Colchester City Council is proud to announce that its Residents’ Panel has been shortlisted for a prestigious national Municipal Journal (MJ) Awards 2025 in recognition of its innovative and impactful approach to community engagement.
The Residents’ Panel, established in November 2022, has rapidly become a cornerstone of community collaboration. With 387 members, and over 100 actively participating in workshops and discussions over the last year, the panel has provided valuable insights that have influenced key city initiatives. By moving beyond traditional consultation methods, the panel fosters two-way conversations that lead to more nuanced decision-making.
Colchester’s panel has played a pivotal role in shaping major projects, including:
- Refining the council’s garden waste rollout communications to ensure transparency and public understanding.
- Informing the development of the Cycle Colchester website to better reflect community needs.
- Supporting funding bids for heritage projects such as the transformation of Jumbo Water Tower and Holy Trinity Church.
- Contributing to Colchester’s city centre regeneration, ensuring resident perspectives are central to development efforts.
Building on this success, the council has introduced new initiatives, including a Youth Panel engaging 16–18-year-olds in civic discussions and a Reading Panel focused on improving the accessibility of public communications.
Councillor Alison Jay, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Transformation, expressed pride in the panel’s national recognition: “Being shortlisted for this award is a testament to the power of community collaboration. Our Residents’ Panel embodies our commitment to listening, learning, and leading together. This achievement belongs to every resident who has contributed their time and insights to shaping our city’s future.
“We are honoured to be among the finalists, and we look forward to continuing our work in delivering impactful, resident-led engagement.”
The MJ Awards are highly competitive and recognise councils across the UK striving to improve the lives of their communities in the face of unprecedented challenges. Colchester City Council is one of seven Councils shortlisted by the MJ for this prestigious awards category and highlights the council’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue with residents, ensuring their voices shape local services and projects. The award winners will be announced on 20 June 2025.
For more information about the Residents’ Panel or to get involved, visit colchester.gov.uk/residents-panel or email residents.panel@colchester.gov.uk
Page last reviewed: 27 March 2025