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News and Features from Harborough District Council - December 2019
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Welcome to our December newsletter
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With the festive season well and truly upon us, we have been busy organising a number of popular Christmas events including the lights switch on in Market Harborough and our inaugural Winter Food and Drink Festival which proved very popular this year following on from the similar festival held in the summer.

It is great to see so many festive events across the district creating such a festive atmosphere and the positive effect this has for local businesses and community spirit. 

Of course, over the coming weeks we have been busy preparing for the General Election taking place on Thursday 12 December. We hope you make your vote count by going along to the polls between 7am and 10pm  that day. 


Finally, we would like to wish every resident across the Harborough District a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year!
 
 
 
 
Day in the life - out in the Environmental Crime Vehicle
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As part of our popular 'Day in the Life' features, we're looking at the day-to-day roles across the Council and some of the interesting work we do on behalf of our residents.

This time we're out and about in our Environmental Crime Vehicle which helps us deal with issues such as fly-tipping and littering.

Read the full article here

 
It's the most wonderful time of year - especially when parking is free!
 
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Once again, we are offering FREE parking in all Council-owned car parks across the Harborough district on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas to encourage people to 'shop local'.

The free parking will be available on 7, 14, 21 and 28 December 2019. (Parking on Sundays and public holidays is already free).

The initiative will run on the same basis as last year enabling shoppers to park for free for up to four hours in short stay car parks, and all day in long stay car parks in Lutterworth and Market Harborough. Drivers will still need to register their stay and can simply do this through the Pay by Phone App or by getting a free ticket from the machine.


Also, look out for the 'luggage label' style tags being placed on your bins over the coming days to let you know when your bin will be collected over the Christmas period.

Harborough District Council will be open until 4pm on 24 December 2019, and will close for the Christmas period, re-opening on 2 January 2020. Residents can continue to access a range of Council information, during this period, via our website. 

Our dedicated web page will contain everything you need to know about the festive season - including how to recycle your Christmas tree, cards and wrapping paper. 

www.harborough.gov.uk/christmas 
 
Help available to keep warm this winter
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With the weather getting colder, it is important to stay warm at home during the chilly winter season.

Our Warmer Homes initiative helps residents, who are struggling to heat their homes, apply for funding.
 
Working with Harborough Energy, a local not-for-profit community energy company, we have helped more than 500 homes get free cavity or loft insulation in the last year.

As well as keeping residents warmer in their homes, this will also save over 15,000 tonnes of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the efficiency measures (20 years).

There are many people - including vulnerable people - in our district who still could benefit from a warmer home - and we want to help!

If you know someone who could benefit check out the contact details on our website and contact Harborough Energy.
 
 
 
Extra funds in the pot for district projects
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We're delighted to announce that we have added a further £15,000 to our Community Grants Fund – to help projects across the Harborough district – taking the total pot to £75,000.

Applicants can request a minimum of £1,000 (with the exception of environmental projects), and a maximum of £5,000, until the closing date of Friday 20 December 2019.

Projects must bring benefits supporting community groups or projects in the Harborough District and meet one of Harborough District Council's priority areas:
  • Prevention of rural isolation
  • Supporting arts and culture
  • Improving the environment and or helping climate change
  • Improvements to rural facilities
You can apply if you are a Town/ Parish Council or constituted Parish meeting, community / voluntary group working in the Harborough District, registered charity, or school with projects providing a demonstrable wider community benefit

Apply today, or find out more online
 
Your vote matters on 12 December 2019
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On Thursday 12 December 2019, voting will take place at polling stations across the Harborough district and the UK for the General Election. 

You can view the candidates for local MP and find all the information you need about voting in the district on our Voting and Elections webpage.

Key dates to remember include:

  • 4 December: deadline to apply for a proxy vote
  • 12 December at 5pm: deadline for emergency proxy application
  • 12 December at 10pm: deadline to receive completed postal vote

Polling cards have been sent out to all eligible citizens in advance of the election on or after 12 November.  

You do not need your poll card in order to vote, as long as you are registered.

