Privacy notices - Environmental health

Enforcement of environmental and health protection laws

The Highland Council has a duty to enforce a wide range of criminal and civil legislation which through the Scheme of Delegation is the responsibility of the Environmental Health team.  The full list of relevant legislation is available on the Council’s website in the published Scheme of Delegation. 

In order to fulfil its obligations under these Environmental Health laws, the Council must gather information from a range of sources, including the public, businesses and others.  Some of this is personal information, for example information relating to a complainant who is making a complaint on an environmental matter.  Such evidence is necessary to show that there have been breaches of the law.

You are giving us your personal information to allow us to assess whether or not there is a public health issue and/or a breach of environmental health legislation. We carry out these functions as part of our statutory duties as your local authority.   The information may be used to take enforcement action where appropriate. We also use your information to verify your identity where required, contact you by post, email or telephone and to maintain our records.

If you don’t provide all of the personal information which is requested we may be unable to effectively enforce the laws that protect you, the health of others and the environment.

Processing your personal information is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest by the Council.  The Council has statutory obligations to enforce a wide range of environmental health related laws.

• View personal data
• Change personal data
• Delete personal data
• Restrict processing of personal data

Find out more about your rights

We may share your information with other law enforcement bodies such as the Police and other Environmental Health departments, where it is lawful to do so and where it is proportionate and necessary for the enforcement of the law.

We are also legally obliged to share certain data with other public bodies, such as HMRC and the Home Office and will do so where the law requires this. We will also generally comply with requests for specific information from other regulatory and law enforcement bodies where this is necessary and appropriate.

Your information will be held for 5 years, unless it is necessary and proportionate to retain it for a longer period for law enforcement purposes.

Any extension to the 5 years is rare and will only continue for as long as is strictly necessary.

Your personal information is not subject to automated decision making or profiling.

The data controller is The Highland Council

Data Protection Officer
Highland Council Headquarters
Glenurquhart Road
Inverness
IV3 5NX
01463 702029   

dpo@highland.gov.uk

If you are unhappy with the way we have processed your personal information you can contact the Information Commissioner:

Information Commissioner's Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF
Tel: 0303 123 1113
https://ico.org.uk/global/contact-us/