uttlesfordNews, views and stories from Uttlesford District Council • It’s our community

Inside:

WINTER 2011

Christmas recycling dates Customer Charter consultation Help for home heating Plans for an Older Persons Forum Uttlesford Community Travel update Great War exhibition at Saffron Walden Museum

Big changes for your bin collection service

• Sign up for kerbside garden waste collection – only £40

• Recycle glass in your green bin

• New kitchen caddies on the way

• Your collection day could change

news from the council

Uttlesford Life is the magazine from Uttlesford District Council.

It is designed to help residents learn more about the services the council offers and keep up to date with developments that may affect them.

It is printed on 100 per cent recycled paper and delivered to homes across the district.

If you would like this magazine in another language or format, please call our UConnect Customer Service Centre on 01799 510510.

Comments or suggestions for the magazine? Email us at uttlesfordlife@uttlesford.gov.uk

Welcome to the winter edition of Uttlesford Life.

The changes we are bringing in around our waste and recycling service have kept many officers and members very busy in recent months and I am pleased we have now agreed a series of improvements which will bring a better service to all our residents at reduced cost.

You may already have read about some of these improvements, including our new subscription-based kerbside garden waste service, but at our Cabinet meeting last month we approved some changes which mean the scheme will be cheaper for residents, providing they sign up for it by the end of February. Other improvements include being able to recycle glass at the kerbside and replacing the kitchen waste bin with a smaller kitchen

caddy. There are full details on page 5 of this edition and I would encourage you to read it – these changes will affect everyone in some way.

The council was very proud to grant the Freedom of the District to 101 Engineer Regiment recently – you may recall the honour was bestowed upon the other regiment at Carver Barracks, 33 Engineer, in 2009. It was a wonderful day and everyone here would like to thank all those who

came out on a Friday morning to support the troops.

And finally, as this is the last Uttlesford Life before Christmas, on the back page you will find the bin collection details for the Christmas and New Year period.

Cllr Jim Ketteridge

LeaderUttlesford District Council

Mark the dates in your diary – the next Uttlesford Community Forums will be held in February and March.

These popular public meetings are a great way to have your say on issues affecting the district. They bring together representatives from key public services including the district and county councils, the police and the NHS.

At the October forums, those attending discussed some major projects and issues, including the proposed police reforms, the changes to Uttlesford’s recycling and waste service, and the New Homes Bonus, which is money from central government based on the number of new homes built in the district to be used for community schemes.

Two meetings are held, one for the north of the district and one for the south. Details of the topics up for debate at the next forums will be publicised nearer the time, but the dates and locations have been confirmed:

South Community Forum – Helena Romanes School, Great Dunmow, Tuesday, 28 February

North Community Forum – Uttlesford District Council offices, Saffron Walden, Thursday, 1 March

Both meetings start at 7.30pm

The Community Information Day, in the Community Centre in Flitch Green, Little Dunmow, will promote active living, help reduce social isolation and show what older people do, contribute and achieve. Information will be available about services provided by local and national organisations and voluntary groups.

The event organisers, Uttlesford District Council and the Council for Voluntary Service Uttlesford, also hope to use it as the starting point for developing an Older Persons Forum in the district.

The district council’s Community Partnerships Manager Gaynor Bradley said: “The demographics of our district are changing and we need to learn from residents about shaping the future of

Community Forums

Major consultation will be carried out early next year on the district’s Local Plan.

This is a hugely important document which the council uses to decide whether to approve or refuse planning applications for new developments in the district.

The current Local Plan was approved in 2005 and the policies in it need to be updated. The council will be giving you the chance to put forward your views on what these policies should say and how the council should identify new sites for development.

The consultation will start in the first part of 2012 so please look out for information and take the time to make your views known. Information will be available on the council’s website www.uttlesford.gov.uk and publicised locally.

New Local Plan for Uttlesford Moves Forward

the district to meet the needs of older people.

“We have chosen Flitch Green as it is one of our new parishes in the south of the district. There is an excellent community centre there with parking and we hope that you will pop in to see what is on offer and perhaps sign up to being one of our forum members. Anyone living in Uttlesford will be welcome, so come along for a cup of tea and see what is available.”

