The Labour Group on Northamptonshire County Council are seeking an amendment to the recording of attendances at full council meetings as “many councillors leave meeting halfway through and play on their iPads”.

On Saturday, the Conservative Group on Northampton Borough Council highlighted the attendance records of a number of Labour councillors to full council meetings in the past six months.

Borough councillor Joy Capstick (Labour, Talavera) has been automatically removed from the council after she failed to attend any council meeting for the past six months. Councillor Capstick said she had been rehabilitating from a serious injury suffered last August.

Councillor Gareth Eales (Lab, Dallington/Spencer) said he believed that a number of county councillors were leaving the meetings at lunchtime and missing key debates and votes.

Councillor Eales also claimed that some councillors were not paying attention in meetings and “playing around” with phones and tablets.

He said: “I think the conduct of certain councillors with senior roles on other authorities is shocking to just up and leave the meeting at half time. But the failure to focus on events whilst they are there is contemptuous.

“We recently had a fabulous presentation at full council from the Northamptonshire Young Leaders and certain Councillors, in particular councillor David Mackintosh did not even look up from his phone and tablet and couldn’t even bring himself to applaud these fine young people’s efforts, which was deplorable.

“I raised concerns on this at the time with the Chair of the Council and Group Business Managers, but we as a Labour Group feel we need more robust monitoring of attendance and conduct in the Chamber to ensure Councillor propriety.”

Labour’s leader on the Council, Cllr John McGhee (Lab, Kingswood), said: “It is sheer hypocrisy for David Mackintosh to play politics with attendance records for elected members on one council, but then to leave meetings part way through himself on a different authority.

“He’s trying to grab headlines in the run up to the General Election and the electorate will see through this.

“As a group, we are calling for improved attendance monitoring and better conduct in Council meetings from now on. It’s simply not good enough that members can leave meetings halfway through without good reason or be playing on their iPads/ phones throughout important debates and discussions.”

Councillor Mackintosh said: “No amount of smoke and mirrors from Labour can detract from their woeful attendance record on the Borough Council.

“I am happy to support anything that gives wider scrutiny to attendance at council meetings, and I look forward to debating this issue with Cllr Eales at the full council meeting at The Guildhall this evening.”

The Cobblers have been linked with a loan move for Swindon Town striker Miles Storey.

A report by the Swindon Link Sport website names Northampton as one of the teams currently tracking the 21-year-old centre-forward, who recently returned to the County Ground from a loan spell at Portsmouth as part of Pompey’s squad-cutting exercise.

Storey was not part of Swindon’s matchday 18-man squad for their home game against Chesterfield at the weekend with the strategy by manager Mark Cooper being to get the player out on loan again.

Clubs in Scotland and fellow Sky Bet League Two team AFC Wimbledon are also competing for the signature of a player who is described as having good pace but being somewhat raw.

Storey scored three times in 13 starts for Portsmouth, although he was often used as a wide attacker and not in his preferred central position.

Drivers are being warned of severe delays on the M1 in Northamptonshire.

All lanes have reopened after an accident involving a car and lorry in the roadworks section of the M1 at Junction 16 for the A45 Daventry soutbound.

Traffic at 5pm was reportedly backed up to Junction 18 at Rugby.

A woman was racially abused by another woman during an incident in the car park of Iceland supermarket in Northampton.

The woman was walking out of the store in Harlestone Road sometime between 2.10pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, January 10, when the alleged incident happened. She was walking towards her car when another woman began shouting abuse at her.

The abusive woman then tried to prevent the woman from getting into her car. Despite her efforts, the woman managed to drive away.

The abusive woman was white, in her 50s and skinny. She was wearing a beige coat, a hoodie and blue jeans.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this incident, can call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Northampton is set for its “most significant snowfall” of the winter so far this week, a local weather forecaster said.

Mike Lewis, who runs Pitsford Hall Weather Station, said the “scene was set for a prolonged period of snow” from Tuesday evening.

He said: “Tuesday should remain dry for the most part, but early sunshine will become eclipsed by developing cloud later in the day which will bring sleet during the evening, turning increasingly to snow overnight.

