Local Government Support Programme: Essex County Council

The Local Government Support Programme (LGSP) supported Essex County Council to assess the suitability of more than 100 potential chargepoint locations to receive funding as part of the On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS), helping to save the council time and money.

Essex County Council are currently preparing to apply for On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) funding. In summer 2022, the Local Government Support Programme (LGSP) provided an assessment of residential on-street charging demand for over 100 potential locations across the 12 districts and boroughs that make up Essex County.

To assess the suitability of locations for ORCS funding, LGSP looked at:

• the presence of residential properties that are less likely to have access to private off-street parking
• whether there were existing public chargepoints nearby
• whether the area was rural or urban

The rural element was included to help Essex County Council deliver chargepoints that fairly address the needs of residents in both urban and rural areas, identified as a priority for the council.

Alongside electric vehicle infrastructure mapping support, LGSP also delivered a bespoke workshop with the districts and boroughs in Essex, to assist them in understanding and developing their electric vehicle strategy. The support from LGSP helped Essex County Council to:

• assess potential locations more quickly
• better understand the types of locations likely to be approved for funding
• save money preparing their ORCS bid

The council are planning to submit their ORCS application early next year 2023.