Social Value Ideas for Epping Forest District Council
We have identified 50 evidence-based social value themes for Epping Forest District Council in East of England across 37 service areas. These insights are derived from the latest council meeting transcripts and can inform your social value strategy for bids and tenders.
QALIS governance risk
The committee repeatedly highlighted concern about QALIS/QALYST governance, financial stability, loan recoverability, and delayed projects. This creates ongoing pressure on the council’s oversight arr…
“So that's the sort of thing you might want assurance about. So are members happy that we take that away with officers and look at those issues and how…”
Further QALIS lending and PWLB borrowing
The Council confirmed a further £9.48 million of lending to QALIS in 2026-27, with the associated external borrowing to be undertaken through the Public Works Loan Board or other treasury arrangements…
“The Council currently undertakes its external borrowing through the Public Works Loan Board. The 9 .48 million included within the 2026 to 2027 budget…”
QALIS recoverability risk
The Council’s accounts show a large expected credit loss against QALIS loans, reflecting concern over recoverability of the debt rather than an immediate write-off. Members and the public repeatedly p…
“As at 31 March 2026, the Council accounts included an expected lifetime credit loss provision of 26 .523 million against QALYST loans balances at 84 .…”
Treasury borrowing and capital spend
The council reported increased external borrowing to support the capital programme, alongside material capital expenditure during the year. This is a spending and financing decision rather than a proc…
“This is the regular Treasury management report that the committee receives on a quarterly basis. This sets out the position for quarter four, so the y…”
External audit rebuild plan
EY and officers will continue rebuilding audit assurance for 2025-26, including filling gaps from 2023-24 and planning additional work on reserves and other balances. The committee asked for a plan up…
“So that will be a dialogue that we'll be having around what's required and then is that possible this year or would that have to be deferred to a subs…”
Audit rebuild capacity constraints
EY reported that audit assurance rebuild work on reserves will require additional procedures, but the council must not compromise delivery of the 2025-26 audit. Finance capacity is already stretched b…
“What I would stress, however, is it's really crucial that we are able to complete a normal 25 -26 audit on the figures within those financial statemen…”
Solar farm refused on green belt
A large solar farm proposal at Upland Road was refused after debate about green belt harm, loss of best and most versatile agricultural land, biodiversity impacts, and the adequacy of the planning bal…
“Speaker 1: Good evening chair, members and everyone. So we start with item seven, which relates to the low carbon solar farm located in Epinoplan. Thi…”
Section 62A planning recovery plan
The council is under Section 62A designation and must produce an action plan, cooperate with the Planning Inspectorate, and improve major application appeal performance before it can seek de-designati…
“The report sets out the legal background. It details the nature of the performance related, sorry, the key performance indicator that has been used to…”
Planning action plan update
The council is under section 62A designation and is preparing an action plan to improve planning performance and support de-designation. Members wanted appeal learning, clearer reporting, faster S106 …
“Thank you, Chair. Yeah, we said we would come back regularly. That might not actually be the case, but because we are looking to submit the action pla…”
Rental household redevelopment approved
The committee approved the revised Northfield Nursery redevelopment for storage/distribution after earlier deferral. The scheme was materially reduced and conditioned with acoustic barriers, planting,…
“Speaker 19: Thank you, Jim. Good evening, members. Before I begin, I would just like to make a brief correction to the report near the bottom of page …”
Government Submission of LGR Business Case - 26 September 2025
Deadline for submitting final council recommendation to government is 26 September 2025. Government will subsequently conduct evaluation period and consultation before announcing which schemes will be…
“Each council can only put forward one scheme. They can only support either a three, a four, or a five option to put forward... And when this goes to g…”
Cabinet Decision on LGR Model - 22 September 2025
Following tonight's indicative vote (29 for three-unitary, 11 for five-unitary, 0 for four-unitary options), the council's cabinet will make final recommendation on which model to support on Monday 22…
“So the chambers preferred option goes forward to cabinet on Monday the 22nd of September... the option which Epping Forest District Council wishes to …”
Local Government Reorganisation - Three Unitary Council Model Preferred
Epping Forest District Council indicated preference for a three-unitary model combining Epping Forest with Brentwood, Chelmsford and Maldon. This was the most supported option in the indicative vote w…
“Three unitary councils would have 285 councillors split across those three councillors, each representing 4,800 members of the electorate... Three fee…”
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