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From Heatwaves to Food Standards
As schools across the UK welcome students back for the new academic year, local authority catering and cleaning teams continue to navigate an increasingly complex operating environment. Our latest Local Authority Catering State of the Market Report examines the current landscape for local authority catering teams - read the report here. The recent heatwaves also tested the resilience of catering operations, with many teams adapting their services to the extreme weather. We are interested in hearing from those who experienced these pressures first hand and learn how services responded – share your views in our survey here. Following the government's launch of a public consultation on proposed updates to the School Food Standards, we held a roundtable to shape APSE's response – read the briefing on the consultation here. Alongside catering services, building cleaning teams are navigating recruitment challenges, adapting to local government reorganisation and responding to pay increases, as outlined in our State of the Market report here. |
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📝 BRIEFINGS, POLICY AND RESEARCH |
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School Food Standards: Updating the legislative framework
This briefing provides an overview of the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities consultation on proposed updates to School Food Standards.
The consultation opened on 13 April 2026 and closed on 12 June 2026. The government’s response is expected in September 2026, with the aim of modernising the School Food Standards and align them with current nutritional evidence and government dietary guidance.
Read our briefing here |
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State of the Market 2026: Local Authority Catering Services
APSE’s Local Authority Catering Services State of the Market 2026 Report examines the landscape of local authority education catering services across the UK. The report explores the challenges, trends and opportunities facing the sector, with insights from local authorities across the UK.
Read our briefing here |
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Local Authority Audit - Feedback Survey - Food Standards Scotland Consultation
Food Standards Scotland is currently consulting local authorities on their experience of the recent audits undertaken by its Audit Assurance Team. The focus of the consultation is not the audit findings themselves, but how the audit process operates in practice, including its clarity, consistency, proportionality and overall effectiveness.
Read our briefing here |
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State of the Market 2026: Local Authority Building Cleaning Services
APSE’s Local Authority Building Cleaning Services State of the Market report analyses the landscape of local authority building cleaning services across the UK. The report examines the biggest challenges facing councils, as well as the trends and opportunities for local authorities.
Read our briefing here |
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East Lothian Council retains Food for Life silver award
East Lothian Council has retained its Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) silver award for the fifth year, which recognises its continued commitment to providing nutritious, sustainable and locally sourced school meals.
Read the full story here |
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How Torfaen County Borough Council successfully reduced food waste in primary schools
At our recent Education Catering Network meeting, Torfaen County Borough Council shared how they had successfully reduced food waste in primary schools by 20 - 30%.
View the slides here |
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Blackpool Council trials new wholefood menu options in schools
Pupils across Blackpool have been sampling meals containing more whole foods such as seeds, pulses and beans, as the council prepares for the anticipated changes to government food standards.
Read the full story here |
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| Nottingham City Council secures more than £1.6 million for children through Free School Meals programme
Nottingham City Council has secured more than £1.6 million in additional funding for children and schools after introducing an innovative Free School Meals (FSM) auto-enrolment programme. The programme will help ensure hundreds of local families receive the support they are entitled to.
Read the full story here |
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How Bolton Council are rebuilding their services from within
At our recent Northern Region Event, Rebuilding from Within, Bolton Council shared how they are successfully bringing their services in house.
View the slides here |
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The British Pest Control Association shares insights into managing pests in a changing world
Our recent webinar, Managing Pests in a Changing World, included insights into how changing weather patterns, urbanisation and insect resistance can impact how we control pests in our towns and cities.
View the slides here |
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Managing Catering Costs for Councils
Thursday 24 and Friday 25 September
9:30 - 13:00
Book your place here |
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📊 DATA INSIGHTS WITH PERFORMANCE NETWORKS |
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Building Cleaning and Catering Services Performance Networks - data collection window open!
The APSE Performance Networks Building Cleaning and Catering Services data submission window is open! Participating in the Building Cleaning and Catering service gives you access to valuable performance intelligence, helping you benchmark your service and drive continuous improvement. Benefits include: Comprehensive benchmarking reports comparing your performance with other local authorities Performance indicators and cost analysis to identify strengths and areas for improvement Evidence to support decision-making, service planning and continuous improvement
The submission deadline is 1 October, so don’t miss the opportunity to benchmark your service and gain valuable performance insights. If you’re not already a member of APSE Performance Networks and would like to get involved, please contact [email protected].
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⚙️ CONSULTANCY AND INTERIM MANAGMENT SUPPORT |
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Client Feedback
Kate Evans provided expert recruitment support to a Scottish Council, helping them appoint a new Catering lead, to strengthen leadership and drive service improvements. Her knowledgeable, responsive and proactive approach ensured the recruitment process was carefully scoped from start to finish, resulting in the appointment of the ideal candidate.
The successful appointment brought renewed direction to the catering team, improved day-to-day management, increased staff engagement and morale, and strengthened operational efficiency. The Council rated the completed project as Excellent, highlighting Kate’s professionalism, expertise and practical guidance, and noting that there could be “no improvements” to the process.
Reach out to [email protected] for more information on how we can help you!
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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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Our Annual Seminar and Service Awards are back for another year!This time, we will be in Liverpool to discuss how we can deliver for our communities, outlining strategies for safer, cleaner and healthier places for residents to thrive.Join us at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Princes Dock in Liverpool on Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 September. |
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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
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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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