The Highland Council’s Magazine Spring 2019 Highpoints Issue 13 Sàr Phuingean Performance edition
Ambitious, Sustainable, and Connected A vision for Highland
www.highland.gov.uk Contents 3 Ambitious for Performance 4 An Ambitious Highland 4 Caol Campus 4 Kingussie Courthouse 5 West Link 5 First Newton Room created Welcome 6 Gaelic Film Awards ‘FilmG’ 7 Housing HUB This edition of Highpoints day cross-party seminar 7 New city homes focuses on performance which considered both the 7 New homes for Ullapool and how we measure up budget and governance of the 7 Iconic mosaic panels return against a range of nationally Council. 8 A Sustainable Highland benchmarked fi gures. 8 Planning Application submitted for MRF There is a positive feeling of 9 Modern Apprentices in the Council The Highland Council is change and members have 10 NW Sutherland School learning together ambitious to be a high really shown the will to work 11 Benefi ts and welfare performing Council and our together with staff to tackle 11 Sustainable ways of working new corporate plan sets out what are huge challenges for 11 Trial air services take off what we want to achieve and the Council. 12 A Connected Highland that we are an ambitious, We identifi ed important key 13 Happy homes for Highland children sustainable and connected themes from our public and 13 Corporate Parenting Board Highland. staff engagement and these 14 Highland Digital connectivity We took a new approach in have helped us develop 14 Your Cash Your Caithness preparing the budget this year. priorities for the Council 15 Invergarry Primary School The Chief Executive, Donna moving forward. 16 Highland Facts & Figures Manson, Budget Leader, Cllr 19 How are we performing? A Place to Live Equally important is the good Alister Mackinnon, and other 20 A Place to Learn practice and innovation which 21 Modern Apprenticeship Opportunities senior councillors and offi cers goes on across the Council, by 22 A Place to Thrive spent weeks out talking with hard working staff who care 23 A Welcoming Place staff , groups and communities about the communities they 24 A Redesigned Council across the Highlands in over serve and the people they 26 What did our survey tell us? 50 engagement sessions. work with. You can read about 29 How did we do: Statutory Performance The feedback was presented some examples in this issue of Indicators and Key Performance to Members as part of a two Highpoints. Indicators 2017/18 30 How do we compare: Benchmarking Contact us Write to: Corporate Communications The Highland Council HQ Glenurquhart Road Inverness IV3 5NX Email: corporate.communications @highland.gov.uk Phone: 01463 702020 Highpoints will be published online and some hard copies will be made available in service points and libraries. The magazine Cllr Bill Lobban Highland Council Convener is produced in-house by our Corporate Communications Team and printing costs are sponsored by advertising. 2 Ambitious Sustainable Connected
Ambitious for performance
I am ambitious that we are a high performing council, and a performance framework which sets ambitious targets and regularly monitors our progress is fundamental to this. We have some great examples of high performing teams and best practice which can be shared and supported across our services. Let us build on success and challenge where things can be improved or made more effi cient. This will enable us to be more sustainable and to do the best for our communities. We must also be honest about areas where performance is not good enough and identify ways to do things diff erently and better. This is the basis on which the Council’s budget for 2019/20 onwards has been built and will be supported through a corporate performance framework moving forwards.
Donna Manson, Chief Executive
Council Programme Ambitious Local voices | Highland choices
Feedback has been fundmental to developing the The Council’s success in Programme which presents a vision for the Council delivering its priorities is wholly - to be an Ambitious, Sustainable and Connected dependent on how it uses its substantial Highland. The Programme sets out 51 commitments fi nancial and physical resources in a sustainable to be delivered over the next 3 years under six way. The Council has to connect its ambitions priority themes: for the Highlands with the resources required to A Council that champions deliver them. the Highlands www.bit.ly/HighlandCouncilProgramme A place to live Corporate Plan A place to thrive The Council’s Corporate Plan sets out the strategic A place to prosper and operational priorities of the organisation along A welcoming place with the improvement priorities from the Change Programme. The plan also sets out the measures Your Highland Council and actions required to deliver and monitor the Council’s priorities for 2019-2022. www.bit.ly/HighlandCouncilCorporatePlan 3 Ambitious An Ambitious Highland As well as our ambition for a high performing council, delivering excellent services and award winning projects, we are ambitious for the Highlands. We are ambitious for our children to achieve their best potential. We are ambitious for our communities and for a vibrant, innovative and sustainable economy. And we are ambitious for our staff . www.bit.ly/HighlandCouncilProgramme www.bit.ly/HighlandCouncilCorporatePlan
Award for Caol Campus Kingussie Courthouse Caol community school in Fort William has just The Kingussie Courthouse also won a commendation been awarded a commendation for best new for place-making and was the overall winner in building at the Inverness Architectural Association the new life for Old Buildings in the Inverness biennial awards, and was highly commended Architectural Association awards. in the placemaking category. The buildings The aim of the Kingussie Courthouse Rationalisation are designed to make use of natural light, off er project was to secure the future of the Grade B listed views out across Loch Linnhe and Ben Nevis, building which had fallen into disrepair, by providing and to provide something for all members of the new offi ce accommodation, service point and community. community space and which would allow a number The project brings together both denominational of smaller offi ces in the area to join together in one and non-denominational education from three central location. previous schools in the Fort William area – The existing building had lain empty for over 10 Lochyside and St Mary’s RC schools - and Caol years and had serious structural issues and dry rot. primary, and cultural and community facilities – The works to the building included the removal and hall, library, offi ces, an arts organisation, weddings reinstatement of the majority of the interior, external and funerals – on the site of the former Caol stone repair, a new roof and the creation of a new primary and community hall. extension and external courtyard to the rear.
Caol Community Campus. Photo by A Brightside Photography Kingussie Courthouse. Photo by The Highland Council 4 West Link
Stage 1 of the West Link was completed in December 2017. West Link Stage 2 works which have now begun include the building of a second swing bridge. Part of the work will be to develop an accessible park land area and opening up of new land for housing development.
More information can be found here: http://bit.ly/InvernessWestLink
First Newton Rooms created in Highland The fi rst Norwegian style learning centre Skills Development Scotland, the University of the in the UK was offi cially opened in Thurso Highlands and Islands, The Highland Council and on 25th March. Newton Rooms are NHS Highland. designed to inspire more young people to Scotland’s second Newton Room in Lochaber become interested in Science, Technology, opens in April and, in the interim period, will be hosted at Caol Youth Centre. It is intended that Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and it will later be part of the new Centre for Science encourage them to study these subjects in and Technology in Fort William which is being school and beyond. planned by West Highland College UHI. Work on the Newton Rooms began as part of the The Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal is jointly funded by the Scottish and UK Governments. The Scottish Government have City-Region Deal in 2017. The rooms will provide committed up to £135 million in the Deal, the UK Government an inspirational setting for school pupils, their has committed up to £53 million, and the Highland Council and families and others in the local regional partners have committed up to £127 million over 10 years. community to take part in practical activities which complement the STEM sectors found in the region. The centre at North Highland College UHI in Thurso is the fi rst of a network of Newton Rooms being created in the Highland region by the Science Skills Academy, a partnership project led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with £3m from the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. Organisations behind the initiative include Newton Rooms will inspire more young people into STEM subjects. Photo by Alison White/HIE 5 Gaelic Film Awards for Ambitious Highland schools Duaisean Film Gàidhlig do Sgoiltean na Gàidhealtachd
Three schools in the Highlands have brought a number of prestigious awards home from the 11th FilmG Awards held on 8th February in Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket. FilmG is a brilliant platform for fi lmmakers and Another big winner of the night was Glaiste, which creative people to try new ideas, or to showcase won two of the three awards it was nominated for. their talents, and a further opportunity to use their Eilidh Johnson from Dingwall is the force behind the Gaelic. award-winning Glaiste, which is a haunting FilmG is run by MG ALBA and Skye-based media stop-motion fi lm about mental health. company Cànan Graphics Studio, to encourage the The thought-t- growth of Gaelic media talent. It has been running provoking for 11 years, and has been the platform for many piece won people now working within the Gaelic TV and fi lm Best Mobile industry. Short and HIE Most Promising Director, seeing Eilidhh win two incredible placements within the media industry Eilidh Johnson, Best Mobile Short and HIE Most Promising Director including at Bun-Sgoil Stafainn, Peoples’ Choice Award BBC’s The Social.ocialal
Bun-SgoilB S il Stafainn S f iThP won The Peoples’l’ChiA Choice Award d& & The Scottish Government sponsored the top prize in Best Youth Group Film. Millburn Academy S4 pupils the youth category, Best Film, which this year went won the FilmG Award for Gaelic–Learners; and Elissa to Lochaber High School in Fort William. Like many Hunter-Dorans from Milburn Academy, won the of this year’s entries, their fi lm Origami focusses on Best Mobile Short in the Youth category. Lochaber bullying, but from the unusual perspective of the High won Best Film in the Youth category. bully.
