Essex County Council engages in a number of public consultations. These can be for a specific reason, such as in the case of developing a new school or mineral extraction site, or to ascertain the feelings of the residents of Essex on a particular subject. The council actively seeks participation from a wider audience, in order to ensure that consultations consider the full range of opinions, and ensure that the decisions we make are guided by a real appreciation of the views of the people of the county.
Occasionally, the council will consult the residents of the county by direct engagement, by post or through council publications. However, in order to ensure that the process is cost effective, most consultations take place remotely, through online portals residents can view and submit contributions to.
Each individual contribution to the consultation process is considered by the council.
Consultations in different areas take place in different ways for different areas.
Engage Essex
Engage Essex is the council’s consultation portal. It is used by the council, and by district and borough councils, to manage consultations or a range of subjects. The purpose of each consultation is described and contact details are given so that it is possible to take part.
Planning Consultations
Essex County Council’s Planning Team regularly consults on aspects of Minerals and Waste planning policy. This process is managed through the
Planning Consultation Portal. The portal enables people to see the consultation documents and respond to consultations online. It is also possible to submit responses to consulations via email and by post. See the
Planning Consultations page for more information.
Education Consultations
The School Organisation and Planning Service consults the public when they are considering opening a school, closing a school or amalgamating two or more schools. Details of new, ongoing and recently closed consultations are contained on the
Consultations page in the Education and Schools area of the Essex County Council website.