Sluagh agus Comas-ceangal Population and ConnectivityHousing Foghlam and Community agus Trèanadh

Local Economy and Employment Eaconamaidh Ionadail agus Fastachd

GovernanceSlàinte Framework agus Soirbheas Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Public Performance Report 2018-19

a confident council, effective partnerships and confident communities Comhairle mhisneachail, com-pàirtichean èifeachdach agus coimhearsnachdan misneachail Introduction Welcome to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s public performance report for 2020 which covers the funding, over and above the General Capital grant, of £4.5m was received in 2018/19 including 2018/19 period. This is one of the means we use to keep our communities informed and to £1m for Early Years works and £2.3m Scottish Government Regeneration grant. invite comments on service delivery and other matters. Further information can be provided on During the year major works for Early Years/Gaelic classrooms were completed at Leverhulme, request or can be accessed at: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/strategy-performance-and-research/ Laxdale and Tong Schools as well as Marybank pollution control works, Craigston coastal performance/service-business-plan-progress-reports/ protection project and the Iolaire path. The Comhairle approved its Corporate Strategy in December 2017 and it sets out the Comhairle’s It is essential that infrastructure improvements are matched by efficient transport services, an strategic priorities for the period 2017-21. This is in parallel with the Outer Hebrides Community area in which the Comhairle has continued to lobby vigorously. Planning Partnership’s Local Outcomes Improvement Plan (LOIP). The common themes of both the Corporate Strategy and the LOIP are that the Western Isles should be an attractive place to e-Sgoil continues to develop as an innovative on-line educational resource providing a wider invest, live, work and visit; that we must create and sustain the social and economic conditions and more equitable choice of subjects for pupils across all secondary schools in the Western Isles which encourage our young people to remain on the islands; that we need to work together whilst supporting the expansion of Gaelic medium education and developing staff to deliver effectively to retain and maintain an economically active population; that a safe environment online learning in all subject areas throughout Scotland and internationally. should be provided in which to pursue healthy and active lifestyles and that caring communities Cùram is Slàinte nan Eilean Siar / Western Isles Integration Joint Board (IJB) is focused on the must be supported to look after the elderly and support independent living. The overarching delivery of its strategic plan, the development of locality planning arrangements to give a priorities of the Comhairle’s Corporate Strategy are: Economy and Jobs; Communities and strong voice to our communities, to make transparent investment decisions and to support the Housing; Education; Skills and Training; and Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing. The Corporate operational integration of services. This should ensure better Health and Social Care service Strategy was reviewed in July 2019 and it is likely that it will be reviewed again within the current delivery for residents throughout the Outer Hebrides. year in light of internal organisational change, transformational change and service redesign as Against an increasingly harsh financial background, the Comhairle, working together with well as external factors such as Brexit, public sector reform and continuing financial pressures in Community Planning Partners, continues to aim to provide the highest possible standard of the public sector. services whilst providing leadership and external advocacy for the communities of the Outer Work has continued throughout the 2018/19 period on bringing forward an Islands Deal and Hebrides. the Comhairle welcomed the publication of the Draft National Islands’ Plan as a direct result of the work of the Comhairle and its partner authorities. The purpose of the Plan is to meaningfully improve outcomes for Island communities, aligned with a commitment to sustainable £120.6 million revenue budget development goals, and, critically, a human rights-based approach. The Comhairle looks forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and our other partners in improving lives 89.6 for those people in our communities, and developing the actions to be taken to implement the Strategic Objectives . The Islands Plan is an important step in taking that forward and the Government and Other Grants Comhairle hopes that that is complemented by appropriate resourcing, for instance through the Islands Deal. The Comhairle also looks forward to seeing the guidance on Island Community Council Tax Impact Assessments which will be an integral part of ‘Island Proofing’. The Comhairle hopes that its views are heard and reflected in the forthcoming National Transport Strategy 2 which Non Domestic Rates Money in will indeed “..have a sustainable, inclusive and accessible transport system, helping to deliver a healthier, fairer and more prosperous Scotland for communities, business and visitors” and which extends to remoter regions and island areas . Fees and Charges (£m) During 2019, The Comhairle welcomed the allocation of Crown Estate Revenues which resulted Where the Comhairle’s in £1.7m coming to communities in the Islands and was the result of sustained lobbying by the 10.7 Comhairle and other partners. Towards the close of the year, the Comhairle welcomed the award money comes from by Scottish Government of some £2m in support of the Western Isles Employability and Poverty and Social Inclusion programmes which ensures the continuation of these vital programmes up to 2022. 7.7 Capital works continued to provide much needed employment across the islands with road, pavement and school improvements as well as the Lewis War Memorial works. Work started on the Lewis Residential Care project whilst plans to develop a Community Hub, featuring health, 12.6 social care, learning and community services and facilities on Barra progressed. Additional www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Ro-ràdh Fàilte gu aithisg dèanadas poblach Chomhairle nan Eilean Siar 2020 airson an ùine 2018/19. rathaidean, cabhsairean agus leasachadh sgoiltean còmhla ri obraichean aig Carragh Cuimhne `S e seo aon de na dòighean airson fiosrachadh a chumail ri ar coimhearsnachdan agus airson Leòdhais. Thòisich obair air pròiseact Dachaigh Cùram Leòdhais agus tha adhartas dha beachdan a shireadh air lìbhrigeadh sheirbheis agus gnothaichean eile. Gheibhear tuilleadh dhèanamh le planaichean airson Mòr-ionad Coimhearsnachd ann am Barraigh, a’ gabhail fiosrachaidh le iarraidh no tro:https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/strategy-performance-and-research/ a-steach slàinte, cùram shòisealachd, seirbheisean ionnsachadh coimhearsnachd agus goireasan. performance/service-business-plan-progress-reports/ Fhuaireadh maoin a bharrachd, thairis air an tabhartas Calpa Coitcheann, de £4.5m ann an Dh’aontaich a’ Chomhairle Ro-innleachd Chorporra anns an Dùbhlachd 2017 a’ mìneachadh 2018/19 a’ gabhail a-steach £1m airson Obair nan Tràth Bhliadhnachan agus tabhartas Ath- prìomhachasan ro-innleachdail na Comhairle airson 2017-21. Tha seo ann an loidhne le Plana bheothachaidh de £2.3m bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Leasachadh Builean Ionadail Com-pàirteachas Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd Innse Gall (PLBI). Tron bhliadhna, chaidh obraichean mòr air seòmraichean clas airson Tràth Bhliadhnachan/ Tha cuspairean cumanta eadar an Ro-innleachd Chorporra agus am PLBI agus `s iad sin: gum Gàidhlig a chrìochnachadh aig Bun-sgoiltean an t-Òib, Lacasdail agus Tunga còmhla ri obair air bu chòir do na h-Eileanan an Iar a bhith nan àite tarraingeach airson in-thasgaidh, fuireach ann, smachd truaillidh aig Bruach Màiri, pròiseact dìon na h-oirthir aig Baile na Creige agus an Ceum obrachadh ann agus tadhal ann; tha e deatamach suidheachadh sòisealta agus eacanomaigeach gu Carragh-cuimhne an Iolaire. a stèidheachadh a bhrosnaicheas daoine òga gu fuireach anns na h-eileanan; gu feum amas a bhith ann sluagh a chumail ann an obair; gum bu chòir àrainneachd shàbhailte a bhith ann airson Tha e deatamach gu bheil seirbheisean comhdhail èifeachdach ion-choimeasail ri leasachadh caitheamh-beatha fallain, beothail a bhith aig daoine agus gu feum cùram sa choimhearsnachd bun-structair, nì air a bheil a’ Chomhairle daonnan a coiteachadh gu làidir. taic fhaighinn gu bhith a’ coimhead às dèidh seann daoine agus taic a chumail ri còmhnaidh Tha e-Sgoil a leantainn mar stòras ùr-ghnàthach foghlam air-loidhne a’ toirt taghadh de neo-eisimeileach. S iad àrd phrìomhachasan Ro-innleachd Chorporra na Comhairle: Eaconamaidh chuspairean nas fharsainge agus nas cothromaiche do gach sgoilear ann an àrd-sgoiltean agus Obraichean; Coimhearsnachdan is Taigheadas; Foghlam; Sgilean agus Trèanadh; agus Inbhe nan Eilean Siar agus a’ cumail taic ri leudachadh air foghlam tro mheadhan na Gàidhlig agus a’ Beatha, Slàinte agus Soirbheas. Chaidh sgrùdadh a dhèanamh air an Ro-innleachd Chorporra leasachadh luchd-obraich gu ionnsachadh air-loidhne a lìbhrigeadh anns gach cuspair air feadh san Iuchair 2019 agus `s iongantach mur a tèid ath-sgrùdadh eile a dhèanamh am bliadhna ann Alba agus gu h-eadar-nàiseanta. an dàimh ri atharrachadh taobh staigh na buidhne, bun-atharrachaidh agus ath-dhealbhadh Tha fòcas Cùram is Slàinte nan Eilean Siar air am plana ro-innleachdail a lìbhrigeadh, leasachadh sheirbheis còmhla ri cùisean eile mar Brexit, ath-leasachadh an roinn phoblaich agus cuideam ullachadh air dealbhadh ionadail gu guth làidir a thoirt do ar coimhearsnachdan, gu co- ionmhais leantainneach air an roinn phoblaich. dhùnaidhean soilleir a dhèanamh agus taic a chur ri amalachadh sheirbheisean. Dhaingnicheadh Tro 2018/19 lean an obair air Cùmhnant nan Eilean a thoirt air adhart agus chur a’ Chomhairle seo seirbheisean Slàinte agus Cùram Shòisealachd nas fheàrr do luchd-còmhnaidh Innse Gall. fàilte air foillseachadh Dreachd Phlana Nàiseanta nan Eilean mar thoradh air an obair a rinn a’ Le suidheachadh ionmhas doirbh, tha a’ Chomhairle, ag obrachadh còmhla ri Compàirtichean Chomhairle agus na h-ughdarrasan compàirteachaidh. `S e tha fa-near dhan Phlana builean Dealbhadh Coimhearsnachd ag amas air an inbhe as àirde de sheirbheisean a thoirt seachad agus a leasachadh airson coimhearsnachdan eileanach, còmhla ri dealas ri amasan leasachadh aig an aon a’ cumail stiùir do agus a coiteachadh as leth coimhearsnachdan Innse Gall. seasmhach, agus gu seachd àraidh seo uile stèidhichte air còraichean a chinne-daonna. Tha a’ Chomhairle èasgaidh gu obrachadh le Riaghaltas na h-Alba agus ar compàirtichean gu piseach £120.6 million revenue budget a thoirt air beatha muinntir ar coimhearsnachdan agus a’ toirt air adhart nan gnìomhan gus na 47.5 h-Amasan Ro-innleachdail a choileanadh. `S e ceum cudromach a th’ann am Plana nan Eilean Education and Childrens Servcies ann a bhith a’ toirt sin air adhart agus tha a’ Chomhairle an dòchas gu bheil stòras iomchaidh a’ tighinn na chois, mar eisimpleir tro Chùmhnant nan Eilean. Tha sùil aig a’ Chomhairle ri faicinn stiùireadh air Measadh Buaidh Coimhearsnachdan Eileanach a bhios na phàirt cudromach de Development 7.7 “Dìon Eileanan”. Tha a’ Chomhairle an dòchas gun tèid feart a thoirt air am beachdan ann an Money out Ro-innleachd Comhdhail Nàiseanta 2 agus gum bi dha-rìribh “…siostam comhdhail seasmhach, Health and Social Care in-ghabhaltach agus so-ruigsinneachd, a’ cuideachadh gu Alba nas fhallainn, nas cothromaiche agus nas soirbheachail do choimhearsnachdan, gnìomhachasan agus luchd-turais” agus a tha Chief Executive’s (£m) leudachadh gu roinnean iomallach agus sgìrean eileanach. Where the Comhairle’s Rè 2019, chuir a’ Chomhairle fàilte air cuibhreann bho Mhaoin Oighreachd a’ Chrùin a fàgail Finance and Corporate money was spent gu bheil £1.7m a’ tighinn gu coimhearsnachdan nan Eilean agus bha seo mar thoradh air Resources 15.1 coiteachadh leantainneach bhon Chomhairle agus compàirtichean eile. Faisg air deireadh 23.1 na bliadhna, chur a’ Chomhairle fàilte air £2m bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson taic a chur ri Technical Servcies programan So-fhastachd agus Bochdainn is In-ghabhail Sòisealta agus dearbhaidh sin gu lean na prògraman èiseil seo suas gu 2022. Debt Servicing Costs 3.9 Lean na h-obraichean Calpa a’ toirt cosnaidhean riatanach air feadh nan eilean le obair air 17.7 5.6 www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org 2017/18 at a glance