Milburn Academy, Gaelic Learners Award Lochaber High School, Best Film Award Photos by Alan Peebles by Photos 6 New homes for Ullapool Work is well underway to transform the site of a former West Coast hotel into new aff ordable homes to rent and buy. The site of the former Glenfi eld Hotel, on Old
St Duthac Drive Moss Road in Ullapool was acquired by The Highland Council in 2013 for a mixed Housing HUB tenure development that The Highland Housing HUB was set up in response to the Scottish will include houses and government’s commitment to deliver 50,000 new aff ordable homes. This fl ats for rent by the Council cross agency partnership has doubled the amount of new aff ordable and housing association as homes in the Highlands, maximised the use of limited resources, improved well as opportunities for the quality of new housing and has been recognised by Scottish low cost home ownership Government Ministers as innovative best practice worthy of replication and outright purchase. throughout Scotland. Depending on gaining all statutory consents it is anticipated that works Step closer for new city homes will commence on a fi rst Work is progressing well at 79 Academy Street to transform the derelict phase of around 16 units site into 37 new 1 and 2 bedroomed aff ordable fl ats for rent along with during late summer 2017 commercial units. with the fi rst houses being completed late 2018. The development will be called Wyvern House after the Wyvern car, a popular model in the 50’s and 60’s sold from a garage on the site. A Wyvern The area is located within is a legendary creature with a dragon’s head and wings that often appears the Ullapool Settlement in heraldry and features in many Celtic images. Development Area and The project is funded by a package including money from The Highland the development has been Council, Highland Housing Alliance, the Scottish Government and the backed by the Scottish Highland City-Region Deal. It complements the regeneration work already Government. underway on Academy Street. Iconic mosaic panels return to Academy St As part of the Inverness Townscape Heritage Project, the original mosaics on the AI Welders buildings are considered an important element of Inverness’ industrial heritage. Originally made by Craven Dunnill Jackfi eld, the mosaics have been restored by the Mosaic Restoration Company and reinstalled at Rose Street Foundry and are being followed by full restoration of the building to bring it back into use. Photo by The HighlandThe Council by Photo 7 Sustainable A sustainable Highland
The Council’s success in delivering its priorities is wholly dependent on how it uses its substantial fi nancial and physical resources in a sustainable way. The Council has to connect its ambitions for the Highlands with the resources required to deliver them. The new Change Programme will ensure education by matching resources to needs; a more appropriate governance, resourcing and scrutiny sustainable environment by managing our waste, of the more ambitious and cross-service changes reducing single-use plastics, cutting land-fi ll and being proposed. This Programme will cover a wide reducing energy costs; and more sustainable range of projects, and will include recommendations communities by investing in infrastructure, arising from the work undertaken by a Redesign supporting businesses and delivering outcomes Board and Commercial Board. Transformation with partners. projects will help us to deliver more sustainable
Planning application submitted for Materials Recovery Facility A planning application has been submitted to construct a new centralised waste management facility (Materials Recovery Facility) to recover recyclates and produce Refuse Derived Fuel, as the Council’s preferred interim arrangements for meeting the requirements of the ban on landfi lling which commences in January 2021.
The application can be viewed at https://wam.highland.gov.uk/wam using the reference number: 19/00503/FUL 8 Modern Apprentice in the Council Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019 took place in March. Over 110 new modern apprenticeships began in the last 16 months with The Highland Council. These include IT, Civil Engineering, Early Years Practitioners, Quantity surveyors, Joiners, Electricians, Painters, Plumbers, Mechanics and Business administration opportunities as well as many more.
More exciting opportunities are Emily Currie coming soon and this year the HighlandThe Council by Photos Council will be looking for more thatthhatt I cancan staysttay att hhomeome raratherthher tthanhhan Early Years Practitioners, Building move away to another University. Standards Surveyors, and I am really enjoying it so far. I am Business administrators. gaining more experience every day and getting the opportunity to be Jessica Gordon involved in diff erent projects across Jessica is one of our newest Highland. Both of my parents are Graduate Apprentices training in Construction so Engineering to become a Building Surveyor. seemed like a good fi t for me. My Jessica explained: aim is to complete my degree, “I am training to become a Building become professionally qualifi ed Standards Surveyor whilst studying and continue to work as a Civil Joe Tuddenham a degree in Building Surveying Engineer in Highland.” on block release. I am thoroughly JoeJoe TuddenhamTuddenham Rebecca Winton enjoying my role which is primarily work based and well supported by In November 2018, Joe Rebecca from Rosemarkie, started both colleagues and the university. joined the Council as our fi rst with the Council in October It gives me the opportunity Modern Apprentice Housing 2017 as a Modern Apprentice in to get on the job experience Management Assistant. Joe, a Business Administration based whilst simultaneously gaining school leaver from Inverness, in Ruthven House, Inverness. qualifi cations.” is being supported by an in- Rebecca studied SVQ 3 Business house assessor, internal verifi er and Administration SCQF Level 6. and a mentor. In addition to the She said: Modern Apprenticeship, Joe “I’m delighted with my new is also working on a Chartered appointment as it makes me feel Institute of Housing level 2 award like all my hard work studying in Housing Practice. has paid off and I am looking Emily Currie forward to gaining more offi ce Emily, from Dornoch, is a experience and being given more Graduate Apprentice in the responsibility within a permanent Project Design Unit, studying for job. I am also really happy to have a degree in Civil Engineering at job security in gaining my full time Inverness College. She did the position. I hope to achieve more fi rst year of her degree before offi ce experience and learn more starting her apprenticeship. about The Highland Council in She says: general. I would like to be given the opportunity to further my studying “Getting this job based in the if possible, with the aim of moving Project Design Unit at Drummuie up the career ladder within The and studying at Inverness means Jessica Gordon Highland Council. I am enjoying 9 my position so far as I have got to meet lots of new people and learn how offi ce life works. I feel Sustainable more confi dent in dealing with telephone calls and working with diff erent fi nancial systems.” Anyone interested in a Modern or Graduate Apprenticeship this year should keep a look out on MyJobScotland and www.myjobscotland.gov.uk Apprenticeships.Scot where they will be advertised. Rebecca Winton www.apprenticeships.scot North West Sutherland Schools learning together The creation of the North network. This collaboration West Sutherland Schools has combated isolation eff ectively responded to the and produced a number of positive outcomes, such teaching challenges faced by as eff ective professional rural Highland schools. development and mutual Back in August 2017 four support. Sutherland schools; Kinlochbervie Regularly, both staff and Primary and Secondary, Durness pupils from Durness and Scourie Photos courtesy of Kinlochbervie Primary School Primary and Scourie Primary, Primary Schools are bussed to clustered to form the North Kinlochbervie to join their peers is committed to facilitating access West Sutherland Schools. This for a day of shared teaching, to a broader curriculum where collaboration has seen each learning and socialisation. there is pupil demand. school eff ectively embrace the Primary pupils visiting the He further pointed out that all through 3-18 model that was secondary school allows for richer with their shared educational introduced to positively impact, experiences where children now background and experiences, improve and sustain education have access to lessons in the pupils enter S1 on a solid and attainment in the area. science laboratory and gym hall. foundation from which to continue with the Curriculum for Embedded in a supportive local Parents talk of how children Excellence into secondary. rural community sharing similar have started looking forward values, it is these attributes to coming together as they’ve The Highland Council is that provided the foundation formed friendship bonds with committed to delivering equity from which the head teacher their peers from neighbouring and excellence in learning and and senior management could schools. There has also been teaching. work together for continuous praise for how the familiarity The North West Sutherland improvement; off ering children of surroundings and the Schools have eff ectively a richer learning experience development of relationships embedded seamless learning and staff a wider support with peers, leaders and mentors across stages. It is evident that contributes the pooling of resources and to a smoother expertise, and the sharing of transition for good practice to deal with those starting common issues, is having a S1. Head positive impact on educational teacher, Mr outcomes in the area. Graeme Smart, 10 Benefits and Welfare Sustainable ways of team setting the working Signifi cant savings in both costs and emissions have standard high been achieved by adopting a new business travel A team of Highland Council staff has created a strategy, with the introduction of 35 Enterprise Car dynamic and customer-focussed model which Club vehicles. In the six months between September provides local services at the point of need and and February 2019, the council saw average single access to Council entitlements. business road travel costs decrease by around a Their impressive performance, translates into third. It has already reduced the Councils carbon tangible outcomes for local people in a manner that footprint by approximately 50 tCO2e. Combined improves their fi nancial and overall wellbeing. with wider policies to reduce costs and emissions, Eff ective leadership, highly skilled and motivated such as technology to replace face to face meetings staff and their collaboration with partners are key and a new travel policy, the Council has ensured to their performance, including increasing benefi t a managed and progressive approach to business take-up by £6M for customers and delivering service mobility. cost savings over £1.3M. The team lifted the UK Institute of Revenues, Rating & Valuation (IRRV) Benefi ts & Welfare Reform Team of the Year Award in October 2018. The Award recognised the team has demonstrated they were raising standards of service to achieve high levels of performance, customer satisfaction and eff ective administrative procedures in all aspects of welfare benefi ts with excellence in delivery and a customer
