October 2007
29/10/2007 - International Overview for Shadow Minister
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister David Lidington vistied the University of Northampton on Wednesday October 24th to find out more about advances being made in the support of international students. Accompanied by Michael Ellis, Parliamentary Conservative Candidate for Northampton North, Mr Lidington met with the University's Pro Vice Chacellor, Dr. Frank Burdett, and Delia Heneghan, Director of the University's International Office. Following a presentation detailing the University's annual generation of over £150 million towards the East Midlands economy, along with the creation of almost 2,500 jobs, Mr Lidington and Mr Ellis met privately with a group of international students to discuss their experiences of studying in the UK. Almost 1,000 overseas students from 100 countries study at the University of Northampton, collectively contributing £6m to the local economy each year. The University of Northampton prodes itself on its diverse student body and Mr Lidington was able to speak with students from countries including Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, Kenya, Italy and China. The MPs were also given a tour of the University's British School of Leather Technology and the SITA Centre for Sutainable Wates Managements, where they were able to find out more about the University's unique work in these areas with international partners around the world. Commenting afterwards, Mr Lidington said: "I has no idea that Northampton has such a wealth of expertise on wastes manangement and environmental issues. This is certainly information I will be taking back to my colleagues in the Shadow Cabinet. The enthusiasm of the University's students from all corners of the globe an their work shows they are developing some really innovative work. This includes supporting high-tech leather processing in developing economies and also addressing associated environmental issues. This is resulting in important practical applications both in Britain and other ocuntries." Michael Ellis added: "This visit has confirmed to me the value of the University of Northampton and how it influences what happens in the community here. It helps employment in the town and county. This has been a very useful trip and helps highlight the cosmopolitan nature of the institution."
15/10/2007 - Another Stong Year for the Region
Figures highlighted today by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) at its eighth Annual Public Meeting (APM), show a strong performance for 2006-07 in areas like creating jobs, regenerating brownfield land, assisting businesses in improving their performance and supporting people into employment. Nearly 400 people attended the event, held at Nottingham's East Midlands Conference Centre and hosted by Peter Day, Business Correspondent for BBC News and Radio 4 and BBC World Service Presenter. In his speech, Chief Executive Jeff Moore refelceted on emda's recent progress: "Over the last year, we have invested some £170 million pounds of emda funds across a range of projects and programmes to benefit the businesses, individuals and communities that will, ultimately, deliver the region's ambitions and drive up our economic performance. I am pleased to report that we achieved or exceeded a number of stretching targets. They included creating nearly 10,000 jobs, supporting over 21,000 businesses and helping nearly 18,000 people develop their skills." He highlighted many different initiatives - such as the East Midlands China Business Bureau, the Peak District's Dairy Wagon and the region's first ever innovation festival which took place last spring - to show the breadth of the Agency's work. The APM incorporated a DVD which also highlighted how emda's work is improving the quality of life for people living and working in the region. It featured projects such as the X-site Skate Park in Skegness, Northampton's Portfolio Innovation Centre, the extended Skylink Bus service from Leicester to East Midlands Airport, the Genesis Centre in Alfreton, and Nottingham's Broadway Cinema. In his speech, Chairman Bryan Jackson acknowledged the continued contribution of partners over 2006-07: "We have continued to build strong relationships with partner organisations to drive and stimulate economic growth and help improve the quality of life here in the East Midlands. The National Audit Office commended our approach to partnership work in their in-depth independent assessment of our overall performance at the beginning of this year. In awarding us, jointly with the North East Development Agency, the highest marks of all the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), they commented on our strong partnership-working across the region and our emphasis on building strategic delivery. They also praised the way in which partners have embraced the recent Regional Economic Strategy - 'A Flourishing Region' which we launched at our APM last year." He was also keen to look ahead: "Just before the summer, Government announced sweeping changes to the way in which regional bodies, inlcuding ourselves, Government Offices, the Regional Assemblies and the Learning and Skills Council will be organised in the future. These reforms, and the bringing together of new responsibilities, will have a major impact on the way that Government, other public sector partners and business, will work together for the benefit of the East Midlands in the future." An open question and answer session gave delegates the opportunity to discuss the proposed changes to RDAs in more detail with emda's Chair and Chief Executive. Attendees were then able to meet some of the many public and private sector partners, businesses and individuals who are committed to emda's vision of creating a flourishing region by 2020. In addition, key emda projects and programmes were also on display at the exhibition. The APM saw the formal publication of the 2006-07 Annual Performance Report 0 visit www.emda.org.uk/documents to download a copy.
