ESSEX taxpayers “could end up giving a significant amount of money” to help businesses save cash when renting council offices, a senior Uttlesford councillor has claimed reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

Concerns have been raised about £630,000 being that could be spent to make Uttlesford Council’s offices in London Road, Saffron Walden, more environmentally friendly. Political opposition leaders raised concerns about the use of the money ahead of councils being shut down as part of Labour’s major local government reform. 

The Government is planning to scrap all councils across the country and replace them with larger and more powerful authorities. It could see Uttlesford merge with Harlow and Epping Forest, although no plans have been put in place yet.

The council says it will use the Government cash to carry out a whole range of improvements, including draughtproofing, roof void insulation, secondary glazing, replacing boilers with an air source heat pump system, upgrading radiators and pipework, and installing solar panels.

John Moran, leader of the Conservatives, said: “Conservative members of Uttlesford Council are concerned in regard to the amount of money being spent on this project at a time when the future use of this building by any successor to the council is far from clear.  The local tax player could end up giving a significant amount of money to a project just to see new commercial-based organisations or groups that move into the building gain the benefit once local government reorganisation takes place within the next three years.”

Lib Dem leader, Geoffrey Sell, said: “I am pleased with any award of government money.  The council offices are a former hospital building and could undoubtedly do with some environmental updating. However, much of the building is now occupied by tenants and not by the council employees. We may not be in possession of these offices after the local government reorganisation. The award of the money seems to be a lost opportunity to benefit all the residents of the district.  Moves towards insulation measures, particularly in the many old buildings in the district, would have been more beneficial.”

Neil Reeve, Residents for Uttlesford, deputy council leader, insisted the council is “committed to addressing climate change.” Mr Reeve, who is also the councillor responsible for the environment and climate change, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this government funding, which will help us to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the London Road building over the next two years. Having a carbon-efficient building is a valuable asset and is part of our climate change and biodiversity action plan. The office space is full and busy. All space not needed for council use is being rented out to tenants, earning £250,000 a year, which goes towards providing important local services.

“This project is in addition to our successful bid for £3.8 million government funding to make council homes more energy efficient and reduce tenants’ bills. We are upgrading 276 of the least energy-efficient homes in the council’s housing stock with additional insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps.

“We are committed to addressing climate change and providing a leadership role in the community. Indeed, we have a duty to reduce our own emissions, and decarbonising our assets and operations is a key priority within our climate change strategy – these two projects demonstrate that we are delivering on that.”