focused service. HighlandThe Council by Photo Trial air services take off In March Members of the Skye & Raasay Committee approved a recommendation for the Chair of The Highland Council’ s Environment, Development and Infrastructure (EDI) Committee to write to the Transport Secretary on behalf of the local Working Group partners (the Council, HITRANS and HIE) requesting fi nancial and technical support to introduce trial air services between Skye and Glasgow utilising the existing airstrip at Ashaig. Good transport links, including in the short term. Highlands and the demand for re-establishing regional air connectivity, are Islands Airports (HIAL) provided air services between Skye and vital to the economic success of signifi cant input that has enabled the central belt that involves communities in the Highlands the project to benefi t from using and upgrading the existing and Islands. Skye is one of the the extensive expertise their airstrip at Ashaig. Residents of areas in Scotland that is furthest staff have from operating and Skye and Lochalsh have amongst away from a scheduled air service. maintaining a network of similar the longest journey times to Due to the airstrip’s location it airports across the Highlands and Glasgow and Edinburgh of any won’t only bring benefi ts to the Islands. regional centre in Scotland and this Isle of Skye but Lochalsh, Wester Ranald Robertson, HITRANS modest investment would enable Ross, and the wider west coast of Partnership Director said: Skye to capitalise on economic the Highlands will also benefi t. opportunities that it has missed “The technical work we have Last year work was commissioned out on as a result of the time it undertaken, with the invaluable takes to get there and the inability which undertook an analysis of input from HIAL’s team, has best value options, based on a to do a day return either to/from identifi ed that a trial service is Skye.” 19-seat twin otter aircraft, on Skye a proportionate way for testing 11 12 The key prioritiesnotedwere: Corporate Plan. helped shapetheCouncil’s Programme and Council shouldprioritise. This feedback has to themandwhattheybelieved the important views onwhatstaff Our newengagementprogramme sought – what staff Your Voice, YourCouncil, Your Future in approach. Staff Highlands, Council staff incommunities acrossLiving andworking the collaboratively takeforward localpriorities. work withus, to developing strong partnerships ofregular engagementbutalsotoand supportive are keento bemore involved withtheCouncil the relationship withtheCouncil. Communities ofhearinglocalvoices andchangingimportance A keymessagefrom communities hasbeenthe staff ofanewapproach withour to listening tostart andworking YourVoice, YourCouncil, Your Future Highland A connected Support for localjobsacross theHighlands Support for tourism infrastructure Support Improving educationaloutcomes Local to housinginfrastructure support Involving communities indecisionmaking Caring for vulnerableadultsandchildren and Roadsmaintenance, andwinter infrastructure sustainable communities andruraljobs older peopleremaining within theirown homes maintenance andcommunitiesestablishingamore Highland. connected andcommunities told us knowledge oftheircommunities, knowledge andcommunitiesfelt was are integral to thischange signalled the Connected service delivery.service essential to aconnected, successful andsustainable outcomes together to andworking deliver theseare Developing shared partners. other publicsector staff future for Highland. This with isnotonlyworking Partnership iscrucialto achievingasustainable are keyelementsmoving forward. as anorganisation needsto changeandimprove, locallybutalsohow theCouncil what isimportant Key messageswere: Developing and supporting ourworkforce. Developing andsupporting Improving areas andredesigning such service Prioritising increasing income over service for greater Opportunities effi involving setting. communities inpriority being more responsive to localprioritiesand alternative communication mechanisms; and our buildings;reducing ourtravel andusing as changing how we manageandmaintain generate income. to andconsideringreductions newopportunities automate processes andreduce duplication. improving digital technology andsystems to streamlining internal roles andfunctions; house; improved and working cross-service staff contractors, agency processes through: reducing theuseofexternal andcommunities butwiththethird and sector anddoingmore in- ciencies in Council
Photo of Inverness by Ewen Weatherspoon Happy homes for Highland children Ever thought you could provide a happy home for a child who needs one? A new website has been We need homes for children of all provided to adopt, how to set up so that you can see ages from babies to 18 year olds. apply for adoption and what what skills and experience is Families are also needed for the happens after approval; required, and fi nd out about the adoption of siblings (so they can adoption counselling for adults assessment process involved stay together), as well as children who have been adopted; if you or someone you know is with complex health needs.” relative fees and allowances for thinking about fostering and The website explains about the carers. adoption. needs of the children that require Councillor Linda Munro, Chair of Alison Gordon, Highland Council’s fostering or adoption, including: the Corporate Parenting Board: Fostering and Adoption Resource the diff erent types of foster “There is no ideal foster family or Manager explained: carers the Council is looking foster carer. What is important is “We work hard to try and keep for, including: temporary, long that you have a sense of humour children in their local communities term or permanent, respite, as well as time, energy and and in contact with their families. and intensive fostering; commitment. I urge anyone who We have created this website to suitability of potential is thinking about fostering and try to make it easier for anyone applicants as adoptive parents; adopting to take the fi rst simple living in the Highlands who is information on support step and visit the new website.” considering fostering or adoption and we have tried to make the www.highland.gov.uk/fosteringandadoption process of applying easier too. New Corporate Parenting Board to champion Highland's children The purpose of the Board is: maintaining a strategic overview of developments, plans, polices and strategies for care experienced and young people young people and make appropriate recommendations for action. The fi rst meeting of the Highland Corporate ensuring there are good working arrangements Parenting Board took place in February, between services and agencies in support of the bringing together elected members, plans and strategies. senior offi cers from a wide range of public providing a forum for care experienced young agencies, care experienced young people people to infl uence policy and to share their and representatives from the Third Sector. experiences of services they’ve received. promoting the Corporate Parenting role and Last year, members of the Highland Community responsibilities across all relevant bodies in Planning Board agreed to establish the Highland. Corporate Parenting Board to ensure all agencies are meeting the needs of children and young people in Highland for whom we have responsibility as corporate parents. The Board has a duty of care for around 500 ‘Looked After’ children and young people in Highland. The fi rst meeting, held at Clachnaharry Old School, was an opportunity for all of the Board representatives to get to know each other, and chat to some of the young people who had come along. The fi rst meeting of the Highland Corporate Parenting Board by Ewen Weatherspoon 13 £4.7m boost for Connected Highland digital connectivity
The Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) have secured a major partnership bid to the UK Government’s Local Full Fibre Network (LFFN) programme for £4.7m funding to provide full fi bre networks in Inverness, Fort William, Wick and Thurso. Local businesses will have the opportunity to benefi t directly from the fund as a proportion of IT will include the provision of around 150 vouchers to the value of £3000 which will be aimed at encouraging businesses to adopt higher speed connectivity. The objective of the bid is to provide a local access full fi bre network to provide Gigabit capable open access to public sector sites. The fi ve public sector partners are – The Highland Council, National Health Service (NHS) Highland, Scottish Natural Jim Crawford, Capita, James McClaff erty, CityFibre, Drew Hendry MP, Heritage (SNH), University of the Highlands and Margaret Davidson, Leader of The Highland Council, John Robertson, The Highland Council Islands (UHI) and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). The Local Full Fibre Network project for Inverness, Fort William, Wick and Thurso aims to increase: full fi bre footprint in the most northerly and largest mainland local authority area in UK; the economic viability and capacity of the area by increasing productivity, effi ciency and innovation; and the number of business seeking to invest in, locate to and remain in the region. It also aims to encourage service innovation and stimulate greater commercial investment in the region; and create the capacity for the provision of better digital services to customers and increase digital inclusion. Your Cash Your Caithness James McClaff erty, Head of Regional Development Local people cast their votes on Saturday 26th and Investment at CityFibre, said: January 2019 at a Highland Council participatory “This deal will see Inverness, Wick, Thurso and budgeting event held at the Pulteneytown Peoples Fort William become home to some of the UK’s Project in Wick. Twelve out of 22 projects bidding northernmost Gigabit sites, making it possible for for £10,000 community funding were successful, local public services to access next generation full voted for by just over 100 local people. Successful fi bre connectivity – a claim which currently, just six bids included diverse projects such as gymnastic percent of UK premises can make. This will not only club equipment, drive effi ciency and improve the experience of staff wheelchair access and members of the community alike, it will position path at Noss forest, the area for economic growth, investment and digital lip reading classes, innovation.” and the annual science festival. 14 Contractor appointed for extension and refurbishment at Invergarry Primary School Artists impression of Invergarry Primary External Front View Design © Colin Armstrong Architects The contract for an extension and partial refurbishment at Invergarry Primary School has been awarded to Morrison Construction. The £800,000 project will see the replacement of Cllr John Finlayson, Chair of The Highland Council’s a double classroom unit that is in poor condition Care, Learning and Housing Committee said: with an extension to the school comprising two “I am delighted that this contract has been awarded classrooms, toilets and cloakroom area. The former as part of our commitment to off er pupils in the school house, which has been vacant for some Highlands safe and modern learning environments. time, will be refurbished to provide an entrance As a council we continue to develop plans for and reception area, offi ce/meeting room and a fully improving the fabric of our school buildings and going accessible pupil toilet/changing facility. forward, in partnership with the Scottish Government, Work started in February with the building due to be we will hopefully see other communities receive the ready for occupation by the start of the new school very welcome news that Invergarry has just received.” session in August.
