Council Leader Expresses ‘Disappointment’ After Collaboration Plan Rejected

The Leader of Harborough District Council has expressed his disappointment a collaboration with Melton Borough Council will not go-ahead.

Cllr Phil King has also said cuts to services cannot be ruled out, after councillors in Harborough narrowly voted against the Strategic Partnership scheme.

The move would have seen the authority’s top jobs, including the Chief Executive role, shared with Melton and a business case said it could have saved the council around £700,000 over three years.

Cllr Phil King

Conservative council leader Phil King says at a time all local authorities are under severe financial pressure, the partnership would have enabled both councils to build more financial and service resilience, resulting in better outcomes for residents.

He told HFM the Council is now going to face more of a financial challenge and cannot rule out cuts to services:

Councillors who voted against the plan at a meeting on Monday night expressed concern about potential implications of the collaboration, including staff not having enough time to dedicate to Harborough matters.

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, was one of those to oppose it: