Referendum and Post-Examination version of Neighbourhood Plan
The following notice appeared on the Harborough District Council (HDC) website:
Houghton on the Hill Neighbourhood Plan has been approved to proceed to referendum on 29 March 2018.
A person is entitled to vote in the Referendum if on the date of the Referendum
- He or she is entitled to vote in an election of any Councillor of Harborough District Council whose area is in the Referendum area; and
- His or her qualifying address for the election is in the Referendum area. A person's qualifying address is, in relation to a person registered in the register of electors, the address in respect of which he or she is entitled to be so registered.
The question which will be asked in the Referendum is 'Do you want Harborough District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Houghton on the Hill to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?'
If the Plan receives a 'Yes' from more than 50% of those voting, the Neighbourhood Plan will be 'made' (or brought into effect) by Harborough District Council as soon as possible. This means it becomes part of the Development Plan and, as such, together with the adopted Core Strategy will be the starting point for the determination of planning applications within the Neighbourhood Area.
Where can I view the most up-to-date copy of the Neighbourhood Plan?
1. At any of the four drop-in sessions being held in the Village Hall Club Room between 10am and 12 noon on 3 consecutive Saturdays in March - 10 March, 17 March, 24 March - and Friday 23 March.
2. You can view and download the Neighbourhood Plan online by clicking here.
3. Paper copies will be available to read at
- Market Harborough and Evington Libraries
- Houghton on the Hill Post Office
- Houghton Garage
Who can vote in the referendum?
The referendum will be conducted on procedures which are similar to those used at local government elections.
You can vote in the referendum if you live in the Houghton on the Hill Parish Area and
- You are registered to vote in local council elections (British, European or Commonwealth citizens)
- You are 18 years of age or over on the 29 March 2018
In order to vote in the referendum you must be registered to vote by 14 March 2018.
You can check if you are registered to vote by calling Harborough District Council on 01858 821366 or 01858 821372
If you are not on the electoral register, you can register to vote online at registertovote.service.gov.uk. You can also register by post.
Remember...If you are not registered, you will not be able to vote.
How do I vote at this referendum?
The question being asked in the referendum is:
"Do you want Harborough District Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Houghton on the Hill to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?"
You vote by putting a cross (X) in the 'Yes' or 'No' box on your ballot paper.
Put a cross in only one box or your vote will not be counted.
Ways to vote.
There are three ways of voting:
1. In person:
You can vote on the day of the referendum, 29 March 2018, at the polling station i.e. Houghton Village Hall Club Room, Main St, Houghton on the Hill. The polling station will be open from 7am to 10pm.
2. By post:
If you have a postal vote already, you will receive a poll card confirming this.
New applications for, or amendments or cancellations of postal votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AG by 5 pm Wednesday 14 March 2018.
You can download an application form for a postal vote from yourvotematters.co.uk.
You should receive your postal vote about a week before polling day. If it doesn't arrive, you can get a replacement ballot paper in person from the Returning Officer before 5pm on election day.
3. By proxy:
Amendments or cancellations of existing proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AG by 5 pm Wednesday 14 March 2018.
New applications to vote by proxy at this referendum must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AG by 5 pm Wednesday 21 March 2018.
Applications to vote by proxy at this referendum applied for on the grounds of physical incapacity, where that physical incapacity occurred after 5 pm Wednesday 21 March 2018 must reach the Electoral Registration Officer at The Symington Building, Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7AG by 5 pm 29 March 2018.
You can download an application form for a proxy vote from yourvotematters.co.uk.
When you apply for a proxy vote, you must say why you cannot vote in person. Anyone can be your proxy as long as they are eligible to vote and are willing to vote on your behalf. You will have to tell them how you want to vote.
Where is the polling station?
The Polling Station will be run by HDC in Houghton Village Hall Club Room - 7 am to 10 pm - on Thursday 29 March 2018.
This information is provided by Houghton on the Hill Parish Council. Queries should be addressed to the Clerk to the Parish Council, Mr Stephen Derry, whose details are given below.