Falkirk Council Finalists at APSE 2022

That the Parliament congratulates Falkirk Council on being named a finalist at the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) awards 2022 for the Take Pride in Falkirk initiative; understands that over 300 applications were received for the APSE awards 2022, with Falkirk Council being the only Scottish local authority named as a finalist in the Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative (including Community Safety) category; notes that Take Pride in Falkirk is part of Falkirk Council’s Litter Prevention Action Plan, which is designed to create and facilitate a culture of zero tolerance towards litter to keep Falkirk clean and beautiful; understands that the initiative has been in place since 2021 and has led to a decrease in litter in communities across Falkirk district, empowering communities and organisations to act to tackle litter, in partnership with Falkirk Council; notes that Wakefield Council were named the eventual winners of the award for Best Community and Neighbourhood Initiative announced at the annual APSE Awards ceremony in Swansea on 15 September 2022; congratulates Falkirk Council on what it sees as a significant achievement on being named a finalist in a UK-wide award, and looks forward to seeing more people Take Pride in Falkirk and other towns and villages across the district as part of the litter prevention strategy.