“The snow may revert back to sleet for a time during Wednesday morning before snow flurries become more widespread especially on higher ground in the west of the county through the afternoon and evening.

“A few centimetres of accumulation is likely on Wednesday. Further fresh snowfalls are unlikely beyond Wednesday in the short-term, but with temperatures remaining cold the lying snow will present problems with ice for the remainder of the week.”

An urgent appeal has been launched by police to trace a 13-year-old schoolgirl who has gone missing from her home in Northamptonshire.

Chloe Woodlock has been missing from her home address in Middleton Cheney in South Northamptonshire, near Banbury, since 8am this morning, Monday, January 19.

Chloe is white with short, cropped “mousey” hair, a Northamptonshire Police spokesman said.

She was last seen wearing black trousers, black school shoes and a blue hooded top, and was carrying an orange rucksack.

Police are urging Chloe - or anyone who thinks they may have seen her, or has any information as to her whereabouts - to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

A force spokesman said: “We would like to thank those who have already come forward to help search for Chloe. We are satisfied we have sufficient resources to conduct a thorough search and will issue an appeal for assistance if it is needed.”

An urgent appeal has been launched by police to trace a 13-year-old schoolgirl who has gone missing from her home in Middleton Cheney.

Chloe Woodlock has been missing from her home address in Middleton Cheney in South Northamptonshire, near Banbury, since 8am this morning, Monday, January 19.

Chloe is white with short, cropped “mousey” hair, a Northamptonshire Police spokesman said.

She was last seen wearing black trousers, black school shoes and a blue hooded top, and was carrying an orange rucksack.

Police are urging Chloe - or anyone who thinks they may have seen her, or has any information as to her whereabouts - to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

A force spokesman said: “We would like to thank those who have already come forward to help search for Chloe. We are satisfied we have sufficient resources to conduct a thorough search and will issue an appeal for assistance if it is needed.”

Calum Clark believes Saints have taken a big step forward in the bid to improve the defensive side of their game.

Jim Mallinder’s men held firm at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, refusing to let Ospreys past in a vital 20-9 Champions Cup victory.

They scrapped until the end to stop the home side scoring a try, preventing the PRO12 leaders from getting a losing bonus point.

And after the sobering 20-7 defeat at Sale eight days earlier, it was a welcome outcome for Saints, who are now level with Racing Metro at the top of Pool 5.

“In the context of the group it was big and in the context of how we judge ourselves it was really important, especially after what happened at Sale,” said Clark.

“We needed to come back and make a big improvement on the performance and it was really pleasing.

“The past three weeks the defence had been poor.

“There were times on Sunday when it still wasn’t as good as it should be, but at the end we held them out and that’s really pleasing.

“We definitely made a step forward.”

A Northampton woman who is alleged to have wounded her boyfriend with a broken glass after an argument in the early hours of New Year’s Day appeared at court to face the charges.

Gillian Jones, 29, of Lark Rise appeared at Northampton Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, speaking only to confirm her name and address.

Prosecuting Simon Ash, said the charges related to an incident alleged to have taken place between her and her partner at the home the couple shared on Lark Rise at around 3.40am on January 1.

Her partner suffered neck injuries as a result of the incident.

Miss Jones was given bail and told to re-appear again at court for a plea and case management hearing at Northampton Crown Court on April 15.

The diversion route that will be enforced while a building connected to Greyfriars bus station is demolished has been revealed.

Lady’s Lane will be closed between 7pm on Friday January 23 and 6am on Monday January 26 while a bridge over the carriageway, and a tower it is connected to, are removed.

While this work is completed, Sheep Street will be closed from Greyfriars to Lady’s Lane.

Lady’s Lane itself will be closed to traffic from Sheep Street to Victoria Street.

Diversions for motorists will see them directed left down Sheep Street, right down Church Lane and then right again down Victoria Street.

It means National Express coaches should be able to exit Victoria Street as normal.

The demolition of the Greyfriars bus station itself will take place before the end of March this year.

A “brilliant’ Northampton jazz musician, who was touring with Gene Pitney when the American singer died, has passed away at the age of 70.

