News and features from Harborough District Council - February 2026

5% cut in Council Tax proposed in draft budget

Consultation took place on our draft budget between January and early February and it has been approved by Cabinet ahead of Council discussing it on 23 February.

Like all councils, Harborough district faces significant financial challenges, including rising demand for services, high inflation rates and changes to government funding.

However, the council wants to continue to deliver investment and improvements needed for the success of the district and its communities long into the future.

The draft budget proposes reducing Harborough District Council’s share of Council Tax by 5%, equivalent to £9.16 a year for a Band D property.

Other proposals include:

• Freezing car park charges for the third year running and offering three free shopping Saturdays in December

• Freezing green bin charges at £61 for the third-year running

• Improving customer access to information and self-serve options by reopening a service on the ground floor of The Symington Building

• Extending the £1 million Community Grant Fund into a fourth year, ensuring all parishes in the district benefit

• Investing in environmental services to tackle fly-tipping, including increasing fly-tipping enforcement penalties from £400 to £1,000

• Creating a new community events arena from the current Welland Park bowls rink and refurbishing the Welland Park Bowls Pavillion and Wadkins Pavillion in Thurnby for increased community use

• Increasing project support to accelerate the Rewilding Harborough project and volunteer/community involvement

• Developing feasibility plans for improvements to The Symington Recreation Ground

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Have your say on whether Market Harborough should have a parish council

Residents of Market Harborough are being encouraged to take part in an initial phase of consultation looking at the future of local decision-making.

With nationwide local government reorganisation plans, many district councils around the country have been looking at whether to create or change new parish councils in the unparished parts of their area.

Market Harborough does not have a parish council, meaning that Harborough District Council provides services such as parks, play areas, cemeteries and bus shelters that in other parts of the district would be provided by a parish council.

The costs of these services are charged to Market Harborough residents as special expenses. If a parish council existed, these services could be transferred to the parish, ensuring that local people, businesses and communities continue to have a say in how their area is run.

This consultation runs until 13 April 2026. 

Bell Tower in Welland Park restored

Restoration of the historic Bell Tower in Welland Park, Market Harborough, was marked at a ceremonial event in January.

Installed in 1876, the Bell Tower originally crowned the Symington corset factory on Adam and Eve Street. During the Second World War, the factory produced over one million parachutes for the Royal Air Force. 

The tower was preserved and relocated to Welland Park following the factory’s demolition in 1973. A commemorative plaque added during Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee is also recognised by the Imperial War Museum.

The Bell Tower’s restoration was carried out by local contractors WW Brown & Sons and Kingfisher Design. Harborough in Bloom provide ongoing care of the surrounding rose garden. A new interpretation board has been installed at the site.

Pictured: Cllr Peter James, Chairman of Harborough District Council, with members of community groups and councillors in front of the refurbished Bell Tower in Welland Park

Have your say on future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Communities are encouraged to have their say in a government consultation on the future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The government is seeking views on three different proposals to reorganise the existing 10 councils into a smaller number of unitary councils which would each deliver all services.

A seven-week consultation is now underway with views sought on the following proposals:

• Two councils with an expanded Leicester city boundary and a single council for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland (proposed by Leicester City Council). This would have a direct impact on a number of communities within Harborough District. Areas being considered for inclusion within an expanded Leicester boundary include: Great Glen, Little Stretton, Scraptoft, Stoughton, Thurnby and Bushby, Willoughby Waterleys and Wistow
• Two councils with one single council for Leicestershire and Rutland and one for Leicester on its existing boundary (proposed by Leicestershire County Council)
• Three councils with a council for north Leicestershire and Rutland, a council for south Leicestershire and one for the city on its existing boundary. It is called the North, City, South proposal. It is proposed by the seven district and borough councils and Rutland County Council and is supported by Harborough District Council.

Marking LGBT+ History Month

To mark LGBT+ History Month we are flying the Progress Flag at The Symington Building in support of our LGBT+ communities.

We recognise that LGBT+ people continue to face barriers in daily life and we want to demonstrate our commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination and prejudice.

