Essex county councillors have highlighted some of the work being done, and decisions made, impacting the community. This includes coronavirus vaccinations, grants, education laptops, and new road signs in the Saffron Walden district.

Councillor Ray Gooding, cabinet member for Education and Skills said: “I am really pleased that the county council has now purchased 5,000 laptops.

"These have been distributed to some of the most disadvantaged young people to ensure that they are not left behind now that remote learning is being extended because of further lockdown.

"I would also like to thank all those people who have donated old laptops that they no longer require and I have personally been given more than 25.

"It doesn’t matter what condition they are in, ECC will clean and repurpose them so that they can be used for more young people and if they are beyond repair they can be used for spared to achieve the same.

"If you have old laptops in your attic or perhaps Father Christmas was kind to you please let us have them. They are all going to help another young person.”

Cllr John Moran, the deputy cabinet member for health, said there is great work being done by the NHS in getting the Covid vaccination programme up and running in the area, in particular at the Lord Butler Leisure Centre.

He said the following bodies have been awarded grants from the ECC Community Initiative Fund: Chrishall Community Hall refurbishment £10,000, the Gibson Library £810, Uttlesford Community Travel £10,000.

In addition the Uttlesford Food Bank has been awarded £2,000, the maximum amount available from the members Winter Grant Fund, which is aimed at helping families that are in need through these difficult times.

ECC Highways, at Cllr Moran's request, has installed directional road signage on the Mortimers Gate estate, Ashdon Road, at the request of residents.

The roads in question have not been handed over to the county council yet and currently remain the responsibility of the developer. The work to ensure safer roads was carried out by the county council in agreement with the developer.