Decisions made at Executive meeting – 15 January 2018

Councillors considered Harborough District Council’s Corporate Plan and Corporate Delivery Plan for 2018/19. The Corporate Plan is an overarching public document, published annually, that sets out the council’s vision for the district, its ambitions and priorities and how it will work with its partners and the community. It ensures that living in, working in, and visiting the Harborough district is the best possible experience. The Corporate Plan is based on information about the area and customer feedback and identifies how the council will achieve its vision.

The Corporate Delivery Plan sets out the council’s strategic activities, and what these mean for communities in the district.

Three council priorities have been identified for the 2018/19 year which underpin both the Corporate Plan and the Corporate Delivery Plan.

These are:

• The Place: An enterprising, vibrant place
• The People: A healthy, inclusive and engaged community
• Your Council: Innovative, proactive and efficient

Councillors approved an opportunity for the public to comment on its budget proposals and priorities. The Council said it is continuing to respond proactively to further reductions of nearly a quarter of a million pounds in Central Government funding in 2018/19 alongside other reductions in external funding. This is on top of £1.9million of reduced funding from Central Government since 2014/15. Despite reductions in funding, the Council plans further investment in the services residents want and will recommend savings and income generation of more than £660,000 over the coming year. Harborough District Council is proposing an increase of 1.5 per cent for 2018/19 for its share of Council Tax. This is still less than that paid by Harborough district residents in 2011/12 and half of the 3 per cent that the Government would allow without need for a local referendum.

Council Tax is made up of a number of charges made by separate authorities including Leicestershire County Council, Combined Fire Authority, Police and Crime Commissioner, Harborough District Council and Parish Councils. Harborough Councillors say the proposed increase in its share still represents excellent value for money with improvements planned to online services to help residents order and pay for services outside of business hours. The Council is planning major investment in the Council’s leisure assets with a new leisure centre in Market Harborough – replacing the existing building – and a refurbishment of Lutterworth Sports Centre. There will also be £500,000 for disabled facilities grants to allow people to remain in their homes and further development of much-needed housing on the Council’s vacant garage sites.  Work also continues towards an adopted Local Plan later this year which will manage future development in the district until 2031. The consultation starts from 16 January 2018.

Councillors recommended that a ‘Corporate Charging Policy’ be introduced to ensure a more consistent approach when setting the Council’s fees and charges, and to ensure they link with the Council’s priorities and objectives. Harborough District Council sets a number of fees and charges each year to allow a range of services to be provided.

Councillors deferred the report on the Building Control Service to the February Executive as they wanted further information to be available before they take the decision.