Category: Uncategorized

Essex County Council is shining a light on the important work young carers do and the challenges they face this Young Carers Action Day (11 March). 

There are an estimated 10,000 young carers in Essex, some as young as five-years-old. They provide vital support and essential care for their family members. Alongside this, young carers often balance school, friendships and their own wellbeing. 

Many young people do not realise they are carers and may not know about the help available to them in Essex. 

Support for young carers is provided through the council’s Young Carers Service.

Support includes: 

• confidential one-to-one key worker support 
• information, advice and guidance 
• carers assessment to identify the most suitable support for their individual needs 
• training opportunities 
• recreational activities that offer time away from their caring role 
• referrals for specialist support, counselling, emotional support and peer support 
• support with transitioning to adult carer services when they turn 18.

The service also works with schools to help them identify and support young carers through the Children’s society young carers in schools award. Alongside working closely with voluntary and community groups across Essex that support young carers. 

Find out more about the Essex Young Carers Service. 

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

View details for the event below.

What:

BRAINTREE: Accessible Voting Workshop and Device Demonstration Day for Blind & Partially Sighted Residents

When:

1pm-4pm, Monday 23^rd March

Where:

Braintree District Council, Causeway House, Braintree, Essex CM7 9HB

Help make voting more accessible for blind and partially sighted people in Braintree and beyond. RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind people) research showed that at the last General Election only a quarter of blind people could vote independently and in secret, and that 73 per cent of blind and partially sighted voters did not even know that they could request reasonable adjustments to enable them to vote. Accessible voting solutions are out there but not enough people know about them. On Monday 23^rd March, Braintree District Council’s Electoral Services team is working with RNIB to hold an accessible voting and device demonstration workshop for local blind and partially sighted people. Come along to share your past voting experiences, learn how to request reasonable adjustments and accessible voting solutions, find out what provision will be available for the next election, and try out some devices that could help you to vote independently and in secret. There will be County Elections in Braintree on Thursday 7 May 2026, so this is a great opportunity to help Braintree District Council to improve accessibility for the next time you vote.

Timings on the Day:

1-1.15pm Arrival and welcome with tea and coffee

1.15pm-4pm Accessible Voting Workshop

For more information or to book your place at the event, please contact:

Braintree Elections Team

Lucy Bray

Electoral Services Officer

Email: elections@braintree.gov.uk

Phone: 01376 557760

Essex County Council’s Public Health team has launched a refreshed offer of free, friendly and flexible local services. These services are designed to help residents take small, achievable steps toward improving their health and wellbeing.

Life can be demanding, and many people juggle work, caring responsibilities, and busy households. With so much to manage, personal health can slip down the priority list.

Essex Public Health wants residents to know they don’t have to cope alone.

Councillor John Spence, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Adult Social Care, Public Health and Integration, said: “We know life is busy, and it’s not always easy to look after your health.

“We have a range of flexible services that support health and wellbeing.

“Small actions such as a short walk at lunchtime, booking a health check, or seeking support for stress can make a meaningful difference. Whatever small step someone wants to take, help is ready when they need it.”

A wide range of support and tools are available. This support is:

• easy to access
• non-judgemental
• designed to fit around everyday life.

Support includes:

• helping residents to stop smoking
• mental health support
• ways to be more active.

For Smoking, personalised support is available through the Essex Wellbeing service.

Since 2022 the service has supported14,280 residents to quit smoking. Stop smoking support includes:

• guidance and practical tools
• nicotine replacement therapy
• 121 advice.

Kate from Essex received Stop Smoking support, she said: “The support I received made a huge difference. Following the plan helped me cut down and eventually quit. My advice is to do it when you feel ready, it was one of the best choices I’ve made.”

To be more active, there is a range of free activities and support in the county. This might include:

• walking groups
• outdoor gyms
• family activities
• local sport clubs and teams.

Active Essex offers their Find Your Active online activity finder to help people discover free and low‑cost options close to home.

As well as supporting physical health, mental health wellbeing support is also available.

This includes:

• workshops
• talking therapies
• online sessions
• services focused on listening, providing reassurance, and helping people move forward at their own pace.

Read more about the support available in Essex at Health and wellbeing services: Overview | Essex County Council

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

Essex County Council has launched a new countywide campaign to encourage Essex residents to recycle their metal packaging.

The campaign is in partnership with Alupro. This is an industry funded, not-for-profit organisation representing the UK’s aluminium packaging industry. 

