At a meeting on Monday 9^th January, Daventry Town Council committed to fund the provision of CCTV in Daventry Town.

Following the decision by the District Council to withdraw funding for the provision of CCTV as of 1^st April 2012, members of the Town Council worked together with the Police, Crime Safety Reduction Partnership and the District Council to find a sustainable and cost effective solution.

The CCTV system will be owned by the Town Council with the maintenance and monitoring outsourced to a local supplier.  Northamptonshire Police will be providing additional funding of £10,000 per annum over the next three years and will be working in partnership with the Town Council to ensure the CCTV system provides information that will assist in crime detection and prevention.

The Town Council plans to use the existing technology more effectively and work with the supplier to develop the service whilst reducing costs.

Daventry Town Council confirmed their support for the work carried out by the Phoenix Youth Centre by granting them a further £16,828 for the financial year 2012/13 to assist the organisation in fulfilling their commitment to a three year development plan.

Members recognise the work undertaken by the Phoenix organisation to provide a facility that encourages young people to achieve their goals and become positive role models within the community.

The Phoenix Centre is run predominantly by volunteers, providing a vital service and facility for Daventry youth.  Costs to continue these services continue to rise, whilst funding from principle authorities is being withdrawn. Members of the Town Council are committed to work in partnership, with the Phoenix, to help bridge this gap.’

In response to concerns raised by residents in relation to an award of funding being considered by Daventry Town Council to the Friends of Daventry Open Spaces for payment of legal fees to apply for Village Green Status on Eastern Way Playing Fields, the Town Council has been advised that payment of funds to a campaign group is permissible under Section 137, assuming the Council is satisfied that the payment is in the interest of, and will directly benefit the people of Daventry.

The Town Council was also advised to exercise caution when awarding funds to informal or unincorporated bodies and should seek to safeguard its position by attaching conditions, especially in relation to contentious and divisive local issues.

Daventry Town Council have instructed the Clerk to write to Friends of Daventry Open Spaces, informing them that monies will be awarded on receipt of details for which the money is required, a copy of the invoice, name and address of the leader of the organisation and names of members.

Hundreds of people turned out for the Christmas Lights Switch On on Saturday 19th November. The weather was kind and residents enjoyed fantastic performances from Daventry Brass, Scorpion Academy, Stagecoach, Kate Fisher's Academy of Dance and Performer's Academy with the evening being rounded off by local singer Matti Fantasi.

BBC Radio Northampton's Martin Heath did a marvellous job of linking the event together and Santa walked the streets ensuring that no children would be left off his list for the important day. Entertainers from 'The Joker' kept the young people amused throughout the afternoon with their stilt walking, balloon modelling and face painting and some local businesses had dressed up and joined in.

World Champion Triathlete, and Daventry resident, Mike Smallwood performed the Switch On aided by Sheherezade (Charlotte Bull) and the Genie (Eddie Kaziro) from the Royal & Derngate's pantomime - Aladdin with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor looking on.

A huge thank you to all who participated and everyone who helped to make this an enjoyable afternoon.

Our gallery of this event can be found at Xmas 2011 Gallery