The Uttlesford Council Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 30th September 2025, to discuss a range of topics including climate change, the local plan, and a review of the Axis Europe contract. The meeting will also include a Community Safety Partnership Presentation. Members of the public are welcome to attend and a recording of the meeting will be broadcast online.

Climate Change Action Plan

The committee is scheduled to receive a mid-year review of the Climate Change Action Plan. The report includes achievements over the last 16 months, as well as current programme priorities and activities.

The report notes that Uttlesford was recognised as a 'most improved' council in the 2025 Climate Emergency UK Action Scorecards.

The report also notes some financial implications:

The Council previously agreed a specific climate change budget of £ 1,000,000 budget over 3 years.

To date a total of £ 783,699 of the climate Change Reserve budget has been committed or spent. Of this £ 389,138 has been spent on the Zero Carbon Communities Grant Scheme. A total of £ 216,301 budget remains which has been allocated to deliver priority projects and work streams in the CCBAP.

The report also notes that the council is in receipt of a £517,000 DEFRA¹ Air Quality grant to deliver the Saffron Walden Clean Air project, and two government public sector grants for decarbonisation.

Local Plan Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the Local Plan following the Examination in Public (EiP) hearings in June. The report includes risks, mitigations, and resourcing. According to the report, the revised Local Plan timetable remains on track, and adoption of the Local Plan is expected next spring.

The Strategic Director of Planning, Dean Hermitage, notes in his report that the inspectors were positive in their closing remarks, and implied that the Local Plan was likely to be found sound subject to Main Modifications (MMs). MMs are changes to the submitted Local Plan that are identified and developed as part of discussions during the examination process. The MM schedule is currently out for consultation.

The report states that there is a risk that the council is required to start an immediate review of the Local Plan should it not, at the time of adoption, make provision for a five-year housing land supply. Officers are liaising with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to ensure that this is avoided.

Axis Contract Review

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the new maintenance contract with Axis Europe. The report notes that the initial mobilisation of the contract has progressed positively, but challenges have emerged, particularly concerning the integration of staff transferred from the previous joint venture employer, UNSL, and their adjustment to new operational standards set by Axis.

The report also notes that there has been a significant reduction in the volume of repairs raised since the change in contractor and the bringing in-house of the repairs contact centre. This has led Axis to raise concerns about financial viability for themselves through the contract and as a result, operational efficiency.

The report states that a comprehensive action plan has been developed to address these challenges.

Other Business

• The committee will receive a Community Safety Partnership Presentation.
• The committee will review the updated Cabinet Forward Plan.
• The committee will review the Scrutiny Work Programme.
• The committee will consider the minutes of the previous meeting.