Local champions celebrated at Harborough District Community Awards

Volunteers, young people, community groups and local businesses have been recognised at the Harborough District Community Awards for their outstanding efforts to make a difference across the district. The winners and runners-up are: 

Voluntary and Community Group of the Year

Winner: Blooming Lutterworth 

Runner-up: Fleckney Duckpond Players 

Young Person of the Year (11–18) – presented by Harborough District Youth Council

Winner: Cecilia Till - Welland Park Academy

Runner-up: Student from Robert Smyth Academy 

Runner-up: William Taylor – Rotary Club of Market Harborough 

Volunteer of the Year (19–59) 

Winner: Aaron Oldham – Dunton and Broughton United FC 

Runner-up: Andrew Reeves - Teddington 

Volunteer of the Year (60+) 

Winner: Ernest Gamble – Volunteer in Houghton 

Runner-up: Pippa Underwood - VASL 

The Citizenship Cup 

Winner: John Morison – Hallaton 

Stronger Together: Workplace Impact Award 

Winner: Lynne McConnachie – Leicestershire County Council 

Runner-up: Chloe Goode - Craft-I-Trims 

Business-Community Impact of the Year Award - sponsored by the Market Harborough Chamber of Trade and Commerce 

Winner: Market Harborough Building Society 

Runner-up: Hinckley & Rugby Building Society (Lutterworth Branch) 

Runner-up: The Roebuck – Market Harborough

The awards were held at Kibworth Community Hub on 1 October.

Council awards new £50 million Environmental Services contract

Harborough District Council has awarded a new seven-year environmental services contract to FCC Recycling UK Ltd to deliver services including waste collection and grounds maintenance from 1 April 2027 onwards. 

The new contract will include weekly food waste collections, enhanced street cleansing and increased resources to tackle fly-tipping. 

In addition, FCC has committed to improving community assets and public spaces, supporting activities and opportunities for young people and creating and enhancing parks, open spaces and pathways.

The contract forms part of the council's wider plans to strengthen the long-term delivery of frontline environmental services. It was awarded following a competitive procurement process that has delivered best value for Council Taxpayers.

Councils come together to challenge plans for local government reorganisation

Five district and borough councils in Leicestershire, including Harborough District Council, have issued a pre-action letter to the government, as the first formal step in considering a legal challenge to the decision on local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

Although the government’s decision is currently paused, the councils had to act to protect their legal position. Any delay in issuing a pre-action letter would bring the risk of the councils losing the opportunity to challenge the decision within the required legal timeframe. 

The councils recognise the significant public concern that followed the announcement of the government’s preferred option, which would see Leicester’s city boundaries expanded and would have a major impact on local rural and semi-rural communities.

The government’s own consultation also demonstrated the strength of opposition to the expansion of the city boundary, with only 7% of respondents expressing a positive view of the Leicester City Council proposal. 

Congratulations to the East Midlands In Bloom winners

Market Harborough and Lubenham triumphed in the annual East Midlands in Bloom (EMIB) competition this year. 

The town won the large town category for a fifth successive year, with a 16th gold award. Lubenham won the village category of the contest for a third consecutive year with a seventh gold award.

The winning Harborough in Bloom team is a partnership of volunteers, Harborough District Council and FCC Environmental Ltd, who work together to put on floral displays in public spaces. The council grant funds the activity.

EMIB is one of the 18 regions/nations that make up Britain in Bloom, the campaign organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. It aims to encourage the improvement of public places through the imaginative use of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscaping. It also aims to achieve a litter free and sustainable environment. 

Blooming Lutterworth was recognised with a community award (see above) this month for their work in the town.

Halloween - help if you don't want to take part

Halloween is approaching and while it brings fun for some, we also know many people don't want to take part. 

The Community Safety Partnership has produced a poster that you can print and display to show that you don't want to be disturbed at Halloween. If you don’t want trick and treaters at your door, download the poster from our website or email communitysafety@harborough.gov.uk to request a copy. 

If you or members of your family are going trick or treating, then please follow these guidelines:

• Only visit properties you know are taking part and be considerate to others while moving between places. Look out for properties with pumpkins outside that indicate residents are happy to be visited
• Always respect the 'No trick or treaters poster'
• Make sure young children are always accompanied by an adult
• If older children are going out unaccompanied, remind them to keep to well-lit areas, wear reflective clothing and carry a torch, use the green cross code when crossing the street and never talk to strangers who approach them.

Stay safe on Bonfire Night and during Diwali

If you want to enjoy fireworks on Bonfire Night or at Diwali we strongly suggest going to organised events rather than using fireworks in your garden or at private events. 