Bass player Pete Cox had appeared with many well-known musicians around the UK and toured the world with Mr Pitney. As well as performing jazz, he had written and arranged music for theatre shows across the county since 1969, including The Royal in Northampton and The Castle in Wellingborough.

Mr Cox, who lived in Roe Road, in Abington, passed away in December. He was divorced and leaves a son, Alan, and daughter, Natalie.

One musician friend, keyboard player and arranger Maurice Merry, said: “He was a nice guy, a clever man, and a brilliant musician. Pete was a very forthright person and you always knew when he was around.

“He was from a musical background; his parents used to own the popular Midland Music Centre shop in Cowper Street, off Kettering Road, so he was basically brought up in there. His first instrument was a viola but he later took up the bass.”

Mr Merry said he first met Mr Cox when he was asked to provide music for The Royal Theatre’s production of My Gentleman, Pip, in 1969, which had in its cast Roger Lloyd-Pack, best known for his later role as Trigger in Only Fools and Horses.

They met Mr Pitney soon after and toured the world together, including Australia and America, throughout the 1970s.

Mr Merry said: “Pete was into modern jazz but he knew his classical music too. If we were on the road and making long journeys back home late at night, we would quiz each other on things like the first names of classical composers and he knew them all.

“He was always very popular too. Past friends have been calling me to find out what happened and when the funeral is taking place. Unfortunately, however, I have no details yet.”

One of Mr Cox’s last major tours was a UK reunion with Mr Merry and Mr Pitney in 2006, during which the 24 Hours From Tulsa singer suddenly died in a hotel room in Cardiff.

Mr Merry said: “It was very traumatic and Pete was unbelievably upset. We started to play together less after that, but he still performed around the town until only a few years before he died.”

A house in Northamptonshire where up to 14 people were living has been searched by police and fire officers after concerns were raised that the occupants may be part of a human trafficking operation.

Northamptonshire Police visited a property in The Medway, Daventry, on Thursday morning following an investigation by Daventry District Council on the over-occupation of unlicensed premises where 10 to 14 Bulgarians were living.

A police spokesman said the operation had been carried out to ensure that the people occupying the property, who are transported daily to work in another part of the district, are doing so voluntarily and in line with residence and employment rules.

As part of the investigation officers carried out interviews, with the aid of Bulgarian interpreters, at a commercial operation where they worked.

The operation was in full cooperation of the law-abiding landlord, and the agents acting for her, following complaints about the management of the let.

Sgt Sam Dobbs, from Daventry’s Safer Community Team said: “We are aware of the risks of foreign nationals being brought to the area to exploit the availability of work here, and we will make all efforts to ensure that those who do work here do so voluntarily and lawfully. I appeal to local people, housing owners and letting agents to report any concerns about over-occupation of local housing. This can also be done anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

No one has been arrested as a result of Thursday’s operation, although investigations are continuing.

A eight-year-old autistic child in Northamptonshire has been left devastated after his Xbox 360 Star Wars special edition was stolen.

Burglars broke into a property in Wood Street, Kettering, between January 15 and 17 and stole the Xbox and a blue Acer laptop.

Police would like to hear from anybody who may have any information as to the whereabouts of these items or who has been offered them second hand.

A police spokesman said the force was appealing to the public’s goodwill to help locate these items so they can be returned to the boy.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Burglars have stolen cash and cheques from a hotel in Northamptonshire.

The burglary took place sometime between 4.30am and 5.10am at Rothwell House Hotel, Bridge Street, Rothwell, in the early hours of Saturday, January 17.

A man was seen entering the hotel while another man stayed outside. Both men then walked off in the direction of Nationwide.

The men were wearing dark clothing with hoods up and their faces were covered with scarves. They were both about 6ft.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and in particular would like to speak to the drivers of two cars and a cyclist who are believed to have been passing through Bridge Street around the time of burglary.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A Northamptonshire engineer was given a special award for almost 60 years of voluntary service to blind people.

Chris Boucher, who has been repairing and demonstrating talking books to blind people for 58 years, was presented with the Long Service in Volunteering award on behalf of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) by Francis Maude, the cabinet office minister.

The 78-year-old from Wellingborough, who was also awarded with a British Empire Medal for services to the blind this year, said: “After receiving a BEM, the visit from Mr Maude was the icing on the cake and it was a very nice day.

