Environmental services

DISCLAIMER
The duties listed below are currently under review and have not yet been formally signed off by the relevant professional association. The information provided is for reference only and should not be treated as final or authoritative guidance. Please verify any decisions against approved sources or seek professional advice. Updates will be published once sign-off is complete.

Keep Land and Roads Clear of Litter and Refuse

Councils must keep public spaces, streets, and highways clean and free from litter and refuse.
Remove Abandoned Vehicles from Roads and Open Land

Councils must remove vehicles that have been abandoned on roads or in open spaces when they are reported.
Designate Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

Councils can designate land as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) if it is important for its wildlife or natural features and they have control over it.
Enforce Littering Offences Through Fixed Penalty Notices

Councils can issue fines for littering and other environmental offences, such as graffiti and fly-tipping in public places.
Inspect Land for Contamination

Councils must regularly inspect land in their area to identify any that may be contaminated.
Assess Flood Risk and Prepare Flood Risk Management Plans

Councils must assess how likely flooding is in their area and prepare a Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
Provide a Crematorium or Enter into Arrangements for External Provision

Councils can operate their own crematorium facilities or work with external providers to ensure cremation services are available to the public.
Arrange Burial or Cremation Where No Other Arrangements Are Being Made

If someone dies or is found dead in a council’s area, or is receiving help from the council, and no one else is arranging the funeral, the council must step in.
Deal with Stray Dogs

Councils must collect and care for stray dogs.
Appoint Dog Control Officers

Councils must appoint specially trained officers to deal with dogs that are behaving dangerously or causing problems.
Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for Dog Fouling

Councils can issue Fixed Penalty Notices for dog fouling offences.
Manage Household and Commercial Waste Responsibly

Councils must ensure the effective collection, treatment, and disposal of household and commercial waste.
Meet National Recycling and Composting Targets

Councils must help meet national recycling and composting targets.
Provide Receptacles for the Separate Collection of Dry Recyclable Waste

Councils must promote the separate collection and recycling of waste by making it easier for people to sort materials like paper, plastic, and glass.
Issue licenses for waste carriers and scrap metal dealers

Councils are responsible for issuing licenses to businesses and individuals who collect and transport waste or deal in scrap metal.
Support National Emissions Targets and Climate Adaptation

Councils must take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, support climate adaptation, and lead the transition to a net zero Scotland.
Reduce Emissions from Council Estates and Operations

Councils must reduce emissions from their own buildings, vehicles, and operations.
Prepare and Implement Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies (LHEES)

Councils must create and carry out Local Heat and Energy Efficiency Strategies to reduce energy use and cut carbon emissions from buildings.
Report on Climate Change Duties

Councils must report each year on how they are meeting their legal climate change responsibilities.
Report on Climate Change Duties
Ensure tree preservation and sustainable woodland management

Councils must protect and manage trees and woodlands as part of their environmental responsibilities.
Manage open Space and greenspace

Councils must manage and protect open spaces and green areas as part of their legal and planning responsibilities
Set standards for and license caravan sites

Councils must set standards for and license caravan sites to ensure they meet legal requirements for safety, sanitation, and proper land use.
Secure safety at disused mines and quarries

Councils must secure safety at disused mines and quarries to prevent accidents and protect the public.
Enforce vehicle emissions regulations in Low Emission Zones

Councils must enforce vehicle emissions regulations in Low Emission Zones to reduce air pollution and improve public health.
Enforce restrictions on single-use plastics

Councils must enforce restrictions on single-use plastics to reduce environmental harm and promote sustainable practices.
Monitor, control and prevent irresponsible dog ownership

Councils must monitor, control, and prevent irresponsible dog ownership to protect public safety and animal welfare.
Conserve and enhance biodiversity in exercising functions

Councils should conserve and enhance biodiversity when carrying out their functions to protect natural habitats and support wildlife.
Ensure dogs are not dangerously out of control

Councils must ensure dogs are not dangerously out of control to protect public safety and prevent harm to people and other animals.
Ensure dogs are microchipped

Councils must ensure dogs are microchipped to improve identification and promote responsible ownership.
Provide and maintain household recycling centres

Councils must provide and maintain household recycling centres so that residents have a convenient place to bring items for recycling and safe disposal.
Prepare and deliver a waste strategy

Councils must prepare and deliver a waste strategy to set out how waste will be managed in their area, both now and in the future.
Manage and monitor closed landfill sites

Councils must manage and monitor closed landfill sites to make sure they do not harm people or the environment.
Undertake coast protection works and manage coastal erosion risks

Councils have powers to carry out works that protect the coastline from erosion and damage by the sea.
Manage heat and electricity functions

Councils are responsible for managing heat and electricity functions, including the power to produce heat or electricity, establish and operate generating stations, acquire heat, and supply heat to premises.
Contribute to meeting fuel poverty targets

Councils should help reduce fuel poverty in their area in line with Scotland’s national targets.
Support and enforce circular economy measures

Councils must help deliver Scotland’s circular economy goals by improving recycling, reducing waste, and supporting sustainable practices.
Provide public toilets

Councils can choose to build, maintain, and equip public toilets and provision usually depends on factors like local demand, available funding, and wider priorities.
Provide janitorial services

Councils can provide janitorial services for schools and other council buildings.
Comply with reservoir safety regulations

Councils that own or manage reservoirs capable of holding 25,000m³ or more of water must comply with safety requirements.
Carry out Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Councils must check how their plans and programmes—like those for waste, housing, farming, or forestry—might affect the environment.
Provide and manage burial grounds

Councils must ensure there is at least one suitable burial ground within their area if no other provision exists.
Create or support allotments, community gardens, and growing initiatives

Councils are required to actively promote and support allotments, community gardens, and other “grow‑your‑own” initiatives.
Act sustainably and contribute to climate change objectives

Councils must act sustainably and contribute to climate change objectives in all aspects of their operations and decision-making.
Have due regard to environmental principles

Councils must consider environmental principles when making decisions that affect the environment.
Undertake and record fire alarm testing in public buildings

Councils must regularly check that fire alarms in public buildings work properly and keep a record of these checks.
Assess potential environmental impacts resulting from planning decisions

When writing big-picture planning documents, like the Local Development Plan that guides where housing, jobs and services should go, they must carry out a Sustainability Appraisal (which includes a Strategic Environmental Assessment).
Investigate and remedy, if necessary, contaminated land prior to development

Councils must make sure that land is suitable for its intended use before granting permission for development.