Shaping the Future of Fleet, Waste and Grounds Services in Scotland

 

 

Expert Insight, Best Practice and Sector Collaboration 

Local government colleagues from across Scotland will have the opportunity to hear from a wide range of expert speakers representing both the public and private sectors. 

Sessions will cover topics including collaborative waste co‑design initiatives between the Scottish Government and local authorities, the use of digital technologies to deliver high‑quality, high‑performing kerbside collections, and the implementation of drug and alcohol policies, including managing prescribed medications.

Discussions will also explore associated risks and impacts on fleet compliance, regulation, and fleet decarbonisation. Delegates will have the opportunity to share best practice from across the sectors on materials including flexible plastics, food waste and ETS and pEPR.  

Parks, grounds and streets services are also strongly represented, with a dedicated discussion forum and a programme of focused presentations. These include insights from East Lothian Council on their recently published Open Space Strategy, alongside discussion of the increasingly important topic of biodiversity net gain. 

 

Mapping the Future 

The seminar’s keynote session, ‘Mapping the future: Scotland’s path to 2030 (Part 1)’, will explore the Circular Economy Bill and Waste Route Map, a growing priority for the local authority sector in Scotland. 

The session will also include insights and reflections from across the UK, including from Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs for CIWM. Dan will provide insights into the UK trends and policy developments, as well as reflections on the Scotland route map.  

Following this will be a joint session from Scottish Government and a Scottish local authority, looking at the co-design process for sustainable household recycling solutions.  The session will close with a presentation from John Arthur, Recycling Consultant for Zero Waste Scotland, who will be exploring digital technologies for high quality and high performing kerbside collections. 

For parks and grounds colleagues, there will be a Parks and Grounds Discussion Forum running concurrently which will debate the latest challenges and opportunities for the sector. 

 

Driving Cleaner Streets and Smarter Fleets 

Our second session, ‘From challenge to change: Delivering effective street cleansing and litter reduction’, will examine the current challenges, emerging trends, and the strategic decisions shaping cleaner, more sustainable public spaces.  

This will include a presentation from Frankie O’Rourke, Head of Service Parks and Streetscene at Glasgow City Council.  

Our Transport Advisory Discussion Forum will be discussing current issues and challenges surrounding fleet maintenance, with a case study from Dundee City Council on their coordinated EV charging council wide developments.  

 

Reducing Risk Through Policy and Practice 

Delegates are invited to explore our exhibition space and enjoy a refreshment break, kindly sponsored by Stertil Koni Ltd, before attending our final session of the day, ‘Driving safely: managing risk through drug and alcohol policies.’  

The session will include a presentation from Ruth Kydd, Insurance Manager at City of Edinburgh Council, who will discuss managing risks associated with prescribed medication, drugs and legal highs. Fraser Crichton, Corporate Fleet Manager at Dundee City Council, will share insights into how they are driving change through their Alcolock system.  

 

Sector Challenges, National Strategy and Networking 

The final discussion forum of the day will provide an opportunity for street cleansing and Streetscene colleagues to discuss Scotland’s National Litter and Fly Tipping Strategy. 

The forum will discuss the progression of actions from the strategy, with representation from the Strategic Delivery Partners. To conclude the first day of the seminar, delegates are invited to a ‘dine around’, kindly sponsored by FAUN Zoeller.

Strategic Approaches to Open Spaces and Biodiversity 

The second day of the Seminar will open with our ‘Designing for nature’ session, with insights from Jennifer Lothian, Strategy, Policy and Development Manager at East Lothian Council and Fiona Sutton Wilson, Head of Training at APSE. 

Jennifer will provide an overview of the Council’s latest Open Space Strategy, outlining the national and local policy context and exploring their strategic vision for community and nature. Fiona will explore Biodiversity Net Gain for parks and greenspaces and its relevance to parks and green spaces, as well as highlight new areas of focus and development. 

 

Transport Compliance, Technology and Decarbonisation

Session five, ‘Transport responsibilities and compliance’, will explore emerging technologies and fleet decarbonisation, with insights from the DVSA and Transport Scotland.  

Gordon Thomson, Head of Service Group Development, and Neil Barlow, Head of Vehicle Policy and Engineering at the DVSA, will provide an overview of upcoming changes in technology, testing and enforcement, as well as considering the direction of travel for the sector.  

The session will also cover fleet decarbonisation, a growing priority for local authority fleet teams working towards net-zero. A representative from Transport Scotland’s HGV team will provide the latest updates on the key challenges, funding opportunities and delivery pathways facing local authorities.  

Waste and recycling colleagues are invited to our Waste Discussion Forum, running concurrently to session five. Led by Kat Laasko, Recycling Partner at Zero Waste Scotland, the forum will explore the work being carried out by Zero Waste Scotland surrounding ETS and plastics.  

 

Policy, Pilots and Practice 

Delegates are invited to view our exhibition space before attending the final session of the seminar, ‘Mapping the future: Scotland’s path to 2030 (Part 2)’.  

David Goodenough, Service Manager at Cireco, will share their experience of capturing and processing film and flexible plastics, including insights into the current policy context.  

Paul Dougall, Co-ordinator – Neighbourhood Services at South Ayrshire Council, will be discussing South Ayrshire’s food waste recycling trial, including their three food waste interventions and the results of the trial.  

Sandy Anderson, Service Manager – Waste Operations, and Janet Mackenzie, Strategy Officer at Fife Council, will provide an overview of the pERP Improvement Action Process (IAP) pilot, sharing lessons from Fife’s waste services, including why Fife was chosen, what the pilot involved, and what was achieved.  

 

Our Scotland Fleet, Waste and Grounds Seminar not only provides opportunities for collaborative learning and insightful discussions but also offers local government decision-makers and heads of service the opportunity to come together and share best practice.

 

Celebrating Excellence and Collaboration 

To conclude three days of insightful discussions and productive collaboration, APSE will be holding an evening reception on Thursday 21st May, kindly sponsored by Caledonian Enforcement Limited.  

This will be followed by our charity dinner, sponsored by Dennis Eagle and Terbeg Matec, and our APSE Striving for Excellence Awards. The Awards, sponsored by Econ Engineering Ltd and Hillend Engineering, will celebrate the fantastic hard work and success of local authority services in Scotland.  

By hosting the largest Scottish trade exhibition of its kind, we provide local government specialists with a valuable opportunity to network and engage with the latest technological advancements in fleet, equipment and ancillary supplies, from salt spreaders to asset management software. The exhibition also creates a dedicated space for developing new partnerships that can help transform and enhance frontline local government services. 

 

Click here to book your place at our Scotland Fleet, Grounds and Waste Seminar 2026.

 

Click on the image to view the full programme.