News and features from Harborough District Council -  April 2024

Explore culinary delights of Harborough district

You can find a rich choice of dining opportunities across the Harborough district.

Take some time to explore the beautifully thatched pubs, delectable international cuisine from across the world and tea rooms offering warming bakes and delicious cakes.

Sample traditional English ales – both cask and craft, quintessential afternoon tea, vegan delights, welcoming delicatessens, seafood connoisseurs, butchers specialising in locally farmed meat and produce, friendly cafes, and trendy wine bars.

Look out for the regular much-loved farmers, artisan markets, and food fairs and enjoy a huge range of take-away options, or have meals and treats delivered to your door.

Watch our short video to discover a taste of the exciting options on offer across the Harborough district.

We encourage local businesses and events planners to reach out to Visit Harborough for support in promoting your tourism business or event on their our events calendar and social media channels. Just email: Business@harborough.gov.uk

Changes to postal and proxy voting

The Police & Crime Commissioners Election is taking place in Harborough district on Thursday 2 May 2024.

You need to be registered to vote in elections. You will need to register again by 16 April 2024 if you have changed your name, address, or nationality. 

If this is the first time you're voting in person or you'd like a reminder of how to vote at a polling station you can watch this handy video created by The Electoral Commission. 

Refer to your polling card to find your designated polling station or check online using your postcode and address.

There are changes to postal voting. You can now apply online to vote by post and will need to prove your identity when applying either online or on a paper application, you will also have to reapply every three years.

You can apply for a postal vote for the elections but your postal application must be received, either online or a paper form by no later than 5pm on 17 April to vote by post in this election.

Apply online to vote by post online or download and complete an application form

Don't forget that you now need to show photographic identification if you are voting in person at a polling station.

To contact the Harborough District Council Elections Team email: e.services@harborough.gov.uk or call 01858 821372.

Community Safety Partnership vehicle visits rural Harborough district

Officer and Community Safety Partnership vehicle pictured here in Leire on 15 March 2024 

The Community Safety Partnerships Vehicle continues to be used regularly by the Community Safety Partnership team and partners. The team advertise where they plan to be in advance on the  web-page, in newsletters and on social media.  

The Community Safety Partnerships team have already had requests to visit Hallaton, Medbourne and Broughton Astley and also have trips to Kibworth and Fleckney in the diary:

Medbourne: 9 April

Kibworth: 11 April

Hallaton: 16 April

Broughton Astley: 25 April

Fleckney: 25 April

The police are also using the vehicle regularly and have been out to villages in the Lutterworth area in March.  

If you would like to have a community visit from the team please email the Community Safety Team at: communitysafety@harborough.gov.uk 

New portrait in council chamber

The council has received an official framed portrait of King Charles III which it applied for from the government to commemorate the accession of His Majesty.

All town, parish and community councils received communication informing them how to request the official portrait free of charge.

Register your food business

There is no fee for registering your business but you do need to register your food business with us if you store, prepare, distribute or sell food on premises including restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, canteens, market stalls, mobile catering vans and food delivery vans.

You must also register your food business if you run it from home, including making cakes and bakes.

When running a food business from home your kitchen must meet the requirements of the hygiene regulations but the regulations do acknowledge a slightly lesser standard for domestic premises.

Read the Food Standards Agency guidance on starting a food business.

Our new food business starter pack will help you to understand and meet all health and safety requirements.

Residents can search online to find a food business’s hygiene rating.

Harborough District Council turns 50! 

On 1 April 2024 Harborough District Council celebrated a key milestone, our 50^th year!

The council was formed following the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 and on the 1 April 1974 Harborough District Council was created. Subsequently the former four districts were abolished, these included Billesdon Rural District, Lutterworth Rural District, Market Harborough Rural District and Market Harborough Urban District.

We look forward to marking the occasion formally at Annual Council in May.

80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on 6 June 

Events are being organised throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in Normandy France on 6 June 1944. 

Town, Parish and Community Councils are invited to join in as a ’tribute’ to those many, many thousands that gave so much on the beaches in Normandy, to help ensure our freedom we share today, and to support communities as we take time to remember relatives who were either involved in the D-Day landings and/or WWII as a whole.

The Guide To Taking Part, message from the Prime Minister and other aspects of the event, including the Lamp Light of Peace are available.

A special free 1940’s weekend event will be held at Harborough Market, on 8 and 9 June 2024, celebrating this anniversary and providing a wonderful chance for 1940’s enthusiasts to come down and enjoy the fashion and memorabilia of the era.

If you are an artist or vintage stall holder and would like to get involved in this exciting event, please email harboroughmarket@harborough.gov.uk for more details.

Sign up for garden waste collection before 22 March 

The Garden Waste collection subscription service is open and the 2024/2025 collection season begins in April 2024.

As part of service improvements you no longer need an account or password to sign up to the service and recurring payments are no longer taken automatically.

You can put grass cuttings, leaves, flowers, weeds, twigs and small branches in your green wheeled bin which is collected fortnightly from the kerbside outside your home.

Logan ward consultation closing soon

Residents are invited to review and respond to the proposal for a new Logan and Town Centre Neighbourhood Forum and an extension proposal for Logan Neighbourhood Plan Area to include the entire Market Harborough Town Centre Masterplan Area.

The Council has determined that the Logan Neighbourhood Plan Area as applied for in November 2023 should be extended to include the entire Town Centre Masterplan Area as identified in the Market Harborough Town Centre Masterplan.

Little Bowden Neighbourhood Area has already been designated, Welland Neighbourhood Area, although designated, does not extend into the Town Centre and Arden Forum have stated they do not have capacity to consider the town centre within their plan.

