December

APSE’s response to the General Election

The general election is over and we now await a Queen’s speech outlining a programme of government. If austerity is over we need to see a visible demonstration of this. There now needs to be a budget that invests in local government to undo the damage of the last ten years. The public expect to see a reversal of the deterioration of local neighbourhoods, town centres and public realm. They will also expect a Government with a large majority to get on and deal with major public policy crises around social care, the provision of affordable housing and combatting climate change. Whilst Brexit will continue to dominate the parliamentary timetable, the public now expect long overdue action on domestic matters affecting everyday life.

APSE Local Government Commission 2030 – Call for evidence extension

The call for evidence was initially scheduled to close on 16 December 2019. However, given the unexpected General Election, the Commission is accepting submissions into early January. Have your say on the future of local government. Click here for more information on how to respond.

Trust in Central Government crashes as councils gain public trust: APSE’s latest survey with Survation

New polling by Survation on behalf of APSE finds that whilst trust in central government has crashed trust in local councils is on the rise and at its highest level since 2016. Seven times as many people are likely to trust the local council over the government to make decisions about how services are delivered in their local area with eleven times as many trusting local councillors over government ministers to make decisions. The findings made the front page of the MJ and were also published on the Public Finance website [PAYWALL]. Click here to learn more about the findings on the APSE website.

Performance Networks Seminar 2019: A gallery of this year’s winners!

APSE performance networks are pleased to announce the winners in the most improved and best performer categories for the Performance Networks awards for 2019. The awards ceremony took place at the Performance Networks seminar at the Grand Hotel, Blackpool on the evening of Thursday 5 December 2019. The charity awards dinner is a special event in the local government calendar and in recent years has raised over £60,000 for Parkinsons UK. The Awards were announced at Blackpool at the rise of the APSE Performance Networks Seminar by  Presenter and Broadcaster Charlie Webster. A full list of the finalists and a gallery of the winners can be viewed here.

Hot off the press: The final APSE Direct of 2019 is available to read online!

The latest edition of APSE Direct is available to read online. This special New Year includes the articles:

• Brent’s Bee Corridor – Kelly Eaton, Brent Council;
• Performance Networks seminar report back;
• Who cares? We do! – Wirral Council;
• #GiveAGift: Thurrock’s Christmas campaign for children in need – Thurrock Council;
• Working together to end rough sleeping – City of Wolverhampton Council.

Click here to read to read online!

APSE Highways Innovation Awards 2020 – Call for entries!

APSE is pleased to present the 2020 Innovation Awards for highways, street lighting and winter maintenance services. The awards provide participating authorities with an opportunity to showcase their expertise, alongside the results that they have achieved. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony held as part of the annual APSE Highways, Street Lighting and Winter Maintenance Seminar, which will be held in Blackpool on 19-20 March 2020. The deadline to register your interest is Friday 17 January. Click here for more information and to register your interest.

Welcoming Fiona Sutton-Wilson - our new Head of APSE Training!

APSE are delighted to welcome Fiona to the APSE family. Before joining APSE, Fiona worked for the Cheshire & Warrington Sub-regional Programme Office, managing a number of leadership development programmes, which were designed to help local authorities meet rising demands. Fiona is a trained trainer and facilitator and qualified teacher and has worked across public services for more than 25 years. When she is not out meeting members in their own localities, or delivering training across the UK, or joining members at many of our useful events, Fiona will be based at our Manchester office and can be contacted on 0161 7221810 or [email protected].

APSE Training in the New Year

Are your highways, street lighting and winter maintenance teams equipped to deal with sensitive political issues? Can they effectively manage projects?

We can help! New courses from APSE Training for the New Year!   Click on the links to book on line and view course details.

• Developing Political Awareness and Sensitivity  - 15 January Nottingham
• Project Management in Local Government ( CPD Accredited course )  - 17 January Birmingham

Latest Briefings:

• State of the Market 2019: Transport. The survey covers a range of issues of interest to officers and councillors responsible for transport services. Click here to read online.
• Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee - Call for Views. The purpose of this briefing is to inform our membership of a call for views by the Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee on as part of its energy inquiry. Responses should be submitted no later than 10 January 2020. Click here to read this briefing online.
• State of the Market 2019: Sports and Leisure. The survey covers a range of issues of interest to officers and councillors responsible for sports and leisure services. Click here to read online.
• Dog fouling: why it is difficult to tackle and potential solutions. In 3 years since the original APSE briefing, dog fouling remains one of the most prevalent issues for local authority environmental services. This briefing covers why this issue is so difficult to tackle, and offers some additional solutions for local authorities.
• Trend Analyses 2018/19. These briefings provide details on the performance information available from APSE’s performance networks service; looking at performance indicators and current policy issues for councils who deliver:
  • Cemeteries and Crematoria
  • Environmental Health

New APSE Approved Partner – The CDS Group

The CDS Group is recognised as a leading international brand in cemetery, crematorium and mausoleum design and development. Over the last 16 years, CDS has undertaken in excess of 400 feasibility studies and designed and built over 40 new cemeteries both in the UK and overseas. Due to the increasing demand and recognising the continued growth of Cemetery Development Services, the company was rebranded as The CDS Group in November 2019 to offer clients a wider range of services covering Cemeteries and Crematoria, Parks and Leisure, and Environmental Solutions. Click here to learn more about this exciting new partnership.

Upcoming seminars and advisory group dates

Seminars / Energy Seminars / Advisory groups: National, Wales, Northern Ireland Scotland, Southern,

APSE Training courses

Click here for the full list of current APSE Training courses.