blog.essex.gov.uk

From a trickle to a flood

The exponential growth of data in the world, from a few spots of datum to a deep, expansive ocean of 1s and 0s, shows no sign of slowing and is expected to shape the world in ways we are still …

Exciting focus on skills for the future set out in Autumn Statement

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, welcomes government’s commitment to apprenticeships and key growth sectors as set out by the Chancellor.

Changes to our JSNA interactive dashboards!

It has been some time since we launched our Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) reports and interactive dashboards, but as the time goes by, things change. Read on to find out what’s new! This includes a new ICBs filter to our dashboards, new measures added, and data updates.

Robotic Process Automation partnership with PricewaterhouseCoopers

Shaurya Rajwar explores our relationship with PricewaterhouseCoopers and how we want Robotic Process Automation to drive efficiency in processes and applications across our digital assets

NLP promoting a proactive approach to Open Data

The situation The volume of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests the Council receives is huge. In the 43 months from December 2019 to July 2023, Essex County Council (ECC) received more than 6,000 FOI requests. This meant that on average, …

What am I missing through my straw?!

Until recently my understanding of separated migrant children was largely shaped by ongoing media coverage, which has powerfully portrayed the treacherous and traumatic journeys that many children experience to reach the UK. Having now worked alongside childrens services commissioners and …

Thinking about starting a newsletter? Here is step zero

It is that time of the year when everyone is popping the big question – “should we start a newsletter?” Well, there are a few strategic factors to consider before putting a ring on it.  A newsletter should not be …

Every day is a school day

What happens when the one person who has all the knowledge on a certain process leaves your team? Panic? That “this is fine” meme (you all know the one)? Or take a breath and look for any opportunities to review …

A guide to our brand for all employees: why you should read it (often)

We know what you’re thinking - another document? Really?   You’ll appreciate this one. We made it just for you.  A guide to our brand for all employees was sent to your inboxes this week. If you haven't read it yet, …

Steering a course for open data

Essex County Council is massive. There are around 12,000 employees. It’s the second biggest local authority in the country, geographically, and it’s the second largest spending authority (which makes sense, given the size thing I just mentioned). There are hundreds …

Who is a brand custodian?

If you, in a big or small way, are involved in creating communications for the council, you are a brand custodian. You are responsible for guarding and building Essex County Council’s brand identity. The work each of us puts out …

Getting to really know our brand

This month we’re spending some quality time with our brand. We’re taking a deep dive into our values, actions, design elements, voice and more. Please join us! What is a brand?  A brand is much more than a logo. The …

Short links, tall problems: why you should stop using third-party link-shortening tools

Here is the complete guidance on using third-party link-shortening tools: Please don’t The end. Short isn’t always sweet. Or safest. If you have been using third-party link shortening tools in your communication materials, you can now eliminate that step from …

An update on RAAC after welcoming the Secretary of State for Education to Essex

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability shares an update following the Minister’s visit to the county.

Eating Cake and Cracking the Code

Lured by the promise of learning and cake, three of ECC's newest Analysts and Junior Analysts attended this year's Summer School at IADS, University of Essex.

The power of user testing in communications and marketing

There is a big difference between a brilliant idea and a brilliant idea that resonates with the audience. The best way to bridge the gap between the two is user testing. While commonly associated with product design, user testing is …

Strengthening support services for Essex businesses

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Planning a Growing Economy, on the support available to firms in the county.

Exploring the Potential and Pitfalls of AI-Generated Images

Bianca and Claire want to share with you the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI images in a work setting that was discovered during the recent AI Hackathon

Council tax and the cost-of-living crisis

Council tax is inherently ‘unsexy’. It doesn’t hit the headlines all too often, let alone national news. In the media it’s an oft-neglected, much-maligned thing. In fact, you’re probably already thinking of closing this blog. Why on Earth would I …

It's the Summer of Volunteering at Essex County Council

(Warning: this is not your regular blog post.) This week, we are shifting focus to something a bit different. The C&M team is currently promoting volunteering opportunities within Essex. We are in the middle of planning a team volunteering day. …

Navigating good data ethics

In an era where data, AI and machine learning dominate headlines, local government teams face a critical responsibility: how do we tap into the power of data and analytics whilst ensuring ethics and integrity remain central? Key to achieving this …

All that glitters is not social media gold: when high-engagement isn’t always good news

You are having a great social media day. A post goes viral, notifications are bursting out of your screen. Followers, comments, likes and shares are soaring. Perfect, until you realise your comments section has been overtaken by people complaining about …

AI Hackathon: Can AI help make web content easier to consume for our users?