15 Highland Facts & Figures
Our changing population Just some of the things the Council is doing to achieve this ambition are: Although the overall population of the Highlands grew by 5% in the ten year period from 2007-2017, • Promoting the Highlands as a welcoming, there have been increases and decreases in the diverse, safe, and friendly place. populations of local communities. The continuing • Supporting economic growth and creating and trend is also for an ageing population, with older protecting jobs across the Highlands. people making up a much larger proportion of • Supporting our older citizens to live longer our demography and a reduction in the number independent lives in their communities. of working age people. These trends will have an impact on our services and economy. • Working with partners to reduce inequality and strengthen digital connectivity. The Council’s ambition is to develop sustainable and connected communities throughout the Highlands • Improving our infrastructure and and to attract people to come to our beautiful road conditions. region to live, work, study and visit. +5.0%
2019/20 Net revenue budget Population Population change (2007 to 2017)
£581.1m 235,180 Council workforce (Full-time Equivalents) 2019/20 Independent £95.7m 8,059 Liberal Democrats Net capital budget 27 9 3 Labour 20 SNP Conservative Budget gap 74 11 and Unionist (2019/20 to £60.3m elected 1 Green Party 2021/22) members Sutherland 1 Independent Group 2 Non-Aligned
Area 26,484 30,696 Pupils sq miles
203 6,751 Roads including 29 Schools - km secondary 84 with a school schools roll of 50 or less
Bridges 1,400 13,949 Council houses
100 9 76% people per km2 Harbours/ Broadband - Highland premises that receive marine facilities Population density speeds of at least 10Mb/s or above.
16 Population by Settlement Type Population trends 2011 to 2016 Population change Settlement 2011 to 2016 -/+ % 64.3% Fortrose and 2,095 to 2,306 +211 +9.2% Rosemarkie Portree 2,427 to 2,523 +96 +4.0% Highland 4.5% Population Inverness 62,285 to 63,780 +1495 +2.3% 235,180 Nairn 9,919 to 10,022 +103 +1.0% 31.2% Fort William 10,292 to 10,175 -117 -1.2%
Wick 6,932 to 6,798 -134 -2.0% Settlement type with population Thurso and 8,234 to 7,850 -384 -4.9% less than 499 Scrabster Number of settlements: N/A -72 -8.9% Population: 73,490 Kinlochleven 879 to 807
Settlement type with population Mallaig 828 to 758 -70 -9.3% of 500-999 Number of settlements: 15 Population: 10,540 Settlement type with population of at least 1,000 Number of settlements: 30 Households in fuel poverty Population: 151,150 (required fuel costs >10% of income) 2016/2017 Highland 52.1%
Regional area population projections Scotland 30.7% 2016 to 2041
-1,627 -11.9% -5,440 Sutherland -21.1% +804 Caithness +8.7% Highland population projections by age group Ross and Cromarty 100 0 to 15 +1,551 -2,986 90 Working Age +11.8% -13.8% Pensionable Age 80 Aged 75 and over Skye and Lochalsh East Ross 70 All ages
+2,897 60 +12.2% 50 Mid Ross % 40
30 +874 -1,160 +6.6% 20 -5.9% Nairn Lochaber 10
+9,035 0 Figures show projected +11.2% population change -730 -10 and percentage. Inverness -5.3% 2021 2026 2031 2036 2041 Badenoch and Strathspey Projected population change (compared to 2016) 17
How are we performing?
The Annual Performance Report for the period 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018 showed good progress being made in delivering the Council’s Programme: Local Voices, Highland Choices. 93% of the commitments (28 out of the total 30) were either completed, on target or performance being maintained. For 2 commitments (7%) there is mixed performance. A Place to Live
With our partners, we have a We continue to review both We have updated our rural impact target to build, on average, our own and external evidence assessment web based support. 500 new aff ordable homes on poverty. Our Poverty and With the introduction of the per year by 2021/22. This will Inequality Working Group Fairer Scotland (socio-economic) mean a total of 2,500 new agreed to initially focus on duty in April 2018, work began aff ordable homes. In 2017/18, understanding the experience to review current processes and 290 new homes were of child poverty, although rural guidance on impact assessment completed, with 602 tenders aspects are being incorporated to develop a more integrated approved to go on site. as part of this work. approach. This incorporated rural impact assessment alongside The tenant participation survey also indicates that tenant equality impacts and the Fairer satisfaction with the management of the neighbourhood they live Scotland duty. in is 69% (2015-17).
Inside Housing Awards The recently completed Raining’s Stair development in Inverness was entered into the UK-wide competition run by the publication - Inside Housing. The project was nominated in 3 of the 14 categories winning the award for the Best Residential Development of Under 70 Homes. The development delivered 16 new fl ats for aff ordable rent with funding from the Scottish Government, The Highland Council and the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal. The project was a successful collaboration between The Highland Council, The Highland Housing Alliance, developer ARK Estates, Trail Architects and Inverness contractor WGC (Scotland). Photo of Raining Stairs by Ewen Weatherspoon of RainingPhoto Ewen Stairs by 19 A Place to Learn Overall attainment is monitored through the Scottish Credit and Qualifi cations Framework (SCQF) and key attainment indicators are nationally benchmarked. Local and national SCQF performance for the 2017/18 school year will not be confi rmed until early 2019. During 2017/18, we spent £23.1m (net) on capital improvements in the school estate. Major achievements include: condition and suitability improvements across the school estate; the opening of the new Wick community campus; completion of Bun-Sgoil Ghàidhlig Phort Rìgh (Portree Gaelic Primary School); and commencement of projects for a new Alness Academy, major refurbishment of Inverness High School, and a new/refurbished Merkinch Primary School.
Photo of Wick Community Campus by Robert MacDonald The position for the 2017/18 academic year is: 61% of pupils achieved 5+ awards at SCQF Level 5 and we were ranked School exclusion 19th nationally. (2016/17: 59%; Ranked 22nd) This compares to Scottish average rates were 22.7 which is 62%. per 1,000 pupils (2015-17) and 31% of pupils achieved 5+ awards at SCQF Level 6 and we were ranked we were ranked 22nd nationally. (2016/17: 31%; Ranked 24th) This compares to the Scottish average 17th nationally. which was 34%. This compares to the Scottish 31% of pupils from deprived areas achieved 5+ awards at SCQF Level 5 and we average of 26.8. were ranked 25th nationally. (2016/17: 27%; Ranked 28th) This compares to the School exclusion Scottish average which was 42%. rates for Looked After Children 9% of pupils from deprived areas achieved 5+ awards at SCQF Level 6 and we were 108.8 per th nd were ranked 25 . (2016/17: 11%; Ranked 22 ) This compares to the Scottish 1000 pupils average which was 16%. (2015-17) and we were ranked th Participation rates for 16-19 years olds was 93.8% and we were ranked 11 . 20th nationally. th (2016/17: 93.0%; Ranked 11 ) This compares to the Scottish average which was 91.8%. This compares to the Scottish School attendance rates were 93.4% (2015-17) and we were ranked average of th 17 nationally. This compares to the Scottish average of 93.3%. School attendance 80.0%. rates for Looked After Children were 91.1% (2015-17) and we were ranked 18th nationally. This compares to the Scottish average of 91.0%.
