Three teams reach APSE award finals
Three council service areas have been chosen as finalists in this year’s APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) awards, which recognise the outstanding work taking place in local authorities across the UK and celebrate excellence in frontline service delivery.
We are finalists in the Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative, Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) and Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) categories. The winners will be announced in September.
Council Leader Norman Hampshire said: “Well done to everyone who has been involved in these projects. The nominations are well deserved and it is welcome recognition for all the hard work that goes on in our teams right across the council. All of these service areas are delivering initiatives that are making a real difference to our residents, our environment and our communities. East Lothian would not be the wonderful place it is without the hard work of our council staff. Good luck to all our finalists!”
Technical Services Team of the Year
The Technical Services Team of the Year nomination is for Fleet Services. The team has delivered a major expansion of in‑house Additional Support Needs (ASN) transport in response to rising demand, taxi market failure and climate pressures. Investment in wheelchair‑accessible buses, workforce growth and modern apprenticeships now provides safer, more inclusive, lower‑carbon transport for over 40 additional ASN pupils. Growth has generated significant value with average savings of £3,516 per user, equating to around £141,000 per year for 40 users, while strengthening local employment and long‑term skills sustainability.
Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative
The Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative nomination is for the East Lothian Climate Forest, an ambitious programme driving climate action at landscape scale. One of Scotland's first Climate Forests, it aims to plant two million trees across East Lothian by 2031 through a partnership involving landowners, developers, communities and our council. More than 247,000 trees have already been planted in East Lothian, guided by our Tree and Woodland Strategy. By increasing carbon capture, enhancing biodiversity and creating healthier, more resilient landscapes and places, the Climate Forest is helping shape a sustainable future for East Lothian.
Service Team of the Year
The Service Team of the Year nomination is for our Bereavement Team. Since January 2024, they have delivered a significant transformation of burial and bereavement services across East Lothian, modernising the service while protecting and improving the support provided to stakeholders. The team has transformed from a once lengthy, paper-heavy service to a modern, digitally-led operation that puts families first at the most difficult times.
Burial capacity in the west of East Lothian has been doubled through structured scheduling, while the introduction of a modern digital booking system now provides streamlined, consistent information across the service. Historical burial records dating back to the 1800s have been digitised across 39 cemetery sites, with 24 sites also being fully drone imaged, helping to safeguard this important information for future generations and significantly improving access to records.
Alongside this transformation, a dedicated headstone health and safety inspection programme is now underway across East Lothian cemeteries, risk assessing every headstone and ensuring failed headstones have a proactive plan to be made safe. The transformation has not just been about systems and processes. Strong relationships with funeral directors and monumental masons have developed and strengthened, supported by a dedicated bereavement line and open-door approach that puts families, communication and compassionate service at the forefront of the service.
More details of the APSE Awards is on their website.