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Cost of living support

Advice and support to help manage the rising cost of living.

Climate change achievements

What actions the council has taken to address the climate and biodiversity emergency.

 

Achievements

  • Declared a cross-party climate & ecological emergency and net zero 2030 target in July 2019
  • Set up a cross-party Energy and Climate Change Working Group in August and agreed by Cabinet in September 2019
  • Hosted a Climate Business Breakfast in November 2019 for 120 local businesses
  • A budget of £1m was granted starting in April 2021 to be spent over years
  • Secured external government grant funding of £1.7m in 2021. £1,268,000 for energy efficiency grants for low-income households and £517,124 to deliver a novel Market Town Clean Air Initiative in Saffron Walden
  • Internal funding - the Zero Carbon Communities Grant Fund of £300K (£150k for 2023 & £150k for 2024), was launched last year with the aim of supporting community groups in Uttlesford to take action on Carbon Emission Reduction, Biodiversity Restoration and Enhancement & Community Engagement in Climate Change
     

Climate change strategy thumbnail
Published documents

We have published a number of important documents including:

Little Canfield: new environmental services depot

The environmental services team at Uttlesford District Council has moved to a new depot in Little Canfield, with more environmentally-friendly features. These include:

  • charging points installed
  • vehicle recycling water wash facility
  • bird and bat boxes installed
  • trees planted on site
  • PV panels installed on the new vehicle workshop
  • recycling bins in office


 

Green energy

The council switched to a green energy tariff and can claim 100% reduction (i.e. zero carbon dioxide) from electricity and in the case of biogas, 72% reduction in CO2 emissions.

We now have:

  • 5 Solar panels on refuse vehicles
  • 2 electric vans
  • external low energy lighting
  • bike racks installed
     

Clean Air Day June 2022

Uttlesford District Council's Environmental Health team were pleased to work in partnership with Saffron Walden Town Council on a pop-up information stall in the market.

The event was part of Clean Air Day 2022, the UK's largest air pollution awareness campaign. As well as the information stall, 'No idling' signs have been posted at key hot-spots to encourage motorists to switch off their engines when queuing at traffic lights.

Clean Air Day resources have also been shared with schools across the district including those in Great Dunmow, Thaxted Primary School, St Mary's Primary School in Stansted and Elsenham Primary School.

Since 2020 Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) testing tubes have been installed outside 5 schools in the district.
 

Consultations

We ran 2 map-based consultations.

Biodiversity mapping - we asked you to add your ideas on how we can improve biodiversity in Uttlesford. We wanted you to tell us about the existing and potential habitats in your neighbourhood. Share your local knowledge to help us build a Nature Recovery Network plan for the district.

Improve walking and cycling in Uttlesford - we wanted to hear from you where there are opportunities to improve our local walking and cycling infrastructure.
 

WarmWorks logo
Sustainable Warmth government grant scheme

The Sustainable Warmth Grant offers energy saving home improvements, like insulation, renewable heating systems and double glazing.

• households referred: 156
• surveys completed: 77
• surveys booked: 10
• measures allocated: 176
• measures installed: 65
 

Tree planting, biodiversity and recycling initiatives

Planted 2,488 hedging plants and 524 mature trees.

Rewilding roadside areas.

Leaving roadside verges for rewilding.

Installed 16 new dual recycling bins.

Waste recycling video.

Chair's Charter on single use plastics.

Launched a new Environmental Services e-newsletter for residents.


 

Diary highlights

Big Green Week September 2021

COP26 Thaxted Eco Group October 2021

September 2022 Eco Market

November 2022 Cllr Pepper, Portfolio holder for Environment and Green Issues and Equalities, took part in a local documentary that discussed the climate emergency with local people. It extensively reviewed measures that the local community can consider to help save the planet and their surrounding environment.

Watch the District 15 video on the EynonMedia website.

Go Green 2023 Business Awards

 

Cllr L Pepper

Cllr Louise Pepper

Portfolio holder for Environment and Green Issues and Equalities