Town Council Petition Handed Over

A petition signed by nearly 2,000 people calling for Market Harborough to have its own Town Council has been handed over.

Under the law, Harborough District must now formally consider the proposal, as part of a wider Community Governance Review.

Supporters say a town council is needed to give Market Harborough proper representation, especially with local government re-organisation on the horizon.

Leila Wilson is chair of the Logan and town centre neighbourhood forum and helped lead the campaign:

Campaigners calling for a town council handed the petition in today – pictured with Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council

Although the creation of a new council was supported by the district council’s cabinet in July, a decision was taken not to explore it at a full council meeting in October.

Since then the town’s four neighbourhood forums have been seeking the backing of 7.5% of the town’s residents and reached the milestone.

The petition was handed in to HDC’s Symington Building HQ today and campaigners also spoke to Council Leader, Cllr Phil Knowles.

A council spokesperson said: “If Harborough District Council receives a valid petition, it will be obliged to undertake a Community Governance Review.

“This is a consultation-led process to determine the best options for the future governance arrangements of the unparished area of Market Harborough, which must be concluded within a year of the Terms of Reference being agreed.

“If the petition is received, then the council will approve the Terms of Reference in due course.”

“The proposal for a Community Governance Review was supported by Cabinet in July 2025, however, it was not agreed by Council in October.

“The Leader of the Council, who is supportive of the proposal to undertake the review, has helped liaise between the Council and those bringing forward the petition to help understand the process and steps that need to be taken.”