1For Customer Service Centre opening hours visit www.kettering.gov.uk/openinghours

2020/21

Your Guide toCounCil ServiCeS

@KetteringBC

/ThisisKettering

kettering.gov.uk

Your guide to Council Services

What do you get for your money?Here are some of the services that

Kettering Borough Council provide.

• Leisure facilities and Leisure Pass• Museum, Art Gallery and cultural

facilities• Playschemes, sports activities,

health and wellbeing advice• Parks and children’s play areas• Refuse and recycling• Street cleaning• Environmental Health services• Removal of graffiti and fly-tipping• Planning services• Housing Benefit and Local Council

Tax Support• Homelessness and housing options

support

KetteringKettering is a town rich in heritage

with a warm and welcoming environment for people to

live, work and explore. Popular attractions within the town

include Wicksteed Park, one of the UK’s first amusement parks, the Manor House Museum and the

Alfred East Art Gallery.

Burton LatimerBurton Latimer has a range of shops, restaurants and

small businesses catering for the needs of the local community and beyond.

Burton Latimer is the location of the first wind farm in Northamptonshire which consists of

more than 20 turbines.

DesboroughDesborough is a rapidly expanding and changing town characterised by its roots in the spinning and weaving industry.

RothwellA quaint, historic, bustling market town. Renowned for landmarks such as its Market House and the Arts and Heritage Centre, Rothwell attracts numerous visitors to the town each year.

About Your AreaThe borough of Kettering is at the heart of North Northamptonshire providing a mix of

4 vibrant market towns and numerous quaint villages. Kettering is part of the largest growth area outside of London with excellent transport links and is in reach of 75% of the country’s population within 2 hours.

3Follow @KetteringBC on Twitter for all the latest news2 For Customer Service Centre opening hours visit www.kettering.gov.uk/openinghours

ContentsOur Services 02

About Your Area 03

Business in the Borough 04

Council Tax & Benefits 06

About Your Council Tax 07

Council & Community 08

Housing 10

Planning & Building Control 11

Leisure & Culture 12

Waste & Recycling 14

Customer Service Centre 16

Transport & Streets 18

Business RatesTo pay business rates, find information on reliefs or to tell us you’ve moved, visit www.kettering.gov.uk/businessrates or call 01536 534 235

Food Safety Did you know it’s a legal requirement for anyone who sells food (on the high street or from home) to register at least 28 days before opening? For more information visit www.kettering.gov.uk /foodsafety

Licensing If your business involves alcohol, entertainment, gambling, cat or dog boarding, pet sales (eg cats, dogs, fish, reptiles etc) cosmetic piercing or street trading we can help you identify what licences you may need. www.kettering.gov.uk/licences

5Are you looking to develop yourself or your business? Visit www.enterprisekettering.co.uk or follow @ENTKettering

Could an apprentice boost your business? Find out at www.ketteringtrainingservices.co.uk4

Enterprise Kettering is a ‘one stop shop’ for local people and businesses to find information, funding, workshops, events and support to help them grow and progress. As part of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) Kettering

benefits from a wide range of business and employability support from the regional Growth Hub to local service providers. For more information visit www.enterprisekettering.co.uk

Enabling local people and businesses to grow and progress

Do you need advice on:

Business in the Borough

Flexible and affordable office space!

Prime town centre location

24 hour access

Internet, electric & water included Onsite parking

Find out more 01536 527 420

cheshamhouse@kettering.gov.uk

B u s i n e s s C e n t r e

enterprisekettering.co.uk/chesham-house

trial your business venture

Find out more:markets@kettering.gov.uk | 01536 535 913

www.kettering.gov.uk/markets | ketteringmarkets

General markets on Thursday, Friday and Saturday

Specialist flea market on Wednesday

Pitches from £10

We have specialist markets running throughout the year such as Christmas

Markets, Foodie Fridays and the Teenage Market.

KETTERING TRAINING SERVICES

We care about your success!Call 01536 535 900 or email KTS@kettering.gov.uk

www.ketteringtrainingservices.co.ukKettering Training Services@KTServices

Looking for an apprenticeship, work or training?

REACH YOUR POTENTIAL

Not sure what to do next?

Kettering Training Services could help you!

