Service teams recognised at APSE awards
Three of our service areas were honoured at this year’s APSE Service awards which recognises outstanding work in local authorities across the UK.
The awards ceremony, which took place last month at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, celebrated excellence in frontline service delivery.
Our council was a finalist in the Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative category, the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) and Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) categories.
Although our finalists lost out to some worthy winners on the night, the awards honoured the amazing contribution of many colleagues.
(Left to right) Jennifer Lothian, Mike Foy, Wendy Hood
Wendy Hood, Operational Manager with Amenity Services, attended the ceremony and collected the finalist’s certificate for Best Service Team of the Year (Cemetery and Crematorium) on behalf of the Bereavement Team.
Since January 2024, the team has transformed our burial and bereavement services into a modern, digitally-led operation that puts families first at the most difficult times. They are currently carrying out a dedicated headstone health and safety inspection programme across East Lothian.
Jennifer Lothian, Strategy, Policy & Development Manager in Amenity Services, collected the finalists’ certificate for Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative on behalf of the East Lothian Climate Forest project and lead officer Sarah Cheyne, Senior Projects Officer – Landscape.
One of Scotland's first Climate Forests, the ambitious programme aims to plant two million trees across the county by 2031 through a partnership involving landowners, developers, communities and our council. More than 247,000 trees have already been planted, guided by our Tree and Woodland Strategy.
Excellent frontline services
Mike Foy, Team Manager with Amenity Services, collected the Best Service Team of the Year (Technical Services) finalists’ certificate on behalf of Fleet Services.
Fleet Services was honoured for delivering 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 more than 40 additional ASN pupils.
Mo Baines, Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Chief Executive, said: “In local authorities across the UK, frontline service teams continue to work tirelessly to make a positive impact on their communities and improve the lives of residents.
“APSE is proud to shine a light on the councils who are delivering excellent frontline services and celebrate them through our Annual Service Awards.”