DEFRA secretary Steve Reed heard first-hand about the impact of the bluetongue virus on livestock and rural businesses during a visit to a farm in Essex. The potentially-fatal animal disease, which is spread by infected biting midges, affects ruminants including cattle, sheep, goats and deer.…

GARDEN Town Director, Naisha Polaine, has welcomed the news that both Harlow Council and Epping Forest District Council have adopted cross-boundary master planning guidance for over 3000 homes in East of Harlow. 

 One of four neighbourhoods proposed for the Garden Town, East of Harlow…

ESSEX County Council is investing a further £1,710,000 over the next three years to improve educational outcomes and experiences for pupils.The new money will be used to deliver a programme of work focused on education inclusion. This includes developing an early intervention and prevention ‘inclusion…

Dear Editor, I read with interest YourHarlow’s article titled ‘Labour outrage over vote to increase Harlow Council leader’s allowance by over 200%’ published 20 September, but I discovered a more sensational story was missing. By missing I mean the whopping increase in Special Responsibility Allowance…

AN independent review into postal issues that put thousands at risk of not being able to vote in the general election found the “error does not require formal assessment” – it has been revealed reports the Local Democracy Reporter. In May, thousands of postal votes in…

THE LEADER of the Harlow Alliance Party (HAP) questioned the leader of Harlow Council on what progress had been made in council housing projects. Nicholas Taylor to Councillor Dan Swords (Leader of the Council): Your administration has often said that 103 council homes will be…

NHS campaigners in Essex are demanding more pay for nurses who “deserve more, as do their patients in their care” after the latest Government pay offer was refused reports the Local Democracy Reporter. Essex nurses have refused a pay rise of 5.5 per cent with…

NORTH Essex Councils have shared a joint response to the government on their proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and other changes to the national planning system, raising particular concern about the need to support any new housing targets with appropriate infrastructure…

LOCAL businesses came together for the first West Essex Tech Forum on Tuesday the 17th at the AND Technology Research offices in Theydon Bois. The event, supported by Harlow Council, attracted 25 different businesses and innovators from across West Essex. The region, covering Epping Forest,…

PEOPLE who have been on long-term sickness leave and claiming benefits will need get back into the workplace “where they can”, Keir Starmer has said reports The Guardian The prime minister said he wants more schemes across the country that support people back into work from long-term…

CYBER attackers have caused disruption at 19 UK railway stations reports the BBC. Network Rail confirmed that the wi-fi systems at stations including Liverpool Street,London Euston, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, Birmingham New Street, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central were affected. Click below for more…

Special Councillor advice session for Pensioners: Date: Weds 2nd OctoberTime: 2pm – 5pmLocation: St Paul’s Church Hall (next to Playhouse) Are you a pensioner in need of advice on:• Pension Credit: Could you be missing out on extra income?• Energy Bills: Find out what support is…

THE Regulator of Social Housing has today published its view of how well Harlow Council is meeting regulatory standards when it comes to managing its housing. In response to the assessment, Councillor Dan Swords, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “The introduction of the Social Housing…

THE GOVERNMENT has issued a damning report into fire safety standards in properties owned by Harlow Council. As part of a set of judgements published today, the Regulator for Social Housing (RSH) found that Harlow District Council failed to meet the new consumer standards. As…