No one should experience prejudice or hate for who they are and we all have a role to play in challenging and ending discrimination homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in our communities.

Love Lutterworth events and activities throughout February

A celebration of Lutterworth's arts, creativity and local shopping is bringing the community together across the town this month.

Love Lutterworth is an initiative led by Lutterworth Town Team, the independent retailer group, with support from Harborough District Council and partners, to organise a busy calendar of exciting events.

Activities include free half-term creative craft workshops for kids, the big love songs quiz trail with free sweets and treats and the chance to win a £50 food and drink voucher, a week-long exhibition from local artists, a shared reading event, arts and craft workshops for adults and a strong shop focus celebrating independent retailers, cafes and eateries.

St Mary's Church invites the community to add a leaf to the "Tree of Life" to a symbolise love and remembrance and The Churchgate Community Centre Open Kitchen is offering love themed snacks at the Thursday Open Kitchen.

Volunteers help to clear rubbish from River Welland

Thank you to The Harborough River Pickers (HarP) who worked with us to clear rubbish from the River Welland in January. Around 20 to 30 volunteers recovered debris from the river including no less than seven shopping trollies. Thank you to HarP for helping to keep the river flowing and inviting for wildlife.

Council awards thousands in community grants to local projects

Funding was approved for two local organisations through our £1 million Community Grant Fund in January. The recipients are:

• Little Bowden Bowling Club – £9,439.20 to purchase a replacement mower and £35,502 to resurface the club’s car park and install solar lighting

• The 3rd Market Harborough Scout Group – £55,882 to improve their Scout hut including upgrades to toilet, kitchen and storage facilities. The group also received £31,392 in Section 106 funding for this project.  

Grants are allocated to community-led initiatives that promote community leadership, health and wellbeing, sustainability and cultural enrichment and prosperity across the Harborough district. 

Community groups interested in applying for funding should check details on eligibility. The most recent grants were approved by Cabinet Subcommittee Grants on Monday 19 January.

Community pavilion set for £495k major refurbishment

A pavilion is set to be given a new lease of life now plans to transform it have been approved.

Councillors agreed in January to fund essential refurbishment and compliance works to Wadkins Pavilion in Thurnby and Bushby to ensure it is fit for purpose for ongoing community use. 

Improvements will include a full roof renewal and insulation, concrete and structural repairs, complete window replacement, drainage repairs, installation of an accessible WC and a refit and decoration of the existing toilets and changing rooms. 

Lutterworth Pavilion and Fleckney Scouts benefit from Community Grant funding

Two grant funded projects have recently been completed in Lutterworth and Fleckney.

Lutterworth Pavilion’s community space has been successfully transformed following Lutterworth Town Council's decision to adapt the sports pavilion 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 in their place.

Solar panels were then installed to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and rising energy costs, thereby helping to maintain affordable rates for the benefit of the many users including community groups and charities.

Some £59,471 of funding was granted last year from the Community and Environmental Grant Funds, in addition to £45,780.00 of S106 funding.

The 1^st Fleckney Scouts have installed a new storage facility after being awarded £8,327.78 of funding last year.

A secure compound has been constructed at the rear of the group’s new headquarters, fitted with storage sheds to keep equipment safe. A variety of equipment was bought including a climbing rope, survival bag, mountain first aid kit, emergency shelter for mountain walking and campfire grills, knives, axes, saws and tarpaulins for backwoods activities. The kit is available to the wider district Scouts and Guides.

Walk your way to a fitter, healthier 2026

If you’re looking to get some extra exercise then why not take a look at the local walking guides on our Visit Harborough website?

These carefully created walking routes lead you through the heart of the district’s heritage, showcasing historical sites, architectural treasures and cultural landmarks. Each trail offers fascinating insights into our district's past.

There are walks around Lutterworth, Billesdon, Foxton, Gilmorton, Great Bowden, Great Easton, Hallaton, Husbands Bosworth, Market Harborough, Medbourne, North Kilworth and Tilton-on-the-Hill. Check out the Kibworth Heritage Trail too.

