Announcing the winners of the APSE Service Awards 2025

Celebrating excellence in local public services!

The winners were announced at the APSE Annual Charity Awards Dinner, in aid of Parkinson’s UK, on Thursday 11 September 2025 at the Glasgow Marriott Hotel.

Speaking about the Awards, Mo Baines, APSE Chief Executive, said: "Across local government, countless individuals continue to go above and beyond to serve their communities. It is the tireless work of frontline service teams that makes a real difference in people’s daily lives, and this deserves to be celebrated.

“APSE is proud to shine a light on local authorities through our Annual Service Awards. From recycling to sports and leisure, this year’s winners embody the innovation, commitment, and resilience that define the very best of local government. A huge congratulations to each and every one of you!”

The APSE Awards are specific to frontline services provided by UK local authorities. This year, the Awards included 17 categories, covering the vast majority of local services, as well as the prestigious Overall Council of the Year in Service Delivery Award.

The ceremony took place at the rise of the APSE Annual Seminar 2025.

For finalist photographs, please contact Mike Edgerton at [email protected]

Overall Council of the Year

Sponsored by

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Highland Council
London Borough of Hackney
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Renfrewshire Council
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Winner: Renfrewshire Council

Best Workforce Initiative

Sponsored by

ASSIST FM
Dumfries and Galloway Council
East Ayrshire Council
Kent County Council
London Borough of Hackney
Mid Ulster District Council
Renfrewshire Council

Winner: London Borough of Hackney

Best Building and Housing Initiative

Sponsored by

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Derby City Council
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Fife Council
Renfrewshire Council
Stevenage Borough Council
Telford and Wrekin Council

Winner: Derby City Council

Best Efficiency and Transformation Initiative

Sponsored by

East Ayrshire Council
London Borough of Hackney
Pembrokeshire County Council
South Ayrshire Council
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure

Winner: South Ayrshire Council

Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative

Sponsored by

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Dundee City Council
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Outcomes Matter
Plymouth City Council
Renfrewshire Council
Swansea Council
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure
Wirral Council

Winner: Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure

Best Public/Private Partnership Working Initiative

Sponsored by

Falkirk Council
Gloucestershire County Council
London Borough of Hackney
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Northern Ireland Education Authority
Renfrewshire Council
Stevenage Borough Council

Winner: Northern Ireland Education Authority

Best Collaborative Working

Sponsored by

Aberdeen City Council
Belfast City, Derry City and Strabane District Council
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Outcomes Matter
Oxford City Council
South Ayrshire Council
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Swansea Council
Tayside Contracts

Winner: Stockton on Tees Borough Council

Best Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

Sponsored by

Belfast City Council
Belfast City, Derry City and Strabane District Council
Ipswich Borough Council
London Borough of Hackney
Sherbourne Recycling

Winner: Sherbourne Recycling: The most advance MRF in the UK - a sector first!

Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative

Sponsored by

Bassetlaw District Council
Caerphilly County Borough Council
Dumfries and Galloway Council
Highland Council
Renfrewshire Council
South and East Lincolnshire Councils
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Telford and Wrekin Council
Wyre Forest District Council

Winner: South and East Lincolnshire Councils

Best Innovation or Demand Management Initiative

Sponsored by

Dumfries and Galloway Council
London Borough of Hackney
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council
Neath Port Talbot Council
Outcomes Matter
Renfrewshire Council
South Ayrshire Council
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Winner: Neath Port Talbot Council

Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative

Sponsored by

Brent Council
Calderdale Council
Cambridge City Council
Northern Ireland Education Authority
Shropshire Council
Suffolk County Council
Tayside Contracts
Torfaen County Borough Council

Winner: Torfaen County Borough Council

Best Service Team: Soft Facilities Management

Sponsored by

East Renfrewshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Salford City Council
Shropshire Council

Winner: East Renfrewshire Council

Best Service Team: Technical Services

Sponsored by

Glasgow City Council
Gloucestershire County Council
Highland Council
Midlothian Council
Wigan Council

Winner: Glasgow City Council

Best Service Team: Waste, Recycling and Streetscene

Sponsored by

Amey Ltd on behalf of Sheffield City Council
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
London Borough of Hackney
South Kesteven District Council
South Tyneside Council
Wigan Council

Winner: South Kesteven District Council

Best Service Team: Parks, Grounds and Horticultural Service

Sponsored by

Aberdeen City Council
Cardiff Council
Eastleigh Borough Council
Highland Council
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Wyre Forest District Council

Winner: Cardiff Council

Best Service Team: Cemetery and Crematorium Service

Sponsored by

East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Gravesham Borough Council
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Walsall Council

Winner: Walsall Council

Best Service Team: Sports, Leisure and Cultural Service

Sponsored by

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council
Derry City and Strabane District Council
Rugby Borough Council
Vision Redbridge Culture and Leisure
Wakefield Council
Walsall Council
West Lindsey District Council