October

Latest APSE Research: Hollowed out: The impact of financial localisation on neighbourhood services

A new report by APSE and the New Policy Institute (NPI) offers insight into the prospects over the next few years for the neighbourhood services provided by local government. The report finds that, on average, spending on neighbourhood services in England fell by 17% in cash terms between 2010/11 and 2016/17. The report also finds that By 2019/20, locally raised taxes will exceed CSP by £7bn – in effect, a ‘reverse’ subsidy, of central government by local government. The full report is available to download for free from the APSE website.

APSE on the Airwaves

• Ahead of the Autumn statement on Monday 29 October, APSE Chief Executive Paul O’Brien was interviewed on BBC Sunday Politics North West to discuss local government funding and the precarious state of neighbourhood services. You can watch the full interview here.
• On Monday 29 October APSE Principal Advisor Wayne Priestley was a guest on BBC Radio 4’s In Touch talking about how local authorities are helping the visually impaired get the right rubbish into the right bin. You can listen to the interview here.
• On Thursday 1 November APSE Chief Executive Paul O’Brien was interviewed on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours about local authorities and their invoicing processes and record of payment. You can listen to this interview here.

Meals on Wheels Survey 2018

In collaboration with the National Association of Care Catering (NACC), APSE present the findings from the Meals on Wheels Survey 2018. The survey finds that 24% of the UK’s local authorities have stopped offering a Meals on Wheels service to elderly and vulnerable people since 2014, and just 42 per cent of local authorities now offer any kind of Meals on Wheels service to elderly and vulnerable people. The full report is available to download for free from the APSE website.

Latest Briefings

You can view our latest membership briefings on the APSE website:

• Budget analysis 2018. The attached briefing explores the impact of the Budget 2018 on frontline neighbourhood services and links the Budget announcements to APSE’s finance research with NPI. A presentation based on the Budget briefing will be made at the APSE Commercialisation Network on 9 November in Manchester which suggests that additional sources of income generation will still be needed to support neighbourhood service budgets.
• Childhood Obesity -Trailblazer Programme. The government have announced details of the Trailblazer programme. The programme formally launches in October and local authorities are invited to submit proposals for tackling childhood obesity in their local area. The successful submissions will receive government funding and support. Click here to download the briefing.
• Modular Housing – it’s historical role and current use in Local Government. The Government’s recent Housing White Paper encourages the growth of the housing sector and advocates builders increase their use of off-site factory built modular homes. This Briefing provides a general overview of Modular housing in England, its origins and uses and provides a few case studies to show how and where it has already been adopted. Click here to download the briefing.

Energy, Renewables and Climate Change Survey

APSE Energy is currently running its state of the market survey into Energy, Renewables and Climate Change. The results from the survey will help APSE Energy raise the profile of the topics of energy management, renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change and will be helpful to you when carrying out your role. It will provide content for a State of the Market report which will be circulated across APSE members and will reflect the thoughts of councillors and officers with responsibilities within this agenda. To complete the short survey click here.

Future Communities: Greener, Cleaner, Smarter

Future Communities In a unique communications partnership, APSE and ITN Productions present a news and long-form current affairs-style programme highlighting APSE’s vision to encourage healthy, environmentally friendly and smart solutions for local communities. The news-style piece is anchored by award-winning journalist and presenter Alice Beer, and combines key interviews and reports with sponsored editorial profiles from leading organisations. Click here to view the full programme.

Welcoming our newest staff member!

APSE is delighted to announce our newest member of staff, Business & Administration Apprentice James Courtney. Having recently been studying Computer Science at the University of Derby, James will be working in APSE’s Southern Office and he can be contacted on [email protected].

Margo Blair Award

APSE Scotland is pleased to announce we will be continuing to host the Scottish Building and Housing Margo Blair Award at the annual 2019 Scottish Building & Housing seminar. This award honours the late Margo Blair, a champion of local government best practice and performance improvement, and recognises the hard work and success of local authority services in Scotland. For more information about these awards and how to enter, email Laura Moffat at [email protected].

Environmental Innovation Awards 2018

APSE is delighted to announce the winners of the Environmental Services Innovation Awards 2018, as well as Streetscene and Horticulture Apprentices of the Year! The winners were presented with their awards at the APSE Refuse, Recycling, Street Scene, Grounds and Parks Seminar in Nottingham on 18 October. Congratulations to all of our excellent finalists! For a full list of this year's finalists and photographs from the event click here.

London Councils Summit 2018

APSE will be exhibiting at the London Council Summit at Guildhall, City of London on Saturday 17 November. The conference is open to London councillors of all political parties and senior borough officers from the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation. If attending, make sure you head over to the APSE stand for a chat.

Public Sector Solutions Expo

APSE is thrilled to be an official supporter of the Public Sector Solutions Expo at Manchester Central on 20 November. APSE Chief Executive Paul O’Brien will chair a panel discussion at the event; exploring the way local government is embracing a commercial approach to service delivery. For more information about the event click here.

NILGA Conference 2018

APSE was delighted to sponsor the NILGA Conference 2018 and Local Government Awards Northern Ireland 2018 on 11 October in Armagh City. The event offered delegates a unique opportunity to discuss the big issues and challenges in the sector. Photographs from the Local Government Awards Northern Ireland have now been uploaded to the APSE website.

Upcoming APSE Events

• Market Engagement Event: Underground Refuse Systems. APSE Solutions is offering a unique opportunity for local authorities to discuss this innovative collection method and see these systems in a practical setting. The event will feature both users and manufacturers discussing the practical application of going underground. This one day event is being held at the Business Centre, City Chambers, Edinburgh on Tuesday 13 November 2018. Numbers are limited so it is advised to book early to avoid disappointment. Click here to book your place.
• Performance Networks Seminar 2018. The APSE Performance Networks seminar will be held on 6-7 December 2018 at the Blackpool Hotel (formerly the Hilton Hotel), North Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 2JQ. The seminar will feature thematic forums on the latest issues affecting performance management and measurement. The event will also include the prestigious APSE Performance Networks Awards Charity Dinner. Click here for more information about the event.
• Cemeteries and Crematoria Seminar 2018. This Seminar will highlight best practice and innovation, which together will prove invaluable to the development of future Bereavement Services. The event will be held at the Preston Marriott Hotel on Friday 16 November. Places are filling up fast so book your place ASAP.
• APSE Scotland Soft Facilities Management Seminar 2018. This seminar aims to show how Soft FM services can contribute to helping tackle big policy issues like child poverty and inequality, as well as showcasing the latest innovations and new technologies available to help improve services. Click here to book your place.
• APSE Southern Region Parks and Open Spaces Seminar 2018. APSE is pleased to announce this unique opportunity to consider the future provision of local parks, opportunities for civic enterprise within parks services and quality matters in the day-to-day management of parks and green space assets. Click here to book your place.