10/10/2007 - Work Starts on £Multi-million Improvements
A multi-million pound investment in Northampton's transport infrastructure sees the start of work next week on the first in a series of major junction improvements in the town. Engineering work to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion starts at the junction of Gas Street and St Peter's Way roundabout on Monday 8th October. This is the first of three junction improvements costing £2.3 million to be carried out between now and next June to improve Northampton's traffic flow and reduce congestion on the southern inner ring road. The junction improvements will ultimately result in a new layout at Black Lion Hill to accommodate a new bus interchange at the train station and improve the visual appearance of the entrance to the western end of town. The Gas Street junction improvements will accommodate traffic diverted from Marefair as a result of the new layout. The third element will see the widening of Towcester Road on the southbound approach to the Nene Valley Retail Park junction. The junction improvement work is taking place as the final phase of the Getting Northampton to Work project, a long-term improvement programme for the town totalling £12.5 million. Councillor Bob Seery, cabinet member for roads and transport, said: "The Getting Northampton to Work junction improvements scheme is part of a long-term approach to addressing the challenges we face with an ever-growing county population. Improving traffic flow on the southern inner ring road is a crucial component of the scheme because it is so important for a thriving town centre economy. But it's also going to be of great benefit for cyclists and pedestrians as well as public transport users. When it is seen in the context of the planned improvements to Marefair and Gold Street, it's clear that this work will be of huge significance for resuscitating the west side fo the town centre." Councillor Seery added: "Gas Street roundabout is an important junction ... The improvements will have the additional benefits in terms of safety, air quality, pedestrian movements and traffic management." The work at Gas Street, which is scheduled to run until mid-February next year, will include new traffic lights and an additional left turn land from St Peter's Way onto Horseshoe Street. There will also be some minor kerb alterations and the existing trees will be preserved. More information about the junction improvement schemes can be found on the council's website on: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/Transport/TP/Lionhill.htm
04/10/2007 - University Receives Top Praise for Waste
Per-Anders Hjort of SITA UK, has praised the University of Northampton's waste management education, research and business support services, following a visit to the University on Thursday September 27. SITA UK, a leading recycling and waste management company, generates social, economic and environmental value from waste for some 12 million residents and more than 35,000 business customers from across the country. In the UK market since 1988, the company generated a turnover of £600 million in 2006. Following a tour of the University's SITA Centre and its prestigious Wastes Management Library - the largest educational research facility of its kind in Europe - Per-Anders said: "What I have seen today has beenbrilliant. I t has given me a very clear understanding of what the University has been achieving in the field of wastes management education and research. Meeting with PhD students has shown the excellent work being carried out and how it is directly applicable to business. SITA UK is benefiting through the promotion of our name in association with the University's high profile work in this area, which is very impressive and shows an intelligent and interesting use of resources." The occasion was Per-Anders' first visit to the University and provided him with an opportunity to meet academic staff working in the field and discuss their key achievements, while also reviewing the work of PhD students and their expansive and unique wastes management research. Areas of study showcased by students on the day included research into restored landfills and biodiversity, healthcare wastes management, sustainable effluent treatment and waste in developing countries. As well as being a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise for Education for Sustainable Development, the University of Northampton's SITA Centre is recognised worldwide as a leading force in wastes management education. Courses and degrees provided at the University range from HNC, through to MSc and MBA levels of study.
02/10/2007 - Support Connect2 Project in East Northamptonshire
East Northamptonshire could be in with the chance of grabbing a £400,000 slice of £50 million of lottery money for a brand new network of green cycling and walking routes in East Northamptonshire. The project is part of the Connect2 programme of 79 projects from the UK's leading sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, that aims to transform local travel around the UK by joining up the dots between local communities, amenities and green spaces, connecting people to the places they want to go. Sustrans has submitted 79 community projects that make up its Connect2 bid to the Big Lottery Fund's Living Landmarks: The People's Millions competition. Connect2 is now in competition with five schemes from other organisations, for a grant of up to £50 million. A televised public vote on ITV1 in December will decide which of the six short listed schemes will be the most worthy winner of this fabulous sum. The Connect2 project for East Northamptonshire would run from Raunds to Wellingborough and take advantage of existing routes and add new linkages. The project would add value by: Improving surfaces to allow for bicycle/wheelchair access; Making the most of attractions along the route, developing art, historical and environmental trails; Providing an infrastructure for the development of linked, circular routes; Improving 'safer routes to schools'. These opportunities would help towards keeping people active and healthier within the local area. Local community groups such as the Ramblers Association and local Cycling Touring Clubs have already pledged their support and more are getting involved. Once established, the project would act as a commuter route between the district's own villages and towns and out to those to the north and south. It would also become a tourism attraction to city-based walkers and cyclists, supporting the local economy through increased visitor spending in shops, restaurants, pubs and at attractions. The project would provide an important link between sites of natural and historic interest, enabling them to be accessed more easily. There would also be a reduction in car based journeys, helping to accommodate growth and increased transport needs within the area in a more sustainable way. The Connect2 project now needs your help. John Grimshaw, Sustran's Chief Executive, explains: "Thousands of people have already got behind Connect2. We urge people to find out more and to support Connect2 in their area by registering on our website at: www.sustranconnect2.org.uk and texting Connect2 to 80010. The more people that support Connect2, the more likely we are to gain the funding needed for it to succeed". TV viewers will also get the chance to vote for their favourite project in December. Once people have registered their support they will be kept informed of how and when to vote.