Connecting with our community

A digital strategy consultation

Society is going through a period of profound change. At no other time has new technology had a greater effect on the way we do things. Smartphones, computers and digital devices have transformed our lives. From banking to booking a holiday to ordering the weekly shop or takeaway – everything can now be done online.

While big companies like Amazon and Google grab the headlines, the adoption of technology has also proceeded at pace in other areas including the pubic sector. Epping Forest District Council is no exception. The Council is digital.

The process started years ago. It is driven by many different factors. It helps us to:

• Deliver better services to our residents and customers
• Deliver services faster and more efficiently
• Deliver services at lower cost to our taxpayers
• Reduce our carbon footprint as we play our part in tackling climate change

COVID resilience

There have been unforeseen benefits. The early adoption of the digital strategy allowed many staff to maintain services by home working throughout the COVID pandemic. There was no need to come to the office or meet in person.

Key themes

The consultation of focusing on the first of the council’s key digital strategy themes – digital access to services. The full list is:

• Digital access to services – available online 24/7 for connected residents and visitors who use the internet every day
• Digital people – giving our people the tools to do the job and develop digitally for the future
• Smart data – using the information we gather in ‘smart’ ways to create and maintain better services for you
• Secure and modern systems – keeping you and your information safe and secure with automated systems designed to deliver services to you as quickly and efficiently as possible
• Digital place – working with our partners to make our district the digital place to be

Your help

This consultation focuses on the first of our key themes – digital access to services.

We need help to understand why our residents and customers prefer some communication channels to others. The consultation asks why customers might struggle or choose not to use online services. What are the blockers, and how to clear obstacles.

We want to ensure that we are offering you simple to use online services available 24/7, saving you time waiting on the phone. We will use your feedback and insight to ensure we achieve this.

The consultation closes on 10 March.

Survey and focus groups

The main consultation takes the form of a short online survey on the council website. Residents can also request a paper copy for return by post.

There may also be an opportunity to take part in a focus group. Contact us by email, phone or in writing with your name, phone number and address.

• Register your interest in our digital strategy focus group
• Phone 01992 564000
• Post – Digital Strategy C/O Epping Forest District Council, Civic Offices, High Street, Epping, Essex CM16 4BZ

Do you need help with getting online?

We are still here when you need to talk – on the phone, face to face or through the post.

Councils deliver services to some of the most disadvantaged groups in society and we know that not everyone has adopted or adapted to the new technology at the same speed. Any local resident who is struggling to use a digital device at home during the pandemic, can request a home visit and support from the Voluntary Action Epping Forest Community Responder team:

• Email communityhub@vaef.org.uk
• Call 01992 910 701

Thank you – and we look forward to hearing from you.