fined £40.

Jemma Dixon, aged 26, of Towcester Road, Northampton, assaulted a police officer; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, compensation £200.

Andrew Sharpe, aged 40, of no fixed abode, stole two boxes of Flakes and several Smarties ice creams from Gallones Ice Cream Parlour; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months, compensation £375.

Jonathan Stimson, aged 43, of Newcombe Road, Northampton, stole fragrances worth £339 belonging to Debenhams; community order made, compensation £576. Stole fragrances worth £237 belonging to Debenhams; community order made.

David Walls, aged 32, of Chilton Avenue, Duston, driving not in accordance with a licence; fined £100, surcharge £35, costs £85. No insurance; fined £350, licence endorsed with eight points.

Arnas Adamonis, aged 20, of Adams Avenue, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Karl Bayliss, aged 28, of Hemans Road, Daventry, driving at 50mph in a 30mph zone; fined £253, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with four points.

Alan Beckett, aged 34, of Harefield Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Katherine Brown, aged 36, of Knot Tiers Drive, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Vitali Buga, aged 30, of Henry Bird Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Darren Carter, aged 41, of Axe Head Road, Northampton, faulty rear lights; fined £220, surcharge £30 and costs £85.

David Clark, aged 69, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton, driving at 54mph in a 30mph zone; fined £606, surcharge £60, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Frazer Corbyn, aged 43, of Gladiator Close, Northampton, driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone; fined £450, surcharge £45, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Jordan Cox, aged 18, of Friars Avenue, Northampton, no insurance; fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Michael Dibosa, aged 52, of Queens Crescent, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Christopher Fieldon-Weston, aged 39, of Tate Grove, Northampton, driving at 88mph in a 70mph zone; fined £220, surcharge £30 and costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

David Hawkins, aged 58, of Cranford Road, Grafton Underwood, driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

David Hyde, aged 53, of Fieldmill Road, Northampton, not wearing an adult seat belt; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85.

Mohammed Islam, aged 18, of Bostock Avenue, Northampton, driving at 55mph in a 30mph zone; fined £120, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Ionut Lica, aged 21, of Tower Square, Northampton, driving at 54mph in a 30mph zone; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Rakesh Limbachia, aged 38, of Carlton Road, Northampton, driving at 97mph in a 70mph zone; fined £528,

surcharge £52, costs £85, licence endorsed with four points.

Marius-ion Lupas, aged 31, of Dale Close, Ashby Fields, Daventry, driving at 61mph in a 30mph zone; fined £350, surcharge £35, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Louise Mains, aged 34, of Exeter Place, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Nigel Mckie, aged 49, of Badby Road West, Daventry, driving at 35mph in a 30mph zone; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Harry McManamon, aged 37, of Craven Street, Northampton, driving at 52mph in a 30mph zone; fined £640, surcharge £64, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Costel Moisa, aged 33, of Marshleys Court, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Benjamin Smith, aged 28, of Glasgow Street, Northampton, driving while using a mobile phone; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Tomasz Sokalski, aged 50, of Park Crescent, Northampton, driving while using a mobile phone; fined £220,

surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Mark Valentine, aged 61, of Ransome Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Valentina Vasile, aged 32, of Arrow Head Road, Northampton, driving at 105mph in a 70mph zone; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Edward Williams, aged 60, of Park Avenue North, Northampton, driving at 68mph in a 40mph zone; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Matthew Barker, aged 45, of Kingsley Road, Silverstone, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85.

Fiodor Dodon, aged 31, of Weedon Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660,

surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Caroline Harper, aged 40, of King Edward Road, Northampton, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, banned from driving for six months.

Charles Upton, aged 28, of Harefield Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Alistair Whiting, aged 34, of Archangel Square, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Martha Culley, from Long Buckby, has been so moved by the plight of rough sleepers facing Christmas on the streets that she has decided to do something special.

The seven-year-old has launched Martha's Mission - a charity drive to bring as many care packages as she can to Northampton's disadvantaged people in the form of rucksacks filled with simple comforts.

The seven-year-old says she was moved to start her campaign after speaking to a homeless man in the street.

She said: "I was walking with mummy in town when I saw this man on the street. It was cold. I asked him where his blanket was but he said he didn't have one.

"It made me feel quite sad and upset. I wanted to help him. We get to have a bed and delicious food at Christmas but some people don't get to have that."

Now, Martha has launched her mission to bring comfort to Northampton's homeless.

Each rucksack costs £30 to put together and include a hat, gloves, a blanket, water, wet wipes, a protein bar, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste and a £5 note.

After a month of fundraising filled with chores at a hair salon, a bake sale, and some help from her school, Martha has now raised over £1,600.

She planned to start with just 10 - but now, after Martha has already raised enough to make over 50 of her backpacks.