“I admire him for spending a good hour with the Northamptonshire RNIB, even though he had a schedule of visits.”

Mr Boucher’s involvement with RNIB started when he was a student in electrical engineering in London.

Students were told it would be a good idea to get involved with professional organisations and he saw an ad for a talking book machine repair man with the RNIB.

He carried on after graduation and was made a coordinator, then continued in the role when he moved to Essex and then to Northamptonshire in 1989.

He said “My job has changed a lot as the technology for talking books has moved on enormously and I’ve practically become fifth generation.

“There were the old machines, then the reel-to-reel tape recorders, then casettes, then CDs and now the books are all on memory sticks.

“These don’t really require repairing so I mainly demonstrate them to new listeners and show them how to use them. The last time I was called out was because somebody hadn’t plugged their computer in properly.”

Mr Boucher is also the chairman of the Wellingborough and District Talking Newspaper for the Blind.

In his past 20 years with the group, he has performed a similar job and is also involved in preparing the regular newspaper recordings.

He said: “After qualifying as an engineer, the further up the ladder you go, the more desk-bound the job becomes, so I used to find it quite relaxing to come home in the evenings and have something to work with - to take apart and put together.

“I will carry on in the role for as long as I can. The only thing that would really get in the way would be if I am no longer able to drive.”

Commenting on his visit to Northamptonshire’s Association for the Blind based in Kingsthorpe in Northampton, where he also presented a Point of Light award to Phil Reddall, Mr Maude said: “Hundreds of volunteers at the centre do excellent work for partially sighted and blind people.

“The Centre was a powerful reminder of how much people can do with each other and for each other, in their communities and for their communities - this is all part of creating a bigger and stronger society.”

Pharmacists have volunteered to work weekends to help relieve pressure on NGH’s emergency department at busy times.

Pam Bhambra, a medicines management technician, and Anna Gordon Brown, a clinical pharmacist, have volunteered to switch their shifts to weekends as this is when A&E pressure is normally highest.

They support the A&E nurses, doctors and consultants to optimise the use of medicine, and, through seeing around 700 patients a month, help improve the flow through A&E.

Nurses’ time is also released to concentrate on other clinical care.

Gill Williams, principal pharmacist at NGH, said: “By including experts on medicines in clinical teams it can reduce the potential for errors in prescribing and administration.

“It can also reduce delays in getting medicines to patients, ensure they are prescribed all of their regular medication and, in some cases, means patients’ problems can be sorted without them needing to be admitted to a ward.”

One of the reasons for the use of medicines has become increasingly complex with many patients on multiple drugs.

The A&E Pharmacy team’s focus will be to ensure that the right medicine is available at the right time for attending patients.

They will also:

- Help spot medication problems to improve quality and safety.

- Ensure medicines get to GPs quickly, preventing unnecessary delays for patients.

- Where patients need to be admitted to a hospital ward, the pharmacist can assess what medicines they are already taking, preventing delays treatment, reducing omitted doses and lessening delays in discharging them.

Mrs Williams said the scheme could easily be expanded so it can take effect at any time in the year.

She said: “This pharmacy initiative will benefit patients attending A&E who do not need to be admitted, as well as patients who are.

“I believe there is a greater potential for their role to be developed, both through managing common ailments and in freeing up doctors and nursing staff to conduct their clinical work - particularly when the hospital is under so much pressure.

“The challenge for us is to invest in this scheme in the long term so that all patients, and accident and emergency staff, can benefit throughout the year.”

The family of murder victim Jon Casey have said they have been left “truly heartbroken” by his “cruel” death that has deprived his young daughter from ever knowing her father.

In a family statement released today Mr Casey, known as Jon Boy has been described as the kind of person that could “brighten your day in a second with his humour, wit and fun nature.”

The statement reads: “Words cannot express the feeling of sadness and loss in our family at this time.

“Jon Boy, as he was always known to us, was a kind and caring son, partner, brother and a loving father to his two girls, one of which will now grow up never knowing her daddy and how proud of them both he was.

“Our Jon Boy was the kind of person that could brighten your day in a second, his humour, wit and fun nature were loved by so many.