We have excellent success rates delivering apprenticeships in Business

Administration,Team Leading, Health and Social Care, Customer Service, Printing

and Manufacturing Sewn Products

If you’re not quite ready, our Study Programme can help with your first steps

into employment by improving your English, maths and employability skills.

ENTKettering

Council Tax & Benefits

Council Tax Pay your Council Tax, tell us you’ve moved, find details of discounts or exemptions and find how to get help if you’re in arrears by visiting www.kettering.gov.uk/counciltax Alternatively you can email counciltax@kettering.gov.uk or call 01536 534 235

Financial Help and Budgeting SupportIf you need help managing your money, access to a bank account or you need a low cost loan we can help you. Contact us on 01536 534 247 or email creditunion@kettering.gov.uk

Housing Benefit & Council Tax ReductionClaim Housing Benefit and Council Tax reductions, check eligibility and advise us of any changes of circumstance at www.kettering.gov.uk/benefits email benefits@kettering.gov.uk or call 01536 410 333

Did you know?You can view your Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates online. Log on to www.kettering.gov.uk/connectonline and access your accounts, view balances, make payments, view correspondence sent to you and lots more.Council Tax Support

Details of the scheme can be found at www.kettering.gov.uk/LCTS

About Your Council Tax

71.1%

14.1%

3.4%11.4%

FIRE

POLICE

Average Council Tax Bill

Average Council Tax Bill in 2020/21For around £3 per week, the average Council taxpayer

in the borough has access to over 100 different services provided by the Council.

For details on how the Police and Fire parts of your Council Tax is spent please visit

www.northantspfcc.org.uk

The Council Tax attributable to Northamptonshire County Council includes a precept to fund Adult Social

Care. For details on how the Northamptonshire County Council and Adult Social Care part of your Council Tax is

spent, please visit

www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/counciltax

(Charge Per Annum, Band D Equivalent)£ 1,146.38 £ 1,170.98

£ 255.04

£ 61.97

£ 205.39

£ 15.69

£ 1,823.51£ 1,761.84

£ 245.04

£ 60.76

£ 205.39

£ 14.55

2019/20 2020/21

Northamptonshire County Council

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – POLICE

Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner – FIRE

Kettering Borough Council

Parish / Town Council

TOTAL Bill

£ 114.44Adult Social Care £ 89.72

7For information on the creation of a new unitary council for North Northamptonshire from April 2021, visit www.futurenorthantsnorth.org6 To find out more about claiming Housing Benefit visit

www.kettering.gov.uk/benefits

Council & Community

Community SafetyReport incidents online and find out more about Public Space Protection Orders by visiting:

www.kettering.gov.uk/communitysafety

Are you registered to vote?Individual electors are responsible for their own registration, rather than having one person in each household complete the annual registration form.

You can register online at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

For further information, election results or to take part in an election, visit: www.kettering.gov.uk/electionsandvoting elecreg@kettering.gov.uk 01536 410 333

Spot It, Report It!We work hard to ensure our Borough is a pleasant place to live and work. You can report the following issues to us:

• Fly-tipping and abandoned vehicles• Dog fouling and littering• Food safety concerns• Noise complaints• Public safety issues• Lost, found, stray or dangerous dogs• Pest problems

www.kettering.gov.uk/environmentalhealth customerservices@kettering.gov.uk 01536 410 333

9Please remember, dog owners – Bag it, bin your dog waste – any rubbish bin will do!8 To find your local Borough Councillor or to see a schedule of forthcoming meetings visit www.kettering.gov.uk/decisionmaking

Anti-Social BehaviourFind out how to report and take action against anti-social behaviour at:

www.kettering.gov.uk/antisocialbehaviour

Pest ControlWe specialise in Commercial and Domestic Pest Control Services and are committed to ridding your premises of unwanted pests.

We cover the full range of pest control services including moles, squirrels and wasps.

For further information and details of call out charges please visit: www.kettering.gov.uk 01536 410 333

Bereavement Services

Bereavement Services cares for the crematorium at Warren Hill as well as the eight cemeteries within the borough. Information can be given regarding these sites as well as pre-purchase cremations, cremation memorials, family-led funeral services and more. Please contact:

www.kettering.gov.uk/crematorium bereavementservices@kettering.gov.uk 01536 525 722

10Grant funding is available for eligible households to install first time central heating within the borough. Visit www.northantswarmhomes.com or call 01536 535 617.

