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Our Easy Peasy Allotments Survey is now LIVE! Just 10 minutes of your time…
Streamlined this year, the survey provides a valuable snapshot of the local authority allotment services sector. It has previously attracted national attention, from BBC Breakfast to Gardeners’ World Magazine so make sure your voice is heard!
Tree grants remain critical to meeting targets and are a vital source of funding. So we’re delighted to be hosting the Tree Council tomorrow for a webinar covering current grant opportunities and practical support for tree planting, management and long‑term care. Free for members – you can sign up here. You can also read our latest briefing on tree grants here.
APSE has also been on the road in recent weeks, engaging with greenspace and grounds maintenance experts across the UK. From Aviemore and Cardiff to Lisburn and Stockton‑on‑Tees, discussions covered everything from weed control, volunteering, soil health, and playgrounds. A further greenspace meeting will take place in Tamworth on Tuesday 30 June – free for our Central member councils to sign up to.
And finally, elected members can hear from APSE Associate Darrin Mellor on Tuesday 30 June, as he provides an introduction to parks and grounds maintenance services for councillors. Darrin will explore key considerations around performance, budgets, contracts, and community expectations. Another free event for members to sign up for!
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📝 BRIEFINGS, POLICY AND RESEARCH
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Reporting Back on Grounds, Parks and Streets from the Scottish Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar 2026
On 20 and 21 May 2026, we welcomed local councils and industry leaders to our Scottish Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar in Aviemore.
The event explored best practice in parks and street scene management, open space strategies, weed control and biodiversity net gain.
Read our briefing here
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Tree Councils Grants Open to Support Community Planting Projects
In May 2026, the Tree Council reopened a range of grant programmes to support community-led tree, hedgerow and orchard planting projects.
This funding comes at a particularly challenging time for local authority parks budgets, as outlined in our Parks and Greenspaces State of the Market Report.
Read our briefing here
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Reporting Back from the APSE Northern Region From Concrete to Canopy Event
On Wednesday 29 March, APSE welcomed local councils from across the APSE Northern Region and sector experts to Stockton-on-Tees.
The event explored how local authorities are using nature-based solutions and high-quality green spaces to enhance community wellbeing and respond to climate change.
Read our briefing here
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Updating the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland - Historic Environment Scotland Consultation
Historic Environment Scotland is consulting on an update to the Historic Environment Policy for Scotland, the national policy framework that guides decisions affecting Scotland’s historic environment.
APSE encourages all member authorities to engage with this consultation and provide evidence based on their experience of planning, regeneration, asset management, and placebased service delivery.
Read our briefing here
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Reporting Back from our Parks Seminar 2026
On Thursday 12 March, we welcomed local councils and industry leaders from across the parks, nature and environment sector to the APSE Parks Seminar held at Old Trafford Football Stadium.
This year’s event focused on working together to create greener, healthier and more resilient places for people and nature to thrive.
Read our briefing here
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Responding to Consultation: Reducing the Prevalence of Private Estate Management Arrangements
APSE has responded to the Government’s consultation on reducing the prevalence of private estate management arrangements.
APSE supports the Government’s objective to reduce the prevalence of private estate management arrangements and restore fairness for homeowners.
Read our briefing here
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Parks and Greenspaces State of the Market Report 2026
Our 2026 Parks and Greenspaces State of the Market Report examines the state of local authority parks and greenspace services across the UK, including the priorities, challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Read our briefing here
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Swansea Central Area: Regenerating our City for Wellbeing and Wildlife
Swansea Council and Natural Resources Wales have published a green infrastructure strategy, designed to bring more nature into the Swansea Central Area. The strategy seeks to create a city with high quality multifunctional green infrastructure.
Read the full story here
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Partnership Conservation Projects Deliver Biodiversity Gains Across Causeway Coast and Glens
Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has been working in partnership with a number of organisations across the Borough to deliver a range of winter conservation projects aimed at enhancing habitats and boosting biodiversity.
Read the full story here
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North Yorkshire Council Proposes Countywide Tree and Woodland Policy to Give Greater Protection to Trees
North Yorkshire Council has set out plans to safeguard and strengthen trees and woodland across the county through its proposed Tree and Woodland Policy.
