Wednesday’s annual assembly of Uttlesford Futures, the local strategic partnership of councils, police, NHS etc., was well attended by members of the public. A presentation by John Mitchell, Uttlesford’s chief executive, on what the coalition’s Big Society is – or might – be about stirred up a lot of constructive comment, including “we’re already doing it”! Uttlesford already has a strong voluntary sector.

There was a lot of support for my report from the economic development group. I suggested that the Uttlesford community was in danger of becoming unsustainable. Why? Well, official forecasts show that the number of residents aged over 65 will shoot up by 90% in the next 20 years, whilst those of working age will flat-line or even decline slightly. Already, the 20-35 age group round here is over a third less than places like Chelmsford and England as a whole. Pay rates in Uttlesford are lower than in Harlow yet homes are more expensive; they cost 13-times that average salary.

The message is clear. Uttlesford needs more higher paid jobs, more younger people and more homes for them to live in that are affordable if we are not increasingly to turn into a geriatric dormitory.