Planning & Building Control For information on making a planning or building control application, to check progress and comment on an application, search for planning applications, decisions and appeals, book a building control site visit and information on demolition and dangerous structures.

11There are roughly 45,600 homes in the borough

For Building Control: www.kettering.gov.uk/buildingcontrol Email: buildingcontrol@kettering.gov.uk Call: 01536 534 250

For Planning: www.kettering.gov.uk/planning Email: planning@kettering.gov.uk Call: 01536 534 316

What can a grant be used for?A grant of up to £30,000 (based on the recommendations of an Occupational Therapist) could be used towards making changes to your home to help a person with disabilities live as independently as possible, including:• widening doors and installing ramps• improving access to rooms and facilities including

extensions• installing a hoist system• installing stair lift systems• adapting heating or lighting controls to make them

easier to use

Disabled Facilities Grants

Do you have difficulty accessing your home?

Could you benefit from a Disabled Facilities Grant of up to £30,000 to make adaptations to your home?

BUILDING CONTROL

SERVICE

Our team of qualified Building Control Surveyors offer a local, impartial and highly competitive professional service. We can offer:• Free technical and pre-application advice• Competitive prices via free individually

tailored quotations• Same day inspections • Assigned case surveyors who work with

you• Friendly, experienced surveyors with local

knowledge• Close working with the Council’s planning

serviceFor further information visit www.kettering.gov.uk/buildingcontrol or contact us by email buildingcontrol@kettering.gov.uk or by phone on 01536 534 250

PRE-APPLICATION

ADVICE SERVICE

Would you like advice before you submit a formal planning application? The pre-application advice service offers planning advice before you submit a formal application. Our experienced officers will be on hand to:• Ensure consistency in dealing with your

pre-application advice • Provide information on key planning

policies • Provide advice in relation to all relevant

planning applications• Offer informal comments and guidanceFor further information, please visit www.kettering.gov.uk/planning or contact us by email planning@kettering.gov.uk or by phone on 01536 534 316There is a cost associated with this service.

Am I eligible for a grant?A member of our Private Sector Housing team will arrange to visit you in your home to discuss your needs and if appropriate, they will refer you to the Community Occupational Therapy team for an assessment. The Occupational Therapist recommends the necessary work and supports your application to Kettering Borough Council.

Does the grant depend on my income?The value of the grant is means tested for adults but there is no means test for disabled children.

How do I apply?Contact 01536 535 617 or privatesectorhousing@kettering.gov.uk to see how we can help.

12 13Kettering Museum and Art Gallery won first prize in the Best Exhibition category at the Northamptonshire Heritage Forum Awards 2019, with Local Treasures: the British Museum comes to Kettering.

For details on local attractions visit www.thisiskettering.com

Museum and Art GalleryFind out more about the exhibitions, events and activities at the Manor House Museum and Alfred East Art Gallery by visitingwww.kettering.gov.uk/museumandgalleryor call the Museum on 01536 534 219 or the Art Gallery on 01536 534 274

What’s On in Kettering Borough Have you seen the latest issue of Kettering’s What’s On guide, a booklet to show what’s happening in your local area? View it online at www.kettering.gov.uk/whatson

Sport Clubs and Centres Legacy Leisure manages Kettering Swimming Pool, Expressions Gym, Desborough Leisure Centre, Corn Market Hall and the Track and Pitch on Thurston Drive. If you are interested in joining the gym, looking for a fitness class or hiring the Corn Market Hall please contact Legacy Leisure on 01536 410 253.

Leisure & Culture

Healthy ActivitiesThere are a number of healthy activities that take place weekly across the Borough, including walking football and free health walks. Find out more at www.thisiskettering.com/keephealthy

Did you know?The Council runs activities during Easter and summer

school holidays. Find out more at

This is Kettering

This is KetteringFor latest news, events & information

on what’s happening in and around Kettering head to our website promoting

the delights of the local area: www.ThisisKettering.com

You can also keep up with the latest news and events on social media

This is Kettering

Community Centres & PavilionsKettering Borough Council hire out a variety of community centres and pavilions for parties, meetings and events. Visit www.kettering.gov.uk/communitycentres or call on 01536 410 333 for further information.