In Essex, thousands of tonnes of recyclable metal packaging is wasted each year. For some districts, it makes up to 3.3% of what goes into general rubbish bins.

This is costly for the council to dispose of. It is also more harmful to the environment than recycling and a waste of metal that can be recycled infinitely.   

The MetalMatters campaign launched on Monday 2 March 2026. The campaign will use social media to engage with residents. Residents can support the campaign by:

• engaging with the MetalMatters campaign on Love Essex social media channels
• recycling all accepted metal packaging at home
• ensuring metal items are empty and clean
• checking local guidance for district‑specific recycling instructions
• reusing or taking larger metal items to an Essex County Council recycling centre

Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling at Essex County Council, said: “From food tins and drinks cans to empty aerosols, households across Essex generate a large amount of metal packaging every week.

“Understanding how best to separate items for recycling, as well as the benefits of doing so, are key to increasing the amount of metal packaging recycled at the kerbside. By partnering with Alupro and rolling out its MetalMatters initiative, we aim to improve recycling rates across the county and ensure that valuable materials can be used again and again.”

Tom Giddings, Executive Director of Alupro, added: “Since its launch in 2012, MetalMatters has helped to drive a widespread national uplift in metal packaging collection volumes. We’ve collaborated with hundreds of local authorities and reached millions of households nationwide.”

“We’re looking forward to working with Essex County Council to deliver an entirely digital programme, which will work to increase recycling rates by encouraging local residents to take positive action.”

Residents can learn more about the recycling metal packaging on the Love Essex website.

For more information about Alupro, and its latest initiatives, visit the Alupro website.

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

Parents of 16,558 pupils are discovering the outcome of their secondary school applications today in Essex (Monday 2 March).

97% of children – more than 19 out of every 20 – are being offered one of their named preferences of secondary schools for the 2026 academic year.

A total of 83.47% are being offered their parents’ first preference this year, with a further 8.85% being offered their second preference.

This means 92.32% have been offered either their parents’ first or second preference.

This year, 99% of families applied online and will receive their offer by email or the council’s website.

 Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability at Essex County Council, said: “I’m extremely pleased to see, once again, that we have been able to offer so many pupils their parents’ preferred secondary school place this year.

“97% of children being offered one of their named preferences is a brilliant result. Starting secondary school is a hugely important milestone in a child’s life.

“I hope those embarking on this exciting next step enjoy their last few months at primary and junior school before starting their next academic adventure.”

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

 Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

A new campaign called Electrifying Essex is highlighting the benefits of switching to an electric vehicle (EV) following an £8.3 million investment by Essex County Council.

The significant amount of funding will see 5,000 EV charging points installed in public spaces across the county by 2031.

It comes from the government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund following a successful bid by the county council. This marks the second largest LEVI allocation awarded to any council in the UK.

Installation of the EV charging points will begin this summer in on-street locations and public car parks throughout Essex.

Work has also finished this month on a separate programme, resulting in an initial 62 public EV charging points in locations including:

• Basildon
• Brentwood
• Canvey Island
• Chelmsford
• Colchester
• Harlow
• Harwich

The Electrifying Essex campaign will promote the growing EV charging network across the county and help more people consider driving an electric vehicle. It will highlight:

• the role of EVs in reducing emissions and improving air quality
• savings of up to £1,400 a year in fuel and maintenance costs
• support and incentives available to EV owners

The county council is hosting an Electrifying Essex event at Colchester Park and Ride on Saturday 18 July.

The event will help people find out more about EVs, hear from experts, meet local car dealers and even take a test drive.

Councillor Dan Land, Deputy Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “We’re Electrifying Essex with thousands more electric vehicle charging points for the public. This will help make it easier than ever for our residents to consider going electric with their next car.

“Encouraging the switch to electric vehicles is an important part of our plans to improve air quality and our environment. Although they are only part of the solution, electric vehicles have a key role to play alongside other travel options such as walking and cycling.

“A growing number of people in Essex have already switched to an electric vehicle and are enjoying up to £1,400 in savings per year from fuel and maintenance costs. We want to support more of our residents to reap the benefits.

“Installing more public charging points can be vital for people without access to home charging. It also provides convenient access for drivers to charge their vehicles when they’re away from home or on a longer journey.”

Visit https://letstalkessexsustainabletravel.co.uk/electrifying-essex-campaign to find out more about Electrifying Essex.

