Welcome to APSE

APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) is a not for profit local government body working with over 300 councils throughout the UK. Promoting excellence in public services, APSE is the foremost specialist in local authority front line services, hosting a network for front line service providers in areas such as waste and refuse collection, parks and environmental services, leisure, school meals, cleaning, housing and building maintenance. We hope you enjoy our website.

It's all in the delivery!

As Government grapples with popularity polls it would be easy to become complacent and decide that no matter how good we improve services ordinary citizens will never really understand the nature of local government or the challenges that we face. However the harsh truth is that what matters to citizens is not how well a council is rated by some government inspector but how well they receive their local services. Whether that local service means a clean park and play area or a good bin collection service the point of delivery is what matters most. That is why we have decided to take this years annual seminar debate back to what matters to local citizens 'It's all in the delivery! Provding excellence in local government front line services' will explore how the strategic challenges that councils face can be translated into better service delivery. As well as high profile and excellent speakers from across local government the seminar will also provide an insight into front line service delivery through a range of strategic and innovation focussed workshop sessions across all services. Click here to download a booking form.

Citizen engagement. Myth or reality?

APSE's inaugural meeting of its 'Citizen engagement and governance strategic forum' saw a lively debate with the IPPR North. Attendees discussed over dinner whether or not citizen engagement could be delivered in accordance with the Government vision. A lively topic given the draft queens speech announcement on a new empowerment white paper! Many were of the view that citizen engagement would naturally be episodic as the issues that matter to citizens change over the course of the individuals natural life-cycle. Indeed some reported that citizens were 'engaged out!' and were actively refusing to discuss issues with their council. We came to the conclusion that no one size fits all and for local councils to effectively deliver on the vision we need to ensure that we have the freedoms and flexibilities to deliver what matters locally.

Best Value changes to Wales are welcomed

Dr Brian Gibbons, AM, Minister for Social Justice and Local Government is pictured below addressing delegates at the APSE Wales seminar. Dr Gibbons announced that he will be taking on the reform of Best Value in Wales using delegated powers under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. APSE has broadly welcomed the ministers announcements but we will be watching carefully to ensure that Best Value is about delivering value for money for local communities whilst ensuring local councils in Wales are at the heart of service delivery.

Dr Brian Gibbons, Assembly Minister, Cllr Leon Unczur, APSE National Chair, Cllr Arwyn Woolcock, Prospective APSE National Chair, Cllr David Williams, APSE Wales Chair, David Stiens, Secretary APSE Wales, and Mark Bramah, Assistant Chief Executive, APSE

The MJ Offer for APSE members

The MJ is a leading journal offering local authorities up-to-date information on all aspects of local government from policy through to service delivery, covering articles, information and reports, to keep you and your service area bang up to date with all the latest news. Issued every Thursday The MJ usually costs £140 per year but APSE has negotiated a special offer on behalf of our contacts that currently do not subscribe to The MJ, which is a reduced subscription of £77 for the year. If you would like to take advantage of this offer please click here to download the special offer form and return to APSE.