Eating Out? Getting Food In?

Find out if a restaurant, takeaway or food shop you visit has good food

hygiene standards at www.kettering.gov.uk/foodsafety

You can also see if they have healthier menu options through our Eat Out Eat Well Award for

businesses scheme at www.kettering.gov.uk/

eatouteatwell

Parks and Open Spaces

There are a number of play areas and outdoor gyms across the borough. For a list of parks, gardens and open spaces visit

www.kettering.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces

Waste & Recycling

Minimising WasteWe are committed to reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. All new replacement black bins are now 180 or 140 litres and you can have as many recycling bins as you need free of charge.

Free Recycling TalksDo you belong to a school, community group or association, or live in sheltered housing and would enjoy a talk on recycling issues?If yes, then find out more by emailing refuseandrecycling@kettering.gov.uk

Waste & RecyclingFind out when your collection day is, where your nearest recycling site is, order new bins or boxes and read information about recycling at www.kettering.gov.uk/rubbishwasteandrecycling

What goes where?Recycling

SuccessResidents in the borough now recycle nearly 50%

of household waste

14 15Book a bulk collection online at www.kettering.gov.uk/bulkcollection For further information on recycling visit www.kettering.gov.uk/recycling

• All food waste

• Bagged cat & dog waste

• Nappies/pads • Plastic bags • Polythene/

cling film• Polystyrene • Bubble wrap • Crockery/

pyrex, ceramics & pottery

• Hard plastics

• ALL CARDBOARD

• Juice cartons• Milk cartons• Aerosols• Cans/tins• Metal foils• Small metal

items• Glass bottles

and jars• Plastic bottles,

trays, punnets, yoghurt pots & margarine tubs

• Grass• Hedge

cuttings/ leaves

• Twigs/small tree cuttings

• Plants/weeds• Hutch

bedding/straw• Wood shavings• Cold ashes• NO

CARDBOARD

• Letters/bills• Envelopes• Leaflets/junk

mail• Greeting

cards• Newspapers/

magazines• Phone books/

catalogues• Shredded

paper• Wrapping

paper (non foil)

Waste Ted SaysMake more room in your bin by squashing plastic bottles/drink cans and flattening cardboard.Don’t forget to rinse your recycling to keep your bin smelling fresh and clean.Plan your meals so you only buy what you need and find recipes to use up those lovely leftovers at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Bulk Rubbish CollectionIf you have bulky items you need to dispose of, why not make use of our removal service? Collection dates will be agreed upon booking. Bulk items must be presented on the kerbside where your bins are usually collected. We can take away up to 6 items for £24 - discounts are available in certain circumstances.To arrange a collection call 01536 410 333.

Did you know?Recycling one drinks can could save enough energy to power a TV for 4 hours!

Kettering Household Waste Recycling CentreYour local centre provided by Northamptonshire County Council is based on Garrard Way, Kettering and is open 5 days a week (closed Monday and Tuesday).

Did you know? The Council offers a Commercial Waste Collection Service? For further Information or to request a quote visit www.kettering.gov.uk/commercialwaste There is an online form for customers to access prices.

All new or replacement garden waste bins will be green. Grey bins will continue to be collected and will only

be exchanged for a green bin when they are damaged beyond repair.

Shared ServiceKettering Borough Council and Corby Borough Council deliver a shared street scene service which incorporates recycling and refuse collection, street cleansing and grounds maintenance.

Customer Service Centre

Citizens Advice Services Corby and Kettering(CASCK) CASCK offer free, confidential, impartial and independent advice on anything, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. Open: Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm. Appointments: 01536 482 281

Sunflower CentreSunflower Centre offer support, advice and safety planning for those experiencing domestic abuse. The service offers flexible appointments in your local area at venues and times convenient for you. Services are free and provided in a non-judgemental manner. Call for support or signposting on 01604 888 211

NHS Blood Testing CentreYou can get your blood tests taken at the Council offices in Kettering. Open Monday to Friday 8am – 11.30am by appointment only. To book an appointment call 01536 535 600 between 8am - 5pm