Martha's mum Lou said: "She's been so brilliant. with homelessness, I think children aren't interested in the history of how they got there. They just see someone without a home who needs help."

Martha will present all her finished backpacks to Northampton Hope Centre on December 17, who will make sure they end up in the hands of the town's rough sleepers.

For more information or to donate to Martha's Mission, visit the Martha's Mission Facebook page.

Northamptonshire Domestic Abuse Service (NDAS) - formerly known as Women’s Aid - currently runs six refuge centres for people fleeing domestic abuse and five of them will close if alternative funding cannot be found when the government grants end next year. Partner organisation Eve is at risk of losing 13 beds as well.

A fundraising campaign has been launched by NDAS to raise £100,000 to keep the refuges open for 12 months, but Northampton Borough Council will also now step in to provide some financial help.

The amount the financial package would be was not discussed, but councillors from all parties backed the motion by Labour councillor Terrie Eales at last night’s full council meeting (Monday, December 10). It will see the additional funding given specifically to the refuge centres.

Councillor Eales said that losing the centres would mean the ‘responsibility of helping these victims out of abusive homes will fall onto NBC’.

NDAS had previously said that only five specialist spaces for women with substance misuse issues would remain without the necessary funding. The 21 spaces for adults and 34 spaces for their children would be lost. This would include three spaces in the male refuge which is only one of nine refuges solely for male victims in the UK.

Councillor Eales called upon the council to not only recognise NDAS for the service they have been providing to domestic abuse victims but to give some ‘much needed financial assistance’.

She added: “This council is already lacking a domestic abuse strategy, so let’s not ignore the cries for help from these services.”

Conservative cabinet member for housing, Councillor Stephen Hibbert, informed the chamber that his party would be supporting the motion.

He said: “We recognise that one of the major causes for homelessness is domestic abuse, and we want to help put together some kind of package.”

Deputy leader Phil Larratt added: “I can only express to the council the wonderful work these groups do. I have met victims of domestic abuse and I think it’s only right that we support these groups in their work.”

Northamptonshire failed in its bid to secure funding from the recent government MCHLG money allocated for refuge accommodation.

NDAS said it believed the snub may have been down to the county’s local authorities collectively failing to produce a domestic abuse strategy for Northamptonshire.

Labour leader Danielle Stone told the Guildhall: “Out of 61 authorities to apply for funding, we were the only ones not to get any. It does feel like we are being punished for the actions of the county council.”

After the motion was passed, Councillor Eales added: “I would like to put on record our thanks to NDAS for the valuable work they do and I’m really pleased we have got cross-party support on this.”

A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with an arson attack on a police car in Daventry.

The response team car was parked in Trafalgar Way in Southbrook when it was targeted while an officer attended an incident.

The car, which is in constant use by the police, had its rear windshield smashed and was set on fire.

The boy has been released under investigation pending further inquiries.

Daventry Neighbourhood Sergeant Sam Dobbs said the attack was "stupid, senseless, mindless, reckless criminality which hampers emergency responders".

Rural crime officers at Northamptonshire Police are appealing for information about a dog which was found in a very poor state in Salcey Forest.

The white lurcher-type male dog was discovered by the roadside on the evening of Sunday, December 9.

It was seized by police who, in partnership with the RSPCA, are now investigating possible offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

The dog has no microchip and officers would like to hear from its owner, or anyone who may know who the dog belongs to. It is now being cared for by the RSPCA.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Rural Crime Team at Northamptonshire Police by calling 101.

However, people whose bins are emptied on Tuesdays are advised of the following changes to their schedule:

Collections which would have been due on Christmas Day (Tuesday) will instead take place on Saturday, December 29.

Collections due on New Year’s Day (Tuesday) will instead take place on Saturday, January 5.

Residents are also being advised of an extra collection of the blue-lidded recycling bins which will take place in the week beginning January 7.

People should put their blue-lidded bin out alongside any others that are due to be emptied on their usual collection day during this week.

A range of festive items can be recycled, including sweet tins, and foil-free wrapping paper and Christmas cards.

Daventry District Council advises that as a good rule of thumb, wrapping paper that can be torn is probably made from paper and can, therefore, be recycled.

Food waste bins will continue to be collected on their usual weekly schedule and can be used to recycle leftover raw and cooked foods, including vegetable peelings, egg shells, out-of-date food, plate scrapings, solid fats, meat and fish bones. Liquids should not be put in the caddy.

Black bins containing general waste will also be collected on the usual three-weekly cycle, and residents are reminded to make good use of the recycling services, as bins with raised lids will not be collected.

Those subscribed to the garden waste service will continue to receive collections on their usual schedule in the run-up to Christmas and New Year, but there will be a break in collections during the second week of January to allow crews to focus on the extra seasonal recycling.