Cllr Peter Schwier AIEMA

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier

Whilst most houses have adequate security what is often neglected is the shed or garage, “nothing much in there” I hear you say, “Just a garden spade and fork”, but these are perfect tools for a burglar to use to get into your house. Adds insult to injury when the tool used to break into your house is your own, so give it some attention.

Garages and sheds by the nature of their construction and position especially when away from the house are always going to be vulnerable. Quite often the supplied locks provide just the barest minimum security and are easily overcome so always consider supplementing the existing locks with further locking systems both for the doors and items within.

On garage doors this could be by adding locking bolts to both sides of the “up and over door” or a garage door defender in the ground in front of the door, if you have side door don’t forget the security on this too.

With sheds coach-bolt and plate the padlock hasp sections to the frame and door, use a good quality “Close Shackle” padlock or a key operated mortice lock; don’t forget the hinges ensure they cannot be unscrewed.

Consider using “Ground Anchors” or “Shed Shackles” to chain larger items such as ladders, mowers and pedal cycles to (again good quality padlock and chain); keep chains tight so that it is not in contact with a surface it can be struck against. Protect windows with a wire mesh and fit a curtain or white wash the windows to prevent prying eyes.

Visibly security mark your property with your post code and house number as this reduces the value to the thief; you can register serial numbers free of charge at www.immobilise.com . There are also a number of commercially available security marking systems available that are suitable for a wide range of products and others for specific products.

It is also worth adding security lighting and a shed alarm to the shed or garage, there are even alarms available that when activated call your mobile phone, these are relatively inexpensive and available from most DIY/hardware stores.   If siting a new shed where possible position it within sight of rooms in the house routinely occupied.

Products that are fit for purpose can found by looking for the “Secured by Design” or “Sold Secure” logos, or on their websites http://www.securedbydesign.com/ or http://www.soldsecure.com/ .

For further crime prevention advice see www.essex.police.uk/advice or www.thecrimepreventionwebsite.com. There is also some good garden specific security advice from the RHS at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=606#section-2

Essex County Council are working with a research organisation to help better understand changes in bus usage among individuals eligible for concessionary bus passes (free travel for older and disabled residents).

A survey is currently live until Monday 2 March 2026, inviting older and disabled residents of Essex to take part. The short survey asks about travel habits and perceptions of bus use. The insights gathered will support Essex County Council in improving bus services and accessibility for these groups across the county.

Please see the link below if you would like to take part in the survey. 

www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EssexBusSurvey/

The Essex Caring Communities Commission has published an update on its ambitious work to tackle rising pressures across the county’s health and social care system.

The independent commission was launched in May 2024 to design community‑powered solutions, shifting Essex towards a preventative, resilient model of public service delivery which focuses on prevention and reduces long‑term demand on services.

Commissioners unveiled their 23 actions for change at parliament in July 2025. They have since been working with people and organisations across Essex to develop the actions for implementation this year.

More than 400 people from across health, education, the voluntary sector and youth groups have since taken part in workshops and engagement sessions to refine the actions into deliverable plans.

One of the most compelling developments is the adoption of a new ‘stewardship’ approach as Essex transitions towards a combined authority.

A newly formed Essex Leaders Group acts as the custodian of the actions. It brings together senior figures from health, social care, district and city councils, the voluntary sector and the police to embed culture change across the system.

Each action has a ‘steward’ assigned to it, who is responsible for bringing people together to tackle the issues at hand.

This deliberate shift acknowledges no single organisation can deliver these solutions alone, with collaboration and shared responsibility being essential.

The new report sets out how the 23 actions have been shaped to respond to emerging priorities. This includes transport reform, specialist housing, prevention‑focused policymaking and new community‑driven initiatives that strengthen social connection, civic participation and volunteering.

The report also commits to a fully deliverable action plan in May 2026 to sustain the momentum through a period of local government reform.

Councillor Beverley Egan, Chair of the Essex Caring Communities Commission, said: “The commission has shown that Essex has both the ambition and the collective strength needed to create a more preventative, resilient and community‑led future.

“The commissioners and I have been taken aback by the amount of enthusiasm there is across the system for change, from public bodies and care staff to service users and local organisations.

“We are fast approaching our May 2026 action plan which will set these much-needed changes in motion.”

The new report can be downloaded here.

Cllr Peter Schwier  ISEP

Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction & Recycling, Chair, East of England Regional Climate Change Forum

Hedingham Division, Essex County Council

Renewal, Equality & Ambition

Safer, Greener, Healthier