2018/19 at a glance 2018/19 air aon sealladh

Days 7.26 sickness absence days per FTE Employee (Teachers) Days 7.26 làithean tinn gach Neach-obrach làn-thìde (Tidsearan)

Days 12.92 sickness absence days per FTE Employee (exc. Teachers) Days 12.92 làithean tinn gach Neach-obrach làn-thìde (gun cunntadh tidsear- an) 96.47 of income due from Council Tax received by the end of the year 96.47 de theachd-a-steach bhon Chìs Chomhairle ro dheireadh na bli- % % adhna % 95.91 of invoices sampled were paid within 30 days % 95.91 de dh’fhairdealan pàighte an taobh-staigh 30 latha £ 20.78 the cost per dwelling of collection Council Tax £ 20.78 cosgais gach dachaigh gu togail a’ Chìs Chomhairle 51.01 was the home care costs per hour for older persons (65+) 51.01 cosgais cùram gach uair a thìde airson seann daoine (65+) £ £ 599.00 was the net cost of residential care services per week per older 599.00 cosgais iomlan seirbheisean cùram còmhnaidh gach seachdain £ adult (65+) £ airson inbhich nas sine (65+) % 23.10 of total waste arising that is recycled % 23.10 de sgudal iomlan a tha air ath-chuairteachadh £ 68.56 is the net cost of waste collection per premise £ 68.56 cosgais iomlan togail sgudail airson gach togalach £ 153.71 is the net cost per waste disposal per premises £ 153.71 cosgais iomlan cur às do sgudal airson gach togalach % 99.20 street cleanliness score % 99.20 toradh glainead sràid % 73.03 of adults satisfied with street cleaning % 73.03 de dh’ inbhich riaraichte le glainead sràid % 89.23 of adults satisfied with refuse collection % 89.23 de dh’ inbhich riaraichte le togail sgudail

