I hope people have been relishing this fantastic summer so far. We've had the most wonderful weather in recent weeks which has really benefited some of the excellent events held in the district in recent weeks. The Council has lots more events and activities coming up which I hope people will support.

I was pleased to see such a good response to our Residents' Survey. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear about what residents feel we're doing well and what we can do better, or differently, in the future. It is particularly pleasing that 90% of you say you're satisfied with the local area.

We certainly work hard to ensure it remains a great place which is reflected in the fact the district is so often named as one of the best places in which to live in the UK. That said; we are committed to doing more - particularly through improving opportunities for leisure and sports activities. We are pushing forward with our Physical Activity Strategy which has already created new opportunities across the whole district.

We're also continuing to explore how we can provide new leisure facilities across the district and are talking to parishes about how they can be fully involved in this.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in our Residents' Survey which helps the Council look at what we do well, areas we can improve on in the future, and how people like to engage with us.
 
We had an excellent response from the public – 900 people in total – and most pleasing is that 90% of residents said they were satisfied with their local area – the national average is 82% – with female residents having a slightly higher satisfaction rate (92%) compared to males (88%).
 
Aspects highlighted as important by residents, which made the district nice to live in, included clean and safe streets, parks, affordable housing, access to nature, activities for teenagers and good shops. It was mentioned however that they would like to see more sport and leisure activities and opportunities.
 
Nearly three quarters (73%) of residents are happy with the way Harborough District Council runs things – with the national average being 66% - with one resident saying "They do an admirable job under the budget." Planning was the service residents said most needed improving and customer services was the service which least needed improving according to the poll.
 
Around six out of ten residents felt informed (either very or fairly) about the services and benefits the Council provides.
 
The majority of businesses (approximately eight out of ten) were satisfied with the district as a place to do business; however they did say that key issues for them were staff retention, access to finance, finding suitable premises and possible uncertainty over Brexit.
 
More than half (56%) of residents said that the Council provides value for money – higher than the national average of 50%.
 
The survey, which was carried out across the district and with all age groups by an independent market research agency, also highlighted areas for improvement. Residents mentioned a lack of facilities for the young and/or disabled, limited parking, and the high volume of traffic as key issues in the district.

The feedback received will be used by the Council to inform future activities, policies and decision-making.

At the heart of every local council is its planning authority – shaping and protecting communities and guiding how they look and feel.

The planning authority plays a key role in ensuring the places in which we live and work are attractive, vibrant, well designed and responsive to the needs of local communities.
 
In the UK, around 500,000 planning applications are submitted every year – around 2,200 in the Harborough district alone. The challenge is – not just to process these applications within deadline – but to weigh up the economic, environmental and social benefits and drawbacks of each case.
 
"It's a continual balancing act" says Harborough District Council's planning and regeneration portfolio holder Phil King; "we fully acknowledge the need for development yet must ensure this happens in a sustainable way."

Read full article here

The Harborough Local Plan will be independently scrutinised at a number of informal debates – known as 'hearing sessions' – by the recently-appointed Planning Inspector in October.
 
Planning Inspector Jonathan Bore BA MRTPI DipUD will consider the 'soundness' of the submitted Plan, based on whether it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
 
Any relevant matters identified by the Inspector will be debated at the hearing sessions in the first two weeks of October 2018 in the Council Chamber at The Symington Building in Market Harborough.
 
Harborough District Council submitted its proposed Local Plan to the Secretary of State in March 2018.
 
The proposed Local Plan sets out planning policies in the Harborough district up to 2031. It will make sure development meets strategic priorities for housing, employment, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure needed to support development.
 
Guidance notes will be prepared by the Inspector to help people understand the process and will be available on the Council's website in due course.
 
The latest information on the examination – and the contact details of the Programme Officer, Ian Kemp, if anyone has any queries – is available on the Council's website at www.harborough.gov.uk/local-plan-examination

We're inviting people to have their say on proposals for an exciting piece of art to celebrate 100 years since women were granted the right to vote.
 
The Council is commissioning a piece of art to mark the centenary and we want your views on the three suggestions put forward by the artists.
 
Tell us your views on the Council's website for two weeks from 30 July 2018 or view our exhibition at The Symington Building in Market Harborough.
 
This year the Council is also marking the centenary of the end of World War I and have just installed a poignant metal silhouette sculpture in Broughton Astley – similar to the one installed in Market Harborough in June – and will be installing one in Lutterworth soon.
 
Other plans, as part of the commemorations, include naming streets after those who fought in the 1914-1918 war and/or women who fought for the right to vote, plus installing decorative metal benches which commemorate the end of World War I in towns and villages.