Polling stations will be open on election day from 7am to 10pm.

The count begin once the polls are closed and results will be shared on our website.

Flagship business centre offering prime location for growing companies
 
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Businesses keen to move into our new flagship centre, which is set to provide flexible office space for expanding companies, are encouraged to get in touch!

Harborough Grow-on Centre (HGC) is a new commercial building, providing office space for businesses looking to grow and move into larger accommodation in the district.

The project is expected to create around 230 jobs and bring £20 million into the local economy.

The HGC, located at Compass Point Business Park, off Northampton Road, in Market Harborough, is built to high environmental standards [BREEAM Excellent] with office suites ranging from circa 500 to 2,100 square feet with flexibility to meet business demand.

The HGC project has been funded by Harborough District Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).  

The HGC follows the success of the Harborough Innovation Centre, which Harborough District Council developed and opened in 2011, to provide office space for new and fledgling businesses.

To enquire about office space contact kevin.skipworth@andrewgranger.co.uk
 
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Set up your own exercise group
Did you know Active Harborough provide an equipment buy-back scheme for community groups and parishes who want to set up their own exercise sessions.

The equipment is purchased by Harborough District Council to get your session up and running. Then the group pay the money back over an agreed period of time.

Charging a small fee to participants is usually how groups choose to generate the repayment.

A number of local community groups have successfully come together to set up new sessions, especially in the more rural areas.

It's a great way to connect with local people in your community, keep fit and have fun.

So, if you're interested in boccia or new age kurling or just want to find out more please contact us.


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District Sports Awards Winners
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What a night! Local sporting heroes celebrated their amazing achievements at the annual Active Harborough District Sports Awards in an evening of celebration at Leicester Grammar School.

The popular event, hosted by Harborough District Council and main sponsor for the evening Everyone Active, was attended by over 200 people to celebrate sporting achievements across the District.

International Welsh Master's hockey captain, Gaynor Nash and Active Harborough's Leanne Plummer were entertaining comperes for the evening with a room full of laughter, and some guests moved to tears.

See all the winners (pictured) and sponsors here.

If you'd like to be involved with the 2020 Active Harborough Sports Awards, please do contact us:  activetogether@harborough.gov.uk
 
New Junior Parkrun
in Lutterworth
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Since its launch in November 2017, the Market Harborough Junior Parkrun, set up by the Council, has had more than 1,100 children taking part.

It is a free, timed 2km run that takes place every Sunday at 9am in Welland Park, where the average number of runners each week is 85!

The event is co-ordinated by a team of volunteers who help with event set up, marshalling, timekeeping and processing of results.

We are now looking to launch a Lutterworth Junior Parkrun.

These will take place on a Sunday at 9am and are aimed at those age 4-14 years to run a 2k route. Parents are encouraged to run or volunteer to help the event go ahead.

Would you like to find out more about how you could help get this event started? Do you know a group who would be interested in getting involved?

Please get in touch: activetogether@harborough.gov.uk
Tickets rush as BIG Weekend brings big names for big laughs 
 
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Tickets are now on sale for a fantastic week of comedy events set for the new year - with some shows already close to selling out! 

The 'BIG Weekend' is returning to the Harborough district, as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival, with even more venues set to host some top stand-up acts and comedy performances.

Venues hosting comedy events as part of the 'BIG Weekend' of comedy from 13 February to 17 February 2020 include Harborough Market, The Angel Hotel, Market Harborough's Old Grammar School, Lutterworth Golf Club, Beerhouse and Aldwinckles Coffee House.

There'll be nationally-renowned comedy performers including Britain's Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy (pictured) and Paul Sinha from TV's The Chase, Arthur Smith (pictured), Dad's Army Radio Show, Wriggly Readers and Comedy Quizzes lined up.

The inaugural 2019 Harborough BIG Weekend took place and saw Harborough District Council bring some top comedy acts to the district to huge success scooping the Liberty Award at the 2019 Leicester Comedy Festival Awards.

Get tickets at www.comedy-festival.co.uk
 
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Email - customer.services@harborough.gov.uk
 
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