What's new?

APSE Performance Networks

At a recent Performance Networks Seminar we asked local government frontline service managers from across the UK: "In what ways has Performance Networks data helped improved your service?"

A big thank you to the service managers who contributed their time to being interviewed: 

• Jayne Jones, Commercial Manager, Argyll and Bute Council;
• Owen Jenkins, Director of Growth and Economy, Oxfordshire County Council;
• Paul Wright, Open Spaces Services - Divisional Manager, Halton Borough Council;
• Dela Moreland, Waste Collection and Recycling Manager, Kettering Borough Council.

Changes to training

We have now pre recorded our PN induction and data completion introduction and this is available to view online via the members web portal, under the training pages.  This session is an introduction to both performance networks and how to download and navigate the data templates.  

We also offer 121 data support sessions, where an associate will meet via MS Teams and complete your data template with you, in real time.  To enquire about these sessions, please contact performance.networks@apse.org.uk 

Exciting developments in performance networks

Further developments in LAMS

In 2015 APSE introduced the Land Audit Management System (LAMS), which was developed by a group of authorities in Scotland. LAMS is a consistent quality audit approach, measuring the level of service delivery for grounds, streets and cemetery land.

What LAMS monitiors:

In 2018 APSE launched the LAMS App which is available to members of APSE performance networks and costs £600 per year per authority. There is no maximum on the number of users who can be registered for the App and the price is per authority as opposed to per user. Compared to paper-based systems, the App reduces the duration of inspections. It also automatically identifies location through GIS and requires photographic evidence to support the grading for validation purposes. The quality grading/scoring registered during the surveys is available as live data for the individual authority completing the audits. In addition to this APSE provide benchmarking reports on a bi-monthly and also quarterly basis.

The App has been further developed this year through the introduction of a self-randomiser which automatically allocates an inspection list of sites to inspectors. The randomiser also includes a map and direction details (Sat-Nav) for all planned inspections via the App.

We have undertaken a ‘pilot’ trial period with a number of member authorities participating in the field testing of the randomiser. The trial period ran from January to March 2020. During the trial period, the participating local authorities critiqued the application with a view to having a ‘ready to go’ product available for all interested authorities.

Building cleaning App

We are very excited to launch a brand new app for building cleaning inspections. This follows the huge success of the LAMS App.

This new app will include 4 different surveys:
• Educational establishments
• Leisure centres
• Offices
• Public conveniences

The cost is £600 per year per authority. There is no maximum on the amount of users who can be registered for the App and the price is per authority as opposed to per user. Compared to paper-based systems, the App will reduce the duration of inspections. The App automatically identifies location through GIS and requires photographic evidence to support the grading for validation purposes. It is user friendly so that you can train your new staff efficiently and it reduces the time it takes to submit inspections as this is through a click of a button.

The results from participating authorities can be benchmarked throughout the year, so that you can compare grading / cleanliness levels not only by authority, but by building and feature type thus becoming an invaluable management tool producing meaningful data. This can be used to prove value for money and to promote how effective your service is. Not only would this data be available ‘live’ via the cloud but also feed into the performance indicator reports and can contribute to the awards criteria.