www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity

1.1 Communities and Housing - Our key priority will be to focus policy and interventions on ‘hard to reach’ communities and to maintaining population in our most peripheral communities. Outer Hebrides age structure A range of preparatory work relating to Affordable Housing, such as site Feasibility Studies The most recent mid-year population estimates (2018) for the Outer Hebrides gives a and financial appraisals was also carried out during the year, and by Q4 25 proposed units population of 26,830. This shows a decrease of 0.45% (120 persons) from mid 2017 to mid 2018. were going through the Planning process and a further 130 units were undergoing financial assessment. This decrease can be attributed to the low net migration (20) and the negative ‘natural change’. Deaths (353) continued to exceed births (210) over the period. The median age in the islands The first full review of the Local Housing Strategy (2017-2022) was also carried out in Q4 and was estimated to be 49 years (Scottish average 42 yrs) in June 2018. reported to Comhairle in April 2019. The full report can be accessed within the Communities and Housing Committee’s April 2019 Notice of Meeting, at: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/ Over the last ten years (between 2008 and 2018) in the Outer Hebrides there has been a media/13535/frontis.pdf. New draft LHS Guidance from the Scottish Government was also decrease of 450 persons (-1.6%). Over the same period, Orkney saw an increase of 6.9%, issued in Q4 and this will inform future updates of the LHS. Shetland an increase of 3.3%, while Scotland overall saw an increase of 4.5%. There was a slight increase in Homeless presentations during 2018/19. 143 cases were reported In 2018, the ‘median age in the Outer Hebrides was estimated to be 48 years for males and 49 compared to 134 in 2017/18. Much of the Homeless Team’s focus has been on the forthcoming years for females with the following age group breakdowns by sex: Males (17% under 16 years; changes to Homeless legislation brought about by the Homeless and Rough Sleepers Action 58% of working age; 26% of pensionable age); Females (15% under 16 years; 57% of working Group (HARSAG) proposals and the move toward Rapid Rehousing. age; and 28% of pensionable age). The number of dwellings on the council’s valuation list increased by 7% from 2006 to 2019. The estimated decrease in the population of the Outer Hebrides from 2017-2018 can be attributed to low net migration (more in-migration than out-migration) which was estimated to Community-led economic development be 20 and negative ‘natural change’. A major Housing seminar looking at innovative ways of increasing housing opportunities Demographically, the population of the Outer Hebrides is ageing. The greatest decline by age in Uist and Barra took place in November 2019. The community-led Housing seminar was group has occurred in the 30-44 year category (from representing 19% of the population in organised by the Uist and Barra Housing Group, and had a main theme of ‘Innovation and 2008 to 15.9% in 2018). The greatest increase by age group has occurred in the 65-74 category New Thinking’ to accelerate house building on the islands. The purpose of the seminar was to (from representing 11.1% of the population in 2008 to 13.7% in 2018). explore new ways of meeting the housing needs of the area, particularly in relation for young people and addressing population decline. The continuing trend is for young adults to leave the islands for further education or employment purposes. Over 50 delegates representing community bodies, housing stakeholders, the Third Sector, and local business attended on the day. A series of presentations set out the local and national The situation in the Outer Hebrides is however more marked than elsewhere in Scotland. The housing context, along with examples of innovative housing ideas that have been successful Outer Hebrides population also has a higher percentage of individuals in the older age groups in other parts of rural Scotland. The presentations prepared the ground for two sets of and correspondingly less in the younger age groups. In 2018 the average age of residents in the workshops, where delegates had the opportunity to discuss and develop ideas that could be Outer Hebrides was seven years older than in Scotland (49 to 42 years). explored further. The only large town in the Outer Hebrides is Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh) with approximately Outer Hebrides Programmes 2014-2020 6,953 people in the Stornoway settlement Laxdale (Lacasdal), Sandwick (Sanndabhaig) and Newmarket. The remaining population is scattered throughout over 280 townships. Stornoway LEADER (Liaison Entre Actions de Dèveloppment Èconomique Rurale) or Links between is the only settlement, which can really be described as having any ‘urban’ characteristics. Activities Developing Rural Communities) is a European Union funded Community Development Programme which is part of the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP). An additional two Syrian Families were successfully settled in the Outer Hebrides during It focuses on delivering a bottom-up method of support for rural development. Support is 2018/19, with support provided by the Housing Team as part of a multi-disciplinary project & primarily aimed at small-scale, community-driven pilot projects that are innovative in nature. support team. This brings the total number of families to eight since the scheme began. In 2015 the Scottish Government awarded £3,177,666 for a local LEADER and European Housing Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014-2020 Programme to the Outer Hebrides LEADER Local Steady progress was made in the roll out of the Affordable Housing Programme during Action Group (LAG). Since opening in March 2016 the Outer Hebrides LEADER Programme has 2018/19. By the end of Q4 of 2018/19, 262 proposed new homes were at different stages of awarded £2.1m to 39 projects, levering-in additional investment of £5.2m - one of the highest development. 57 new homes had been completed by Hebridean Housing Partnership. 17 of leverage ratios for any LEADER LAG area in Scotland and equating to almost £2.50 for each £1 these new homes were built in Rural Lewis, 6 in Barra, 12 in Stornoway and 22 on the outskirts of LEADER grant committed. of Stornoway. A further four housing developments, for the provision of 50 new properties, The programme received 257 Expressions of Interest and 103 applications with 43 approved to were on site. 130 units, including the major development at Goathill Farm, were at appraisal stage. 25 proposed homes were also in the process of getting planning approval. date – 15 projects in Uist and Barra and 28 in Lewis and Harris meaning a wide geographic www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity

1.1 Communities and Housing - Our key priority will be to focus policy and interventions on ‘hard to reach’ communities and to maintaining population in our most peripheral communities. distribution of LEADER funding across the Outer Hebrides. Birds Directives; Special Protection Areas (SPA); Special Area of Conservation and national The Outer Hebrides LEADER LAG completed a mid-term evaluation of the Programme in designations such as SSSI’s and National Scenic Areas. December 2018. It examined the extent to which projects reflected the aims and objectives In 2012, Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) agreed a Climate Change of the LAG’s Local Development Strategy (LDS) and Business Plan achieved EU and Scottish Declaration committing all partners to reduce carbon emissions by 3% every year. This was a Government LEADER priorities. The mid-term evaluation covered the period from the launch of positive step, but in order to contribute to meeting the Scottish Government target of net zero the local Programme in November 2015 through to October 2018. The principal findings were emissions by 2045, OHCPP recognises that there is a need to accelerate the approach taken. A that the Outer Hebrides LEADER LDS was successful in supporting a wide range of applicants’ new Climate Change Group has been established, with broad representation from public bodies projects. The eligibility of small business applicants for the first time had been beneficial with throughout the Outer Hebrides. They met for the first time in September 2019 to discuss the regard to local tourism business start-ups, particularly those linked to the ‘Hebridean Way’. Climate Emergency for Scotland declared by the First Minister in April 2019 and are currently An independent evaluation will be commissioned in 2020 when projects are complete, to developing actions and targets around climate issues for subsequent inclusion in the OHCPP assess fully the impact of the Programme on the wider Outer Hebrides economy and local Local Outcome Improvement Plan. As part of this process, the Climate Change Group will seek communities. opportunities for local engagement so they can hear directly from people throughout the Local Environment islands. Flood Risk Management The initial Carbon Management Plan was approved by the Comhairle in April 2014. From baseline emissions of 26,831 in 2009 the Comhairle can demonstrate a reduction of 40% The Outer Hebrides Flood Risk Management Strategy has been published, as has the Local by 2014. This has surpassed the target of 20% and is due primarily to the reduction in Flood Risk Management Plan (LFRMP). There are actions that apply across the whole of the waste emissions. The Plan has been revised for 2015-2018 with an increased target of 50% Outer Hebrides Local Plan District (OH LPD) and actions that are specific to each of the 8 reduction on baseline agreed by the Comhairle in December 2017. The utilisation of a Scottish Potentially Vulnerable Areas (as defined under Section 13 of the Flood Risk Management Government Framework (Non Domestic Energy Efficiency) was considered for the delivery of (Scotland) Act 2009) in the OH LPD. The Interim Report shows the progress made in delivering energy efficiency savings at Comhairle sites. It is noted with disappointment that the preferred the actions of the OH LFRMP midway through the plan cycle. It shows that the coordinated and bidder withdrew from the process at award stage setting this process back. collaborative efforts of public bodies can be brought together to deliver sustainable outcomes. Waste Management Plan Individuals are the first line of defence against flooding and have responsibilities to protect themselves from flooding. Through self-help and property level protection, awareness raising Municipal Services continues to work towards full implementation of a waste management and signing up to Floodline, individuals, businesses and communities can and have made key plan which meets the environmental considerations of the Outer Hebrides. In doing so, contributions to the delivery of the actions in the Plan. work continues with Scottish Government and Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) to get a clearer picture of how the 2025 ban on Biodegradable Municipal Waste and the implementation of Further information of the OH Flood Risk Management Strategy, LFRMP and the Interim Report the Household Waste Recycling Charter will be applied in the Western Isles. The addition of a can be viewed on the Comhairle’s website, within the Flood Risk Management section, at: Scotland-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has complicated the modelling for the Household https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/emergencies-safety-and-crime/. Waste Recycling Charter and the possibility of a transition period for local authorities to meet Climate Change the 2025 bio-ban has still to be confirmed. The collection methodologies suggested by ZWS are Climate can be viewed as the “average weather” over a period of time at a particular location. currently being reviewed also to establish the greatest service efficiencies. This will contain a range of variables such as temperature, rainfall and wind. The standard The Outer Hebrides Local Energy Hub (OHLEH) project is now substantially complete. The period over which climate is measured, as defined by the World Meteorological Organisation is hydrogen and oxygen systems have been installed and the Fuel Cell has been delivered to the 30 years. Barvas hatchery. Climate change refers to a significant variation in the average climate, persisting over a long The process to achieve PAS 110 for the Creed Park Anaerobic Digester is also underway. This period of time – decades or more. Some climate change may be the result of natural processes. process will take a number of months due to the need to provide compliant samples over a set Climate change, however, normally refers to changes in global climate that have arisen, or are period. Achieving PAS 110 will allow waste processed at the AD Plant to be classed as recycling predicted to arise, because of human activity that is changing or is expected to change the rather than recovery and this will significantly increase recycling rates for the Western Isles.The gaseous composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. (OHLEH) project won the Partnership Scotland Award at the 2019 VIBES – Scottish Environment The Outer Hebrides is making a significant contribution towards Scotland’s overall commitment Business Awards, with partner The Scottish Salmon Company (SSC), Pure Energy Centre (PEC), to safeguarding the natural environment and contribute through several environmental Community Energy Scotland and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (CNES). designations including international RAMSAR designations; European NATURA Habitats and www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity

1.1 Communities and Housing - Our key priority will be to focus policy and interventions on ‘hard to reach’ communities and to maintaining population in our most peripheral communities.

NetNet migration migration rates ratesper 1,000 per peop 1,000le, Napoeple h-Ei eanan, Na h-EileanSiar, 2008-09 Siar to, 2017-1 82.8 Yrs 8 2008-09 to 2017-18 Female 7 Life Expectancy 6 50.6% Female 5 76.8 Yrs 4 Male 26,830 49.4% 3 Life Expectancy Male Population 2 16.9% 1 Aged Under 16 0 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 -1 -09 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -2 -3 210 Births 353 Deaths 111 Marriages -4 Net Migration rate Scottish Net Migration Rate

Number of engagement events with 15 Number of LEADER applications Scottish and UK Government, Regulators, supported Transmission Operators, and Renewable Energy Developers Recyclates: Tonnes recycled and diverted from landfill 15/1647