Don't forget the canalside walks organised by the Canal and River Trust in the coming weeks. Booking is required for these free, volunteer-led canalside walks that go at a gentle pace and are suitable for anyone who does not have a severe mobility difficulty and/or is not seriously unfit. 

Walks are around 90 minutes long and participants must book before attending by contacting Sean Payne at sean.payne@canalrivertrust.org.uk or on 07795 057198. 

The walk meet point is outside the Waterfront Pub at Union Wharf, Market Harborough on the following dates: 10 March, 21 April, 19 May and 23 June. All walks start at 10am.

All of these walks around our beautiful district are sure to give your mental and physical health a boost.

If you’d prefer to walk with others for a more sociable stroll then you may want to consider joining a local walking group – details are on the Active Together Harborough website.

If walking isn’t for you but you still want to get active and improve your health and wellbeing then visit our Active Together Harborough website to find out more about other activities on offer.

There are details about activity sessions and useful links to specific programmes as well as information about local groups, exercise classes and activities.

There are a number of community activity programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds, plus information about local sporting activities and clubs, healthy eating and self-help.

Applications invited to the Environmental Grants Scheme

Are you a member of a village group, community enterprise, registered charity, town or parish council or meeting? Did you know that you can apply for grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000.

Applications are now being invited from not-for-profit organisations for projects that demonstrate a clear benefit and a positive, proven impact on the environment.

The grants scheme is a part of our work to tackle climate change, as set out in the Climate Emergency Action Plan 2022 – 2030.

The deadline for grant applications is 1 April 2026.

Applications must come with a minimum 10% match funding and projects must have a clear public benefit and a positive and proven impact on the environment, meeting one or more of these primary outcomes:

• Reduce the carbon footprint of the community
• Reduce the waste produced in the community: communities striving to reduce the amount of waste produced within their boundaries, fostering a culture of responsible waste management
• Create, or protect and enhance, biodiversity or environmental assets such as green spaces and waterways: initiatives focused on creating, protecting, and enhancing biodiversity, as well as safeguarding environmental assets such as green spaces and waterways
• Educate and/or raise awareness of climate change that will result in one of the above outcomes

Apprenticeship Week 9-15 February

Last week we marked national Apprenticeship Week - the celebration that brings together employers, apprentices, training providers, schools and partners across the country. The week showcased real stories of success, the impact apprenticeships have on careers and how they help organisations like ours build a future-ready workforce.  

Apprenticeships offer practical experience, industry-recognised qualifications and earn-as-you-learn opportunities. Whether you're starting out, reskilling, or exploring your options, there are many pathways. 

Throughout the week we shared stories from our own workforce who have completed or are currently undertaking apprenticeships - you'll find our posts on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. 

Call for Communities to ‘Stand up to Flooding’

Do you know how best to plan for the risk of flooding and what to do if the worst happens? Here's a handy checklist to help:

Before a flood

• Know your flood risk and sign up for flood alerts 

• Check gutters, drains and downpipes and clear leaves and debris – your home is more likely to flood if your drain is blocked

• Pack a bag that includes medicine and insurance documents

• Look for home insurance policies that offer ‘build back better’ clauses - the average cost to repair a home after flooding is £30,000

During/ after a flood

• In an emergency, always call 999

• Turn off gas, water and electricity – move things upstairs and move your family, pets and car to safety

• Never walk or drive through flood water – just 12 inches of fast-moving water can carry away most cars

• If you wish to report a blocked highway caused by fallen debris, call 101

• Flood water from highways or issues with land drainage – contact Leicestershire County Council

• Water supply or sewerage issues – contact Severn Trent Water or Anglian Water

• Clearing up debris after flooding – contact Harborough District Council

• High or overflowing rivers – contact Environment Agency

• Flooding on a motorway or major A road – contact National Highways

After a flood

• Follow the flood recovery checklist

• Contact your insurance company – don’t throw anything away without speaking to them

• Only re-enter your property when it’s safe to do so

• Future proof your property – consider property flood resilience (PFR), sign up to flood warnings, create a flood plan and get ‘Build Back Better’ insurance

Other useful links

• 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