Northamptonshire PoliceNorthamptonshire Police have an enquiry desk situated within the Kettering Borough Council offices, so please visit them there during their office hours. For further information visit www.northants.police.uk

Open: Monday - Friday, 10am - 4pm Saturday, 10am - 1pm

Connexions in partnership with ProspectsAge 16-19? Not in Education, Employment or Training? Drop in for advice, guidance and support. Open: Monday 1:30pm - 3.30pm

You can access all these services in one place! Come and see us weekdays 8:30am – 5.30pm and 9am – 1pm on Saturdays at the Council Offices on Bowling Green Road, Kettering, NN15 7QX. You can also call us on 01536 410 333 from 8:30am - 5pm, Monday - Friday,email us at customerservice@kettering.gov.uk or use webchat at www.kettering.gov.ukAppointments are available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Phone or webchat us to book a convenient time.

VoiceIf you or someone you know has been affected by crime, Voice will give you, or help you to find the advice and support you need. The service is free, impartial and available to everyone, whether a crime has been reported to the Police or not. For appointments call 0300 303 1965

Kettering and District Car Sharing SchemeHelps promote the wellbeing of the elderly, the disabled, the non-car owner and other residents in the borough of Kettering by assisting them with voluntary transport to and from all their medical appointments. This also involves trips across the country.Open: Monday, Tuesday and Friday between 8.30am - 11.30am Appointments: 07941 355268

NHS Mental Health NavigatorsProvides support in the community to help people improve their general wellbeing. Further information is available at www.nhft.nhs.uk/navigators

16 17Please note opening hours are subject to change. For further information on our partner services, visit www.kettering.gov.uk/partners

Free and impartial government guidance about your defined contribution pension options. Call 0800 138 3944 or go to www.pensionwise.gov.uk

East Midlands Credit UnionThe East Midlands Credit Union offer financial and money advice, access to basic bank accounts and an opportunity to learn basic IT skills. Open: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm

National Grid – report gas leaks for free on 0800 111 999

Anglian Water – for water & sewerage problems call 03457 145 145 or for general enquiries visit www.anglianwater.co.uk

Environment Agency – for general enquiries call 03708 506 506 or visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Police – Non-emergencies call 101 and emergencies call 999

Useful contacts

18 19All of the council car parks have achieved the Park Mark Safer Parking AwardFor Customer Service Centre opening hours visit www.kettering.gov.uk/openinghours

Transport & StreetsParking To find out more about parking, the location and prices of car parks, how to pay parking fines and locations of residents’ parking schemes visit www.kettering.gov.uk/parking or email parking&permits@kettering.gov.uk or call 01536 410 333.

Transport and StreetsFor links to public transport information and concessionary travel details provided by Northamptonshire County Council, visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

Need to report afaulty street or traffic light or a pothole in the road?Did you know that Northamptonshire County Council manage and maintain the roads, paths, street lighting and other highway problems across the borough?To report a problem please visit www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/streetdoctor or call 0300 126 1000

t. 01536 535 991 e. warrenhill@kettering.gov.uk a. Warren Hill, Rothwell Road, Kettering NN16 8XE

warrenhillweddings.co.uk

Modern ceremony

room for135 guests

Free on-site parking

Licensed for weddings,

civil ceremonies & partnerships

Accessible location on

Rothwell Road

New garden pavilion

for outdoor ceremonies

Beautiful gardens

WARRENHILL

Wedding Ceremonies

Contact us:

Kettering Borough CouncilCall us on 01536 410 333 from 8.30am – 5pm,

Monday to Friday

Write to us at Kettering Borough Council, Municipal Offices, Bowling Green Road, Kettering, NN15 7QX

Come and see us in one of our customer service centres in Kettering, Desborough, Rothwell or Burton Latimer

Please call 01536 410 333 for opening times of Desborough, Rothwell or Burton Latimer centres.

Kettering Customer Service Centre is open weekdays 8:30am - 5:30pm and 9am - 1pm on Saturdays.

Text us – if you see a problem when you are out and about remember you can text or send a picture message to

07824 451 281.

Email us at: customerservices@kettering.gov.uk

Webchat go to www.kettering.gov.uk

www.kettering.gov.uk/save

Residents saved £171 on their energy bills per year, on average. Sign up to Kettering Borough Council’s Switch2Save scheme today!