There are currently more than 800 Older Persons Forums in the UK, with a total membership in excess of 100,000. By working together in forums, older people are making their voices heard on the things that really matter to them and influencing the planning and provision

Up to 1,000 council homes across the district could be suitable for having the panels fitted on their roofs, saving tenants money and helping the district meet its carbon reduction targets.

The work is planned to start in November and will be completed by March.

The 2kW solar panels will produce an estimated total of 4,000kWh of electricity per year, which could help reduce energy bills by around £100 a year.

Under the scheme, E.ON will fund the installation of the solar panels,

Let the Sun Shine!

with the costs covered through government reward payments for renewable energy. In return, the council receives an income for effectively renting out the roof space and the homeowners benefit from savings on the electricity generated during daylight hours. The money that is generated for the council will only be used for improvements to council housing.

Thomas Buss from E.ON said: “I’m delighted that we’re able to work with Uttlesford District

Hundreds of council tenants could benefit from free solar panels in a major new project from the council and energy suppliers E.ON.

Council and together we can start to make a difference and build energy efficiency into our everyday lives.

“Schemes like this will not only give people a more renewable source of power, they’ll also provide a source of free energy - it’s like your house is working for you.”

People living in properties that are potentially suitable will be contacted over the next few weeks.

Aging Well – Uttlesford Celebrates Age

of local, regional and national services. Forums vary in size from small groups to those with members numbering many hundreds. They can help combat disadvantage by providing a platform where older people can speak out on the issues that concern them.

The Community Information Day is on Thursday, 24 November, from 10am to 2pm.

A special event for people aged 55 and over is being held in one of Uttlesford’s newest communities.

2 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 3

uttlesfordlife news and comment from around the district

Customer Service our promise to youThe way the council treats its customers is of course very important – and we are making a series of promises to all the residents and businesses we deal with.The council has been busy revising its customer service standards and has collated them into a document called the Customer Charter.Before we formally adopt this charter we want to hear what you think. A consultation on the charter is running until Friday, 18 November. There is a short questionnaire the council is encouraging people to fill in asking what respondents think about the promises in the charter and whether there is anything else they think should be included.The questionnaire can be found on the council’s website at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/charter or you can pick up a copy from the Customer Service Centre at the council offices in Saffron Walden, the Community Information Centre in Thaxted or Great Dunmow Library. If you are not online or cannot get to one of those locations, you can ring the council’s consultation team on 01799 510670 and they will send you a copy.Cllr Howard Rolfe, Cabinet Member for Community Partnerships and Engagement, said: “However you choose to get in touch with the council, you should expect to be treated politely, promptly and fairly. This Customer Charter demonstrates that we are committed to providing a quality service for all our customers and before it is put in place, I would encourage everyone to take a few minutes to let us know what they think. “The nature of a council’s business means that we cannot always give people the answer they would want, but nonetheless they should feel they have been treated with courtesy when dealing with Uttlesford. In return, there are a few things we expect of all our customers and these too are listed in the charter.“It is important that residents and businesses get the same level of service irrespective of whether they are emailing, phoning or visiting the council and that is at the heart of our new charter. We look forward to hearing what people have to say about it.”

All the information provided by

respondents will be kept entirely confidential. It will only be used to ensure that the services provided by Uttlesford District Council meet the needs of all

people living and working in the district. We will report on the main findings from the survey, but your own views and opinions will not be passed on to anyone else.

Area of ServiceProvision:

Objective: Our promise to our customers:

Telephoneenquiries

• To deal with all telephone enquiries in a timely courteous and helpful manner.

• We will provide a prompt and informative telephone service.

• Where appropriate, we will provide suitable alternative contact details to ensure your enquiry is dealt with.

Writtencommunications

• To provide a clear, full and timely response to all letters, emails and faxes.

• We will aim to acknowledge any letters, emails and faxes received within three working days of receipt.

• We will provide a timely response using plain English and respond to all points raised.

Face-to-faceenquiries/visits

• To provide a welcoming, supportive and knowledgeable service for all face-to-face contacts.

