Licences, permits and permissions news

• Views sought on introducing knowledge tests for private hire car drivers

  Published on 3 Mar 2025

  People are being asked for their opinions on whether The Highland Council should introduce knowledge tests as part of the licensing process for private hire car drivers.

• Reminder to Traders Operating on Nairn Common Good Property

  Published on 28 Aug 2024

  All traders operating on the Common Good land are reminded that they must register with Highland Council in order to ensure that they have full public liability insurance.

• Highland Licensing Board consults on liquor licensing policy statement

  Published on 30 Jun 2023

  The Highland Licensing Board has begun consultation on its next Statement of Licensing Policy for the period November 2023 to November 2028.

• Highland Council’s Short Term Let Licence process goes live

  Published on 3 Oct 2022

  The Highland Council has confirmed that its online process for short term let licence applications is now open.

• Short Term Lets update

  Published on 21 Sep 2022

  The Highland Council informs hosts and operators that an online application form will be available by 1 October 2022

• Council confirms its preparation for implementation of licensing scheme for short term lets

  Published on 4 Jul 2022

  During a meeting of The Highland Council held on Thursday 30 June, Members noted the preparation underway for the commencement of new legislation - the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing

• Council publishes Sexual Entertainment Venue Policy after Licensing Committee move to licence venues

  Published on 14 Feb 2022

  Following a Committee resolution last year to licence Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEVs) The Highland Council is now required to publish an SEV policy.

• Financial assistance still available as part of the Taxi and Private Hire Operator Grant Scheme

  Published on 9 Jul 2021

  Highland Council has contacted Taxi and Private Hire Operators to invite them to apply for a grant through the Scottish Government’s Taxi and Private Hire Operator Support Fund.

• Additional financial support now available as part of the Taxi Driver and Operator Grant Scheme

  Published on 7 Jun 2021

  Taxi and Private Hire Drivers and Taxi Operators are set to benefit from a new grant scheme, following an announcement from Scottish Government. 

• £1,500 Grant for Taxi and Private Hire Drivers

  Published on 19 Jan 2021

  The Scottish Government has launched a £1,500 grant scheme to assist each individual licensed taxi or private hire driver with their fixed costs including licence plate fees, rental fees and insurance

• Council to consult on management rules for burial grounds and Inverness crematorium

  Published on 25 Nov 2020

  The Highland Council is to consult on draft management rules for its 268 burial grounds across the region and crematorium located at Kilvean in Inverness.

• New licence fees for residential caravan sites in Highland

  Published on 25 Nov 2020

  New licence fees for residential caravan sites in Highland

• Council relaxes some controls for COVID-19 business recovery

  Published on 6 Jul 2020

  Highland Council Council is announcing relaxation of some controls that will assist tourist accommodation providers have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

• Landlord prosecuted for unlicensed HMO

  Published on 29 Jan 2019

  Following an investigation by Highland Council Environmental Health Officers, a Fort William Landlord has been successfully prosecuted for operating a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence.

• Highland Licensing Policy Statement agreed

  Published on 25 Sep 2018

  A special meeting of the Highland Licensing Board took place yesterday (24 September) in Inverness to agree the terms of the Board’s Licensing Policy Statement for 2018-2023. 

• ​​​​​​​Don’t let the grass grow under your feet – order your 2018/19 garden waste permit by 3rd June.

  Published on 9 May 2018

  Highland Council Garden Waste Permits are now available to order for the 2018/19 Permit Season.

• National concerns prompt Highland checks on UV tanning equipment.

  Published on 10 Jul 2017

  The Highland Council will be conducting an audit on all licensed premises in Highland to verify compliance with EU safety standards regarding the output of ultra violet (UV) radiation.

• Landlord prosecuted for unlicensed HMO

  Published on 3 Feb 2017

  Following an investigation by Highland Council Environmental Health Officers, an Inverness Landlord has been successfully prosecuted for operating a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence.

• Partners clamp down on illegal shellfish operations in Highland

  Published on 17 Nov 2016

  A multi-agency enforcement operation took place in the Lochaber area focussed on the illegality arising from and associated with the gathering of shellfish

• “Right To Licence” checks for taxi and private hire car drivers

  Published on 4 Nov 2016

  1 December 2016, we will be unable to grant a taxi driver or private hire car (PHC) driver licence to any person unless new national additional checks have been made

• Highland Council highlights free advice service for Blue Badge applications

  Published on 25 Jan 2016

  The Highland Council highlights free advice and guidance provided for Blue Badge applications

• Response to Call for Evidence on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals

  Published on 4 Sep 2015

  Highland Council has agreed its response to the call for evidence on the UK and Scottish Governments’ proposals on the devolution of powers relating to Fixed-Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

• New arrangements for householders at Dingwall Recycling Centre as Council targets commercial use

  Published on 28 Apr 2015

  From 18th May householders who wish to bring their waste to Dingwall recycling Centre in a van, pickup truck, sign written vehicle and/or a trailer will be required to complete a Household Waste Declaration form before visiting the site or face being turned away.

• Consultation on extended opening hours for special events

  Published on 5 Mar 2015

  The Highland Licensing Board has launched a consultation on whether to introduce a supplementary policy statement on extended opening hours for special events of national and local significance.

• Eat Safe Award presented to Lochaber business

  Published on 25 Feb 2015

  Craft & Things Coffee Shop in Glencoe has been awarded the Eat Safe Award after demonstrating that its standards of food hygiene and food safety management exceed that required by legislation. This is only the second award to be presented within the Lochaber area and one of only 43 Eat Safe awards that have been issued throughout The Highland Council area.

• Licensing Board concern at poor compliance on refresher training

  Published on 12 Aug 2014

  Members of The Highland Council’s Licensing Board were today (12 August 2104) informed that a very large number of Personal Licence holders have still to notify the Board that they have undertaken refresher training which is required if they are to retain their Licence.

• Council encourages retailers to get ready for Carrier Bag Charges

  Published on 22 Jul 2014

  The Highland Council are encouraging retailers throughout the Highlands to get ready for the 20th October when retailers will be required to make a minimum 5p charge for all single use bags.

• Ten business development clinics – meet the experts

  Published on 8 Jul 2014

  Business Gateway Highland is running a series of ten business advice clinics across the Highlands between July and November.

• Council budget blog asks - can some services be provided less often?

  Published on 6 Jun 2014

  People in the Highlands are being invited - on a new blog – to have their say on how the Council should meet its savings target of £63.7m over the next 4 years.

• Licensed trade in Highlands reminded of need for refresher training

  Published on 20 Feb 2014

  Members of the licensed trade in the Highlands are being reminded of the need to undergo refresher training to ensure they retain their personal licences - and the authority to sell alcohol.

• Betting shop licensing laws to be challenged

  Published on 19 Dec 2013

  We are writing to the UK Government seeking a change to licensing law to prevent over-provision of betting shops in a local community.

Sub-categories of Licences, permits and permissions

• Licences for accommodation
• Licences - gambling

• More articles in the news archive