Photo of Portree Primary School
20 Our Modern Apprenticeship Programme (approved in August 2017) has created more than 100 Modern Apprenticeships (as of June 2018). We are on track to exceed the target of 150 Modern Apprenticeships by September 2019. Modern Apprenticeship opportunities in The Highland Council The Highland Council’s commitment to Modern Apprenticeships continues at pace with over 110 new apprenticeship starts in the last 16 months. These include IT, Civil Engineering, Early Years Practitioners, Quantity Surveyors, Joiners, Electricians, Painters, Plumbers, Mechanics and Business Administration opportunities as well as many more. More exciting opportunities are coming soon and this year the Council will be looking for more Early Years Practitioners, Building Standards Surveyors, and Business administrators. The creation of a new Modern Apprenticeship Anyone interested in a Modern or Graduate Programme in The Highland Council, which will Apprenticeship this year should keep a look out on: aspire to create 150 new apprenticeships within www.myjobscotland.gov.uk and 2 years, was approved approval by Members in August 2017. The Council will access training funds www.apprenticeships.scot from the Council’s £1.15M annual contribution to the Modern Apprenticeship Levy, for developing where they will be advertised. new apprentices and the upskilling or retraining of existing employees.
A primary objective of our Workforce Planning The percentage of children meeting developmental Strategy (2017-2023) is to develop processes milestones (27-30 months) is a nationally benchmarked for staff transitions and retraining which indicator. For the most recent reporting year, 2016/17, supports our Redesign process and ensures 68.2% of children in Highland met their developmental our workforce is fl exible. This is the focus of a milestones (27-30 months), compared to 61.1% in cross-service working group that will report 2015/16. For 2016/17, we were above the Scottish on progress later in 2018. average of 66.2% and Highland was ranked 18th.
The pupil/ teacher ratio 74% of head 83% of head The number of continues to be better than the teachers report that teachers report teacher vacancies national average. The pupil/ we are supporting they receive at the start of the teacher ratio in Highland them to minimise adequate 2017-18 session, is is 13.1 pupils per teacher, any increase in leadership less than half of the compared to 13.7 nationally. workload. opportunities. previous year. 21 A Place to Thrive We agreed a revised set of Equality Outcomes in 2017. We will report on progress by April 2019, along with other specifi c equality duties which Through the City Region Deal we committed include: reports on pay gap information; equalities to delivering The School of Health and Life in employment; and how the Council mainstreams Sciences by 2021 with lead partner The equality into its work. In 2018, we will review the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI), Fairer Highland Plan to incorporate the revised which will improve the commercial activity set of outcomes and our approach to equality of Life Sciences across the Highlands. The and diversity. This will also include a review of project is on track and a contract has been our equality impact assessment process and let to deliver The School of Health Innovation incorporating the new Fairer Scotland duty. (please note new name), the elective hospital, and associated Highlands and Islands Enterprise incubator building. Research Against a target of 90%, The percentage of appointments have been made and research 100% of Child and children and young is underway. Adolescent Mental people sustaining full A commercial director has been appointed Health Service (CAHMS) time attendance at who is deploying a business development referrals were seen school was maintained model with new and inward investing within 18 weeks in at 99.0% in 2017/18. companies and health innovations. 2017/18.
Over the last ten years we have successfully Our access to fi nance service delivered 10 loans delivered the Business Gateway Service, to growing businesses to a value of £369,000 in supporting businesses across the Highlands 2017/18. to start-up and trade successfully. Our Local Growth Accelerator Programme has been crucial in supporting growing businesses Adult Care with specialist advice and growth workshops. We also continue to collaborate with key We have new The review of stakeholders to ensure these businesses are governance the Partnership supported at all stages in their development. arrangements for Agreement for Adult Evidence suggests that growth in the adult care with Services is being Inverness and Caithness areas is continuing NHS Highland. progressed. across a range of sectors. The North Coast 500 This involves a route has resulted in an increase in visitors strategic and fi nancial Local delivery to the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire delivery plan as the plans are now well areas. It continues to receive national and core element. developed in all local international publicity, and now features in A timescale was partnerships, and the marketing activity of businesses on the agreed, involving the new governance Route. Seven successful ‘Taster For Growth’ preparation of the arrangements make it workshops were run over the year. The Digital plan by the end clear that these should Boost programme delivered by Business of 2018. take account of the Gateway attracted almost 300 attendees over strategic plan. a six month period. This service achieved the following in 2017/18: Transformation of Care at Home services was 259 start-up businesses were assisted; a feature of a recent joint workshop, and as a 1,963 business enquiries were successfully consequence, NHS Highland is taking forward dealt with; further plans for community-led Care at Home 76 growth businesses were supported, initiatives. New outcomes and measures for Health with a number looking to employ people, and Social Care continue to be developed and take on new premises, and develop new considered on an ongoing basis, and will be a key markets. aspect of the strategic and fi nancial delivery plan.
22 Above: The North Coast 500, Scotland’s iconic touring route along Scotland’s northern coastline is part of a national campaign to clean up the country’s roads. This initiative, led by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful and supported by North Coast 500 Ltd, the company behind the NC500, urges road users to ‘give your litter a lift, take it home’.
Left: “Don’t drop your litter and spoil this beautiful scenery!” is a message from a Chilean cyclist travelling on the NC500 in the Highlands. Rodrigo Salvatierra Arraño, a mechanical engineer from Santiago, visited the Highlands on his tour of Europe in 2018. He said: “The Highlands are beautiful and remind me of the scenery in Patagonia.” Whilst cycling the NC500 Rodrigo fi lled his panniers with litter he collected along the way, highlighting the message - put your litter A Welcoming Place in a bin or take your litter home with you.
A Highlands and Island’s With our partners we have We have surveyed our staff to Talent Attraction established the “Talent determine the broad workforce Strategy is in place and Attraction, Retention and implications potentially arising partners are progressing Returns Strategy Group”. from Brexit, and have actively the regional and local Through this we are encouraged partners to conduct activity required. As developing fl exibility in similar analysis. This information an early contribution, the workforce between will enable evidence based we are refreshing our the diff erent partners, lobbying of Scottish and UK Enterprising Highland coordinating recruitment, Ministers to infl uence the freedom portal website as a and looking to develop of movement required to sustain critical source of local opportunities for shared the working age population in the information. services and joint working. Highlands.