• If you visit our offices we will try our best to start dealing with your enquiry within five minutes of your arrival.

• If you want us to visit you we will always agree an appointment time with you and advise you if we are going to be late.

Customerfeedback

• To encourage feedback* from our customers ensuring we acknowledge any relevant communication and strive to learn from all comments made.

• We will listen to, consider and learn from feedback we receive from our customers to enable balanced decision-making.

• We will ensure that we respond fairly to customers who take the time to contact us.

Accessibility • To provide the required level of assistance to ensure all customers have equal access to all services.

• We will ensure our facilities meet all relevant legislative requirements

• We will provide alternative methods of communication and accesswhere appropriate

* Feedback includes: Freedom of Information Requests (FOIs), Data Protection Requests, Complaints, Comments,

Compliments, Consultation, Members Enquiries and Environmental Information Regulations Requests

What we ask of our customers• Treat our staff with courtesy and respect at all times• Whenever possible make an appointment if you want to visit us• Understand that you may have to wait for a short time if you haven’t made an

appointment when visiting the Saffron Walden offices• Tell us when we do not meet your expectations - we can only make improvements if

we understand your problem• Provide the right documentation and information we need to be able to help you•Understand and accept that it is not always possible or practical to agree to your

requests owing to legislative, financial or regulatory limitations

Customer CharterUttlesford District Council will ensure equal access and opportunity to quality services to meet the needs of all those in the community without prejudice or discrimination.

A raft of changes are on their way for the recycling and waste service provided by Uttlesford District Council. Here you can find you more about what’s going to happen and how you can take advantage of a brand new collection of garden waste right from your property. These changes are

Garden Waste – Still Time to Sign-Up!

It is not too late to sign up for Uttlesford District Council’s new garden waste collection service.

So far more than 1,600 households in the district have said they are interested in having their garden waste picked up and the council expects this number to grow in the coming months.

An annual payment by direct debit of £40 will see households getting a fortnightly collection from April to the end of November.

Previously, people taking up the scheme would have also made a one-off £20 payment for the bin – but now the council has decided to give the bin to residents for free providing they sign up for the service by 29 February 2012.

The 1,600-plus households which have already expressed an interest in receiving the service will be contacted in the coming weeks to confirm they definitely want to go ahead. These households will also get the free bin.

Anyone else who wants to sign up, the relevant short form is still available on the council’s website – you will find it linked from the homepage at www.uttlesford.gov.uk or at www.uttlesford.gov.uk/recycling (where you can also find information about the other changes being made to the waste service).

Parish Garden Waste Skip Collections

At the moment, 21 out of the 60 parishes in Uttlesford have a skip service where residents can take their garden waste. Because of the new kerbside collection being offered, the district council expects these to become less popular over time and is going to withdraw its funding for them. However, we appreciate that some parish councils feel the skip service should continue and 24 have expressed an interest in paying for a service provided by the district council. And in order to make things easier for these parish councils, the district council is meeting half the cost for retaining the skips for the first year (from April 2012). Please contact your parish council to find out whether they are among those keeping – or starting – the garden waste skip service.

Changes to the Kerbside Collection service

Because of improved technology, residents will soon be able to start recycling glass in their green bins along with their other recyclables. This will be put in place in the new year so keep an eye out for further publicity explaining when it will start.

Many residents feel the current brown bin for kitchen waste is too big for the job, so we are going to replace all the brown bins with smaller kitchen caddies. Again, look out for more publicity about when this is going to

being put in place thanks to improvements in technology and as well as offering a better service to residents they will also save a substantial amount of money through a combination of factors including increased payments for recyclable materials and fewer vehicles being required.

The changes at a glance: ✓ Optional garden waste kerbside collection service

✓ Glass to be recycled in the green bin

✓ Brown bin replaced with smaller kitchen caddy

✓ Introduction of new vehicles which can collect the kitchen caddy and the green or black bin at the same time

✓ Your collection day is likely to change next year because of introduction of four-day week for the crews

Big Improvements to Your Bin Collections

happen. If you have another use for your brown bin, such as turning it into a water butt or compost bin, then you will be allowed to keep it.