Subscribers can have their real Christmas trees collected after Christmas, by either cutting them up and putting them in their garden waste bin, or by placing it alongside the bin for collection in the week beginning January 22.

There are no communal collection points for real Christmas trees, but those without a garden waste subscription can take their tree to their local household waste recycling centre.

Councillor Jo Gilford, environment portfolio holder at Daventry District Council, said: "The Christmas and New Year period can generate a lot of waste, but our residents always do a great job of recycling.

"Hopefully, the improvements we have made to the service with the introduction of the 123+ service, plus the extra recycling collection in the week beginning January 7, will give people an even greater opportunity to recycle this Christmas."

More than one in nine registered patients in Northamptonshire have been diagnosed with depression, official figures show.

New Public Health England data shows that between April 2017 and March 2018 the proprtion of patients in the local authority with depression was 12.3 per cent. And this figure has risen from 8.9% in 2013-14.

At the same time, in Northamptonshire, the percentage of patients being diagnosed with the mental health condition for the first time has increased from 1.7 per cent to 1.9 per cent.

Charities say the rise in prevalence could be due to less stigma surrounding depression.

Stephen Buckley, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said this could be positive “if more people feel they can ask for help”.

“It might also be that GPs have a greater understanding of mental health and are more able to spot symptoms of depression,” he continued.

“However, it’s crucial that resources are made available to GPs to cope with this increase in demand.”

Mr Buckley said it was essential GPs have the correct training, as most people go to their local doctor for support for their mental health.

“As part of the NHS long term plan, due very soon, we need to see a plan for how Government will work together to make sure people with mental health problems can get the right support,” he added.

Northamptonshire has a higher proportion of patients with depression than the East Midlands does overall, where 10.8% of patients on GP lists are diagnosed with the condition.

There are large regional variations across England. Rochdale has the highest prevalence, where more than one in seven patients have been diagnosed with depression, while in Newham, east London, more than one in 20 have the condition.

Lucy Schonegevel, from the charity Rethink Mental Illness, said a huge amount of work has been done over the past decade to “reduce the stigma associated with mental illness”.

She explained: “People are more likely to now reach out for help and rightly not feel ashamed to do so.

“We also have better data collection now than in previous years, so we have a more accurate picture of mental health problems across the nation.”

Ms Schonegevel added that a rise in demand must be matched by “much needed improvements to services”.

A Department for Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “Mental health is a key priority for Government. We are transforming services with record amounts of funding, with the NHS spending almost £12 billion on mental health last year.

“We have introduced access and waiting time standards, expanded talking therapies, and are revitalising crisis care services.”

A drug-sniffer dog who helped bust hundreds of criminals in his career has been remembered online after losing his battle with cancer.

Police Dog Billy of Northamptonshire Police has been rooting out drugs, firearms and cash in the county for the past seven and a half years.

But last month, the spaniel lost his battle with cancer and died in November.

His handler, PC Ian McDonald, worked with Billy for the pooch's whole career - but also knew him as the family pet when he came home with him when they were off-duty.

PC McDonald said: "It was never a job to Billy. It was all just a game and he would do anything for his tennis ball.

"He was my best mate. He loved spending time with me and it was a difficult time when he was poorly."

PD Billy was bought by Northamptonshire Police in 2011 but quickly showed he could earn his keep.

Early into his career, a woman was injured by a shotgun blast and a man was arrested in Northamptonshire. Billy was taken to a field next to the man's house and tasked with finding the firearm.

PC McDonald said: "He made a straight line to the corner of the field. When he stopped, he was sniffing the barrel of the shotgun lying on the ground."

Billy was trained to sniff out houses and crime scenes to find drugs, firearms and cash. he would be commanded 'find drugs' and head straight for whatever he could find. If he made the right call, he would get his tennis ball as a reward.

It included a time he sniffed out a plastic bag stashed in a Northamptonshire woods that held hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The spaniel was also called on to sniff around near Buckingham Palace during the 2012 Olympics and search for firearms at Wimbledon.

PC McDonald said: "Billy helped track down an invaluable amount of criminal property in his career.

"Police dogs are an invaluable asset. In times of austerity, dogs come into their own and can find criminal property far more accurately and quicker than a police officer alone can."

After Billy died, the East Midlands Operational Support Services Dog Section tweeted a tribute to the hard-working pooch, which was met with hundreds of replies of support.

Northamptonshire County Council will continue its £70,000 funding for two services that assist blind and deaf people for a further 12 months.

A four-week consultation by the council asked service users what impact cuts to Northamptonshire Association for the Blind (NAB) and DeafConnect would have on them, with the feedback being that the services significantly helped to reduce levels of social isolation and escalating health needs.

The NAB service includes advice, guidance and support to help users cook safely and get out and about for shopping.

