Highland councillors have praised the vital work of the Council’s Environmental Health team, recognising the growing demand for their services and the scale of what they continue to deliver across the region.
At a meeting of the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Committee, members welcomed a detailed update on the team’s work and paid tribute to their dedication in protecting public health and supporting communities.
Councillor Liz Kraft, co-chair of the committee, said the team’s efforts deserved recognition, especially in light of rising workloads.
“The local Environmental Health update is welcomed, and we thank the team for all their important work over such a wide and busy remit.”
She noted the increasing complexity of the team’s responsibilities, adding:
“The introduction of new regulations over the last few years to cover activities such as short term lets, dog breeding and pet selling is resulting in a rising level of service demands for the team.
“It is vital that progress continues to increase resilience and support for our teams and the work that they do.”
The figures speak volumes.
Over the past year, the Environmental Health team handled 1,253 service requests in the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh area, up from just over 800 two years ago.
Licensing for short term lets accounted for the largest number, with 575 applications received in 2024–25.
Food export health certificates followed at 166, reflecting the continued demand for fish and seafood exports post-Brexit.
Other key areas of work included 91 water supply queries, 79 applications for new food businesses, and 36 reports of abandoned vehicles.
With estimates suggesting up to 10,000 short term let properties exist across the Highlands, implementing and managing the licensing scheme remains one of the team’s top priorities.
Their work goes far beyond holiday lets.
The team also oversees the certification of animal breeders, welfare establishments, and rehoming centres, all now under updated licensing laws.
They are rolling out a new national approach to inspecting manufacturers of animal-origin products, such as smokehouses, dairies and fish processors.
And they’re preparing for further responsibilities, including regulation around non-surgical cosmetic procedures.
Behind the scenes, work is ongoing with the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland and the Society of Chief Officers of Environmental Health in Scotland to attract and retain skilled staff.
The team operates across three geographic zones, North, Mid and West with the Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh ward served by the Mid team.
Their remit is vast.
From food safety and pollution control to animal welfare and public health protection, the Environmental Health team plays a quiet but critical role in the everyday safety and wellbeing of Highland residents.
In a world of shifting legislation and growing pressures, they continue to rise to the challenge.
