Local Government Reform Support Hub - How APSE can help
The English Devolution White Paper set out reform to local government including the development of strategic authorities, combined authorities and new forms of local councils, turning some ‘two tier’ areas of Counties and Districts into single tier ‘Unitary’ councils. The new councils will carry out the same functions as other existing Unitary merging the services that are otherwise carried out by different tiers of local councils.
How can APSE help?
APSE has decades of experience in local government. We work across councils from corporate management teams to frontline services. Local government reorganisation will mean merging services from different councils. APSE has the experience of its own team and our valued and ethical associates.
What type of support can we provide?
With councils merging services, they will be a need to review property and asset bases, looking at depot rationalisation or repurposing sites, ensure services are fit for purpose and are run with optimal efficiency. This may mean reviewing deployment of streetscene services, waste collection route optimisation, consolidating recycling services, reviewing your leisure provision, and even services such as cemetery and crematorium services.
LGR Support Networks
APSE’s team of Principal Advisors are running service specific LGR Support Networks which host webinars and any APSE member council can attend free of charge to hear from expert speakers, learn from others and share concerns, challenges and solutions. Click here to join the LGR Support Network and our WhatsApp Groups.
LGR Service Review Support
Our experienced team in APSE Solutions are able to offer an onsite ‘diagnostic workshop’ for frontline services. These 6 hour sessions comprise a strategic session to help your service area prepare for change, a high-level diagnostic approach to draw out the core issues for services including delivery models, assets, and workforce issues as well as geographic and delivery dynamics. After the onsite session your council will receive a short form report identifying areas for further deep dives and discovery and outline further support with an options appraisal.
For more information, visit the Solutions Hub or contact the team on [email protected]
LGR Data Support
The pressure on council budgets and a need to improve performance will not abate with reorganisation; indeed, it may increase. Knowing your baseline performance will help you plan for improvement. APSE Performance Networks can run baseline data reports on frontline services as well as providing bespoke legacy reports – so you can set your baseline for your new authority. We can also provide a service specific associate to support you on options to improve productivity, cost and quality performance measures and support with ‘customer satisfaction reviews’ and ways to engage communities and residents in your improvement journey.
For more information, visit the Performance Networks Hub or contact the team on [email protected]
LGR Training Suite
APSE Training is part of APSE’s not-for-profit organisation and delivers bespoke training to meet APSE member needs. Local government reorganisation will, by necessity, mean a shift in organisational culture, workforce structures and equal pay issues, culture change and project management. APSE Training's package of online and onsite courses for local councils can help your authority meet its needs.
For more information, visit the Training Hub or contact the team on [email protected]
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APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit unincorporated association working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority frontline services, hosting a network for frontline service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, cemeteries and crematorium, environmental health, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance.
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