In the year that the Council is commemorating 100 years since women (and some men) were granted the right to vote it is important you make sure you're registered to vote so you don't lose your right to go to the polls.

Our Elections Team recently campaigned on the streets, dressed as Suffragettes (pictured), to make this very point and encourage people to register to vote.

District and parish elections take place in May 2019 so if you are not registered you will be unable to vote in elections or referendums.

All households in Harborough District will receive a form through the door with the names of the people who are currently registered to vote at your address. If the form is blank that means no one is registered. 

You are legally required to return the Household Enquiry Form so please complete and return it by post or by using our online, telephone or text service as quickly as possible as this will avoid you receiving reminders or a personal visit to obtain this information.

Not being registered can affect your credit rating as credit reference agencies use the register of electors to confirm residency.

You can be added to the register if you are:

• over 18 (we can take the details of 16 to 17 year olds they will then be added when they become 18)
• A British, Irish European or a Commonwealth Citizen
• Resident within Harborough District

 For more information email e.services@harborough.gov.uk

In the last year, the Council has invested more than £2.8million on long-term schemes and projects.

These investments will provide long-term efficiencies and generate income as well as improving community facilities and the lives of residents; they include:

• Development of affordable housing - £1,042,000
• Investment in council assets - £606,000
• Section 106 grants (developer contributions for communities) - £504,000
• Maintaining people's independence in their own homes - £437,000
• Grow on Space project for future small business expansion - £146,000

More than 120 affordable homes were built in the Harborough district in the last year – exceeding Harborough District Council targets of 90 per year. It is the highest ever number of affordable homes provided in the district – based on data captured every year since 2003. It includes affordable homes in Kibworth, Lutterworth, Broughton Astley, Thurnby, Billesdon, Great Easton, Ullesthorpe, and Market Harborough. Affordable housing is that which can be rented or purchased at a lower rate than housing on the open market. It provides welcome opportunities for residents on lower incomes to buy or rent a home.

The Council has also, for the first time, developed housing on its disused former council housing garage sites in Lubenham and Great Glen (pictured). This has provided affordable homes for local families and helped generate income for the taxpayer.

The Council's investments includes a significant Section 106 grant to Harborough Town Football Club of £270,000 to create a state-of-the art, all-weather stadia quality pitch and double the size of the car park, among other improvements. Lutterworth FC also benefited from £72,500 and Kibworth Tennis Club received £50,000 for a new tennis club. Scraptoft also received over £177,500 for its new village hall.

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Nearly 30 good causes are regularly benefiting from the Harborough District Community Lottery - and more community groups are being encouraged to take part.

Some community groups are on track to make nearly £1,500 in the online lottery's first year! That's a huge boost to the bank balance of local good causes.

60p from every £1 lottery ticket sold will go directly to local charities, voluntary organisations and other not-for-profit groups – and players who buy a lottery ticket online will be able to nominate which good cause they would like to support.

Players have a chance to win up to £25,000 in cash every week.

Councillor Janette Ackerley said: "It's an effective way for your good cause to raise funds – all you need to do is shout about the Harborough Lottery to your supporters and community."

Play the lotto - or register your Harborough district good cause and start reaping the benefit at www.harboroughlotto.co.uk

Market Harborough's Food & Drink Festival promises to be even bigger and better when it returns to the town on Saturday 4 August and Sunday 5 August 2018.

Following on from the success of the 2016 event, the two day festival is being organized by Harborough District Council.

The event will be held in Welland Park, in Welland Park Road, Market Harborough, 11am to 7pm, and is aiming to showcase the very best of the region's producers.

There will be local, national and international cuisine on offer; featuring mouth watering hot food, cider, beer, local meat, award-winning pies, fudge, chutney and cheese in abundance.
Street food traders will offer an exciting array of European, Asian, Indian and Caribbean foods.

Stalls will showcase a fabulous array of sweet treats from indulgent chocolate, to pancakes, waffles and cakes aplenty.
And for foodies looking to pick up some recipe tips, there will be a fantastic line up of chefs in the demo kitchen cooking up a treat over the two days.

Civic leaders were invited to find out more about farming and rural challenges at an event hosted by the National Farmers Union (NFU).

The current Market Harborough branch chairman, Edward Jones and his family, hosted the event at their farm in Theddingworth.

The event, which was attended by both the Leader and Chairman of Harborough District Council and many other civic leaders, provided an insight for decision makers at a district, county and national level into the challenges facing the farming community and offered a better understanding of the needs of farm businesses.

Attendees said they found the event extremely useful and thanked the NFU for the unique opportunity.