24/06/2026
📢 A Quick Guide to Local Council Services
We understand it can sometimes be confusing to know which council is responsible for different services. We’re always happy to help residents and point them in the right direction; however, contacting the correct authority in the first instance will often mean your enquiry can be dealt with more quickly.
Below are some of the most common services provided by Braintree District Council and Essex County Council, together with the relevant contact details and useful links.
🚯 FLY-TIPPING – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Reports of illegally dumped waste, fly-tipping investigations and enforcement action against offenders.
🔗 braintree.gov.uk/streets-transport-parking/report-fly-tipping
📧 [email protected]
📞 01376 552525
♻️ WASTE & RECYCLING – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Household waste collections, recycling, food waste, garden waste subscriptions, bulky waste collections, clinical waste and missed bin collections.
Residents can also use Braintree District Council’s Waste Management Portal to check collection dates, report missed bins, manage garden waste subscriptions and access a range of waste and recycling services online.
Please note: Household waste and recycling collections are managed by Braintree District Council, whilst recycling centres (tips) are operated by Essex County Council.
🔗 braintree.gov.uk/council/account/4
📧 [email protected]
📞 01376 552525
🛣️ POTHOLES, ROADS & STREETLIGHTS – ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Roads, potholes, pavements, footpaths, streetlights, highway drainage, road signs, speed limits, gritting and public rights of way.
Issues can be reported directly to Essex Highways online, including potholes, damaged pavements, faulty streetlights, blocked drains and other highway defects.
🔗 www.essexhighways.org/tell-us
📧 [email protected]
📞 0345 603 7631
🏠 HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Housing applications, social housing, homelessness support, temporary accommodation, housing advice, Disabled Facilities Grants and Housing Benefit.
🔗 braintree.gov.uk/housing
📧[email protected]
📞 01376 552525
🏗️ PLANNING & BUILDING CONTROL – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Planning applications, planning enforcement, Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), listed buildings, conservation areas, building regulations, land charges and street naming and numbering.
🔗 www.braintree.gov.uk/planning-building-control
📧 [email protected]
📞 01376 552525
💷 COUNCIL TAX & BENEFITS – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Council Tax bills, Council Tax Support, Housing Benefit, discretionary housing payments and benefit enquiries.
🔗 https://www.braintree.gov.uk/council-tax
🔗 https://www.braintree.gov.uk/benefits
📧 [email protected]
📧 [email protected]
📞 01376 557852
❤️ COMMUNITY SUPPORT & WELLBEING – BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Community grants, wellbeing initiatives and services for vulnerable residents.
🔗 https://www.braintree.gov.uk/community-health-wellbeing
📧 [email protected]
📞 01376 552525
👨👩👧 EDUCATION, LIBRARIES, SOCIAL CARE & TRANSPORT – ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
School admissions, school transport, SEND services, libraries, adult social care, children’s services, family support, Blue Badges, concessionary bus passes and public transport services.
🔗 essex.gov.uk
📞 0345 603 2200
❓ NOT SURE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
If you’re unsure which organisation is responsible for a particular service or local issue, please visit the websites below for further information about the services provided by each council.
Braintree District Council:
🔗 braintree.gov.uk
Essex County Council:
🔗 essex.gov.uk
Earls Colne Parish Council:
🔗 earlscolne-pc.gov.uk
Thank you to everyone who takes the time to report issues and raise concerns. Residents play an important role in helping keep our village a great place to live, and we hope this guide makes it easier to reach the right team when something needs attention.
There is currently two vacancies on the Parish Council for co-option. For further information, please contact the Clerk.