This ensures there are fewer firework related accidents and it also minimises disturbance for other people and animals. If you do intend to use fireworks then please follow the firework code and consider others by: 

• Informing your neighbours so they have plenty of time to prepare 
• Only buying fireworks from a legitimate retailer 
• Checking the fireworks you buy are suitable for the size of garden and conform to British Standard (BS 7114) 
• Storing fireworks in a metal box, kept closed between use 
• Never holding a lit firework and always wearing gloves when holding a sparkler

Don't forget, it's illegal to: 

• Possess a firework if you are under 18 years old 
• Set off fireworks after midnight on 5 November 
• Set off fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or public place 

Breaking these laws can result in a fine. For information on organised bonfire and firework displays check Visit Harborough's website.

Christmas is coming to Harborough district

The festive season will get under way next month with a Christmas lights switch on event in Market Harborough on Saturday 21 November, from 6pm until 9pm. It is a family event with music, Christmas carols, a food and drink market as well as street entertainment. 

The Lutterworth Christmas lights switch on will take place on Friday 27 November in central Lutterworth. The Broughton Astley Christmas Fayre and lights switch on will be on Saturday 5 December from 4 to 7pm. 

Key dates: 

• Saturday 21 November, from 6pm until 9pm - Market Harborough Christmas lights switch on
• Friday 27 November – Fab Friday: Harbs Collective late-night shopping
• Friday 27 November – Lutterworth Christmas lights switch on
• Saturday 28 November – Artisan Fair
• Thursday 3 December – Farmers’ Market
• Friday 4 December - Christmas Fayre 
• Saturday 5 December – Small Business Saturday, an opportunity to support our fabulous local businesses 
• Saturday 5 December from 4 to 7pm - Broughton Astley Christmas Fayre
• Tuesday 12 December – Artisan Fair
• Thursday 17 December – Farmers’ Market

Recovery support for people living with cancer

A charity is providing free support for people affected by cancer to help them through their cancer journey and beyond. 

Cancer Active Recovery Support (C.A.R.S.) runs a Market Harborough Hub - a friendly, welcoming and informal space where local people affected by cancer can come along, meet others and find out what support is available. 

For many people affected by cancer, there can be a whole range of challenges to face during treatment and afterwards. Some will be dealing with tiredness, changes to confidence or simply trying to find a way back to everyday life. Sometimes, people just want to talk to someone who understands. 

Cancer can be an isolating experience, even when you are surrounded by family and friends. Being able to spend time with people who have experienced some of the same worries, uncertainties and ups and downs can make a real difference.

The Hub offers an opportunity to meet other people, although there is no pressure to talk about cancer and no expectation that you need to know what you are looking for before you arrive. Just turn up for support, conversation, social connections, helpful resources and a warm welcome.

Where: Market Harborough Methodist Church, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HE 

When: First Wednesday of every month, 1.30pm – 3.30pm 

Details: Drop in

Planning rules set to change this month

New national rules will change how planning applications are determined across England from 31 October. 

The national scheme of delegation sets out which applications must be decided by planning officers and when an application may be considered by a planning committee. Smaller proposals, including extensions, developments of up to nine homes and minor commercial developments, will be determined by planning officers. 

Other applications, including major developments and proposals involving listed buildings, will only go before a planning committee when they meet specific national tests. 

The reforms also remove councillors’ ability to formally ‘call in’ applications, although councillors, residents and communities will still be able to comment on proposals and raise local planning issues.

Harborough Physical Activity Awards set for 18 November

Nominations are now closed for the Harborough District Physical Activity Awards which will this year be held at Harborough Leisure Centre on Wednesday 18 November. Judges are assessing nominees who have achieved amazing things, from competing on an international stage to leading or helping out their local junior team or making a difference to their community.

Are you registered to vote?

This year's annual check of the electoral register will draw to a close shortly. In recent weeks we have contacted all households to make sure those eligible to vote are registered. Your household should have received a letter/form asking you to check your details. Just follow the steps on the letter/form to ensure you’re registered and ready to vote. Don't miss out on your chance to vote!

Communities invited to apply for new Rural Grants and Ward Member Community Grants

Two new funding opportunities are now available from Harborough District Council to support local projects and initiatives across the district: 

• Ward Member Community Grant - £35,000 for each ward councillor to support projects benefiting residents and communities in their area (£1.19 million in total)

• Rural Grant Scheme - £500,000 dedicated to smaller villages and rural communities, helping to ensure these areas receive additional investment. 

Both schemes support a range of capital and revenue projects and use the same application and assessment process, making it simpler for applicants. Full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply are available on our website.

