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In the last Cabinet meeting before the local elections in May, members heard reports on environmental and policing strategies.
Watch the webcast
Climate Change Action Plan
The Climate Change Action Plan presented to Cabinet set out actions being taken by the Council to deliver its pledge to do everything in its power to be carbon neutral by 2030.
The Climate Change Action Plan public consultation run from 12 October 2021 to 26 November 2021.
During this time the Council has been able to make progress on various actions including:
- Supporting residents make their homes more energy efficient through grant funding
- Over 2250 trees have been planted in Debden and Chigwell
- 2 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed in Oakwood Hill car park
Dedicated Epping Forest policing team
An annual budget of £180,000 was agreed for 3 years, to fund the provision of
3 full-time Police Officers by Essex Police – a sergeant and 2 police constables from June 2022 to June 2025, to be jointly tasked and directed by the Council and Essex Police.
It has also been agreed that Essex Police will supply an additional officer at no cost to the Council, increasing the number of dedicated officers from 3 to 4.
This is a dedicated police resource for the district, which the Council introduced in 2018. Their work has been invaluable in supporting the EFDC community safety team to deal with various issues, especially anti-social behaviour during the pandemic.
Partnership Agreement
Members discussed a report concerning the potential impact of residential development on the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in relation to additional visitors using the Forest for recreational purposes.
A partnership agreement between EFDC, the Conservators of Epping Forest and the London Borough of Redbridge has been approved while other neighbouring authorities are progressing reports through their committee processes.
It covers the delivery of site access management and monitoring measures (SAMM) for the Epping Forest Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
The SAC is an area within Epping Forest containing land subject to international protection for its biodiversity value and the Council has a legal duty to protect it from the effects of development.
Members heard about the Council’s proposal to secure funding from development to meet the SAMM Strategy costs apportioned to the district. For more detail please see the webcast.
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