Innovation in local government is about improving the lives of the people in our
communities. Browse through our case studies to see the many innovative programmes councils are involved
in.
Essex County Council and Essex Highways worked in partnership to obtain funding from the 2021-2022 Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Air Quality Grant to fund a three-pronged approach to raise awareness regarding air quality in Essex
An internal working group was set up to take responsibility for climate adaptation within the council. The working group meets quarterly and includes representatives from over 20 teams and service areas.
Room One was developed as a 'one stop shop' for autistic and neurodivergent adults in the city. Having a strong peer support offer was identified as important, with one to one and group peer support being a key part of service.
An internal cross-department working group was set up to focus specifically on heat risk. The group initially brought together officers from Communications, Facilities Management and Library Services, Education, Housing, Parks, Emergency Response, Climate, Public Health and Adult and Social care to consider key heat related risks and past responses.
Haringey’s Carbon Management and Public Health teams aimed to set out the impacts of more frequent and severe heatwaves on health and wellbeing and to highlight residents’ needs in this context.
South Gloucestershire Council is committed to working with its communities and partners to tackle inequalities in all areas of life. In 2024 the council published a four-year tackling inequalities plan, which sets out a whole-council strategic approach to tackling inequalities in 10 areas of life – including health and wellbeing.
With budgets shrinking and health gaps growing, councils need data-driven leisure strategies. Moving Communities helps nearly 40 councils unlock £75M in social value, £13.26M healthcare savings, and 2M visits from deprived areas - turning leisure services into strategic assets that boost health and cut costs.
The public health team for the London boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond launched a prevention framework focussed on addressing health inequalities three years ago. By working closely with council colleagues, the public health team has ensured it has had maximum impact