Each year, the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) undertakes its State of the Market survey of local authority Street Cleansing Services, providing a snapshot of the sector. APSE Principal Advisor and report author, Abi Ademiluyi, provides a summary of this year’s findings.
Budget pressures and long-term outlook
Fewer councils are predicting severe reductions compared to last year, though the longer-term outlook still suggests continued pressure on resources. Eighty per cent of respondents expect their street cleansing budget to change in the next year, with half anticipating a decrease. Over the next five years, 28% expect cuts of over 10%, while a small proportion anticipate increases of up to 10%.
Those surveyed report that while standards have largely been maintained, further cuts could lead to reduced cleansing frequencies and a scaling back of non-essential activity. Continued reductions may ultimately undermine the attractiveness of town centres and neighbourhoods, affecting businesses and inward investment.
Efficiency and income generation
In response, councils are intensifying efficiency measures. Common approaches include reviewing weekend working, reducing cleaning frequencies, auditing litter bin collections and relocating depots to support integrated service delivery. There is also growing interest in digitising data capture to improve productivity and performance monitoring.
Income generation is increasingly important. Fifty-three per cent of respondents report operating schemes to raise revenue, up on the previous year. Methods include increasing fees and charges, delivering grounds maintenance and private land work, hiring out sweepers and large bins, as well as providing event cleansing. Some authorities are also reinvesting enforcement income into environmental campaigns and communications.
Workforce stability and skills
Despite financial uncertainty, workforce stability appears strong. Ninety-four per cent of services report no planned redundancies or recruitment freezes in the next 12 months. Voluntary and compulsory redundancies remain at zero, although a small minority anticipate recruitment freezes. Staff absence is generally considered manageable, with most managers reporting average or below-average levels
Training remains a priority, particularly as more services integrate and require multi-skilled teams. Almost a quarter of respondents expect training budgets to increase over the coming year, reflecting recognition that workforce development underpins service resilience.
Standards of cleanliness
Performance data presents a mixed but broadly positive picture. Forty per cent of respondents report that cleanliness levels have improved over the past year, while a further 40% say they have remained stable. However, one in five believe standards have fallen, demonstrating the impact of ongoing pressures. Looking ahead, 42% expect improvements in the next 12 months.
Monitoring frameworks continue to evolve. There has been increased uptake of APSE’s Land Audit Management System (LAMS), now widely recognised as a practical method of measuring street cleansing and grounds maintenance standards. Most inspections are undertaken by in-house officers although some councils also involve volunteers.
Integration and service delivery
Integration within wider street scene services is now common, with 73% operating within an integrated model. This ranges from full-service integration to shared supervisory arrangements across environmental functions.
A notable trend is the continued move to bring services back in-house. Eighty per cent of respondents now manage street cleansing directly, reflecting councils’ desire for flexibility, stronger performance management and the ability to adapt quickly to changing needs. Most services operate seven days a week, with some providing night-time cleansing and area-based teams to maintain local responsiveness.
Binfrastructure and enforcement
Seventy-one per cent of councils now have a formal litter bin strategy, and most maintain accurate asset mapping to support maintenance and rationalisation. Typically, up to 5% of bins are replaced annually.
Community involvement remains valuable, particularly through organised clean-ups and litter picks. Although it cannot replace professional frontline services. Enforcement activity is expected to increase, with 69% anticipating more notices and fixed penalty notices over the next two to three years. Sixty-six per cent already issue on-the-spot fines for littering, and more authorities are addressing incorrect waste presentation.
Looking ahead
Many councils are undertaking service reviews to drive efficiencies and protect standards. While some reductions are anticipated in lower-priority areas such as rural road sweeping, there are also signs of growth in commercial and industrial cleansing work.
Despite ongoing budget pressures, managers and frontline staff continue to deliver efficient services. There are early signs of stabilisation in medium-term budgets, offering cautious optimism. If reinvestment continues, performance improvements will follow.
Above all, the survey demonstrates the sector’s commitment to creating cleaner and safer local environments, and the dedication of the workforce that makes this possible.
Photo: Josh Grimmett
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