And DeafConnect helps deaf and hard of hearing adults to continue to live independently in their own home, with their family or carer and offers advice, support, and access to specialist equipment and interpreting services.

Raelene Hill lost her eyesight rapidly, and hugely values the service that NAB provides to her.

She travelled from Kettering to One Angel Square, alongside her guide dog, to tell councillors: “I would not be here without these services.

“The thought of the funding cuts, even though there might be a reprieve this year, is leading to people losing sleep over this because it’s really a big thing for people who have lost their sight.

“I want you to have an understanding of how big the NAB services are for us, and I’m amazed at the services they provide. I gather it’s not the biggest contribution from the council, but it means so much. I’m petrified of losing it.”

Cabinet member for adult social services, Councillor Sandra Naden-Horley, said the consultation was ‘more about the outcomes that they achieve’.

She said: “It’s good to look at whether these organisations are the best to be delivering these services going forward. The consultation was comprehensive and we have opted to continue the services for the next 12 months.

“We are not stopping the funding, we are going to continue it and hopefully when the unitary authorities come along they will have a big impact in terms of involvement and funding.”

Labour county councillor Anjona Roy added: “It’s really positive that the decision has been taken to extend the funding for these two essential organisations.”

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

SEPTEMBER 3

Colin Scarley, aged 57, of Drayton Walk, Northampton, breach of a court order; jailed for four weeks consecutive, surcharge £115.

Thorhijar Marchant, aged 21, c/o Campbell Street, Northampton, assault; community order to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Damaged a door; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Leroy Branson, aged 24, of Sandhills, Spratton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 54mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85, banned from driving for three months.

Mark Freeth, aged 40, of Waterfurrows Way, Moulton, driving while banned; jailed for 10 weeks suspended for 12 months, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for three months.

SEPTEMBER 4

Luke Butcher, aged 25, of Brecon Street, Northampton, failed to comply with a community order; fined £160, costs £60.

SEPTEMBER 5

Jareth Conway, aged 27, of The Stour, Daventry, damaged a door; conditional discharge for 18 months, compensation £200, surcharge £20, costs £85.

Jonathan Andrews, aged 24, of Adnitt Road, Abington, Northampton, assault; community order to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Sandra Adomaviciene, aged 45, of Flintcomb Rise, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 53mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £440, surcharge £44, costs £85, banned from driving for 16 months.

Mihai Moisei, aged 40, of Queens Road, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 111mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; community order made to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 26 months.

Richard O’Hamma, aged 21, of Semilong Road, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 46mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £160, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for 14 months.

Gareth Llewelyn, aged 38, of Perry Street, Northampton, stole Easter eggs worth £85, belonging to Asda; jailed for four weeks, compensation £84.

Hopeton Samuels, aged 58, of Kettering Road, Northampton, driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone; fined £242, surcharge £30, costs £1,200, licence endorsed with three points.

Douglas Merchant, aged 67, of Elmhurst Avenue, Northampton, driving at 38mph in a 30mph zone; fined £40,

surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with three points.

During the first week of the campaign, officers breathalysed more than 300 people and 14 people have subsequently been charged with drink-driving offences.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Northamptonshire Police would name all those charged with being over the prescribed limit as part of their annual campaign.

Now the force has published the details of those people who have been charged on their website and publicised it on their social media platforms,

The list includes the following drivers have been charged with driving while over the prescribed limit and will appear in court to face those charges:

Jenny Jasim, 36, of Lower Harlestone; Anthony Stoppani, 46, from Yardley Gobion; Brian Walker, 27, of Rodney Drive, Corby; Andrian Cebotari, 30, of Llwellyn Walk, Corby; Joseph Cater, 23, of Boughton Lane, Northampton; Ricky Bizimana, 31, of Kinross Drive, Bletchley; Ronald Chinosengwa, 32, of Goulsbra Road, Rushden; Razvan Cilof, 34, of Cedar Road, Northampton; Chawa Chinkhumba, 28, of Castle Rock Drive, Corby, was charged with driving while over the prescribed limit; Brian Devlin, 41, of Barnsley Square, Corby; John Sanderson, 27, of Smestow Street, Wolverhampton; Adrian Proctor, 36, of Arnull Crescent, Daventry; Susan Moulton, 45, of Wards Court, Brough, East Riding of Yorkshire; John Partington, 33, of Osmund Drive, Northampton.

They are due to appear at Northampton Magistrates' Court on various dates in December and January.

Officers carry out breath tests throughout the year, but with more people out celebrating over Christmas and New Year, increased patrols and checks will be carried out. These will include early morning operations, when people may be driving after consuming alcohol the previous night.

To report suspected drink or drug driving in confidence, call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615 or dial 101. In an emergency, call 999.