2021

Merry Christmas from everyone at APSE: Here is our little APSE Christmas Card to wish you and yours the best for the upcoming season, and as ever for the APSE ‘choir’ we note that Gareth Malone is never around when we need him…… we will try harder next year!

Councils the most trusted to provide and deliver services in people's local area: The latest Survation poll for APSE finds three times as many people trust their local council over the Government to make decisions about how services are delivered in the local area.

Disruptions and opportunities in workforce planning: Rivka Liss-Levinson and Gerald Young, MissionSquare Research Institute, Washington DC, give an overview of the major demographic, technological, and pandemic-related disruptions altering the public workforce environment in the USA.

APSE’s National Council meeting in Belfast: Alderman Tommy Nicholl of Mid and East Antrim Council welcomed APSE’s National Council to Belfast for its’ December meeting.

Sowing the Seeds for Success: The case for investing in our local parks: A new report, ‘The State of the UK Public Parks’, published by APSE using data from CFP, finds that from 2010 onwards parks budgets have reduced by £690 million, leading to industry calls to stem this decline and leverage new investment in these valuable local community assets.

First-rate services in the Second City: Missed this year’s Annual Seminar? We’ve put together a summary that captures the two-day programme of presentations, workshops and discussions on delivering for local people and local economies.

APSE Performance Networks Awards 2021 - Announcing the winners!: APSE Performance Networks Awards 2021 - Announcing the winners!

Neath and tidy: Having been shortlisted for five awards, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council held a little ceremony in house for the APSE finalists and winners.

Councils Making It Happen – Bangor Venue Ready for Flagship Conference: The 2021 Local Government Conference will take place on 24 November at the Clandeboye Lodge Hotel, Bangor.

The APPG Excellence in School Food Awards 2021/22 are now open for entries: The APPG Excellence in School Food Awards are once again open for entry. The Awards will showcase innovation in school catering.

COP26: Industry Experts Call for Climate Action to be at the Heart of Recovery for the UK Local Authority Sports and Leisure Sector: A group of industry experts in the local authority public sports and leisure sector has called on the COP26 UK delegation to recognise the importance of the sector in helping the UK reach its ambitious climate change targets; especially as the sector seeks to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Meals on Wheels Week 2021: Meals on Wheels Week 2021 highlights vital contribution of Meals on Wheels services in our communities.

New grant funding will not resolve the systemic issues of local council finances: APSE has responded to the Chancellor's 2021 budget statement by calling for a more fundamental review of council finances.

What is your local council doing to promote COP26?: Ahead of the major global conference in Glasgow, APSE Energy wanted to showcase some of the outstanding work being undertaken by our local authority members in taking the lead in the climate change, energy and sustainability agenda.

Housing to 2040 - Elena Whitham MSP: Elena Whitham MSP, Deputy Convener of the Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee, Scottish Parliament, talks affordable housing in Scotland.

Local councils taking advantage of energy opportunities: A new APSE Energy publication provides examples of how local authorities have taken advantage of energy opportunities. It adds to the series of case studies already highlighted in the two previous ‘Energy across the authority’ publications.

Helping town and parish councils identify opportunities for nature: South Gloucestershire Council have recently launched a new support package for their Town and Parish Councils (T&PCs) called a Local Nature Action Plan (LNAP). Matthew Lipton, Commons and Biodiversity Manager, dicusses this exciting new initiative and the progress made so far.

Telford & Wrekin: Outstanding!: Fighting off stiff competition, Telford & Wrekin Council scooped APSE Overall Council of the Year at the APSE Service Awards 2021. The Council spoke to APSE Direct and revealed the secrets to their success.

Welcoming Professional Drone Training: APSE's newest Approved Partner: Professional Drone Training conduct training UK wide and have been involved in the training of people for the Police Drone Division, councils, surveyors and construction companies.