23 A Redesigned Council Key achievements include: Between June 2017 and June 2018 the Redesign Redesign is involving reviews of services to Board has: commissioned 11 peer reviews identify where blockages and delays occur, (5 concluded, 1 is underway and 5 are to be to cut out waste and improve services for tasked); provided a steer on three reviews being people using them. undertaken in Services (school lets, harbours, and vehicle maintenance); overseen the expansion of As part of the Redesign programme, a number the Lean review programme, with 8 showcased, of projects were selected for review using an 7 underway and at least 10 in the pipeline, with approach which involves “Lean” principles. This is a 48 staff to be trained as facilitators by the end of recognised methodology which means improving the summer; agreed two new types of reviews – services by creating more value for customers with peer spending reviews and community reviews; fewer resources. Training in “Lean” processes has and supported the commercial approach to been given to staff across Council services in order energy generation and supply. to develop in-house expertise in this approach to problem solving. Redesign projects Music tuition: Solar Energy: A This service project was initiated Early years: transferred to High to generate energy Improving the process for billing and receiving Life Highland on through solar PV on income for childcare services, streamlining the 1st April 2018 to enable the council estate. process from 80 to 28 steps with a possibility the service to be of this reducing to 15 steps. The new process aff ordable, sustainable Bulky Uplifts: automates data entry, and reduces backlog, and with scope to The Bulky Uplift saving £12k per year in postage costs. grow, reaching other project has reduced Fly-tipping prevention: people and places. time taken to process In 2017 over 900 cases of fl y-tipping had been requests, improved reported but under-reporting was estimated at Occupational Health: the bulky uplift 50%. The improvements made by the Lean team This project reduced service for customers, include a new e-form to make it easier to report the referral process extending the service fl y-tipping and a new mapping tool to identify hot from 57 steps to over Christmas and spots where preventative action can be targeted 7, has freed up New Year, including and enforcement activity can be coordinated. In resource in Human reducing the notice addition to avoiding future budget pressures, annual Resources to better required for an uplift savings of £0.080m will be delivered next year. support services, has from 48 to 24 hours reduced the time and making the whole Grey fl eet: taken from initiating service more direct The project is reducing travel, and where travel referral through to and responsive, saving is necessary, to reduce the spend and carbon the employee being £57k. emissions associated with it by greater use of assessed and advice pool cars, car clubs and for shorter journeys to use being provided to active travel. Changes are estimated to provide the manager. This has around £500,000 in savings annually from 2018. reduced costs by £62k. Taking a commercial approach We have developed an action plan for our Commercial Board with a rolling programme of projects. Work on a wider commercial strategy covering up to 2022 began and initial commercial proposals have been developed with projects at varying stages of development. A number of opportunities are being pursued in the energy, tourism, land and property sectors. Work on our fees and charges policy is running in parallel. The income and commercial budget work played a key role in setting a one year budget for 2018/19 with income generation proposals of £3.059m contributing to meeting the budget gap. Commercial proposals, developed through the commercial board, were factored into the budget process for 2019/20 to 2021/22. 24 Localism Local workshops were run By combining views fed back from: Members in local with Councillors in 2017/18 to workshops, Area Chairs and the Redesign Board; the identify how to develop localism. Commission on Highland Democracy; our Citizens’ Panel; Common themes were: new community bodies; and from good practice from elsewhere, conversations with Community localism is becoming defi ned as: Councils; making real choices on Making our representative democracy work better by: the disaggregated community Making full use of powers devolved to local committees; services budgets; developing devolving more powers locally; and involving more Participatory Budgeting not people in the decisions aff ecting them. only for grants but also for mainstream services and service Improving participatory democracy by trialling new choices; community involvement approaches to civic engagement. in transport arrangements; and Encouraging more community action and community-run other ideas. services.
Participatory budgeting has been rolled out to each local committee area. Five participatory budgeting events were held in 2017/18 covering six wards. Work began in adapting this model of decision-making for the public to make choices around mainstream budgets, initially for the disaggregated Community Services budget, and creating a process for engaging Members and communities in choices such as devolved car-parking charges.
Partnership working The second pan-Highland development day for all Community We produced our annual report Partnership members was held in October 2017. The Chairs on Community Asset Transfers development group meet quarterly to address ongoing issues and in May 2018. This showed 50 share knowledge and good practice. This group has now been expressions of interest, 11 formalised as part of the Community Planning Partnership structure. full community asset transfer Self-evaluation and peer support tools were developed during requests and upwards of 250 2017/18 to support the development of the nine partnerships. current leases at nil or nominal cost to community bodies. The Commission on Highland leadership training piloted for Democracy interim fi ndings Members, partners and staff . A fi ve year fi nancial plan were reported at a Council It was agreed to test Community aligned with priorities, meeting in June 2017 and fi nal Planning Partnership decisions statutory duties, and our recommendations published in against fi ndings of the workforce plan was not December 2017. Commission on Highland completed in 2017/18. We The Commission’s Democracy. The fi ndings will instead produced a one year recommendations were used also be built into and taken budget in line with the Scottish as part of workshops with local forward by the Partnership Government producing one Members and also to support Communication and year grant fi gures. The Council the engagement process agreed Engagement subgroup and took the decision in June 2018 at Council in June 2018 on car will be crucial to the delivery to agree a strategy leading to a parking/ disaggregated budgets. of the Highland Outcome three year budget, approved in They were included in the well- Improvement Plan outcome on February 2019. attended Local Democracy Community Participation and Seminar in April 2018 and Dialogue. supported in the facilitative
25 What did our survey tell us? The Highland Council’s Highlands. This year we received between the Council and its annual Performance and 1,152 responses from a possible public has to change given our Attitudes survey is used to panel of 2,634 panel members, budget context. As services are including 641 electronically, redesigned, cut back or stopped better understand levels of providing a 44% response rate. we will expect communities to do satisfaction with Council Maintaining good quality local more for themselves and in their services. services is the quality valued the communities. Every year the Council surveys most by the panel. The Council’s Overall satisfaction with members of its Citizens’ Panel. ability to sustain levels of service Council services This group of residents is is severely challenged by the 63% of the panel say they were randomly selected and is fi nancial position. The Council will satisfi ed overall with Council designed to be representative use the results to understand the services in 2017/18 compared to of the adult population in the extent to which the relationship 73% in 2016/17.
Overall satisfaction with Council services 83% 73% 73% 63% 2014/15 2015/16 2016/17 2017/18
Council qualities We asked questions on the Quality as ranked in order of Respondents mentioning qualities people feel are importance by respondents quality in their top 5 important about their Council. in 2018 survey 2016 % 2017 % 2018 % 1. Maintains good quality We have used these to better 75 75 78 understand what matters to people local services about how their Council behaves 2. Provides value for money 60 57 57 as well as what it achieves. Overall 3. Listens to local people 61 54 57 results in this section include: 4. Is effi cient 46 47 51 57% of the panel believe the 5. Is aware of people’s 42 35 38 Council meets or exceeds their needs general expectations, (64% the previous year). The panel were asked whether they felt the Council met a number of qualities. More people agreed than disagreed that The Highland The most important quality that Council is: the panel want the Council to Approachable; demonstrate is that it “maintains Cares for the environment; good quality local services”. Following this, the panel want Is helpful; the Council to provide value Maintains good quality local services; for money, and to listen to local Treats all residents fairly; people. These top three most Asks you for your ideas on how to do things better; important qualities are the same Is aware of people’s needs; and as in the previous two years. Helps people to help each other. 