The Strategy and Resources Committee met to discuss budget monitoring, fees and charges, environmental policies, and a lease extension, among other items. The committee approved the revised 'Our Home, Our Future' Climate Strategy and Action Plan, and also approved a lease extension for a business at Springfield Business Park. Additionally, the committee reviewed the budget monitoring report for Quarter 1 and approved the Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action Enforcement Policy 2025 and the Food Safety Plan 2025-2028.

Climate Strategy and Action Plan

The committee approved the revised 'Our Home, Our Future' Climate Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2028, a document outlining the council's approach to achieving net zero emissions across its operations by 2050 and supporting broader climate action within the district. The Net Zero and Air Quality Working Group oversaw the strategy's revision.

The strategy outlines five Climate Impact Areas :

• Energy
• Travel and Transport
• Adaptation and Climate Resilience
• Preservation of Resources
• Sustainable Working

The strategy builds upon the council's 2021 Climate Action Strategy, but it adjusts the operational net zero target from 2030 to 2050, aligning with national and county ambitions. The original 2030 target was deemed unachievable due to financial constraints and technological limitations.

The strategy sets out a coordinated, evidence-led approach to climate action , and it identifies key sources of emissions, such as building energy use and fleet emissions, which will be the targets of specific action. The strategy also acknowledges the need for better measurement and reporting of scope 3 emissions¹, such as those from procurement and contractor activities.

The Strategy also recognises the growing network of climate action groups across the Maldon District, and the council intends to work with residents, schools, businesses, and community organisations to co-develop initiatives, raise awareness, and support long-term behaviour change.

Budget Monitoring - Quarter 1

The committee reviewed the budget monitoring report for Quarter 1, which provided an update on the council's financial position for the period ending 30 June 2025. The report noted a forecast revenue underspend of £43,000, or 0.4%, against the 2025/26 budget. It also highlighted additional grant funding received, mainly for small business rate reliefs and the revaluation of business premises.

The committee agreed to transfer the additional grant income to the Council Tax and Business Rates equalisation reserve until the costs the grant is designed to fund are identified.

The forecast for the capital budget projects an overspend of £38,000 against the revised 2025/26 Capital programme of £6,472,000.

Discretionary Fees and Charges Policy 2026 / 27

The committee reviewed the overarching principles through which discretionary fees and charges will be set for the 2026/27 financial year. The Chief Finance Officer's report set out the factors to be considered in setting discretionary fees and charges, including:

• Annual review
• Promotion of access to services
• Full cost recovery
• Non-profit making
• Income = tariff x take up
• Standard +2% uplift
• Inclusive charges
• Benchmarking
• Flexibility over time
• Consistency with other policies

The detailed schedule of fees and charges will be updated based on these policies and brought forward alongside the budget proposals for 2026/27.

Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action Enforcement Policy 2025

The committee approved the Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action Enforcement Policy 2025, which sets out the principles and approach to enforcement within the Environmental Health, Waste and Climate Action team. The new policy includes changes to references to other council policies and relationships with external regulators. It also expands on the protection of human rights, equalities and powers of entry.

The policy aligns with the principles of good enforcement: proportionality, consistency, transparency, accountability, and targeting, in line with the Regulators' Code² and national statutory guidance. It introduces a graduated enforcement approach, focusing on early engagement, education and compliance, with escalation to formal action where necessary.

Food Safety Plan 2025 - 2028

The committee approved the Food Safety Plan 2025 - 2028, which outlines how the Environmental Health Commercial Team will ensure that food placed on the market for human consumption is without risk to public health or the safety of the consumer.

The plan lists the council's key objectives to deliver these aims and describes the district profile, specific local factors, the organisational structure and how customers can access the service.

The plan details the financial and staffing allocation required to deliver this service and the training, quality assessment and internal monitoring required to deliver the plan.

Lease Extension - Springfield Business Park

The committee agreed to extend the current lease for Unit 8, Springfield Business Park, Burnham-on-Crouch for an additional 66 years, making the total lease length 99 years.

The committee also agreed to give the Assistant Director of Customer Services and Operations delegated authority, in consultation with the Chairperson of the Strategy and Resources Committee, to agree extensions to any other lease of any unit within the Springfield Business Park with less than 40 years remaining, to increase the lease term to a maximum of 99 years. The Assistant Director Customer Services and Operations was also given authority to agree the annual rent figure for the leases in line with a current market valuation with a ten-year rent review.

The Lead Legal Specialist's report noted that:

Businesses require long term security of a premises in order to invest in their business and make long term investment and growth plans. It is anticipated that as all the current leases were entered into around the same time period the Council can expect to receive a number of these requests over the coming months.

All leases which are extended in line with the delegation will be reported to the Strategy and Resources Committee.