Welcome to the latest Harborough District Council newsletter.

Housing is one of the greatest challenges of our generation. Like most places in the UK, the population in the Harborough District is growing and people are living longer. Pressure is growing on housing supply – more homes need to be built, including affordable homes, throughout the district and with homes we need to build, roads, schools and other local infrastructure to ensure the growth of healthy, happy communities. This needs to undertaken in a controlled and sustainable way to preserve our environment. The Local Plan is crucial to this and sets out a framework for managing the development of the District until 2031.
Inevitably this includes planning for 11,140 homes between 2011 and 2031. We recognise that not everyone will be happy with all the house building but we have to meet the population needs of the 21st Century and plan accordingly.

Without this careful planning the Harborough district would not be the vibrant place that it is today with a buoyant local economy and areas of natural beauty. It is our responsibility to ensure that this continues and that we meet the challenges facing us now and in the future.
 
The Local Plan Inquiry is currently taking place and we are hoping to have the plan in place early next year.

Councillor Neil Bannister, Leader of the Council

The Local Plan, which will help shape future development in the district, is being debated at a public hearing.
 
Harborough District Council submitted its proposed Local Plan to the Secretary of State in March 2018. It sets out planning policies in the Harborough district up to 2031 and will make sure development meets strategic priorities for housing, employment, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure needed to support development.
 
During the first two weeks of October, a number of informal debates – known as 'hearing sessions' – on any relevant matters identified by the Planning Inspector are taking place in the council chamber at The Symington Building in Market Harborough.
 
The hearings are considering the 'soundness' of the submitted Plan, based on whether it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
 
Guidance notes have been prepared by the Inspector to help people understand the process and are available on the council's website www.harborough.gov.uk/local-plan-examination

Fun activity sessions to enrich the lives of people with dementia in Lutterworth are proving popular – and plans are underway to provide more.
 
The Council has been teaming up with the Lutterworth Share and Care Group to offer 'dementia friendly' activities including specially-devised activities, social interactive groups, coffee mornings, drop-ins and outings.
 
The popular sessions currently run at the Wycliffe Medical Centre, with plans underway to explore opportunities to help provide a permanent new facility in Lutterworth to accommodate more dementia-friendly sessions for those with dementia and their carers.
 
Next steps include providing further support for people living with dementia, through activities such as chair-based exercise, at care homes in and around Lutterworth.

Getting the most out of community facilities was the aim of an event which saw the Council linking up with all parishes.
 
Harborough District Council invited all parish councils and parish meetings together to focus on village halls and community halls and how they can operate in a more sustainable and diverse way to meet the needs of local residents.
 
The workshop, held in Lubenham village hall, featured activity tasters and help parishes establish what their community wants. It also looked at how parishes can access funding to improve facilities and provide more activities.
 
Attendees also heard success stories from across the district and how they can utilise some of these ideas.

The leaders of all seven district councils have unanimously agreed to continue working together to review the current model of local government in Leicestershire.

Views are being sought on an action plan to improve air quality in the Kibworths.
 
Generally the air quality in the Harborough district is good; however monitoring in the Kibworths during 2016 found levels of nitrogen dioxide which exceeded the annual mean air quality objective along a small section of the A6 Leicester Road.
 
As a result, an 'air quality management area' was declared by Harborough District Council and an action plan devised following feedback from the public.
 
This action plan has now been published with proposals to install an automatic air quality monitor to gather daily data, carry out traffic surveys, explore junction improvements, provide regular air quality updates to residents, and other measures.
 
People can have their say - before 19 November 2018 - on the Council's website at www.harborough.gov.uk/consultation as part of an eight-week consultation on the plan.
 
Alternatively two public drop-in sessions are being held at Kibworth Grammar School Hall, School Rd, Kibworth Beauchamp, on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 24 October 2018 - 10am-4pm
• Tuesday, 6 November 2018 - 10am-4pm

People are set to enjoy the tastes, delights and atmosphere of a 'world village market' as the popular October Fest returns to Market Harborough.
 
The three-day festival will feature street food stalls, groceries, crafts, clothing, accessories and vintage items accompanied by a live music stage, craft beer & cider bar, children's rides and other seasonal entertainment.
 
On the town Square will be a World Village Market encompassing local and international street foods, grocery products and handmade crafts – while the Commons Car Park will host entertainments, live music and the Craft Beer Festival.
 
The event will be hosted by Zoom Events, on behalf of Harborough District Council, on Friday 12 October 2018 from 12noon to 7pm, Saturday 13 October 2018 from 9am to 7pm, and Sunday 14 October 2018 from 10am to 6pm.

Overcoming a wide range of health issues is going to become quicker and more effective thanks to a new way of working with GP practices, physiotherapists and other local medical professionals.
 
Harborough District Council, in partnership with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and First Contact Plus, is piloting a new online referral system – replacing the current paper form approach.
 
The online system will transform the way people can get referred for health conditions by their GP/doctor or other health professionals.  The Council currently receives over 500 referrals a year relating to residents with various medical conditions. Once referred, the Council, along with local leisure providers and qualified instructors, can provide support – through a 12 week subsidised physical activity programme – out in the community and across the district.
 
Once the programme is complete individuals are signposted to other activities around the district by Harborough District Council's Physical Activity Development Officers.
 
For more information on opportunities to increase the amount of sport, leisure and physical activities you do across the district visit www.harboroughsport.org.uk, follow Active Harborough District on Facebook  or the Twitter hashtag #HealthyHarborough

Victims of hate crimes, or anyone who knows or suspects incidents of such crime, are encouraged to report them.
 
Hate incidents can take many forms, such harassment, name calling, graffiti or abuse – with victims targeted for simply being who they are. People can be targeted because of hostility or prejudice towards their race, sexuality, religion, disability or gender identity, amongst other examples.

National Hate Crime Awareness Week runs from 13 to 20 October 2018 and the Community Safety Partnership - made up of Harborough District Council, Police and other organisations - wants to reassure victims that they do not have to tolerate abuse and can report it in the following ways:

• Call Leicestershire Police on the non-emergency number 101
• Visit your local police station 
• Complete the Hate Incident Report online at www.harborough.gov.uk/reporthate   
• Text Leicestershire Police on 07624 818 901 (only to be used by people who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Find out more online here

Nearly 30 good causes are regularly benefitting from the Harborough District Community Lottery - launched by Harborough District Council earlier this year - 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.
 
We've had a number of £250 winners so far and players have a chance to win up to £25,000 each week.
 
Play the lotto - or register your Harborough district good cause and start reaping the benefit at www.harboroughlotto.co.uk

Many people want to retain their independence and enjoy the comforts of their own home, but there's always the worry that living independently could mean living at risk.
 
Harborough Lifeline is an emergency telephone service available to anyone who feels vulnerable or alone, whatever their age or needs. We offer reassurance, support and peace of mind by providing a direct link to our local control centre and team of caring operators. And we're here 24/7, 365 days per year!
 
Our lifeline units are quick to install and easy to use in an emergency. Our clients are provided with a pendant which serves as a remote trigger to their lifeline. This allows the user to summon help from anywhere in their property at the touch of a button.
 
If you'd like to know more about our services, call today on 01858 464499 for a chat and one of our friendly team will be happy to talk to you!  Or drop us an email at lifeline@harborough.gov.uk