Council approves budget including more flooding support for district households

At a meeting of Full Council on 24 February 2025, Harborough District Council agreed its budget priorities for 2025/26 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 as it continues to promote healthy living and investment in a range of services and community buildings across the district.

An additional £100,000 has been allocated for short and longer term flooding support with one-off payments of £500 to be made available to households in Harborough district whose homes have suffered from internal flooding. More details of this scheme will be announced soon.

A new Climate Impact post is also being funded which will focus on supporting schemes and initiatives to prevent flood risk as well as working with local partners and flood wardens.

A stand-out commitment has been made to continue the £1 million Community Grant Fund for 2025/26 and 2026/27 and there is no increase in garden waste bin collection charges, which remain at £61 for the third year running or car parking charges in Lutterworth and Market Harborough.

The council consulted the public on its budget proposals from 20 January to 10 February 2025.

The council has recommended investment into:

• The annual residents’ newsletter and special editions when required
• Additional staffing resources to support priority areas of work
• 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
• Purchasing three properties across the district to support temporary accommodation for residents in need
• Installing 33 faster and easier to use car parking payment machines in Lutterworth and Market Harborough
• Developing Community Wellbeing programme for healthy lifestyle initiatives such as walks and activity sessions in local community venues
• Refurbishing Wadkins Pavilion in Bushby and Welland Park Bowls Pavilion in Market Harborough
• Maintaining six closed churchyards in Bringhurst, Catthorpe, Husbands Bosworth, Fleckney, Leire and Skeffington.
• Increasing solar battery provision at Harborough Innovation Centre and Harborough Enterprise Centre
• Maintaining and reducing carbon emissions from The Symington Building and Market Hall

Councillors approved an increase in Harborough District Council’s share of the Council Tax of £5.32 a year, per Band D household, in the Harborough district.

The Council Tax bill contributes to public services and includes precepts from Leicestershire County Council, Police and Crime Commissioner, Harborough District Council, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and parish councils.

To read the council’s final budget, visit: https://cmis.harborough.gov.uk/cmis5/Meetings.aspx and click on the link for 24 February 2025, Council.