594 Tonnes of 14,747 Cans/Plastics 25 Dwellings in 22 Eilean Siar 14 752 539 322.85 Tonnes of Tonnes of Glass 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 Number of MW of Paper/Card on-shore wind energy consented or operational www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity 1.2 Education, Skills and Training - The aim is to provide a first class bilingual education in high quality buildings using the best possible facilities and technologies to prepare our young people for further study, training or employment and ensure that we have the skills to meet the needs of the local economy. Education Gaelic Medium Education The Schools and Community Learning Service ensures delivery, quality assurance and The Schools and Community Learning Service also ensure the delivery, quality assurance and development of educational provision in accordance with the Curriculum for Excellence. Their development of the Gaelic Action Plan within GME. The Gaelic Policy and Gaelic Action Plan are Quality Assurance (QA) Team are being extended to include Education, Skills and Training to to be revised during the 2019/20 period. GME testimonials and update of all GME marketing provide a wider QA overview of the education provided for children and young people. Hubs tools will be reviewed and updated in 2020. 47% of children were enrolled in GME at P1 in developing work plan for 2019-2022. The Service works in partnership with Education Scotland, September 2018, 6% more than that recorded in 2015. The Service continue to work with Northern Alliance Colleagues, Island colleagues and e-Sgoil to provide equity and extend the schools where enrolments are lower to increase uptake in GME. offer in schools. A harmonised time-table is to be developed across schools in the Senior Phase e-Sgoil was established in August 2016 with the hub building opening the following December. offer during the 2019/20 period. Funding was provided by the Scottish Government and Bòrd na Gàidhlig. The aims of e-Sgoil include supporting the expansion of Gaelic medium education locally and nationally. e-Sgoil The Service also ensures the delivery, quality assurance and development of the Curriculum continues to deliver classes to schools within the Western Isles and in other Local Authorities Redesign and Implementation Action Plan. S6 Schools Head Teachers are developing a and appointments have been made in Orkney, Shetland, Aberdeenshire and Highland. The curriculum rationale across the four secondary schools. The Executive Head Teacher is also Education, Skills and Children’s Services Directorate is currently developing an e-sgoil Action working with Senior Education Officers and Primary Head Teachers to develop a curriculum Plan rationale for all primary schools to improve consistency of delivery across the school estate. Apprenticeship Strategy There will be scope for local approaches but the bar will be raised in terms of quality of the Apprentices in the Western Isles will be among the first in Scotland to be supported in the curriculum and more use is to be made of local resources and partners. process of accessing low-cost housing as part of a new initiative to encourage young people Pairc Primary School opened new facilities in 2019 to encourage outdoor learning. The to stay in the islands. The innovative commitment is a key feature of a new Charter Agreement school successfully applied for support from the charity, Learning Through Landscapes, and signed by Comhairle nan Eilean Sair and Skills Development Scotland on 28th October 2019. won support from local firms including Breedon Northern, Mowi, Scottish Salmon and Peter The new charter lays out the commitment of both organisations to deliver high quality Maclennan. The new facilites include a bug hotel, wildlife camera, a story-telling chair, a employment services in the region, all with the goal of ensuring the needs of the local people seating area, stone circle, polytunnel, and outdoor equipment for the pupils themselves. These and local economy are met. This includes supporting apprentices to find low cost housing. This aim to relate what’s learned inside the school to things outside the building, encouraging will be done in a variety of ways, from making sure labour market data, curriculum design, and understanding of how the learning can be actually used. pupil subject choice are in alignment, to supporting employers in upskilling their employees, and helping young people choose the right pathways from education into work. A new Career Hub will also be housed in Stornoway Town Hall, with staff from both the Comhairle and SDS providing advice and guidance for employment opportunities. Depopulation is a long running concern in the Western Isles, particularly the predicted decline in the number of young people in the islands. In 2019, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and partners secured a Skills Development Scotland contract to the value of £570K to support the delivery of Foundation Apprenticeships for the 2019/20 academic year and beyond. “Foundation Apprenticeships offer young people in the Western Isles the chance to develop the future skills needed to grow the local economy. They also provide a new and innovative career pathway which encourages more young people to stay on the islands with the offer of a job closer to home. Foundation Apprenticeships are closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace, with pupils realising the benefits of work based learning. Employers are telling us that pupils who have taken a Foundation Apprenticeship are more job ready and better qualified candidates for apprenticeships and jobs.” Apprenticeship Manger Up to 105 places on seven Foundation Apprenticeships will be available to pupils entering S4 and S5 in 2020 - in Castlebay School, Sgoil Lionacleit, Sir E Scott School and The Nicolson Institute. 15 places are available in each of the following sectors starting from June 2020: Business Skills; Creative & Digital Media; Engineering; Food and Drink Technologies; Social Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity 1.2 Education, Skills and Training - The aim is to provide a first class bilingual education in high quality buildings using the best possible facilities and technologies to prepare our young people for further study, training or employment and ensure that we have the skills to meet the needs of the local economy.

Percentage of secondary school pupils Services Children and Young People; Social Services and HealthCare; ICT Software. achieved 5 plus at SCQF level 5 or higher? For the first time, the Comhairle will also be offering one year Foundation Apprentices. These have been chosen in response to pupil demand and opportunities for further/higher LGBF Family ( LGBF Family Group 4) education/training and jobs. Group 4 IC 65% National School Library Strategy Dundee City (DC) SC 63% The Comhairle’s Library Services are working in partnership with the Education, Skills and East Ayrshire (EA) ES 61% Children’s Services on the development of a National School Library Strategy and the delivery Eilean Siar (ES) NL 61% of the School Library Improvement Fund (SLIF) Project. The second SLIF project is underway Glasgow City (GC) EA 60% following a successful bid for an SG grant of £27K to support delivery of the Reading Rockets NA 59% Project that aims to boost literacy and library use among the Western Isles. The SLIF Project Inverclyde (IC) WD 56% Officer will work with eight schools in Lewis and the Uists to develop and deliver a series of North Aryshire (NA) reader development events in school libraries, with each school focusing on a targeted group GC 55% of pupils. Activities such as synchronized reading events, storytelling, reading groups and North Lanarkshire (NL) DC 54% library lessons will all help to engage children in reading and ultimately raise the profile of Scotland (SC) school libraries throughout the Western Isles and encourage enjoyment for reading amongst West the pupils. Evaluation will take place before and after the project to assess the impact on pupils Dumbartonshire (WD) reading. STEAM Ahead In partnership with Lews College UHI, the Library & Information Service obtained funding from DigitalXtra to fund a project to support schools with extra-curricular access to STEAM activities. The project, STEAM Ahead, offer primary school pupils access to a progressive series of fun activities to support learning in science, technology, engineering, art and math. Currently, the project is delivered through The Space @ Stornoway Library and the Lews Castle College Innovation Centre in Lewis but will soon expand to other library branches and areas. Percentage of children are meeting developmental milestones? ( LGBF Family Group 4) Investment in Educational Assets 100 The Property and Infrastructure Service leads on the delivery of approved investment in 80.4% 74.3% 73.6% relation to the educational estate and provides regular reports on progress and financial 80 72% 68.6% position. The Laxdale and Tong Early Years works are now complete and Stornoway Primary 63.3% Early years work is continuing in 2020, with the following three more phases planned in 2020: 60 Phase 1 - New Childcare Centre Completion due 31 Mar 2020 (on programme) I Phase 2 - Alterations to existing facilities completion due 22 July 2020 40 Phase 3 - Demolitions completion due 30 September 2020 The Service also lead on the management of the Western Isles Schools Project (WISP) 20 -1% -1% -1% operating contract on behalf of the Comhairle, with regular liaison meetings held with FES. Although the rugby pitch is back in use, there are current issues with defects at The Nicolson 0 DC NA SC EA NL ES GC IC WD Institute with the retaining wall being progressed with works due to start on site January 2020. -20 Local Outcome 1: Population and Connectivity 1.2 Education, Skills and Training - The aim is to provide a first class bilingual education in high quality buildings using the best possible facilities and technologies to prepare our young people for further study, training or employment and ensure that we have the skills to meet the needs of the local economy.

