2022

Think big, act local, start now!: From utilising council assets and land for generation from a range of renewable sources, to adapting a fabric first approach to building design, local authorities will be key to securing the energy needs of the UK in the coming decades. Paul O'Brien, APSE Chief Executive.

Creating active environments for all and reducing the effects of climate change through Active Travel: APSE was delighted to join Commissioner of Active Travel England, Chairman of Sport England and Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman MBE to provide a local government perspective on the issues surrounding active environments and active travel policy.

Announcing the winners of the Highways Innovation Awards 2022: APSE is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Innovation Awards for highways, street lighting and winter maintenance services. These Awards celebrate outstanding local councils that use innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the current challenges facing their frontline services.

Our call for litter payments to form a key component of the forthcoming EPR reforms: APSE has partnered alongside other organisations to urge governments across the UK to make the right decision to include litter payments in EPR; holding the packaging producers to account on litter. This will contribute to necessary measures such as cleansing and infrastructure, and will also help raise funds that put prevention at the heart of any plan for a litter-free nation.

APSE Equality, Inclusion & Diversity Seminar 2022: Highlights from the APSE Equalities, Inclusion & Diversity Seminar 2022, held online on 15 March.

Sport Environment and Climate Coalition statement on climate change and environmental sustainability: The signatories to this statement have come together to call for the creation of a Sport Environment and Climate Coalition (SECC), to lead and coordinate the sector’s efforts on climate change and environmental sustainability.

Securing the future of public sport and leisure services: A briefing for CEOs, Directors and Heads of Service.

Pay rates amongst refuse workers? Respond to our survey: Across the UK, local councils are under increasing pressure to review workforce salaries, particularly amongst waste drivers and loaders. APSE is undertaking a survey to gather real time data on pay rates in the sector. This will enable us to paint an accurate picture of the challenges surrounding recruitment and retention within waste services.

It’s easy being green with APSE Training’s Carbon Literacy programme: Carbon Literacy for Local Authorities is one of APSE Training’s most popular courses. Communications Officer, Matt Ellis, sheds light on how this course will help strengthen your hand at fostering a more carbon aware culture in your local authority team.

“I think I’ve found the next generation of council chiefs”: Michael Greene, Chief Executive at Scarborough Borough Council.

Recruit, Retain, Retrain: Workforce planning in Wakefield: Glynn Humphries, Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director for Environment, Communities and Climate Change, talks future workforce needs; the gaps in recruitment and the best ways to go about filling them.

“Healthy school meals provide a lifeline for children facing food insecurity”: Sharon Hodgson MP, Chair of the APPG for School Food, talks about the importance of healthy school meals.

APSE is pleased to announce our Annual Service Awards 2022!: These prestigious awards are for all local authorities and their public-sector partners across the United Kingdom recognising your frontline services teams as well as your special initiatives.

Homes as power stations - Swansea Council: Swansea Council’s Home As Power Stations (HAPS) initiative is designed to help the authority achieve its ambition of becoming net zero by the end of the decade. Deputy Leader, Cllr Andrea Lewis, spoke to APSE about the success of the HAPS model so far, and the Council’s climate action plans for the future.

The Environment Act: How will the Act contribute to climate change actions within local councils?: Highlights from the 23 February online APSE Seminar which featured presentations from DEFRA, The Office for Environmental Protection, The LGA and Natural England.

Catering and cleaning teams sparkle and shine in Nottingham: APSE is delighted to present the winners of the APSE Soft Facilities Management Innovation Awards 2022 as well as the winners of the APPG Excellence in School Food Awards 2022; celebrating outstanding councils, organisations, teams and individuals that use innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the current challenges facing their frontline catering and building cleaning services.

The Deposit Return Scheme: What local authorities think, page 8

An introduction to The Office for Environmental Protection, Richard Greenhous page 10

Homes as power stations, Cllr Andrea Lewis, Swansea Council, page 13

Ensuring legacy and demonstrating the value of parks: Tamsin Fudge Head of Projects and Stewardship at Fields in Trust, highlights how the charity’s partnership working with local authorities is helping to protect as much of our vital green infrastructure as possible.

APSE Highways, Street Lighting and Winter Maintenance Awards 2022: APSE is pleased to present the 2022 Innovation Awards for highways, street lighting and winter maintenance services. These awards celebrate outstanding local councils that use innovative ideas and solutions to tackle the current challenges facing their frontline services.

An introduction to The Office for Environmental Protection: Richard Greenhous, Chief of Staff, Office for Environmental Protection, provides an overview of this new public body.