Winter risks can affect everyone – get free support to be risk ready with free webinars on 22 October and 4 November

Storms, cold weather, ill health and loneliness are all greater risks as we head into winter, so people and communities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) are being urged to prepare now by accessing free support, including a ‘winter preparedness’ webinar.

This winter, everyone living or working in LLR can get help and resources from the Risk Ready community resilience programme which was launched earlier this year to help people be better prepared for local risks. The programme is run by the Local Resilience Forum (LRF) with Communities Prepared and Groundwork Five Counties.

People across LLR can also sign up now for a free webinar to make sure they’re prepared for winter risks on Thursday 22 October 10 to 11.30am and Wednesday 4 November 6.30 to 8pm.

Have your say on A5 Gibbet Hill highways improvements

National Highways is consulting on proposed improvements to the A5 Gibbet Hill junction and is inviting views from Harborough residents, businesses and visitors.

The A5 Gibbet Hill roundabout is a known congestion location that regularly experiences long queues on all main approaches. Congestion is expected to worsen due to major planned developments including Magna Park, Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal and housing growth in Rugby and Lutterworth. These pressures are expected to increase traffic levels and delays.

You can give your views in the online consultation (link below) and you can also attend event on Saturday 17 October from 10am-4pm at Cotesbach Village Hall, Main Street, Cotesbach, Leicestershire, LE17 4HZ.

Referenda in Scraptoft and Great Bowden on neighbourhood plans

Two referenda on neighbourhood plans were held on Thursday 8 October. Residents of Scraptoft and Great Bowden both voted on whether they want Harborough District Council to use their neighbourhood plans to help decide planning applications in the area. 

A majority of residents in both villages voted to yes to the proposal. Details about the referenda and the neighbourhood plans can be found on our website: Scraptoft and Great Bowden.

Late night shopping on 27 November

Market Harborough late night shopping is back for its third year on Friday 27 November. The event is focused on supporting the high street, with many independent and chain shops providing discounts, offers and entertainment on the night. 

It is the perfect opportunity to shop and get your Christmas presents secured, with bands scattered around the town to get you in the festive cheer! Roads will be open as normal with free parking available in all car parks from 6pm.

Dates for your diary

• Check the dates and times of upcoming council meetings

• Throughout October: Black History Month events

• 17 October, 10am-4pm, National Highways consultation event on A5 Gibbet Hill improvements, Cotesbach Village Hall, Main Street, Cotesbach, Leicestershire, LE17 4HZ 

• 17 and 18 October, 8am-5pm, Railex - a celebration of model trains, Harborough Market

• 22 October, 10-11.30am, LLRF webinar on winter preparedness #1 (details above)

• 31 October, 9am-4pm, Artisan Fair on the Square, Market Harborough town square

• 4 November 6.30-8pm, LLRF webinar on winter preparedness #2 (details above)

• 5 November, 9am-3pm, Farmers Market, Market Harborough town square

• 8 November, Remembrance Day services - check our social media/ local media

• 11 November, Armistice Day services - check our social media/ local media

• 21 November, 6pm-9pm, Christmas lights switch on event in Market Harborough

• Until 24th November: Community Governance Review of the number of councillors within the parish of Medbourne

• 27 November, Late night shopping, Market Harborough

• 27 November, Lutterworth Christmas lights switch, central Lutterworth

• 5 December, 4-7pm, Broughton Astley Christmas Fayre and lights switch on

Save time - get in touch with us online

Did you know it's often quicker and easier to contact us online? 

Report it 

Report missed bin collections, fly-tipping, anti-social behaviour and more online. 

Our online reporting services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:

www.harborough.gov.uk/report 

Make a payment 

Find information about paying Council Tax, business rates, planning applications and more:

www.harborough.gov.uk/payment-options 

Apply for it 

Apply for jobs, licences, permits, benefits and more online 

www.harborough.gov.uk/apply 

Contact us

If you have any other enquiries, contact us at: www.harborough.gov.uk/contact 

Not online? 

If you do not have access to the internet, a family member or friend may be able to help you find the information you need. If not, call our customer services team on 01858 828282 

They are available: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8.45am to 5pm and Wednesday 9.30am to 5pm. Customer services are closed on bank holidays and for a few days during the Christmas break 

Contact your local councillor

Would you like to talk with your local councillor about an issue or concern? Visit our website for details of which councillors represent your area and how you can get in touch with them. The website lists contact details and information about political affiliation and personal interests. You can search for your local councillors by postcode, political party, ward or name. From the same page on our website you can also find details about your local MP.

Have your say! 

We regularly consult residents on initiatives and issue publicity to spread the word. Our consultations are on our website so keep an eye out and tell us your views: www.harborough.gov.uk/consultation.

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