READERS of the East Anglian Daily Times in Essex are being given the chance to win £10,000 to improve their local community.

By Roddy Ashworth

READERS of the East Anglian Daily Times in Essex are being given the chance to win £10,000 to improve their local community.

Essex County Council, in partnership with the EADT, is offering residents the chance of netting the cash when they complete a special survey found either in the newspaper or online.

The most imaginative suggestions for the use of the cash will be considered by a special panel including leader of the council Lord Hanningfield and a representative from the EADT.

The three best proposals - representing south, mid and north Essex respectively, and totalling £30,000 across the whole county - will win the money and have their project brought to life.

The competition comes after the launch of a new unit at Essex County Council which has been tasked with improving the quality of life for residents in Essex.

A recent Best Value satisfaction survey recently released showed that 78% of residents were satisfied with life in Essex, and the Quality of Life unit will be examining what contributes towards this and what can be done to improve it.

The unit aims to encourage local people to become more involved in their community, promote opportunities for people to enjoy their free time and ensure that growth is sustainable for future generations.

County councillor Jeremy Lucas, cabinet member responsible for the Quality of Life unit, said: “This is a two-way process.

“We cannot make Essex a better place to live unless we actually know what the most important things are to the people of this county.

“Through entering this competition residents will be able to tell us this and how they would choose to improve their quality of life.

“We are confident that most people enjoy living and working in the county, however, we now want to go that one step further.

“The county is facing a huge amount of growth in the coming years and it is vital to us that quality of life remains at the forefront of our thinking and our work.

“Everything the county council does has an impact on people's well-being and quality of life and we are determined to take a lead on this issue for the benefit of Essex people and future generations.”

The unit will be working with local communities and residents to make sure the work they do focuses on what residents are passionate about and fits with their view of quality of life.

The survey is the first step towards establishing this information.

Yesterday Lord Hanningfield said of the competition: “This is a really good opportunity for residents to get involved and help us see what people believe is important for the future in Essex.

“I am really pleased that the East Anglian Daily Times is involved with this project and I hope readers will take this opportunity and I look forward to hearing their ideas.”

The survey can also be completed online at www.essexcc.gov.uk/qualityoflife .