Using a product approach during the AI Hackathon one team looked at how using AI, could be a possibility to simplify website content for users.

Artificial intelligence and search: how generative AI is reshaping SEO

Nothing keeps digital marketers on their toes like search engine optimisation (SEO) and the effect of Google’s ever-evolving algorithm on visibility and traffic. Well, you better put on comfy shoes, because artificial intelligence (AI) is now entering the scene. To …

Are you [or do you know] an experienced Product Manager, User Researcher or Service Designer who may be looking for a new opportunity?

Learn about three fantastic opportunities for experienced professionals to join us at Essex County Council and how you could help deliver meaningful change and better services for residents, businesses, council staff and partners.

Turning pixels to emotions: graphic design’s superpower

A picture that makes you smile. Vivid yellows hues that say summer is imminent. A font that evokes elegance. Graphic design has the ability to connect emotionally with audiences, and this is the superpower of every good graphic designer. Last …

The future is bright: insights on a career in data

In this week's blog we hear from Bella Puleston as she reflects on her summer adventure as a Junior Analyst with the Data and Analytics team

AI Hackathon: How can AI tools add value to the design process? Part 1

At our recent hack day our Service Design colleagues explored how AI tools might help them spend less time on low-value activities and create more value and impact in their design work.

Unlocking the secret to understanding local area health

How do we measure the health of a place? And how does that compare to other places? How is the health of these places changing over time? I’m sure like me, you are often kept awake at night wondering these …

Threads got your social media plan all tied up in knots? Help is here

No, the sound that reverberated across the globe last Thursday was not a sonic boom. It was the collective gasp of social media teams everywhere reacting to the launch of Threads, the new social media platform from Meta. Post-gasp, our …

Establishing an Agile Delivery Management Community

Agile delivery management is gaining popularity in the public sector, particularly within "Digital" departments, Charlie Griffiths explores how creating a community of practice helps organizations strive to improve efficiency and deliver value with their help and support.

Human vs Machine

The Turing Test stipulates that if a machine can convince a human that it is human, then it is human (intelligent).

Does that mean that if a human can convince a machine that it is machine, it is machine (artificially intelligent)?

I put that to the test…

The Breakfast Club: Data Edition

Confused? Let me explain, here in Data and Analytics, we have our own Breakfast Club. Exactly like the one from the movie. Well, not exactly. We’re not forced to attend on a Saturday, we’re not told to sit in silence, …

Artificial Intelligence in local government

It’s the phone assistant that responds to your voice command and the chat box that pops up on your bank’s website. Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed how we live and is starting to change how local authorities connect with their …

More than just a pretty picture

If you think graphic design is merely the creation of attractive content, think again. The human brain process images 60,000 times faster than text. This makes graphic design a crucial tool to engaging audiences and helping them interpret a service …

A long and proud association with the Armed Forces

By Cllr Derrick Louis, Essex County Council Armed Forces Champion. This week is Armed Forces Week, which included National Reserves Day on Wednesday (21 June) and ends on National Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24 June. Essex has a long …

How to tell a story

Writing is hard. Especially when you are writing to engage a jaded audience or start a conversation about a complex topic. We’ve been there (too many times) and we’ve found one solution that always helps - tell a story. A …

Hosting a generative AI Hackathon

In a rare but valuable opportunity, Service Transformation recently hosted a hackday to learn about generative AI.

Google Analytics 4 and Universal Analytics: key differences

If you recognise this countdown clock, you’re probably familiar with the feelings it evokes. Fear, confusion, dread, panic… We feel a healthy mix of all four.Nevertheless, the communications and marketing team is arming itself for the switch from Universal Analytics …

University Challenge 2023: Financial Literacy of Young People

It's time for our annual blog about the University Challenge project! For those of you not familiar with the calendar event of the year that is the University Challenge, it’s when we have the pleasure of working alongside students at …