Unveiling Public Sentiment: APSE Survation Survey Sheds Light on Local Councils' Vital Role

In the face of a swiftly evolving landscape, local councils stand out as pillars of resilience and trust according to a recent survey conducted by Survation for the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE). This survey provides valuable insights into the concerns and priorities of councillors across Great Britain. Lendology, in collaboration with local councils since 2005, actively contributes to helping fund essential home repairs, energy efficiency improvements, and the adoption of low-carbon technologies. In this blog post, we delve into key findings from the APSE survey and discuss Lendology’s role in the larger context.

APSE Survey Highlights:

The survey, conducted by Survation in collaboration with APSE, provides intriguing insights into the perspectives of councillors and the public:

1. Trust in Local Councils: Councillors enjoy four times more trust than the National Government, reflecting the public’s confidence in local authorities.
2. Funding Challenges: A staggering 85% of surveyed councillors believe their local authorities do not receive adequate funding, highlighting the financial strain faced by councils.
3. Public Support for Funding: Approximately 72% of the public expresses a desire for the government to allocate more funding to local councils, indicating a strong public endorsement for local services.
4. Climate Change Prioritization: 68% of respondents identify climate change as a priority, emphasizing the pivotal role local councils play in responding to its effects.

Insights from Survation and APSE:

Survation CEO Damian Lyons Lowe and APSE Chief Executive Mo Baines offer valuable insights into the survey results:

• Damian Lyons Lowe: Despite financial challenges, the public’s confidence in local authorities, especially in critical areas like climate action, remains high.

• Mo Baines: The survey underscores the need to convince the government that local investment through councils is not only popular but a sensible route to delivering visible improvements at a community level.

Implications for Collaborative Initiatives:

Lendology has worked in partnership with local councils for over 20 years, delivering essential home repairs and energy efficiency improvements to improve private sector housing and recycle council capital.  Making public funds go funds is more important than ever. 

Our Social Impact Report 2023 highlights the impact of our local council backed loans.

1. Distinct Focus: Lendology stands out in the Community Development Finance Institution (CSFI) space with its focus on homeowner loans funded by local councils.
2. Key Achievements: The report highlights that for every £1.00 invested in a Lendology loan partnership by local councils, £3.28 of social impact is generated.  This impact continues year-on-year as loans are repaid by borrowers and recycled again, and again, making public funds go further.

As local councils continue to play a vital role in our communities, collaboration with organisations like Lendology is more important than ever. The public’s trust in councils aligns seamlessly with Lendology’s commitment to fair finance and community support.

For Local Councils Ready to Join Forces:

We invite new council partners to explore partnership opportunities with Lendology. Your dedication to serving the community resonates with our mission, and together, we can amplify the positive changes in our neighbourhoods. Learn more about becoming a partner by visiting our Become a Partner webpage.

Explore both the APSE survey and Lendology’s Social Impact Report, emphasising the collective efforts needed to navigate challenges and foster positive change in our communities.