Communities invited to have a say on new Community Wellbeing Plan

The ‘Harborough District Council Community Wellbeing Plan 2026 – 2028’ sets out priorities for action, drawing on the council’s vision and ten-year Corporate Plan, which was refreshed in February. 

It focuses on five top priorities or ‘pillars’:

1. Enhancing youth activities and engagement opportunities
2. Empowering communities through asset ownership and local decision-making
3. Supporting the development of affordable and sustainable housing
4. Promoting green initiatives and climate change resilience
5. Transforming council services to be more responsive, inclusive and efficient

There are three key areas of work which underpin the activities in these five pillars: the continuing programme to transform the council, action to deliver the climate and nature emergency plan and providing funding and grant opportunities to strengthen local communities.

The plan, which covers the period from April 2026 to March 2028, also emphasises the council’s role as an enabler, supporting communities to be more proactive in addressing the issues that affect them.

The council, alongside others in Leicestershire, is facing local government reorganisation from 2028. This will impact the future of the organisation and its services, as well as local communities, and the Community Wellbeing Plan will help to address this change.

Public engagement will started on 31 July until 30 September 2025 and includes a questionnaire, outreach work and events involving the Youth Council, parish councils and parish meetings, voluntary and community sector organisations and other stakeholders. 

Details of public events will be shared with local media organisations and publicised on the council’s website and social media channels shortly.

Views and opinions shared over the summer will be fed back to councillors in the autumn alongside the final plan.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We are constantly listening to residents in our towns, parishes, villages and community groups and we feel that the five pillars are what they want us to focus on, in what may be the last two years of Harborough District Council.

“If we can make change, now is the time and there is no time to waste. That’s why we are focusing on creating more activities and opportunities for our young people, developing and investing in community facilities and assets, trying to deliver more affordable housing, supporting green initiatives and trying to mitigate the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events whilst continuously improving the council’s service delivery.

“I know it’s a big ask in our last two years as a council, but we feel we have a clear focus and we are asking for views to be sure that is what people want us to concentrate on. 

“I look forward to meeting as many people as possible along with other councillors and then we can get started.”

Councillors approved the plan for public consideration at a meeting of Cabinet on 28 July. 

The questionnaire and the Community Wellbeing Plan can be accessed from the council's website.

 

Notes

• What is Community Wellbeing and why does it matter? 

Community wellbeing refers to the overall quality of life experienced by people living in a particular area, shaped by a combination of social, economic, environmental, and cultural factors. It goes beyond individual health to include how connected, supported, and safe people feel in their communities. It matters because when community wellbeing is high, people are more likely to live longer, healthier lives, feel happier and more fulfilled, be resilient in the face of challenges and contribute positively to society