Uncategorised - Sally Keeble for Northampton North

Labour’s family friendly policies

Labour’s commitment to families is a big part of my campaigning this week. I know what it’s like to be a working parent, and how much difference these Labour policies will make: We’ll increase paid maternity leave to a year so that new mothers can give their children the best…

Call for action on backlog of assessments of children with special needs

Today I’ve put in a request under the Freedom of Information Act about the backlog of assessments of children with special needs. I’m doing this after many parents have complained about long delays in getting Education, Health and Care Plans for their children’s special needs. In one case a parent…

Shoe collection opens in Barratt House to help ease the strain of child poverty

As child poverty soars in the UK, with over 13,000 children living in poverty in Northamptonshire – I’m setting up a children’s shoe collection point in her campaign centre which is in a former Northampton boot and shoe factory. The shoes collected will be donated to a charity set up…

More complaints about nitrous oxide – I’m taking it up again with the police

The problem of nitrous oxide abuse landed right at my back door when I found boxes of the little silver cannisters strewn across the carpark outside my campaign centre. And a local resident complained about the cannisters also being found outside the entrance to her sheltered housing complex. So far…

Complaints over treatment of homeless mother

A homeless mother was separated from her family, sectioned and sent to psychiatric hospital, whilst her children were sent to live with her estranged, abusive partner. This is just one of three complaints I’ve lodged complaints against Northampton Borough Council, Northamptonshire County Council and Northamptonshire Police over the treatment they’ve…

The Council must support Whitehills Residents

I’m calling on Northampton Borough Council to oppose plans for a “road to nowhere” that threatens to cause traffic chaos around the north of Northampton. The move comes amid media reports that the Council is say it has “no objections” to the road being proposed by the County council. Under…

Talking to Abington residents about Universal Credit

Thanks to Cllrs Danielle Stone and Zoe Smith who organised a successful community meeting in Abington where Sally Keeble spoke about Universal Credit. Sally focussed on ways that community groups and organisations could support people affected by the benefit and signpost them to advice agencies. People experienced difficulties with Universal…

Labour sets out plans for a Green transformation

Labour has set out its plans for a Green transformation of our economy that will make the UK carbon neutral by 2030. It’s a radical plan that has won the support of a group of economists at the Sustainability Research Institute, backed by Leeds University. Among the key proposals are:…

Sally wins major Ombudsman case for caring grandmother

The local government Ombudsman has found in favour of a grandmother who was being wrongly pressurised by Northamptonshire County Council to repay caring allowances. The woman has been providing dedicated care for her three grandchildren, two of whom have complex needs. The Ombudsman found a litany of mistakes in the…

Success in campaign to halt cuts to school transport for children with disabilities

A real success was achieved by parents campaigning to stop the Council from forcing their disabled children to walk up to a mile to get their school transport. After letter-writing, a public petition, and a presentation to the Cabinet meeting, the Council has agreed to postpone the plans until the…

Labour backs unitary council for Northampton

Labour have announced that it will be supporting the campaign for three unitary authorities in Northamptonshire. Labour’s Communities team have stated that instead of accepting the Government’s two unitary councils for North Northants and West Northants, Labour will instead argue for three authorities, one being a Northampton Unitary Council. A…

Northampton deserves a new hospital

The Government has proudly announced a list of 40 towns to get a new hospital. If you add in those that have already had purpose built new hospitals, it means that we’re the odd ones out. Here’s the list of hospitals around about our town: Coventry – new hospital completed…

Leading voluntary sector organisations in Northants warn of closures

Eleven leading voluntary organisations in Northamptonshire have warned that 3,500 people will be left without support and they will face closure when their council funding ends next year. The warning comes in a letter sent to the County’s Chief Executive in response to the ending of the Social Wellbeing Contract…

Sally speaks out on impact of cuts in children’s services

Sally Keeble, Labour’s candidate in Northampton North has called for Northamptonshire County Council to reverse its cuts in children’s service and overhaul its approach to the service. Her call came at the County Council’s cabinet meeting today after a series of cases affecting vulnerable children in the town including: •…