LocalLocal Benchmar Benchmarkingking Measure: Measure: Improving Improving Attainment Attainment for All - S5 for All - S5 1200

Children Referred 1000 Na h-Eilean Siar

14/15 302 800 Virtual Comparator

100% National 15/16 174 600 Percentage of Completers 16/17 164 400 on Modern Apprenticeship 17/18 185 Programme achieving target 200

0 18/19 141 Lowest 20% Middle 60% Highest 20% 05 0 100 150 200 250 300 350

Percentage of residents satisfied with local schools (LGBF Family Group 4) Percentage of pre-school establishements inspected by Care Inspectorate that have all West Dumbartonshire 89% indicators good or above Inverclyde 86% 39% 37% East Ayrshire 77% 36% 34% North Ayrshire 76% 32% 83.3% North Lanarkshire 76% Scotland 72% Eilean Siar 67% Glasgow City 63% SummarySummary of of Graded Graded CoursesCourses 2019 2019 (A (A-C - PCasses) Passes) 100 Dundee City 59.2 %

80

National Pass Rate 60 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 CNES Pass Rate Percentage of children in 40 Gaelic Medium Education 95.5% 20

0 L National 5 Higher Advanced Higher Participation in learning or training for 16 - 19 year olds Local Outcome 2: Economy and Jobs

2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities. At the 2019 Scottish Gaelic Awards in Glasgow, Sgoil an Rubha’s Iolaire play, “An Oidhche Mus The Iolaire Disaster Do Sheoil I”, secured the Community, Heritage and Tourism Award. The play was performed by pupils at Sgoil An Rubha as part of their Iolaire project to highlight the impact the Iolaire disaster had on the Point district in the Isle of Lewis. The play was written by local Councillor 201 servicemen lost their lives when the His Alasdair Macleod and produced and directed by Marisa MacDonald with huge input from Majesty’s Yacht Iolaire sank at the entrance to members of the Point community. In all, 50 servicemen from Point were on the Iolaire that Stornoway harbour in the early hours of 1st Janu- fateful night and only 11 survived this grim experience. ary 1919. Around a third of the bodies were never recovered. The Comhairle welcomed the support The 50 servicemen were played by 50 pupils from Sgoil An Rubha and each pupil was assigned of the First Minister for designating the site of the the name of a serviceman as they came on stage in the opening scene, speaking their names, wreck of The Iolaire as a War Grave. ages and the village they were from. The full story of the Iolaire was performed on stage by the pupils from the time the ship left Kyle of Lochalsh until it ran aground on the Beasts of Holm on that fateful New Year’s morning 1919. A total of 39 pupils left the stage dressed in black t-shirts and 11 were in white t-shirts to depict those who perished and those who survived. The pupils left the stage to the singing of Psalm 23 in Gaelic. “This was a truly memorable community The First Minister, together with HRH The event depicting the grim reality of the Iolaire from a Point perspective. It was wonderful to see Prince Charles, Lord of the Isles, attended the community pulling together to support the project in a variety of ways but the key players the Iolaire 100th Commemorative service were the pupil, teachers, ancillary staff and parents from Sgoil An Rubha.” Councillor Alasdair on 1st January 2019. Macleod.

At the 2019 COSLA Excellence Awards Ceremony in St Andrews, the Comhairle’s Iolaire Working Group secured The COSLA President Award. As part of the project, a new access path to the Iolaire memorial at Holm was constructed, a wide range of events took place, including a commemorative evening on 31st December 2018 and a vigil at 2am coinciding with the timing of the sinking of the Iolaire.

www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.orgwww.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 2: Economy and Jobs

2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities. Cultural Resources Publication of ‘Call na h-Iolaire |The Darkest Dawn The Story of the Iolaire Tragedy’ by The Heritage Service supported the development of an independent Heritage Forum. The Malcolm MacDonald and Donald John MacLeod in November 2018; Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum (Comann Dualchas Innse Gall) is open to local community Iolaire 100 exhibition of 100 portraits in oils by artist Margaret Ferguson at An Lanntair heritage organisations and aims to boost the community heritage sector across the Outer from 29/12/18 to 2/3/2019; Hebrides. ‘An Iolaire | The Iolaire’ at Museum nan Eilean Lews Castle 2/10/19-4/5/19 - a special Pròiseact an Fhìor-Àite (the Great Place Project) is a two year project which started in exhibition curated in-house to commemorate the Iolaire disaster. This provided November 2018. Led by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and partners including Highlands and Islands an opportunity for research on museum and archive collections to be interpreted Enterprise, Outer Hebrides Heritage Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage, Outer Hebrides Tourism, and shared with the community for the first time. The exhibition borrowed in An Lanntair, Taigh Chearsbhagh, Urras Nan Tursachan and Historic Environment Scotland, the objects from a number of individuals and organisations as well as displaying material project is overseen by a steering group with representative from each partner organisation. from the Iolaire Disaster Fund archive which had previously been closed to public access. The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The purpose of this project is to It also included archive material which had only recently been discovered. develop a Place-based Heritage Strategy for the Outer Hebrides with a ten year vision and an 1,015 pupils visited Museum nan Eilean or An Lanntair to undertake activities in relation accompanying Action Plan. Central to the work is identifying strategic approaches to support to Iolaire exhibitions. and deliver appropriate heritage-led economic development, infrastructure requirements and priorities. The Scottish Islands Research Framework for Archaeology (SIRFA) - a partnership between CnES Archaeology, Shetland Amenity Trust & Orkney Islands Council - started in September 2018 and A national touring exhibition ‘Scotland’s Early Silver’ from the National Museums of Scotland is being coordinated by UHI Archaeology Institute at Lews Castle College. This 4 year project is was on display in Museum nan Eilean Lews Castle during May and June 2018. It featured funded by Historic Environment Scotland and supported by the Society of Antiquaries Scotland spectacular objects dating from AD75 to AD1000, and attracted 12,000 visitors over the two and ALGAO (Association of Local Government Archaeological Officers Scotland). The Outer months. Hebrides SIRFA symposium was held in Lochmaddy in January 2019 and brought together a The Collecting for 2048 Project - a partnership between the Heritage Service, Taigh diverse range of professionals, academics and the local community. Chearsabhagh Museum & Arts Centre, Comann Eachdraidh Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist In January 2019 Museum and Tasglann nan Eilean started on a new partnership project with Historical Society) and Sgoil Uibhist a Tuath (North Uist Primary School) – aimed to create a Shetland Museum and Orkney Museum to create a new museum exhibitions ‘Between Islands’ new exhibition curated by pupils based on objects that are important to their lives now which which will be held in each area in summer 2020. This and the wider cultural project is funded would be worth collecting for the future. This was part of the national Year of Young People by Leader and led by Alex MacDonald from An Lanntair. 2018. The Heritage Team provided professional input to the pupils regarding selecting and caring for the objects, writing text labels and designing the panels with the help of a graphic The Heritage Service is working on developing a sustainable solution to the problem of designer. museum and archive storage, as required under Museum Accreditation, as and when capital programme resources and external funding opportunities become available. The service is also In May 2018 Museum nan Eilean Uibhist & Barraigh and the Archaeology Service worked with working towards attaining archive accreditation for Tasglann nan Eilean. the SCAPE Trust from St Andrews University to facilitate visits by over 100 pupils from Sgoil Lionacleit to the newly discovered Submerged Forest site which is on the beach behind the Sustainable Tourism school. Radiocarbon dating of the sediments shows that they grew during the Late Mesolithic Tourism is the largest overall contributor to the economy of the Outer Hebrides and there have to early Neolithic periods (6000BC to 4000BC). been significant developments within the sector in recent times. The past decade has seen a An exhibition to showcase the recent local items and assemblages that Museum nan Eilean 70% rise in accommodation provision, alongside an increase overall in the range and quality have successfully bid on from Treasure Trove Scotland was held in Museum nan Eilean (Uist & of visitor orientated businesses. Investment in assets such as the Hebridean Way, Lews Castle Barra) from September 2018 – January 2019. Items included Norse combs, Roman coins and Museum and Archive, the Harris Distillery and marine infrastructure – coupled with strong silver from a Bolivian mine. From January to March 2019 a touring bilingual exhibition from the cultural and heritage attractions - make the Outer Hebrides a more desirable proposition for Gaelic Books Council was on display. visitors than ever before. The Iolaire 100 Years Project was a partnership between the Heritage Service, Acair and An Tourism Outer Hebrides 2020 (TOH 2020) is a local sector-led response to the national strategy Lanntair. Funding of £43,000 from Museums Galleries Scotland World War One Fund, Acair and – Tourism Scotland 2020. A local Leadership Group comprising industry body Outer Hebrides CnES enabled: Tourism (OHT), the Comhairle, HIE and VisitScotland aims to deliver the TOH 2020 Strategy and measures progress towards its stated objectives. OHT also fulfil a crucial role in partnership engagement, trade representation, lobbying on behalf of member businesses and information www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.orgwww.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 2: Economy and Jobs

