Heating Oil – Support for vulnerable households

You may have seen the government announcement of £53m of support for vulnerable households who rely on heating oil.

The support will be targeted to help low-income households in rural communities affected by the recent surge in costs.

The additional funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which comes into effect on 1st April and replaces the temporary Household Support Fund.

Locally, the fund will be administered by Essex County Council and all enquiries should be directed to them.

The Cost of Living Support section on the Uttlesford District Council website has been updated to make it clear what to do if residents need help with their heating costs.

Uttlesford District Council officers will also be attending meetings across Essex in the coming weeks and will work to ensure available funds are distributed equitably to those in need.

Polling on Thursday 7 May 2026

Polling will NOT take place this time at the Dourdan Pavilion but at:

The Garden Room, rear of St. Mary’s Church on Church Street, Church End CM6 2AE

If your usual allocated polling station is the Dourdan Pavilion, you will need to go to The Garden Room on 7 May between 7am and 10pm with your photo ID to cast your vote.

If you are unsure of your polling station, you can check this on Uttlesford District Council website /find my polling station or call 01799 510510.

FILLING OF CASUAL VACANCY ON GREAT DUNMOW TOWN COUNCIL (South Ward)

Notice is hereby given that a vacancy has occurred in the office of parish councillor for the above parish arising from the recent passing of the late Peter Childs.

An election to fill the vacancy will be held if notice in writing of a request for such an election is made by ten Local Government electors for the electoral area and received by the Proper Officer, C/o Electoral Services, Uttlesford District Council, Council Offices, London Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 4ER, by not later than Wednesday 8 April 2026.

If an election is not requested by ten Local Government electors, the vacancy will be filled by the parish council as soon as practicable after the expiry of the date referred to above.

* if the parish is warded, the 10 signatories all need to be from the parish ward where the vacancy has arisen.

Dated: 17 March 2026
Amanda Alexander
Town Clerk to Great Dunmow Town Council

It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Councillor Peter Childs, a respected colleague, former Mayor and dedicated public servant whose contribution to our community spanned many years of unwavering commitment.

Councillor Childs served with a profound sense of duty. As Mayor, he represented our town with pride and championed the values of public service.

Beyond his official duties, Councillor Childs gave generously of his time and supported local causes. His legacy is woven into the life of this town: in the projects he helped shape and the people he supported.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Councillor Childs` family and friends. Councillor Childs` contribution to the council and the wider community will be remembered with gratitude and respect.

May he rest in peace.

UTT/26/0365/SO – Land north and south of The Broadway, Great Dunmow

Request for Scoping Opinion for development of up to 900 dwellings, land for a primary school, a local centre including a mobility hub, coworking space and community uses,
and public open space, including suitable alternative natural green space (SANG) and sports pitches.

At the February meeting of the Planning and Transport Committee, members considered the scoping opinion and agreed that they would encourage residents to make suggestions for consideration for inclusion in the Town Council response to the Request for Scoping Opinion.

The Town Clerk said that the Request for Scoping Opinion was not a planning application but a request from the developer, asking the Local Planning Authority what environmental topics must be covered in a future environmental statement.

She confirmed that a response from the Town Council was not about supporting or objecting to the proposal but could be strategically valuable and could influence:

• What environmental impacts must be assessed?
• What baseline data should be gathered?
• What alternatives should be considered?
• What local sensitivities must be included?

Members discussed the following concerns relating to the proposed development:

• The traffic assessment had been undertaken during covid in 2022/2023 and needs updating to accurately reflect the current situation
• Pinch points include the bridge over the Chelmer, the s-bends, St Mary’s Church, the junction at the top of Lime Tree Hill and restrictions caused by on street parking on St Edmunds Lane
• Councillor Lavelle requested that the Town Council commission a traffic survey to consider traffic management during and post construction
• The number of historic pill boxes within the development area require protection
• The development area is very prone to flooding and is of overall strategic importance in the flow rates within the Chelmer Valley and the routing of the River Chelmer
• The increased flow of water into the River Chelmer caused by the proposed development and the ongoing effect and impact on the onward flow and the need for adequate flood risk assessment, particularly given the stated increase in non-permeable land following construction and also taking climate change into account
• The need for an otter support plan alongside other appropriate water-related assessment and protection measures
• The need for additional doctor surgeries and the two surgeries in the town are already full, noting that Public Health England have not recently been supportive of new provision
• The need for additional secondary school provision
• The need for joined up consideration of already approved development on St Edmunds Lane (90 dwellings), Woodlands Park (500), Land west of Woodside Way (1000), land south of Stortford Road (440)

Residents are encouraged to make suggestions for inclusion in the Town Council’s response by sending an email to the Town Clerk.

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (ECFRS) have launched their Public Consultation on proposals to improve the availability of fire engines during the daytime, when demand for services is greatest:

• Complete the survey online

The consultation is open from 17th December 2025 until 22nd February 2026.

• Click here to download your Grant Application Form (PDF)

An election has not been requested to fill the vacancy in the office of town councillor for the north ward of Great Dunmow arising from the resignation of Emma Marcus.

The town council must now fill the vacancy by co-option to membership of the town council.

Qualifying Criteria – available on the Great Dunmow Town Council website or paper copies from Foakes House, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow.

Person Specification for a Co-Opted Councillor – available on the Great Dunmow Town Council website or paper copies from Foakes House, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow.

Method for Applications – the application form is available on the Great Dunmow Town Council website. Application forms can also be obtained:

• from Foakes House, Stortford Road, Great Dunmow
• by emailing townclerk@greatdunmow-tc.gov.uk
• by calling the town council on 01371 872406

Completed applications can be submitted electronically to the Town Clerk or delivered to the Town Council offices (address above)

Closing Date for Applications – Friday 19th December 2025
Further Information – Available from the Town Clerk, as detailed above
Consideration of Applications – Full Council meeting – 08/01/26

We are excited to report that we have been working with Uttlesford Community Safety Partnership in partnership with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex, and a programme of improved community safety in Great Dunmow has been given a huge boost thanks to almost £90,000 of funding from the government`s Safer Streets Fund. We are going to use this money to focus on reducing:

• Anti-social behaviour
• Neighbourhood crime
• Violence against women & girls

Funds have already been allocated to some projects and planned initiatives such as the appointment of a street warden for two years, additional CCTV, ANPR and street lighting, but there are further funds available for other projects.

To help plan how best to use this money, views are being sought on safety and crime in Great Dunmow via a consultation that runs from 8:30am on Monday 27th October to 5pm on Monday 8th December and can be accessed through the link below:

• Safer Streets in Great Dunmow Survey – Uttlesford District Council

There will be a number of multi-agency engagement events the Town Council aim to participate in – the objective being to encourage residents firstly to be aware of the project and secondly to encourage participation with the survey.

So far the two dates confirmed for engagement are:

• SUNDAY 2ND NOVEMBER – Dunmow Sunday Market, 10am-3pm
• FRIDAY 28TH NOVEMBER – Late Night Shopping Event, 2-9pm

UDC are in discussion with Tesco at Great Dunmow to host on either Wednesday 12th or Thursday 13th November 2-7pm, with potentially another date and location TBC.

The Uttlesford Community Safety Partnership will put together a report of all the consultation responses they receive. This will be presented to district councillors, the PFCC and the CSP in the autumn. They will then agree the final program of funding for Great Dunmow by the end of the year.

The Safer Streets scheme will start in early 2026. This is a great opportunity for Great Dunmow and we are really excited to be part of it. We are hopeful that further information will be available to share at the November meeting of Full Council.