Abandoned Vehicles Policy approved by Highland Councillors

6th November 2026

Members of The Highland Council’s Communities and Place Committee have approved a new Policy on Abandoned Vehicles that will provide a framework for investigating, assessing and enforcement against abandoned vehicles across the region.

Chair of Communities and Place, Cllr Graham MacKenzie said: “I welcome this new policy which will help to make a difference in communities where the nuisance of abandoned vehicles arises. It demonstrates that we are a listening Committee and sends a clear message that abandoned vehicles are not acceptable in Highland.

“The policy will enable more consistent and transparent decision-making; improved enforcement of abandoned vehicle legislation; reduced environmental, safety and community impacts and increased cost recovery and a more sustainable service.”

Committee noted an update from Environmental Health on abandoned vehicles and that the new policy will introduce a six-week operational guideline as an indicator of potential abandonment.

Members also endorsed an ongoing programme of enforcement improvements, cost recovery measures, public awareness activity and engagement with partners and government, and noted that further updates will be brought to committee as improvement work progresses.

Councillors agreed that the six-week period will be used as an operational guideline, rather than a fixed legal test, with officers continuing to consider the circumstances of each case before deciding whether a vehicle is abandoned.

Council staff will seek to identify and contact vehicle owners wherever possible; follow statutory procedures for removal, storage, and disposal; recover statutory costs where appropriate; and consider prosecution of vehicle owners who abandon vehicles.

Members welcomed the ongoing work to strengthen enforcement and improve operational arrangements, including an increase in recovery of costs from vehicle owners, with £21,380 recovered in the first half of 2026/27.

Members also endorsed:

Progress work on a vehicle uplift and storage contract and establishing a vehicle pound/storage facility in the Inner Moray Firth area.
Continuation of public awareness campaigns and engagement with the Scottish Government, COSLA, DVLA, Police Scotland and SEPA to improve enforcement and legislative powers.
Officers continue to recover costs from vehicle owners wherever possible and consider prosecution in appropriate cases.