26 Council Services Community Life There are eight Council services that 85% or more of The panel were asked respondents say they use: their views on life in their Refuse/bin collection (99%) The table below highlights the communities. Key results Winter roads maintenance most important services to included: respondents where at least 10% (98%) 75% feel that the Council has of the panel place them in their strengthened the profi le of the Road repairs & potholes (98%) top 10 most important. Recycling facilities (97%) Gaelic language to a great or The top three most important some extent (77% in 2016/17). Street cleaning (92%) services for the public are: road Pavement maintenance (91%) repairs and potholes; winter Community safety – 96.2% of Street lighting (90%) road maintenance, and primary respondents consider the area education. Grass cutting (85%) within 15 minutes’ walk of their home to be ‘very’ or ‘fairly’ safe Importance of services to respondents - compared to 98.1% the year appearance in respondents’ top fi ve before. 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Services % % % % % Community safety - the top three areas of concern remain Road repairs and pot holes 57 63 66 55 70 the same as in previous years. 81% are concerned about road Winter road maintenance 43 50 43 42 49 safety, 66% about alcohol abuse, and 66% about drug misuse. Primary education 19 21 23 24 25 When asked about awareness Refuse/bin collection 47 45 26 27 24 of the impact that hate incidents Public parks and other open or crimes have on people in 21 20 24 21 24 spaces Highland, 78% said they were aware (73% in 2016/17) with Secondary education 18 17 21 19 20 22% saying they were not aware (27% in 2016/17). Swimming pools 16 15 18 17 15 Equalities – 78% agree that Care at home services 8 9 13 15 15 Highland should do everything Street cleaning 15 14 10 13 15 it can to get rid of all types of prejudice. This is a notable Pavement maintenance 16 15 14 10 15 increase from 67% when the question was fi rst asked in 2011. Recycling facilities 30 28 18 15 14 Out of the 48 main services that Other sports facilities 13 15 16 13 14 the Council provides, respondents indicated that primary education Public toilets n/a n/a n/a n/a 13 is the 3rd most important service, secondary education is the 6th Libraries 20 17 14 14 11 most important, and pre-school education is the 22nd most Walking routes e.g. Great 897611 important service. Net satisfaction Glen Way with these education services is: Residential homes for 6 7 11 13 10 Pre-school education: 70% disabled/elderly people Primary education: 62% Council Service Points 11 10 11 11 10 Secondary education: 56% 27 Using our online services Areas for This is the third year asking a set of questions to gauge improvement the panel’s views on overall satisfaction with their online The impact of fi nancial experience at: www.highland.gov.uk austerity creates a challenging Overall 74% said they were very or fairly satisfi ed with online environment in which to services compared to 71% the year before. drive improvement in public In relation to questions on the quality of online services: perception. 78% said they would use online 67% agreed that online services again (81% in 2017); services were quick to Improvement activity needs complete (64% in 2017); to continue to be focused on 74% agreed that online services improved communication with were easy to use (72% in 2017); 71% agreed that online the public, informing budget 76% said they were able to services were easy to fi nd planning and budget decisions fi nd the online services they (65% in 2017). and driving new ways of local needed (73% in 2017); engagement with communities. We want to develop a shared Involving Communities sense of vision and purpose with our communities. These are This is a developing set of questions around community challenging fi nancial times and engagement, participation and localism. change is inevitable, but we are Results from this section include: committed to working with our citizens to improve the Highlands. When asked to defi ne 63% felt that their community Actions: their community, the most could become more involved popular answers selected by in providing the services that Engage with local the panel were: my village they and their community need. communities on service delivery options including (42%); my street/ immediate The majority of the panel neighbourhood (40%); community opportunities to were aware of their local lead on delivery. Highland (40%); and my town community council (72%), and (39%). 20% had been in contact with Communicate budget 58% say they volunteer in their community council over decisions and their impact on the community by helping the past 12 months. service delivery to the public. a neighbour, family or The panel were asked about Use the survey results to friend with 37% saying the Council’s approach to inform Council redesign and they volunteer through an participatory budgeting. choices on the balance of cost organised group or club. 31% of the panel were and quality when determining 79% feel they have no or not aware that the Council is service delivery options. very much infl uence over developing this approach. Management teams will use decision making in their If a participatory budgeting the results to inform their communities. event was happening in their ongoing improvement activity. community, 66% said they The main reasons given for Continue to promote the would want to be involved by not having an infl uence Council’s positive performance putting forward ideas for new were: ‘I don’t think this would through Council press releases, projects, and 83% by choosing make a diff erence’ (37%); events, and reports. ‘Public bodies don’t listen to projects they liked the most. community views’ (35%); and 72% of the people who ‘Not enough time’ (31%). responded also said they Your Voice 51% say they would like to would be interested in Your Council be very or fairly involved in community discussions decision-making in their area. about how local services are Your Future provided and making choices 28 within budget limits. How did we do: Statutory Performance Indicators and Key Performance Indicators 2017/18 The latest year’s report on Some areas which show Statutory Performance improvement by 10% or more +10 Indicators (SPIs) for 2017/18 % shows a positive picture between 2016/17 and 2017/18 are: of performance. The Care and Learning Development and Council has 144 SPIs which it uses to understand, Children’s Services - The Infrastructure percentage of Looked After demonstrate, and improve Planning - The cost per planning Children in kinship care increased its performance. Overall, the application has decreased from from 17.7% to 19.5%. performance of 102 SPIs £3,684 to £2,672. Libraries - The number of visits (78%) improved by 5% or per 1,000 population increased Business - The number of more or was maintained from 13,110 to 15,160. businesses supported by the Council and its Business Gateway compared to the year Culture and Leisure - The service increased from 1,061 to before. number of customers of High Life 1,191. Of these 144 indicators, there Highland services increased from are 27 which are considered 6.7m to 7.5m. Corporate Resources to be our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). These have Community Services Business - Total direct spend with been carefully selected to Waste - The net cost of waste Highland small and medium sized provide a high level overview collection decreased from £78.27 enterprises increased from 33.7% of how well the Council to £62.82 per premises. to 40.9%. is performing around the Street Lighting - The cost of Rates - The cost of collection per delivery of key service electricity per street lighting unit chargeable property decreased functions. Overall the Council’s decreased from £39.32 to £34.99. from £20.29 to £17.87. KPIs are performing well with 81% (22) either improving or Parks and Open spaces - The being maintained. net cost per 1,000 population decreased from £8,583 to £7,535. Some areas where performance has decreased by 10% or -10 more between 2016/17 and 2017/18 are: % Care and Learning Community Development and Children’s Services - The Services Infrastructure average number of Looked After Children accommodated by Street Lighting - Street light Planning - The average time per the Council outwith Highland failures completed within 7 days planning application increased increased from 27 to 34. decreased from 91% to 69%. from 10.2 weeks to 11.4 weeks. Education - Children from Housing - The homelessness Business - The number of deprived backgrounds receiving case duration increased from 37 Business Gateway start-ups (per 5+ awards at SCQF Level 6 to 44 weeks. 10,000 population) decreased decreased from 11% to 9%. from 12.1 to 11.0. Education - School exclusion rates (per 1,000 pupils) increased from 20.4 to 22.7. 29 How do we compare: Benchmarking What is the Local Government Benchmarking Framework (LGBF)? Local councils across Scotland are required to publish their performance information using the LGBF each year. This ensures that councils report standard information on the services councils provide to local communities across Scotland. The indicators were selected through a wide consultation process to cover the major service areas of local authorities. There are 27 indicators that the Council considers to be Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 21 of these are from the LGBF, and 6 are locally defi ned indicators. These are highlighted and included in this report. Children's Services
CHN1 CHN2 CHN3 CHN4 (KPI) How much does my How much does my How much does my What percentage of secondary council spend on council spend on council spend on school pupils achieved 5 plus primary schools? secondary schools? pre-school education? awards at SCQF level 5 or higher? £ per pupil £ per pupil £ per pre-school pupil % Highland £5,174.33 Highland £7,000.53 Highland £4,567.62 Highland 61%
Scotland £4,974.40 Scotland £6,879.49 Scotland £4,463.27 Scotland 62% £ RankedR 20 of 32 £ RankedR 19 of 32 £ RankedR 17 of 32 RankedR 19 of 32
CHN5 CHN6 (KPI) CHN7 CHN8a What % of secondary school pupils What % of secondary school pupils What % of secondary school pupils How much does my council achieved 5 plus awards from deprived areas achieved from deprived areas achieved spend on providing at SCQF level 6? 5 plus awards at SCQF level 5? 5 plus awards at SCQF level 6? residential accommodation for % % % ‘looked after children’? Highland 31% Highland 31% Highland 9% £ per child per week HighlandHighland £3£3,009.50,009.5 2016/17 Figures