2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities. sharing across the sector. The Comhairle continues to work with partners to identify and support new energy sector Tourism Outer Hebrides 2020 (TOH 2020) is a local sector-led response to the national strategy opportunities for the Outer Hebrides. They are currently liaising with the Crown Estate on the – Tourism Scotland 2020. A local Leadership Group comprising industry body Outer Hebrides Comhairle and Galson’s Local Asset Management Pilot Scheme, However, working with Crown Tourism (OHT), the Comhairle, HIE and VisitScotland aims to deliver the TOH 2020 Strategy and Estate on the detail of this is taking longer than anticipated and it is expected it will be mid- measures progress towards its stated objectives. OHT also fulfil a crucial role in partnership 2020 before the pilot reaches implementation stage. engagement, trade representation, lobbying on behalf of member businesses and information The Comhairle supports new Grid connection and associated opportunities for onshore sharing across the sector. wind (commercial and community) to maximise local socio-economic benefit. In October The Scottish Government’s £6million Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund (RTIF) was formally 2019, OFGEM issued an Update Letter indicating that, while it was unable to approve the launched in 2018. The Fund is administered by VisitScotland. In 2018, the Comhairle submitted Transmission Link as presently configured as consumers may be paying for a significantly an Outer Hebrides wide application on behalf of the tourism sector and was awarded £243,000 underused link should the Stornoway Wind Farm not proceed, it would welcome further from the RTIF. The Tourism Outer Hebrides 2020 multi partner project aims to develop an evidence from SHE-T to show that both Wind Farms will still proceed. Lewis Windpower are Island wide network of facilities and infrastructure to improve the visitor experience including currently working with National Grid and SHE-T to evidence the viability of Stornoway Wind car parks, campervan service points, electrical hook up points and signage.The Comhairle also Farm without subsidy although the connection date will inevitably slip from one year (early invested over £73k in 2018/19 to a suite of locally influenced and produced marketing and 2024 to early 2025). promotional content as part of an overall investment of approximately £250k. The Comhairle continues to work with partners to identify and support new energy sector The Outer Hebrides marine environment encompasses some of Scotland’s most beautiful opportunities for the Outer Hebrides. They are currently liaising with the Crown Estate on the and varied coastal waters and provides opportunities for sailing, marine adventure, wildlife Comhairle and Galson’s Local Asset Management Pilot Scheme, However, working with Crown watching, family boat experiences, day or extended visits and extensive inland, coastal and Estate on the detail of this is taking longer than anticipated and it is expected it will be mid- offshore waters. In recent years there has been a significant increase in the provision of 2020 before the pilot reaches implementation stage. berthing and marine related infrastructure as communities seek to benefit from increased Significant work in the period around hydrogen opportunities included an Outer Hebrides marine tourism and activity. The sector has generally developed with little formal co-ordination Hydrogen Seminar attended by a range of local stakeholders along with Chief Executive of or strategic direction. Following the launch of ‘Awakening the Giant: A Strategic Framework for the SFCHA and representatives from Orkney projects. Piece of work around hydrogen market Scotland’s Marine Tourism Sector’ and as part of tourism strategy development in the Outer opportunities for the Outer Hebrides has been commissioned and is due to conclude March Hebrides key stakeholders have developed an island based strategy, ‘Tourism Outer Hebrides 2020. In parallel with this, the Comhairle is leading an application to the Scottish Government’s 2020’ which identifies marine tourism as a priority area. Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme for feasibility work into production of The Comhairle is committed fully to marine safety and supports the requirements laid hydrogen at Stornoway’s Deep Water Port utilising energy from local onshore wind. Feasibility down in the Port Marine Safety Code. All members of the Council’s Harbours Board accept will look at the initial market being conversion of the Stornoway Gas Network to hydrogen, and their individual and collective responsibilities under the code and are committed to the future opportunities for bulk export and marine refuelling from the Deep Water Port. Strong implementation and maintenance of a cost effective marine safety management system. private and public partnerships forming around this piece of work. The Marine Safety Policy MS 01 and associated procedures are maintained in the Harbour Consumer and Environmental Services Office Balivanich, Benbecula HS7 5LA and with the Director of Assets, Finance and Resources, The 2018/19 Consumer and Environmental Services Annual Plan was generally on target Sandwick Road, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2BW. however there was some slippage in inspections and interventions, due to staffing resources. Natural Resources The service continued to respond to all complaints and enquiries. The full annual performance The Sectoral and Project Support team implemented the Comhairle’s Biodiversity Duty Delivery report can be viewed on the Comhairle’s webpage within the Consumers and The Environment Plan and Core Path Plan, with the Comhairle’s Environment Officer providing specialist advice section. and support in various biodiversity duty delivery related activities such as working with External Strategy and Communications partners on invasive species control and engaging with Community Councils in Uist and Lewis on securing grant funding under Community Links programme. Accountancy and Exchequer Services reviewed and developed the Customer Service Strategy for implementation within the next Comhairle. This was approved in December 2019 and The Castle Grounds Regeneration Project is also progressing well. The Civils contract is will ensure that measuring customer satisfaction is a key consideration when evaluating complete, path works and landscaping signed off, buildings and structures commencing well performance and informing service design. and are due for completion by April 2020, when the clearance of sea wall vegetation will start. The Legal Services and Procurement Service lead on the implementation of the Procurement www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.orgwww.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 2: Economy and Jobs

