Harborough Town Hub

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Picture of the Old Grammar School

Petition for Community Governance Review for Market Harborough

We are deeply disappointed by Harborough District Council’s decision not to pursue a Community Governance Review (CGR) and explore the formation of a Town Council for Market Harborough. This decision is a setback for all of us who seek improved local representation and transparent governance.

Commitment to Neighbourhood Planning and Local Leadership

Over the past three years, our four Neighbourhood Forums have engaged with residents and stakeholders throughout Market Harborough. We are committed to completing our Neighbourhood Plans, which aim to guide and mitigate the impact of future developments in our town. It is evident that there is growing support for the establishment of a town council or similar democratic body to ensure strong, community-led leadership and provide Market Harborough with a stronger voice in shaping its future direction and priorities.

Urgent Need for a Community Governance Review

We firmly believe that a review should be conducted prior to impending local government reorganisation, which will see Harborough District Council absorbed into a larger unitary authority, further diluting Market Harborough’s influence over local matters.

Initiating a Petition

If we collect a minimum of 1600 signatures from Market Harborough residents that are on the electoral role, a Community Governance Review will take place to explore all the options for Market Harborough, including the formation of a Town Council. We urge all residents who care about Market Harborough’s future to sign and share the petition by Tuesday 25th November, ensuring that our collective voice is heard. The more signatures we get, the stronger our case and your signature could be the one that gets us over the line!

SIGN THE PETITION HERE

Petition Progress

Progress is updated every 15 minutes.

Some Background

Why does Market Harborough need a Town Council, or similar democratic body?

Some of the reasons are:

  • Local representation when a new unitary authority is formed. Proposals for a new unitary authority are already well-formed with two likely options, a North, City, South option proposed by the District Councils and a Single County option proposed by Leicestershire County Council.
  • Assets of Community Value including parks, children’s play areas, street services, allotments and buildings could be transferred to the new council.
  • Local management of parks and open spaces, cemetery, leisure centre, market, theatre, community centres, museum, car parks, youth services and town centre events.
  • A town council or similar body can access Section 106 (developer contributions) and other grant funding to deliver local projects and improvements. With all the development in the town, there is money available, but there is no local body representing Market Harborough that can apply.
  • We need a body with formal consultation on planning matters and that could oversee future neighbourhood plans that determine the types and design of development in our town.

Further Reading

A detailed report into the establishment of a Town Council was produced for Harborough Town Hub and is available here.

The Society of Local Council Clerks (SLCC) has also produced guidance on establishing a town council that is available here.