£1 million Community Grant Fund continues as council outlines its budget proposals for 2025-26
Published Monday 13 January 2025...

Harborough District Council has set out a balanced budget which once again contains a £1 million Community Grant Fund as well as initiatives promoting healthy living and investment in a range of services and community buildings across the district.
Faced with continued inflation impacts, government cuts and an ongoing cost of living crisis, the authority has made carefully considered decisions to balance the books in 2025-26.
Thanks to sound financial management the council already has a number of income streams that will help continue to deliver vital front-line services, and the budget proposals for 2025-26 recommend further investment in these areas.
Cabinet will meet on Monday 20 January to consider the proposals and move to a consultation period so the public and partners can give their views.
Proposals include:
- Raising council tax by 2.99% which equates to £5.32 a year for a Band D property
- No increase in garden waste bin collection charges
- No increase in car parking charges, plus keeping free parking on three Saturdays in December in the run up to Christmas
- Commitment to an annual residents’ newsletter and any special editions that may be required
- Continuation of the £1 million Community Grants Fund not just for 2025-26 but also for 2026-27 so an additional £2 million over two years
- Additional staffing resources to support priority areas of work such as planning, climate and waste, asset management, open spaces, housing, including new apprentice positions in democratic services and elections
The council also proposes to:
- Purchase a new waste fleet including 27 refuse, recycling and food waste collection vehicles; and a number of ride-on mowers, street cleansing, and other vehicles
- Purchase three temporary accommodation properties across the district to support temporary accommodation for residents in need
- Invest in 33 faster and easier to use car parking payment machines
- Allocate £20,000 into a Community Wellbeing programme for healthy lifestyle initiatives such as walks and activity sessions in local community venues
There are plans to increase solar battery provision at the Harborough Innovation Centre (HIC) in 2025-26 and increase solar and battery provision at Harborough Enterprise Centre (HEC) in 2026-27 as further contributions to meeting the council’s 2030 net zero target following the successful solar panel installation at the HIC in 2024.
There are also proposals for remediation works and investment in The Symington Building as a listed building and Market Hall contributing to reduction in carbon emissions.
The council will refurbish Wadkins Pavillion in Thurnby and Welland Park Bowls Pavillion for new community use. It also intends to start a programme of maintenance of six closed churchyards, three in 2025-26 at Bringhurst, Catthorpe and Husbands Bosworth, one in 2026-27 in Fleckney and two in 2027-28 at Leire and Skeffington.
Cllr Mark Graves, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for Finance Services, said: “I am delighted that we can continue to put money back into our communities through continuing our £1 million Community Grant Fund, we don’t want to sit on big reserves, we want to use our resources to support our valued community groups. We have made it clear that we are community focused, that we want to support all corners and parishes in our district, and this budget delivers that commitment.”
Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Not only are we continuing to put money into communities we are also refurbishing our community assets that are in desperate need, we will get them back into safe, usable condition for our staff and residents for the long term. We will also be continuing our investment in driving down our carbon emissions to meet our 2030 net zero target.”
To view the council’s budget proposals, visit: https://cmis.harborough.gov.uk/cmis5/Meetings.aspx and click on the link for 20 Jan 2025, Cabinet.
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