March

COVID-19 – APSE are here to help

The current situation with COVID 19 is placing enormous strain on our public services. We are very proud of our member local councils who, on the back of dealing with the recent flooding responses, are now responding to a major public health emergency which has tested our core resilience.

 

APSE wanted to reassure you that we are ready to assist our member local councils in any way that we can during this current situation. The vast majority of APSE services will continue as normal through the usual online, email and telephone contact points. However, we have unfortunately had to postpone seminars and events. There is information available to you on our special hub which you can access here.

 

We have also launched a number of new COVID-19 WhatsApp groups for frontline services. To sign up to these groups please use this link. In addition to this we will be posting a series of update briefings to support frontline services. Again you will be able to access this information on our web hub. If you want to pose a question to the APSE network within your service area on any COVID 19 issues simply email [email protected]

 

APSE Service Awards 2020 – Call for entries extension!

These Awards, designed to recognise excellence in local government frontline services, are eagerly anticipated by councils across the UK. They specifically highlight local councils that have embraced change, innovation and best practice in order to continually offer outstanding services, despite budget cuts. This year, we have introduced a new category – Best Climate Action initiative.  Once you register your interest you will be sent an awards template. You must send your completed submissions to us by no later than 10 April 2020 to [email protected]. The deadline to register your interest and receive a template is 31 March 2020. Visit the APSE website for more information and to register your interest.

 

Climate Emergency Survey Report

APSE Energy’s latest survey, conducted in late 2019, asked a series of questions covering the topic of local authority climate emergency declarations and related matters. The results of this survey will be of particular interest to those officers and councillors responsible for responding to climate emergency declarations and developing the local authority’s approach to sustainability. The report is FREE to download.

 

Going for Gold (IIP)

APSE are delighted to announce we have been successful in retaining Gold status in Investors In People (IIP) on the new standard. The assessment showed APSE ‘High Performing’ in 12 of the 27 themes and ‘Advanced’ in the remaining 15; keeping APSE amongst the top ranking companies in the world in terms of people management.  A special mention to our Head of Business Resources Lindsay Towler, for putting in a massive amount of work in building up our systems, processes and organisational development approach over the past years.

 

APSE Direct – Latest edition out now!

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

• Point of View – Cllr. Denise Jeffery, Leader of Wakefield Council
• Full throttle to a low carbon future - Perth and Kinross Council;
• Making Liverpool city centre cleaner and safer - Liverpool Streetscene Services Limited;
• APSE Local Government Commission 2030 -  Entering the second stage of evidence gathering;
• Selling services to schools - APSE and CIPFA’s latest research;

Click here to read to read online!

 

Selling services to schools – APSE and CIPFA’s latest report

APSE’s new report - written and researched by CIPFA - finds that there are risks associated with the fragmentation of services as a result of academies, free schools and the declining role of local education authorities (LEAs). It suggests that this presents a number of risks as relationships between the schools sector and local authority service providers are increasingly fragmented as a result of regulatory and funding changes, and structural changes to education provision. The report finds that school support services are increasingly expected to function as traded services; de facto business units that sell services to schools. In order to re-establish the connections with schools as the preferred service provider or to maintain their existing school-client base, the report offers a number of specific recommendations to the schools support sector. You can download the full report for FREE here.

 

APSE and Committee on Climate Change Survey – Invitation to Participate

APSE are assisting the Committee on Climate Change who would like your input as a local authority respondent so that they can produce a useful report to accompany the sixth carbon budget with a focus on supporting local delivery, strategies, decision making and planning for Local Authorities, Cities and Regions. This short survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete though there are options for you to expand your answers. Your responses would be greatly appreciated in informing the work of the Committee and ensuring the views of local authorities are considered. Please take the survey using this link

 

Climate Emergency Training Needs Analysis

To assist our member councils tackle the emerging issues following a council climate emergency declaration or commitment to climate action, APSE Training is conducting a short training survey to help establishment what training will be needed, and at what level,  to help our member councils. To complete the survey please click here.

 

Latest Briefings

• State of the Market 2020: Street Cleansing. The survey covers a range of issues of interest to officers and councillors responsible for street cleansing. Click here to read online.
• 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:

• Street Cleansing

 

APSE State of the Market Surveys – We want your opinion

APSE’s short surveys include a range of questions that will enable a valuable snapshot to be gained of the following local authority services:

• Cemeteries and Crematoria (Deadline 1 April)

 

APSE Services round-up
 

• APSE Energy has launched a new publication: Becoming net zero carbon across the corporate building estate. The guide is intended for councils who may not currently have the resources or expertise to develop and deliver a strategy to reduce energy usage across their own estate or may not have made substantial progress in the past. The guide is FREE to download for APSE Energy members. Click here for more information.  
• APSE Performance Networks continues with its systems improvements, new services and is now transitioning to the new portal. Click here for more details.
• APSE Training has a newly developed course on Carbon Literacy. Email Fiona Sutton-Wilson at [email protected] for details.
• APSE Solutions has a new cohort of expert Interim Managers ready to fill gaps before the financial year end. To access the service email Emma Taylor at [email protected].