The extended area will include the entire ward of Logan and the Town Centre Masterplan area and will allow for consistent planning across the designated area.

The consultation launched on 13 March 2024 and will close on 24 April 2024.

Waterways wellbeing paddle sports sessions

The Canal and River Trust, Waterways Wellbeing project in south Leicestershire started in 2022 and takes place in Oadby, Wigston, Blaby and Market Harborough.

The Canal and Rivers Trust is hosting some free paddle sports sessions for residents aged 18+ in the local area who would like to become more active, meet new people and learn a new skill. 

Being in natural surroundings and on water can deliver a boost for our mental and physical wellbeing. The small group sessions will help reduce stress, anxiety, and social isolation, whilst giving you the confidence to deal with daily challenges.

The paddleboard sessions will take place in Market Harborough, starting at the Union Wharf canal basin on the following dates:

Block 1: Tuesdays from 23 April - 21 May 2024 from 10.30am - 12.30pm

Block 2: Tuesdays from 11 June - 9 July 2024 from 10.30am - 12.30pm

The canoeing sessions will take place at Kilby Bridge in Wigston and will run on the following dates: 

Tuesdays from 7 May - 21 May 2024 from 6.30pm - 8.30pm

The sessions must be pre-booked and places are limited.  

To find out more or to book, email: sean.payne@canalrivertrust.org.uk

Save the date!

The next job club will be held at The Wycliffe Rooms in Lutterworth on Friday 7 June 2024.

The Job Club is open to everyone, whether you are unemployed, employed, a school leaver, returning to the workplace after a long break, or just want to check what's out there.

Training providers and careers advisers will be on hand to help you find training courses or voluntary roles to give you the experience or new skills you need for your next job.

You can get help in finding local job opportunities or apprenticeship roles and support with CV writing, job applications and how to prepare for an interview - giving you the tools to help you move forward in your career with confidence.

You don't need an appointment. Just pop in any time between 1pm - 3pm.

In the meantime, our dedicated jobs support web pages can help you find support with a whole range of topics, including:

Becoming Self-Employed

Training and qualifications

Resources and support 

Apprenticeship opportunities

Local jobs

Volunteer roles

If you're a local employer looking for fresh talent for your workforce get in touch today and register your interest at the next job fair, or future events in Harborough district! Email: business@harborough.gov.uk

Mowsley Parish consultation

Mowsley Parish has requested a Community Governance Review to create a Parish Council for Mowsley.

A Community Governance Review is a way of district councils to make sure that at parish levels, governance arrangements are as effective as they can be. This is done by asking the public and any interested parties for their views on the current arrangements and the suggested change to create a Parish Council.

We will consider all representations received during the period of consultation and will make all representations available for public viewing.

The review is running until 26 May 2024.

Go Green business event in Foxton

Innovative and creative businesses are invited to attend the Go Green business event in June of this year.

The annual event, organised by Harborough District Council, is an opportunity for organisations in the Harborough district to gain ideas and solutions to reduce their carbon footprint and become more environmentally friendly.

It is also a chance for businesses to find out more information about green grants available to them through the council.

The free event takes place at Foxton Village Hall on Wednesday 12 June 2024, from 9.30am-2pm.

Pre-booking for the event is required, and breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Boosting biodiversity with Market Harborough Rotary Club

The team of tree planters at Welland Park in Market Harborough

Our Environmental Services Team supported Market Harborough Rotary Club with its tree-planting project in Welland Park in March.

Over 200 life-enhancing and biodiversity boosting trees were planted by residents, businesses and community groups near the Farndon Road entrance.

The area was prepared by our contractor in readiness for Beech, Silver Birch, Bird Cherry, Wild Cherry, Apple, Field Maple, Oak and Rowan trees as well as whips and shrubs. 

The project received funding from The Tree Council, Market Harborough The Bowdens Charity and Rotary. 

The trees will now be maintained and cultivated as part of the ongoing work in the popular park by the council and our contractors. 

Market Harborough and Bosworth Partnership

The Market Harborough and Bosworth Partnership is looking for new members to join its Patient Participation Group (PPG).

The PPG helps give patients of Market Harborough and Husbands Bosworth Medical Centres a say in the way services are delivered.

Advising the practice on the patient perspective and helping to organise health promotions are just some areas of focus for the PPG members. 

The group meets at Market Harborough Medical Centre, 3pm on Tuesdays every two months. Accommodations can be made for members to join the meeting virtually. 

Harborough Market thanked for supporting poppy appeal 

Our Market and Events Team have been awarded a Royal British Legion Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of the support they provide to the Poppy Appeal.

The Poppy Appeal Awards were held on Thursday 14 March at the Harborough Conservative Club to show appreciation for all their collectors and supporters.

Our Market and Events Team accepted the certificate from Stewart Harrsion, Chairman of the Royal British Legion Market Harborough and Steve Sherwood, Poppy Appeal Co-Ordinator, thanking them for all their work and support in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday.

Harborough Market provides a stall and base for the Poppy Appeal throughout the fortnight ahead of Remembrance Sunday, free of charge.

This has a significant positive impact on the levels of fundraising for the Armed Forces community and their families. These funds include support with mental health, housing and employment.

Dates for your diary 

• 9 April: Sensory canal walk starting at the Canal basin, Union Wharf, Market Harborough.

• 16 April: Deadline to register for the Police and Crime Commissioner election

• 17 April: Register before 5pm for a postal vote for the Police and Crime Commissioner election

• 27 April: Artisan Fair on The Square in Market Harborough