Read the full story here
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More Than 40 new Wild Spaces for Butterflies and Moths to be Created Across Glasgow
The Butterfly Conservation charity is working alongside Glasgow City Council to tackle the decline in common butterflies and moths.
Read the full story here
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Salford Set to Hit 8000-tree Target Two Years Early
Salford is set to reach their 8000-tree target two years early with over 7,000 trees planted across the city since 2024. A team of dedicated volunteers have worked to identify sites and plant trees in parks, open spaces and woodlands.
Read the full story here
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Tree Funding, Care and Establishment
APSE Parks Network in conversation with the Tree Council
Wednesday 24 June - 11:00 - 12:00
Book your place here
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A Councillor’s Guide to Understanding Parks and Grounds Maintenance Services
Tuesday 30 June - 11:00 - 12:00
Book your place here
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Plants, Trees and Automobiles: Greenspace and Highways Forum
APSE Central Region Event and Central AGM
Tuesday 30 June, Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Tamworth
Book your place here
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From Graffiti to Grime
APSE Northern Region Event and Northern Region AGM
Wednesday 15 July, 10:00 - 14:00, The Milner York, York
Book your place here
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Climate Adaptation: Advanced Soil Management
Thursday 23 July, Wednesday 29 July, Thursday 30 July - 9:30 - 12:30
Register your interest here
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📊 DATA INSIGHTS WITH PERFORMANCE NETWORKS
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Parks and Open Spaces Data Completion Training
To mark the start of the new data collection year, we are pleased to announce that we will once again be hosting our Parks and Open Spaces Data Completion Training on Tuesday 30 June at 2pm
This free training session is available exclusively to members of the Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services Performance Network. It provides a step-by-step guide to completing the data template, led by a subject matter expert, and offers an opportunity to ask questions and receive support.
Book your place here
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PIMS App for Playground Inspections
Did you know that members of Parks, Open Spaces and Horticultural Services Performance Networks can access APSE's Play Inspection Management System (PIMS)?
PIMS is a simple and effective digital inspection system that enables users to inspect entire playgrounds or individual pieces of equipment using a mobile device. .
Contact [email protected] to find out more
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⚙️ CONSULTANCY AND INTERIM MANAGMENT SUPPORT
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Did you know that APSE Solutions has the experts who can offer Soil Health Consultancy?
We have specialist associates who can support local authorities in delivering high-performing, sustainable landscapes through expert-led soil, drainage, and carbon management solutions.
Whether you're managing sports facilities, green spaces, or development land, our consultancy services are designed to improve performance, resilience, and long-term value.
Our core services cover:
Ready to dig deeper? Find out more here
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Network Queries are a resource for APSE members, allowing officers and councillors the opportunity to ask any question to APSE’s network.
This service gives our members access to the experience, knowledge and expertise of colleagues from over 300 member councils across the UK.
As a member organisation, officers and councillors from APSE have access to this service.
Do you have a question which you would like to ask the network?
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APSE is a member of APSE and APSE Energy and so you have full access to the benefits of both memberships. Find out more by visiting the APSE Website and the APSE Energy Web Pages.
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You have expressed interest in the below service areas.
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Armed Forces and Veterans Network
Building Cleaning
Catering
Cemeteries and Crematoria
Social Value, Procurement and Commercialisation
Environmental Health
Health and Social Care
Housing & Building Maintenance
Local Government Reorganisation
Parks & Grounds Maintenance
Waste & Recycling
Renewables & Climate Change
Roads & Highways
Sports & Leisure
Transport & Vehicle Maintenance
Workforce Matters
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If you would like to add to or amend your areas of interest you can do so using the link below.
Service Area Update Form
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APSE’s suite of service area networks now includes:
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Subscribe to APSE Communications
If you have been forwarded this email by a colleague and would like to subscribe to APSE communications yourself, please complete the Online Contact Form.
If you have any colleagues that would benefit from APSE communications, you can Forward the Online Contact Form.
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Upcoming APSE Seminars
You can view the upcoming suite of APSE Seminars by clicking on the link below.
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Colleagues from APSE can attend these Seminars at the Member Rate.
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Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
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