Free parking and better payment machines for the festive season

Lutterworth and Market Harborough offer some fantastic shopping opportunities so do make the most of shopping locally for gifts, food and treats. To help out we are offering free parking in our car parks on 13 and 20 December in the lead up to Christmas. 

There will be four hours free in short stay car parks in Market Harborough, free parking all day in long stay car parks in Market Harborough and free parking all day in all Lutterworth council car parks on these dates.

Drivers will receive one free session per vehicle per Saturday. A free parking session must be obtained at the machines by entering your vehicle registration number or by obtaining a free parking session on the Pay by Phone App.

New and improved payment machines which are much faster and easier to use have been introduced across our car parks in the past few weeks, offering cash and contactless card payments. Mobile payment options are still available and parking charges remain the same.

Changes to bin collections over Christmas and the new year 

There will be changes to some of our bin collection rounds over the Christmas and new year period. We will leave a label on your bin shortly to let you know about any changes. 

There are no collections on Thursday 25 December or Thursday 1 January. Collections will instead be on the following days:

Blue: Recycling bin will be emptied on Saturday 27 December and black bin will be emptied on Saturday 3 January

Yellow: Black bin will be emptied on Saturday 20 December and recycling bin will be emptied on Monday 5 January

Rural: Black bin will be emptied on Saturday 20 December and recycling bin will be emptied on Monday 5 January

There are no collections on Friday 26 December, instead they will be collected on the following days:

Blue: Recycling bin will be emptied on Monday 29 December

Yellow: Black bin will be emptied on Monday 22 December

Rural: Black bin will be emptied on Monday 22 December

You can download your bin collection calendar from our website and also search for your bin collection schedule by postcode.

Make this Christmas a little greener: simple ways to cut down on waste

The festive celebrations will soon be with us and for many households it also brings a big spike in household waste.

From food leftovers to packaging mountains, the Christmas period can put real pressure on our bins - and the environment. The good news is that small changes from each of us can make a big difference.

Here are some easy, practical ways to enjoy your Christmas while reducing the amount of waste we produce:

1. Reconsider gift wrapping

Not all wrapping paper is recyclable - foil, glitter and plastic coatings can mean lots of material going to landfill every year. Try recyclable paper instead and bring a dash of colour by decorating with a ribbon or twine, reusable gift bags or fabric wraps.

2. Gift thoughtfully

Gifts don’t have to mean more stuff. Consider experiences such as theatre tickets, memberships, dining vouchers or consumables such as homemade treats, soaps, or local produce. Pre-loved items, which may be just as appreciated are far more sustainable.

3. Plan meals in advance

Tucking in to tasty food is all a part of the festivities but it’s easy to overestimate what we’ll actually eat and generate food waste. Cut down on food waste by writing a shopping list and sticking to it. Check your fridge and freezer before buying more food and reuse leftovers for soups, curries or sandwiches. Freeze surplus food while it’s fresh.

4. Choose sustainable decorations

Many decorations, especially plastic ones, have a short life. Try reusing decorations from previous years, opting for natural or recyclable materials where possible. If you’re buying a real Christmas tree, look for one with FSC certification or consider one you can replant.

5. Know what you can recycle

After the festivities, recycle as much waste as possible. Check our website for information on recyclable items include all the usual recyclables. Please ensure items are clean and dry before placing them in your recycling bin. For more information visit the Less Waste website.

6. Reduce packaging when shopping

When possible, choose items with minimal or recyclable packaging. Take your own bags for groceries and buy loose produce if you can. Don’t forget to shop locally in Lutterworth, Market Harborough and elsewhere to support local businesses.

For more information on waste and recycling visit our website.

Free festive holiday clubs and gym passes for eligible young people

Free holiday clubs and gym and swim memberships are being offered in Harborough district again this winter for eligible families from 20 December.

Families with children aged four-to-16 receiving benefits-related free school meals can sign up now for the government-funded places at more than 60 venues across Leicestershire.

From festive games, sports and crafts to a healthy meal each day – there’s something for everyone. Free junior gym and swim memberships are available for 11-to-16-year-olds at selected leisure centres. 

Organised locally by Leicestershire County Council with support from Active Together, the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) programme ‘Holidays Together’ offers up to four sessions for each child over the winter holidays.  

Eight councils submit bold vision for local government structure

Eight Leicestershire and Rutland councils have worked together to submit a bold vision to government for future council structures.

All seven Leicestershire district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are formally backing the North, City, South plan which would see three strong unitary councils delivering services for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The plan has been developed following extensive engagement with communities, partners, stakeholders and businesses across two exercises which received around 10,000 responses. The engagement showed strong support for a three-unitary council approach.

The plan would see 10 councils reduced to three, serving around 400,000 residents each. They would cover North Leicestershire and Rutland, South Leicestershire and Leicester City.

The North, City, South plan will enable:

• The delivery of devolution at pace by holding a Mayoral election in 2027
• Accelerated economic growth
• More prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
• Savings of over £44 million a year
• Councils to remain connected to communities
• The retention of Leicester’s current city boundary
• Three financially sustainable councils

Government will launch a formal consultation on its preferred plans in early 2026.

Winners of the Physical Activity Awards 2025 announced

The winners of this year's Harborough Let’s Get Moving Physical Activity Awards were announced at Lutterworth Leisure Centre on 19 November. 

The annual event, organised by our Health and Wellbeing Team, featured 11 awards designed to celebrate the sport and physical activity achievements of Harborough residents.

BBC Leicester commentator, Owynn Palmer-Atkin, compèred the evening with over 120 guests in attendance. 

