Could green energy offer some relief from any possible future rises to the precept? asks Vice Chair of the F&GP committee John O’Brien
The Economy
May saw a minor fall in the rate of inflation by 0.1% to 3.4%.
The present government’s economic strategy seems to be hurting rather than nurturing economic growth.
Unfortunately, external events seem to point towards further inflationary increases. The recent intervention by the US, bombing Iran’s nuclear facilities, may inevitably mean some higher energy costs. Already we have seen local petrol prices increase by 3p/litre, between 18th and 22nd June.
However, it is the threat of a general hike in inflation which may mean that the return of the Winter Fuel Allowance, although welcome, may prove inadequate in light of recent events.
Green Energy
Energy costs could remain volatile for the foreseeable future, and it is my view that this council needs to take steps to lessen its own energy costs to prevent any potential impact on its Precept going forward. To this end enquiries have been made into potential costs and benefits of energy saving projects at Crafton Green.
In addition to the above, I have been made aware of an initiative to create a locally based Community Energy Project, proposed by the founder of Sustainable Stansted, Bob Burlton, on the lines of ‘Community Energy Staffordshire’, a non-profit enterprise, which has been in operation since 2011. I urge all councillors to view its website: https://staffscommunityenergy.org.uk
Bob is on the board of the Staffordshire Co-Op and has been involved in solar energy projects for their stores. We shall wait to see how this progresses.
Streetlights
This Council is facing a double whammy in that the need to fulfil its goal, of saving energy costs on street lighting, is being accompanied by the prospect of having to replace the columns along Chapel Hill, Lower Street and Station Road. The condition of these was regarded as suspect in a structural condition survey in 2023, with a follow up set for 2026 instead of 2028. As a result Full Council approved a £15K addition to its Precept over 3 years.
A number of Streetlight manufacturers have been contacted to offer quotes for replacing the lights and columns with more energy efficient products and so far, indications are that these may cost around £2.5K each, but without including the cost of replacing the old columns and reconnecting to the grid. All options are still to be costed and reported back to this committee, but this needs to be done by October for us to consider the budgetary implications for the following year.
Mountfitchet Exchange
Essex County Council’s lease for the Library is yet to be signed, and agreement on shared running costs to be reached. The ball is firmly in Essex’s court to fully honour the commitments made at the inception of this joint project.
Members discussed the money owed by Essex County Council for the library space in the Mountfitchet Exchange and asked that the Committee ask County Councillor Gooding to use his good offices for the benefit of the community. They also asked for the Clerk to email Committee members with an update on the situation.