Scotland 34% Scotland 42% Scotland 16% Scotland £3,404.36 RankedR 22 of 32 RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 25 of 32 £ RankedR 13 of 32
CHN8b CHN9 CHN10 CHN11 (KPI) How much does my council How many ‘looked after children’ How satisfi ed are What % of pupils enter spend on providing are being cared for in foster/family residents with a positive destination fostering/family placements for placements rather than residential local schools? after leaving school? ‘looked after children’? accommodation? % % £ per child per week % Highland 78.3% Highland 95.5% Highland £159.92£159.92 Highland 8282.6%.6% 2016/17 Figures
Scotland £312.73 Scotland 89.9% Scotland 72.3% Scotland 93.7% £ Ranked 3 of 32 RankedR 30 of 32 RankedR 12 of 32 Ranked 7 of 32 30 CHN12a (KPI) CHN12b CHN12c CHN12d Average total points awarded Average total points awarded Average total points awarded Average total points awarded for levels of attainment for levels of attainment for levels of attainment for levels of attainment achieved - Overall average tariff achieved - SIMD Quintile 1 achieved - SIMD Quintile 2 achieved - SIMD Quintile 3 Average tariff score Average tariff score Average tariff score Average tariff score Highland 848 Highland 489 Highland 679 Highland 877
Scotland 891 Scotland 618 Scotland 750 Scotland 896 RankedR 21 of 32 RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 26 of 32 RankedR 18 of 32
CHN12e CHN12f CHN17 CHN18 Average total points awarded Average total points awarded Children meeting developmental Funded early years provision for levels of attainment for levels of attainment milestones (27-30 months) rated good or better achieved - SIMD Quintile 4 achieved - SIMD Quintile 5 % % Average tariff score Average tariff score Highland 68.2% Highland 89.2% Highland 920 Highland 1,102 2016/17 Figures
Scotland 1,016 Scotland 1,221 Scotland 66.2% Scotland 91.0% RankedR 26 of 32 RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 18 of 32 RankedR 22 of 32
CHN19a (KPI) CHN19b (KPI) CHN20a CHN20b School School attendance rates for School School exclusion rates for attendance rates looked after children exclusion rates looked after children % % per 1,000 pupils per 1,000 looked after children Highland 93.4% Highland 91.1% Highland 22.7 Highland 108.8
2016/17 2016/17 2016/17 2016/17 Figures Figures Figures Figures
Scotland 93.3% Scotland 91.0% Scotland 26.8 Scotland 80.0 RankedR 17 of 32 RankedR 18 of 32 RankedR 17 of 32 RankedR 20 of 32
CHN21 CHN22 CHN23 KPI What % of 16-19 year olds Child protection re-registerations Looked after children with are participating in learning, within 18 months more than one placement Average number of training or work % in the last year 2016/17 % Highland 5.1% % Figures Looked After Children Highland 93.8% Highland 34.7% accommodated 2016/17 Figures outwith Highland 2017/18: 34
Scotland 91.8% Scotland 6.5% Scotland 21.2% 2016/17: 27 RankedR 11 of 32 RankedR 14 of 32 RankedR 31 of 32
31 Corporate Services
CORP1 CORP3b CORP3c CORP4 How much of my council’s How many women are in What is the How much does my council spend total running costs is spent on top 5% earners? gender pay gap? on collecting council tax? administrative support services? % % £ per home % Highland 51.4% Highland 7.2% Highland £8.36 Highlandg 7.7%
Scotland 4.5% Scotland 54.6% Scotland 3.9% Scotland £7.35 RankedR 32 of 32 RankedR 21 of 32 RankedR 26 of 32 £ RankedR 22 of 32
CORP6a (KPI) CORP6b (KPI) CORP7 (KPI) CORP8 What is the level of sickness What is the level of sickness How effi cient is my council at How effi cient is my council at absence for teachers in absence in my council? collecting council tax? paying invoices on time? my council? Average number of days per % % Average number of days employee (non-teachers) Highland 96.2% Highland 95.3% per teacher Highland 10.75 days HighlandHighg land 7.17 ddaysays
Scotlandl d 5.93 ddays Scotland 11.41 days Scotland 96.0% Scotland 93.2% RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 12 of 32 RankedR 15 of 32 RankedR 10 of 32
Adult Social Care Services SW1 SW2 (KPI) SW3 (KPI) SW4a How much does my council spend How many people needing social How many older people with long % of adults receiving any care on providing care to support work support get to choose how term care needs are supported so or support who rate it as older people to live at home? their support needs will be met? that they can remain at home? excellent or good? £ per hour % % % (3 year average) Highland £29.79 Highlandg 6.1% Highland 53.2% Highlandg 83.0%
Scotland £23.76 Scotland 6.7% Scotland 61.7% Scotland 80.2% £ RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 10 of 32 RankedR 31 of 32 RankedR 10 of 32
SW4b SW5 % adults supported at home agree How much does my council services had an impact in improving spend on providing residential or maintaining their quality of life. care for older people? % Per person, per week Highlandg 85.7% Highland £481.88
Scotland 80.0% Scotland £386.25 Ranked 4 of 32 £ RankedR 27 of 32 32 Culture and Leisure Services
C&L1 (KPI) C&L2 (KPI) C&L3 (KPI) C&L4 How much does my council How much does my council How much does my council How much does my council spend spend on sports and spend on libraries? spend on museums on parks and open spaces? leisure facilities? £ per visit and galleries? £ per 1,000 people £ per visit Highlandg £1.78 £ per visit Highland £7,535 Highland £1.45 Highland £2.59
Scotland £2.71 ScotlandSld £2.08 Scotland £3.49 Scotland £19,814 £ Ranked 5 of 32 £ Ranked 9 of 32 £ RankedR 10 of 32 £ Ranked 5 of 32
C&L5a C&L5b C&L5c C&L5d How satisfi ed are residents with How satisfi ed are residents with How satisfi ed are residents with How satisfi ed are residents with local libraries? local parks and open spaces? local museums and galleries? local leisure facilities? % % % % Highland 74.0% Highland 84.3% Highland 58.7% Highlandg 71.0%
Scotland 73.0% Scotland 85.7% Scotland 70.0% Scotland 72.7% RankedR 17 of 32 RankedR 22 of 32 RankedR 25 of 32 RankedR 24 of 32
Housing Services HSN1b (KPI) HSN2 HSN3 HSN4b How much rent is owed to the How much rent was lost due to What is the quality and standard How long does it take my council due to arrears (gross)? empty properties? of housing provided by my council council to complete non % % measured by the Scottish emergency repairs? Highland 5.03% Highland 1.04% Housing Quality Standard? average number of days % Highlandg 7.40 daysy Highland 94.7%
Scotland 6.75% Scotland 0.89% ScotlandSld 93.9%93 9% Scotland 7.50 days £ Ranked 7 of 32 £ RankedR 19 of 32 RankedR 17 of 32 RankedR 12 of 32 HSN5 KPI KPI How energy effi cient is the housing provided by my council as measured by the Scottish Average time Homelessness Housing Quality Standard? to re-let homes case duration % Highland 94.7% (days) (days) 2017/18: 39.7 2017/18: 44 2016/17: 43.0 2016/17: 37 Scotland 97.2% RankedR 22 of 32
33 Environmental Services
ENV1a ENV2a ENV3a ENV3c (KPI) How much does my How much does my council How much does my How clean are my council spend on spend on waste disposal council spend on local streets? refuse collection (net)? (e.g. recycling and landfi ll) (net)? street cleaning? % £ per premise £ per premise £ per 1,000 people Highland 94% Highlandg £62.82 Highland £9£97.667.66 Highlandg £4,915
Scotland £6£65.98 Scotland £98.42 Scotland £15,551 Scotland 92% £ RankedR 18 of 32 £ RankedR 18 of 32 £ Ranked 1 of 32 RankedR 14 of 32
ENV4a ENV4b ENV4c ENV4d How much does my How many of my local A class How many of my local B class How many of my local C class council spend maintaining the roads are in need of repair? roads are in need of repair? roads are in need of repair? condition of my roads? % % % £ per kilometre Highland 28.9% Highland 35.7% Highland 40.3% Highland £8,075 A B C Scotland £10,547 Scotland 30.2% Scotland 35.9% Scotland 36.2% £ Ranked 9 of 32 RankedR 21 of 32 RankedR 20 of 32 RankedR 23 of 32
ENV4e ENV5a ENV5b ENV6 (KPI) How many of my local How much does my council spend How much does my council How much household unclassifi ed class roads are on providing trading standards, spend on providing waste is recycled by in need of repair? money advice, and citizen advice? environmental health my council? % £ per 1,000 people £ per 1,000 people % HighlandU 43.8% Highland £2,049 Highland £16,940 Highland 43.6% Scotland 39.0% Scotland £5,890 Scotland £15,496 Scotland 45.6% RankedR 25 of 32 £ Ranked 3 of 32 £ RankedR 22 of 32 RankedR 22 of 32
ENV7a ENV7b KPI KPI How satisfi ed are residents How satisfi ed are residents with with local refuse collection? local street cleanliness? % % Street lighting energy Road network to Highland 88.3% Highland 74.0% consumption be considered for (kWh) maintenance 2017/18: 2017/18: 14,178,050 38.8%
Scotland 78.7% Scotland 69.7% 2016/17: 2016/17: Ranked 5 of 32 RankedR 11 of 32 16,671,257 38.7%
34 Economic Development
ECON1 ECON2 ECON3 (KPI) ECON4 (KPI) How many unemployed Cost per Average time (weeks) Proportion of Council spend people have been assisted into planning application? per Planning Application to local small and medium work by my council? £ weeks sized enterprises % Highland £2,671.71 Highland 11.4 % Highland 4.9% Highlandg 40.9%
Scotland 14.4% Scotland £4,819.00 Scotland 9.3 Scotland 27.4% RankedR 27 of 32 £ Ranked 2 of 32 RankedR 26 of 32 Ranked 4 of 32
ECON5 ECON6 ECON7 ECON8 (KPI) Number of Business Gateway How much does my council How many people are earning How many properties receive start-ups spend on Economic less than the living wage? superfast broadband? per 10,000 population Development and Tourism? % % Highland 11.0 £ per 1,000 people Highland 19.5% Highland 76.0% Highlandg £40,777
Scotland 16.8 Scotland £91,806 Scotland 18.4% Scotland 91.1% RankedR 30 of 32 £ Ranked 5 of 32 RankedR 13 of 32 RankedR 29 of 32
KPI
Business supported by Council and Business Gateway 2017/18: 1,191 2016/17: 1,061 Corporate Asset C-AST1 (KPI) C-AST2 How many council buildings are How many council buildings are in suitable for their current use? a satisfactory condition? % % Highland 66.1% Highland 82.1%
Scotland 81.0% Scotland 86.3% RankedR 32 of 32 RankedR 24 of 32 35