Our achievements
Find out about our successes for local residents
2026 - Hydrotherapy at Lutterworth Leisure Centre
The council will invest £80,000 towards an £87,000 project to install new hydrotherapy equipment at Lutterworth Leisure Centre.
A hydropod and two hydrobeds will provide hydrotherapy treatments designed to support people recovering from injury, undergoing rehabilitation and the managing long-term health conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain or mobility issues.
Leisure centre operator, Everyone Active, will project manage the works and has also contributed to the new facilities. The investment reflects the council's commitment to improving opportunities for residents to live active and healthy lives.
Find out more on the HDC website.
2026 - Working together for Suicide Prevention
United and committed in tackling suicide and self-harm was the message from the first coordinated meeting of a wide range of groups and charities that gathered at a meeting in the chamber of Harborough District Council last month.
Over 40 representatives from across the public, private, voluntary and community sectors met at Harborough District Council where all partners emphasised the importance of collaborative working.
Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “Suicide and self-harm are serious issues that affect families and communities across the country, including here in Harborough.
“Prevention requires strong partnership working and all of the incredible attendees, who do so much incredible service, committed to working with partners to ensure people who are struggling feel seen, supported and able to access help when they need it.”
2026 - Food waste collection in Harborough
From November, food waste will be collected weekly from directly from residents. This provides numerous benefits including a reduction of landfill, reduced odours due to more frequent collections, as well as the by-products of the process. Leftover solid matter can be used as fertiliser, and biogas can replace fossil gas, reducing emissions and improving energy security.
2026 - Grants for local projects
In March 2026, Lib Dem led Harborough District Council approved 30 grants for projects in Fleckney, Broughton Astley, Great Glen, Kibworth, Billesdon and other rural villages across the district. These projects will make a real difference to local people. From installing solar panels and LED lighting to refurbishing facilities, we're investing in initiatives that promote community leadership, health and wellbeing, sustainability, cultural enrichment and prosperity.
A list of the approved grants can be found on the HDC website.
2026 - Thriving Town Centres
Our town centres continue to buck the national trend and are seeing regular new openings. February's “Love Lutterworth” event was popular; whilst Hotel Chocolate, Jo Malone and Sports Direct in Market Harborough are all great examples of big brands coming to town.
With car parking charges frozen for the 4th year running, there is no better time to visit Lutterworth or Market Harborough and “shop local”.
2026 - New depot for council vehicles will help to contain costs
We have purchased land to the north of Market Harborough to build our own depot to store and maintain our waste, cleansing and grounds maintenance vehicles. A planning application is being prepared to build out the necessary facilities which will future proof surface service delivery and help bring our costs down. We are currently tendering our waste collection service and with plans for our own depot and our own
vehicles we are now in the best position possible to secure a competitive price from the market.
2025 - Rewilding project
After many months of planning, the Harborough District Council has purchased 133.3 acres of land at Tin House Farm, Great Bowden, to create a "unique project of national significance" to restore nature at a landscape scale. With the support of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, the Market Harborough Rewilding Project will work to restore a nature-depleted area, re-establishing natural processes and building a network of nature sites.
Mat Carter, CEO of Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, said: “This rewilding project is an amazing opportunity to restore wildlife and natural processes at a nationally significant scale. Only through ambitious and innovative projects like this can we reverse the decline in nature and realise the benefits that it can bring.”
Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of Harborough District Council, said: "We have been able to facilitate an amazing opportunity to restore nature on a nationally important scale in an area where this has never been achieved before.”
The picture is an AI-generated vision of the area. You can find further details of the project on the HDC website.
2025 - No increase in Council Charges
Charges for various council services including car parking and the Green Waste service have been held at the current price for a further year. Your Lib Dem led council appreciates the pressures of the current cost of living and is making efforts to care for the community.
