Protecting and enhancing our environment
We will protect and improve our environment by reducing our carbon footprint, promoting biodiversity, managing waste and recycling, and supporting green initiatives.
Take action on climate change
What we will do | How we will do it | How we will measure it |
|---|---|---|
Clearly set out and publicise our priorities for the coming years to meet our net zero by 2030 pledge, including reducing emissions from our vehicle fleet and corporate buildings | We will refresh our Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Plan (PDF, 275 KB) detailing the projects we will focus on during the year. These will support work to reduce carbon emissions | We will refresh the Action Plan by May 2025 and then monitor successful completion of activities with quarterly updates on progress to the Climate Change and Biodiversity Board. |
Reduce direct emissions from council housing stock. This includes new-build homes being planned/developed. | We will install clean-air heating solutions and develop measures to retro-fit homes to improve sustainability and contribute towards meeting the 2030 net zero pledge.
In collaboration with the North Essex Councils, develop our estates decarbonisation plan to include proposition for investment in renewable energy, to support achieving our Net Zero Carbon target. | We have been successful in our bid to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (on GOV.UK) with the aim of improving the environmental performance of c.200 of our housing stock. We are commencing a programme of works for decarbonisation - works will commence in January 2025. The works will be completed by January 2027. The works include exterior wall insulation, installation of solar panels and heat pumps. We will agree and prioritise a portfolio of projects by August 2025 to attract investment to generate income and support the transition to Net Zero. |
Provide community leadership and enable local action on climate change. | We will organise a celebration event to showcase achievements from 3 rounds of the Zero Carbon Communities fund. The event will provide the community with an opportunity to share learning, knowledge and experience. | We will evaluate the event, which will be held in the Autumn of 2025, and use feedback from the 'Sustainable Uttlesford' network of community groups and projects to understand community climate action across the district. |
Deliver sustainable ways of working across the council to reduce the carbon impact of business activities. | We will develop and introduce a sustainability policy to help us consider and reduce the environmental impact of business activities. | We will produce a policy by December 2025. |
Conserve and enhance the quality and diversity of the district's natural habitats and wildlife
| What we will do | How we will do it | How we will measure it |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfil our bio-diversity duty by using the planning system to conserve, enhance and create new ecological habitat | We will support and promote the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Uttlesford, to ensure widespread reach and engagement We will manage council land and property using environmentally friendly practices that will promote biodiversity. We will identify and deliver projects on our own estate and publish our progress and achievements. We will develop robust planning polices as part of the Local Plan relevant to habitat protection, enhancement and creation. We will require and monitor biodiversity net gain in relation to new development and ensure the council has access to specialist advice from a qualified ecologist. | We contributed positively to the Essex-wide LNRS consultation and promoted engagement among district residents. We will develop an Action Plan by June 2025. We will publish our first Biodiversity report by 1 January 2026. We carefully considered Regulation 19 responses on our proposed policies and have submitted the Local Plan to the Secretary of State for consideration. We will make modifications as necessary throughout 2025 to ensure the plan can be adopted. Processes for Bio-diversity net gain monitoring are now in place and being applied and updates provided as part of our Biodiversity Report. |
Work with partners to deliver sustainable transport
| What we will do | How we will do it | How we will measure it |
|---|---|---|
Steer development to the most sustainable locations using the Local Plan and via planning decisions
| Monitor and evaluate the implementation of the active travel and shared transport pilot schemes in Saffron Walden as part of the DEFRA funded Clean Air project, to build evidence to support roll out of schemes elsewhere in the district Develop a spatial development strategy and robust planning policies as part of the Local Plan in order to support sustainable travel | EV Car Club scheme was launched in November 2023 and uptake will continue to be monitored and evaluated through 2025/26 as part of the 2-year trial period. E-bike loan schemes will be monitored and evaluated ahead of March 2026. Following the Regulation 19 consultation the Local Plan has been submitted to government and includes various sustainable transport |
Work with Essex County Council and other stakeholders to promote and facilitate sustainable, reliable, and adaptable transport infrastructure | Complete the Uttlesford Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). | The LCWIP has been completed and went out to consultation end of 2024. The consultation will enable the council to develop a priority list of schemes in collaboration with Essex County Council for delivery. |
Manage waste in a sustainable way
| What we will do | How we will do it | How we will measure it |
|---|---|---|
Work with partners across Essex on a new waste strategy for the county. | Following adoption of the Waste Strategy for Essex 2024-2055 (on loveessex.org) we will continue to work with partners to implement the strategy. Including rolling out pilot projects to recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) across the district, introduce food recycling facilities at flat complexes by Spring 2025. We will also participate in a project 'one bag a week' to help residents reduce their residual waste and increase recycling. | We will roll out a WEEE recycling scheme in Spring 2025 which will enable residents to dispose of small electrical items as part of waste collection services. Recycling services will be introduced at some flat complexes and effectiveness measured over |
Review our domestic recycling and waste services to make sure they are as efficient as possible and review and improve our waste service for businesses. | Following confirmation of the national policy - | We will obtain Member support for a clear pathway to meet new requirements under Simpler Recycling. Member workshops will be organised in Spring 2025. |
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