Uttlesford community initiatives on receiving end of 300,000 cash boost

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Cyclists in Saffron Walden are set to benefit after Uttlesford district councillors pledged 300,000 towards three community initiatives.

The move comes after Uttlesford District Council's cabinet approved the allocation of the six-figure sum from the Strategic Initiatives Fund at their most recent meeting.

The following will be allocated from the Fund:

Cllr Robert Chambers, cabinet member for finance and administration, said: "The Strategic Initiatives Fund was set up last year with the money coming from savings made by the Council over the past few years. Further investment was made into the Fund as part of the budget for 2015-16.

"Through the Fund we are keen to back projects that benefit as many people in the district as possible. These particular schemes have been identified as meeting the Council's objectives in supporting both our communities and the local environment, and are positive, long-term commitments to the residents of Uttlesford and more initiatives will follow."

The Uttlesford Cycling Strategy was given cabinet approval in February and lists aspirations to identify ways to boost cycling in the district.

The investment will work in line with the strategy to assist with the replacement and provision of cycle stands, signage and small scale works.

The council has argued Neighbourhood Plans are a "key" tool in allowing local communities to bring forward ideas and plans for their area to develop. A paper on how the funding will be used to benefit neighbourhood planning will be presented to the Uttlesford Planning Policy Working Group on March 30.

Photovoltaic panels will be installed on the Council's vehicle workshop and museum store at Shire Hill depot in Saffron Walden. District councillors expressed hope this would provide 'free' electricity to the buildings and give a small income to the Council from the feed-in tariff. The proposal is subject to a survey and potential structural costs.

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Uttlesford community initiatives on receiving end of 300,000 cash boost