Your Collection Day Could Change

The council is getting a new fleet of lorries, which will mean kitchen waste and dry recycling/non recycling can be collected at the same time. This means we will have fewer trucks on the road. It also gives the opportunity for the crews to work four longer days instead of the five days they currently work, meaning less disruption for residents when it comes to bank holidays. In order to make all this work, we will be redrawing all the routes that the refuse vehicles currently take – and as a result the majority of residents will find their bin collection day changes next Spring. There is no need to do anything about this now as plenty of notice will be given. A dedicated phone number will be advertised in the early part of 2012 to help any residents with any queries about the changes.

Other Changes

Because of the introduction of glass recycling in the green bins, there will be fewer bottle banks needed in the district. The council is currently establishing where bottle banks might still be required, but the majority of them are likely to be removed. A small number of parishes also have a civic amenity skip scheme which is for the disposal of general household waste. This service is being withdrawn next year.

All these changes will be publicised further in advance of being implemented so there is no need to do anything now, but if you do have any questions you can email greenwaste@uttlesford.gov.uk or call 01799 510510.

Recycling and waste changes

4 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 5

The community travel provider (also known as Book-a- Ride) has just launched a new website making it easier than ever to get in touch and find out vital information. It is already getting hundreds of visitors every month and people are using the site to find information about booking the green buses and also the provision of hospital cars.

There are a lot of new facilities on the website, including route maps and timetables for the Farnham and Canfield shopping buses, and information on all bookable types of transport. For people who need to join the membership schemes, there are online forms which

Community mattersWinter weather what you need to know

Getting About in Your Community

The impact of the First World War on Saffron Walden and the district is the focus of a special exhibition at Saffron Walden Museum.

The Great War 1914 – 18: Home Life and Service includes many exhibits from that time including recruiting posters, military equipment, letters from the front line, the Roll of Honour Saffron Walden’s “fallen” and objects from the Red Cross hospital at Walden Place where more than a thousand wounded soldiers were nursed by local volunteers during the course of the war.

The exhibition continues daily until 27 November and at the recent opening, guests of honour included representatives from Royal British Legion branches throughout the district including Standard Bearer Bob Curran (pictured).

Following the end of that exhibition,

can either be printed off and completed, or e-mailed to the office. This has saved time, printing and postage at UCT and helped the staff be even more responsive to their members.

There is also information on becoming a volunteer driver, and the training courses for minibus drivers.

You can find the website at www.uttlesfordcommunitytravel.org but if you need to contact the office by phone, then just call 01371 875787.

the museum will be running Embroideries from the East from 10 December. It will showcase a recent donation of embroidered textiles from India, Central Asia and China. This diverse collection includes embroidered baby carriers, some fine hats, wall hangings and panels, intricately decorated purses and fan holders, as well as elaborate costumes. The makers took great pride in what they produced, as it takes skill and patience to hand-embroider such individual and creative textiles and produce these lovely colourful items. Pictured left is just one of these items, showing detail from an embroidered Chinese baby carrier strap.

Saffron Walden Museum is open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Winter opening times are Monday to Saturday 10am to 4.30pm and Sundays and Bank Holidays 2pm to 4.30pm.

Winter weather can bring with it numerous problems, but help is at hand from Uttlesford District Council and other public sector organisations. Whether it is being aware of any potential flooding in your area or finding out the best ways to keep your house warm while cutting your bills, the information here will help you be more prepared to deal with winter weather.

Equally as important though is helping ourselves and our friends, family and neighbours when they need us the most. There are lots of ways to be a good neighbour during severe weather spells, such as making sure the elderly, young and isolated in our communities are cared for.

You many also want to keep an emergency kit to hand with contact numbers, battery radios and torches, details of insurance contacts, waterproof and warm clothing and other essentials in case the need to quickly leave home arises, such as because of flooding.

For more information please contact your local parish council who may already have emergency plans and can give you more information or contact Uttlesford District Council’s Emergency Planning Department via uconnect@uttlesford.gov.uk or 01799 510510.