“To have him taken from us in such a cruel way will leave a hole in our family that we will never be able to fill. Our hearts are truly broken.”

Mr Casey’s family said they were eternally gratefully to Kellie Harrison and her seven-year-old son Thomas who helped treat Mr Casey on Friday night.

The statement reads: “To the lady and her son, who helped Jon Boy and let him know he wasn’t alone, we will never be able to thank you both enough for your kindness and compassion.

“We would also like to thank the hospital staff who fought to save our Jon Boy’s life and save us all from this awful tragedy.

Additionally, we would like to thank Northamptonshire Police for their ongoing support and their continuing efforts to find justice for Jon Boy.”

The family have appealed for any witnesses to the attack on Mr Casey to come forward.

The statement reads: “In relation to the ongoing investigation we would urge anyone who has any information, regardless of how small you think it might be, to please contact the police, as any piece of information could be vital to the investigation and to help a family find the answers that we are desperately searching for.”

A Northamptonshire cat that has starred in an advert for mobile phone company Three is to feature on the Channel 5 programme Cats Do The Funniest Things tonight.

Bronte, who lives with owner Caroline Bailey-Read in Daventry, can be seen singing along to Starship’s We Built This City in the Sing It Kitty adverts.

The Channel 5 programme, which starts at 8pm, will also include clips of cats playing musical instruments, cats in costumes, cats on hoovers, and cats attempting to find their way out of sticky situations.

Bronte’s owner Caroline said: “It is slightly surreal to see my cat on the television. You’ll be watching something one night and an advert will come on with Bronte on it. It is a little bit bonkers, but a nice experience.

“I have got a little more used to it now as I have been to pet shows and photoshoots. There is also going to be some merchandise with Bronte on, so it has been a very busy year. I’ll be looking forward to seeing it.”

The 51-year-old said that she has had Bronte since the cat was 12 weeks old, with the cat now one-and-a-half.

She said: “It has been a busy year for the both of us. We will be doing a public appearance that is currently pencilled in for February 14.

“It is nice, we both get recognised because Bronte was such a big star last year. Also, I have shock of pink hair so we do get recognised quite a lot.

“However there is a downside. People think that we made a lot of money out of the Three adverts. All we got out of it was expenses, but it was nice to see Bronte on the television.”

Gregor Robertson has become the latest player to have his Cobblers contract terminated.

The 31-year-old, who can play at left-back or as a central defender, was brought in by manager Chris Wilder during last season’s January transfer window and made 39 appearances for the club.

“As with Emile Sinclair, Gregor was a player we needed at that stage of our development and he came in and did a good job,” said Wilder.

“We are now looking to move on and it is in Gregor’s best interests to move on and play regular football.

“We are aware the recent exits have left us a little short on numbers but we do have a couple of additions in the pipeline to boost us.

“Gregor is an excellent professional and he leaves with our thanks and best wishes.

“It is another tough decision but a decision made to help take us forward.”

Robertson’s most recent first-team appearance came in the 2-1 defeat at Tranmere Rovers on December 28, in which he was withdrawn after 31 minutes with a rib injury.

Northampton is likely to “largely escape” the snow that is forecast for a large part of the Midlands tomorrow, a local forecaster has said.

The Met Office has issued a weather warning for Northamptonshire from 4pm today until midday on Wednesday as an area of snow is expected to extend northeastwards from parts of Wales across the Midlands.

However, Mike Lewis, who runs Pitsford Hall Weather Station, said latest predictions showed there was likely to be some sleet on Tuesday night but it was likely to remain dry on Wednesday.

He said: “The latest model runs show that the county will be largely escaping the snow forecast for a large part of the Midlands tomorrow.

“Cloud will tend to develop more widely as we head into the afternoon which could bring the threat of some isolated snow flurries, but these will tend to give way to sleet and then rain overnight.

“This rain should then clear to leave most of Wednesday dry. However, it will remain cold through Wednesday and Thursday with slightly milder conditions developing on Friday as a further band of rain moves south-eastwards.

“Saturday though will turn colder again, perhaps with some brief snow as the rain clears before dawn.”