Amongst the winners’ and nominees’ achievements were:

• Local schools winning county and national accolades
  

• Teachers achieving platinum standard within their school PE departments
  

• Significant weight loss and physical activity advocacy
  

• National cycling honours
  

• Fundraisers
  

• Inclusive and inspiring sports clubs and instructors
  

• Disability champions and a lifetime achiever who gave 30 years to local clubs in Harborough.

You can see all the winners and special recognition awards on the Active Together Harborough website. 

The awards are set to return in November 2026 so look out for further information in the new year.

Award winner spotlight: Tor Berry, Citizenship Cup winner 2025

Congratulations to Tor Berry who was awarded the Citizenship Cup at the Harborough District Community Awards in October.

Tor has transformed Churchgate Community Centre into a thriving hub at the heart of Lutterworth, with groups and activities running seven days a week, completing a great deal of the work to secure the funding and project manage the renovation of the Churchgate Community Centre in a voluntary capacity.

Tor said: “I’m incredibly honoured to have been awarded the Citizenship Cup for work across Lutterworth and the surrounding villages. Much of what I do - whether it’s fundraising, serving as a trustee, teaching, or simply connecting people who might not otherwise meet - is driven by a love for this community and a belief in what we can achieve collectively.

"I’m grateful for every opportunity to bring people together and to share learning from my roles at Churchgate Community Centre and Headway Leicester.”

People from across the Harborough district were recognised for their important contributions to their communities at the Harborough District Community Awards in October.

Winter preparedness - flooding

Flooding is becoming more frequent across the district, affecting more homes and businesses. Building resilience and preparedness is key to protecting our communities. As we head into winter, here's a reminder of what you can do to prepare for bad weather and flooding in particular. 

• Sign up for flood alerts 
• Report a flood
• Check flood risk maps
• Check for flood warnings by postcode and assess if you’re at risk 
• Check before you travel – find travel updates online or by listening and following the local radio 
• Stay up to date with weather warnings and weather information 
• Learn about flood Insurance
• Information is also available on the Local Resilience Forum website

Winter preparedness - keeping your home warm

As temperatures drop, it’s vital to take extra care to keep warm and protect your health. Cold weather can have serious health impacts, especially for those who are more vulnerable. Please consider who might need extra support during these months.

Who is most at risk?

• Older adults (65+) as age can reduce the body’s ability to stay warm

• People with long-term health conditions, especially cardiovascular, respiratory, or mental health issues

• Pregnant women – extra care is needed for both mother and baby

• Young children (under fives) – they lose heat faster than adults

• People with learning disabilities may need help managing warmth

• Those at risk of falls as cold homes can increase hazards

• Individuals living alone or housebound as isolation can make it harder to cope

• People with low mobility - limited movement reduces heat generation

• Households in deprived circumstances because rising costs make heating difficult.

With living costs high, many face difficult choices between heating and eating. Cold homes can lead to increased illness, hospital admissions and even fatalities. 

What you can do:

• Heat key rooms – aim for at least 18°C in rooms you use most, like the living room or bedroom

• Block draughts – affordable draught excluders around doors can make a big difference

• Close bedroom windows at night to prevent heat loss while you sleep

• Layer up – several thin layers trap heat better than one thick garment

• Check in on vulnerable neighbours, friends, and family. A simple call or visit can make a big difference

• Citizens Advice offer energy advice including help if you are struggling to pay your bills and support with reading your energy meter

• Many organisations, including Age UK, offer energy saving tips to save money

• The county council provides energy efficiency grants that you may be eligible for and the Home Energy Retrofit Offer (HERO) provides advice to households on how to improve energy efficiency.

More organisations benefit from £1 million Community Grant fund

The latest successful recipients of the first round of year two applications for our £1 million Community Grant Fund have been announced.

A total of £86,400 has been given to parishes in Harborough district to enable the delivery of projects and initiatives to benefit communities at a local level. A list of all the recipients is on our website.

Each organisation demonstrated how their projects aligned with priorities which are: community leadership to create a sense of pride in our place, promoting health and wellbeing and encouraging healthy life choices, creating a sustainable environment to protect future generations and supporting businesses and residents to deliver a prosperous local economy.

Some £48,615 in Section 106 funding was also allocated to St Nicholas PCC in Fleckney for access improvements to the church building. Section 106 contributions are provided by developers for community improvements in areas where development has occurred. 

Round two of year two of our £1million Community Grant opened on 1 December 2025 and will close on 16 February 2026. Full details about how to apply and supporting examples and templates are online.

Community Grant case study: New play equipment in Lutterworth

Lutterworth Town Council received Community and S106 grants towards projects to revamp two community facilities.

Colourful, accessible and modern play equipment has been installed in the Crescent Road playground to revitalise a previously outdated and under-used community space.

The refurbishment also included improved safety surfacing, seating areas and enhanced landscaping. The equipment has a Frank Whittle theme, to highlight his connection with the local area.

The sports pavilion also underwent a significant transformation, following the town council's decision to adapt the building for greater community use. The ambitious refurbishment involved changing the internal structure of the building, removing the ‘rabbit warren’ of changing rooms, shower blocks, stores and offices and creating two large multifunctional spaces created in their place. 

Solar panels were installed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and rising energy costs, helping to reduce running costs for the benefit of the many users which include community groups and charities.

The new facility is now a smart and versatile community asset, able to accommodate around 250 people with activities ranging from performances to conferences, parties, weddings and fitness and activity classes. 

By-election in Logan ward

A by-election is taking place in Logan ward of Market Harborough on Thursday 18 December. If you live in Logan ward please check your polling card for information.

Polling stations will be at the Congregational Hall and will be open from 7am to 10pm on the day. Valid photo ID is required to vote.