Help At Hand This Winter

The Environment Agency has recently introduced new flood warning alerts:

Severe flood warning – danger to life (these warnings are very rare and you may never see them.

Flood warning – flooding is imminent – immediate action is required

Flooding alert – flooding is possible, be prepared – the most common

From information about winter fuel payments and looking after yourself and elderly people during cold weather, to dealing with ice and snow on the pavements and driving tips for extreme weather – the government-run www.direct.gov.uk is a one-stop shop of useful information.

Responsibility for gritting roads rests with Essex County Council and in times of snow you can find updates about this at www.essex.gov.uk

Snow and Ice

Free Flood WarningsThe Environment Agency offers a free flood alert service through which people who have signed up can receive warning messages via email, txt, fax or phone. These alerts will tell you if flooding is forecasted so you can make necessary preparations. To sign up for the service, call 0845 988 1188. There is all sorts of information and advice on the Environment Agency’s website – www.environment-agency.gov.uk – including details of all flood zones in the country so you can find out whether your property is at a higher risk of flooding.

Life During Wartime

Uttlesford Community Travel (UCT) is an organisation here to help the residents of Uttlesford who find it difficult to access normal public transport to get out and about in Uttlesford, especially the over 60s, the disabled and those who are rurally isolated.

UCT is a registered charity that receives funding from Uttlesford, Saffron Walden Town, Dunmow Town, Essex County and several parish councils.

SAVE energy and money this winterThere are many ways to keep warm at home and you may qualify for FREE insulation measures

Worried about paying your billsAdvice on tariffs/how to switch suppliersplease contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau on 0844 477 5986 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Switch to direct debits and paperless billingAs many energy companies offer discounts

Set up or join an Oil ClubFor further information please contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau on 0844 477 5986 or visit www.citizensadvice.org

Internal insulation for

solid wallssave up to £195

every year

Cavity wall insulationsave up to

£135 every year. Prices start

at £99

Loft insulation

by insulating your loft you could save £175 every

year

External insulation of solid walls

save up to £475 on your heating

bills

If you are in receipt of certain benefits, aged 70 or over and depending on your fuel type and property ownership, you may be eligible for a grant. Please contact the Braintree and Uttlesford Council Sustainability Team on 01376 552525 or email energyteam@braintree.gov.uk for further information

6 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011 7

Thousands of well wishers turned out to line the streets of Saffron Walden as 101 Engineer Regiment (EOD) received the Freedom of the District.

The Regiment, one of two based at Carver Barracks in Wimbish, has recently returned from a six month tour of Afghanistan.

Uttlesford District Council Chairman Cllr Derek Jones, who bestowed the Honorary Freedom on the Regiment, said: “It was a great privilege. We are very proud of our regiment and the wonderful job they are doing under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.”

Cllr Jones, who has selected military support charity Walking with the Wounded as one of his official charities for his year in office, added: “It was wonderful to see so many people turn out to support the troops and I would like to thank them all for making the day so memorable.”

Freedom Honour for Regiment

Freedom of the District

Usual Collection Day New Collection Day

Mon 26 Dec 2011 changes to Wed 28 Dec 2011 Dry recycling (green bin) only

No food waste collection (brown bin)

Tues 27 Dec 2011 changes to Thur 29 Dec 2011

Wed 28 Dec 2011 unchanged Wed 28 Dec 2011

Thur 29 Dec 2011 unchanged Thur 29 Dec 2011

Fri 30 Dec 2011 unchanged Fri 30 Dec 2011

Mon 2 Jan 2012 changes to Tues 3 Jan 2012 Non-recycling (black bin) and food waste (brown bin) collections

Tues 3 Jan 2012 changes to Wed 4 Jan 2012

Wed 4 Jan 2012 changes to Thur 5 Jan 2012

Thur 5 Jan 2012 changes to Fri 6 Jan 2012

Fri 6 Jan 2012 changes to Sat 7 Jan 2012

Christmas and New Year Waste and Recycling Arrangements

Collections will return to normal from Monday, 9 January, 2012.8 UTTLESFORD LIFE WINTER 2011