Case studies

The COVID-19 pandemic has led the Government to take measures to encourage social isolation and slow the spread of the disease.

Essex County Council led on this three-year, ERDF-funded project with nine other project partners across the France (Channel) England (FCE) region. BLUEPRINT will continue to help local authorities in England and France to connect the circular economy to sustainable and inclusive growth. The project created a toolkit for local authorities to use to transition to a circular economy, developed a circular economy training programme and engaged residents and businesses in circular economy practices.

Essex County Council’s Strategy, Insight and Engagement (SIE) Senior Management Team participated in the Emergenetics pilot offer. Read below to find out more about the team and their experience of Emergenetics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenge to local government. The Communities team at Essex County Council set up Essex Coronavirus Action Support Group (ECAS) alongside the Essex Public Health team, and in partnership with community Leaders.

Essex Resilience Forum identified issues of concern to communities and developed effective communications between communities and the public services leading the pandemic response.

The ‘Love Essex Not Plastic’ campaign aimed to change the mindset of how plastic is used, reduced and recycled in Essex. By encouraging residents to sign the Essex Plastic Pledge, and commit to changing their current behaviour, they receive information to help reduce single-use plastics and find suitable alternative, plastic-free options.

In 2020, Essex County Council appointed Jacobs and Essex Highways to develop Sustainable School Travel Design Guide after identifying the need for greater guidance to optimise sustainable design.

In 2017, the coastal flooding emergency at Jaywick Sands in Essex highlighted the need for a merging of data sources between the county council and the districts in order to best identify and evacuate vulnerable residents.

The project identified a number of potential sites suitable for housing development.

Essex Record Office wanted to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Essex flood, a disaster which claimed 120 lives. They worked collaboratively with community groups, the Environment Agency and National Coastwatch to create public events which were attended by 1700 participants.