Consultations

We take our responsibility for engaging with local people and businesses seriously.

Wherever we can, we aim to take your views into consideration when we make decisions about things that affect you. 

Current consultations

Homelessness strategy

We would like your views on our framework to prevent and relieve homelessness and rough sleeping in Harlow over the next 5 years.

Homelessness and rough sleeping framework for 2025 to 2030 (pdf)

This framework sets out our priorities to increase homelessness prevention work, eliminate rough sleeping completely and improve access to suitable accommodation and support – this includes temporary accommodation, access to private sector housing, supported housing and homeownership.

You can give us your views on the framework online.

The consultation closes on Monday 16 December 2024 at 5pm.

We will review all responses and will use them to shape the final version that will go to Cabinet for agreement in March, before coming into effect on 1 April 2025.

Climate change strategy

We would like your thoughts on plans to tackle climate change and reduce carbon emissions in Harlow.

In 2019, Harlow Council declared a climate emergency, which set out several climate change pledges. This was followed by an agreed target to hit net zero by 2040 and the development of a carbon reduction plan to reduce our own carbon emissions.

To build on these pledges, we have developed a broader climate change strategy for the town as a whole. The strategy sets out how the council can achieve net zero through its own activities and how we can influence the wider community and local economy to deliver reductions in emissions for the town.

The draft strategy sets out 7 key objectives, to:

  1. Achieve net zero emissions from the council’s operational buildings, land, vehicles, and services, including those provided by service delivery partners.
  2. Achieve net zero emissions from all homes and the built environment within Harlow.
  3. Reduce consumption of resources, reduce waste and increase reuse and recycling in Harlow.
  4. Adopt good stewardship of the natural environment across the town to support both climate change adaptation and mitigation.
  5. Achieve a significant modal shift towards more sustainable means of transport.
  6. Promote reduction of emissions by businesses to net zero, supported by a successful green economy.
  7. Lead and encourage local communities, partners and stakeholders to reduce their emissions and contribute positively to meeting the challenges posed by climate change.

The document outlines short, medium and long term actions, projects and proposals that support these objectives. It also identifies difficult and complex issues that will affect some of these actions.

Have your say

You can view the strategy and give us your comments online via our online consultation platform. This platform allows you to view and comment on certain parts of the document or via a series of questions.

Alternatively, you can also download a copy of both the full strategy and a shorter version, as well as a response questionnaire:

You can submit your comments or completed consultation questionnaire by email to: myharlow@harlow.gov.uk or by post to: Forward Planning, Harlow Council Offices, Civic Centre, The Water Gardens, Harlow CM20 1WG.

Hard copies of the document are available at all libraries and the council offices during normal opening hours.

We will have officers available to take questions in the Discover Harlow Hub, Harvey Centre on 14 November and 12 December from 10am to 1pm.

The consultation closes on 20 December 2024.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2025 to 2026 consultation

We are consulting on making significant changes to the working age Council Tax Support Scheme from 1 April 2025.

You can find full information and how to get involved on our Council Tax Support Scheme 2025 to 2026 consultation page.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 15 November.

Shopfront Design SPD consultation

We are currently consulting on the draft Shopfront Design supplementary planning document (SPD).

The SPD has been produced to provide further design guidance on shopfronts within Harlow, both historic and modern frontages.

You can find full information and how to get involved on our SPD page.

The consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 8 November.