2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities. Strategy Action Plan, which will be completed by April 2020. the contract awarded to Keating Construction in December 2019, with the construction start The Comhairle continues to support the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) to deliver the scheduled for mid-February 2020. Local Outcome Improvement Plan (LOIP) and Locality Plans. Consultation events have been held The Barra and Vatersay Community Campus, in collaboration with NHS Western Isles (NHSWI) with Priority Group Chairpersons, and Priority Group members. At the OH CPP Board meeting included a feasibility study evaluating options re wider integration of public sector services for in November 2019, it was agreed to maintain the existing priority areas of focus of Sustainable Barra and Vatersay. The preferred option of full integration of health, social care, learning, and Population; Sustainable Economy; and Quality of Life. These sections of the Local Outcome community facilities in to single campus was agreed by both the Comhairle and the NHSWI Improvement Plan have been reviewed and updated. Board in November and December 2019. Development of multi-agency project governance and The Locality Plan for Stornoway West was approved at the November 2019 Board meeting, management arrangements being undertaken in collaboration with NHSWI, SFT and Scottish subject to minor amendment – an action would be included to reflect employment Government. opportunities outwith the Stornoway West area. The Locality Group for North Uist and Benbecula The Roads and Civil Engineering Service have developed an Investment Plan for roads met to consider the extension/reduction of focus within the locality area. The Group’s preferred related infrastructure and provide an Annual Status and Options Report detailing investment option was to retain a focus on North Uist and Benbecula. requirements to the Comhairle. Currently only minor works are being delivered due financial The Outer Hebrides Anti-Poverty Strategy 2019-2024, incorporating the Local Child Poverty constraints. Priorities for investment are based on safety and statutory requirements. Action Report 2019, was successfully launched in October 2019. Two shipments of surplus food Roads Asset Management Planning (RAMP) has progressed well as part of the RAMP2 process have now been received though the Fareshare initiative and this food had been shared by agency which involves all Scottish and Welsh Local Authorities and is led by Glasgow City Council. A representatives, from a broad spectrum of organisations, to individuals and families, who need it continuation of the RAMP process through SCOTS is in the early stages of development and it is most across the Outer Hebrides. intended for the Comhairle to continue to participate. The Comhairle in June 2016 approved the Delivery of the Fuel Poverty Strategy and Action Plan is ongoing by partners. The Annual Review draft Roads Asset Management Policy and in December 2018 was presented with an update on of the Fuel Poverty Strategy and Action Plan is scheduled for January 2020 and will be reported the Annual Status and Options Report. Capital Investment allocations have been approved by the to Committee at the February series of meetings. Hebrides Energy Board has agreed to focus Comhairle for the 2018 – 23 period, which fall short of the sums required to sustain the current on two main areas: supporting the Comhairle and other partners to raise and lobby on issues condition of road surfaces and structures. The 2018/19 winter has been mild by comparison to specifically affecting THTC (Total Heat Total Control) customers, and also to continue to explore previous years however resulted in a budget overspend in the region of £200k.Bridge surveys the supply of locally generated electricity at scale, but with the understanding that this cannot be throughout the Western Isles are complete and remedial works are being undertaken on a priority taken forward until there is greater certainty around the interconnector. basis. Works at Allasdale Bridge, Craigston, North Ford Bridge, Barvas Moor, Kintaravay and Creed bridges are complete. The Principle Inspection has been completed at Scalpay Bridge, which is A draft Island Community Impact Assessment tool has been established and shared with the highlighting potential investment requirements of £2.5M required in the next 5 years, which is National Islands Plan Team for review and feedback. being scheduled for 2023/24. Principle Inspections have also been undertaken for Uist bridge Connectivity and Infrastructure structures which highlight some immediate remedial works together with requirements for future In November 2018 the Comhairle adopted a new Local Development Plan to guide development investment. in the Outer Hebrides, the Plan period is 2018 to 2023. This is now the main document, along The Property Repairs and Maintenance Budget continues to be managed and monitored, with with the associated Supplementary Guidance used for determining planning applications. The only statutory and emergency works being progressed. Plan sets out the Comhairle’s land use planning policies to facilitate sustainable economic growth The procurement of a salt barn for winter maintenance is progressing. An alternative site has been and help build confident and resilient communities throughout the Islands. The Plan aims to identified and re-design is progressing parallel with a planning application, however confirmation ensure that development contributes to the creation of well-designed and attractive places, and of site lease details are awaited. Following these delays in site acquisition construction is now that our natural, marine and cultural resources are valued and utilised effectively and sustainably. expected to start in autumn 2019 with completion expected for later in the 2019/20 winter Very good progress continues to be made in terms of development and delivery of major project season. Salt stocks have been kept dry with sheet covering. The Winter Maintenance budget has in collaboration with public sector partners, including the Lewis Residential Care (Goathill). been exceeded by approximately £200k. Project (in collaboration with Hebridean Housing Partnership). The progress of construction The Comhairle works in partnership with Police Scotland on road safety concerns that have been works on this project fell behind programme due to adverse weather conditions during the highlighted through various means. Regular meetings at a regional and local level are held to period and delayed start to utilities installations. prioritise areas for enforcement as well as discussing where further education/promotion or The Comhairle also work in partnership with Transport Scotland on the Lochmaddy Pier engineering/Traffic Order changes may be required. Improvement Project. The procurement of construction works have been completed with www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.orgwww.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 2: Economy and Jobs

2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities. Business and Regeneration The Comhairle delivers the Business Gateway service, which has been operational for 10 years, on LGBF Family Number of business gateway supported start - ups behalf of the Scottish Government, in common with all Scottish Local Authorities. Outer Hebrides Group 1 (LGBF Family Group 1) Business Gateway (OHBG) also delivers a range of Comhairle-funded business support schemes. Aberdeenshire (AD) 30 26.8 Their 2018/19 performance results against nationally-set targets are encouraging and is a record Argyle & Bute (AB) 25.6 year for OHBG, with the highest number of business start-ups supported (72), potential jobs 23.9 Dumfries & Galloway (DG) 25 created/ safeguarded (120) and funding awarded (over £760k) recorded in a single year to date. 19.8 Eilean Siar (ES) 18.9 Scottish Government funding has also been secured for a further phase of the ‘DigitalBoost’ 20 16.7 Highland (HI) 15.7 programme. The aim of the Programme is to strengthen Scottish SMEs’ knowledge and skills in 13.4 digital technology, enabling them to enter new markets, trade internationally, increase business Orkney Islands (OI) 15 11.9 efficiency and increase employment opportunities. DigitalBoost is managed and delivered by Business Gateways across Scotland. Scotland (SC) 10 The Outer Hebrides Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (OHYES) was established to support Scottish Borders (SB) 5 and encourage young entrepreneurs in setting up in business. It ran successfully for two Shetland Islands (SI) ES DG AD OI SB SC SI AB HI years, helping to support 43 business start-ups. Funding in-principle has been approved from 0 Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to allow a similar scheme to continue for a further two years in partnership - with HIE providing the grant funding and the Comhairle providing Business Gateway staff resources to administer and deliver the new scheme. Applications to the Comhairle’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) were up by almost 100% on previous years - with almost £600k loaned, much of it for the purchase of fishing vessels. How many properties receive superfast How much does it cost for each Crofting is the predominant form of land use in the Western Isles and is the foundation of the way broadband? planning application? of life, the language and the culture. About 77% of the land area is held in crofting tenure and (LGBF Family Group 1) (LGBF Family Group 1) is therefore subject to crofting legislation. There are some 6,000 crofts distributed among 280 townships. Of these, 94% provide less than 2 days work per week for their occupiers and typically £10000 100 average 3 hectares in size. 92 The Comhairle continues to provide support to the crofting and agricultural sector in providing 83.4 82.6 8009.3 78.6 78.3 £8000 added value and innovation. Work continues with partners across the Highland and Islands 80 76.9 82.675.4 in anticipation of BREXIT implications on the sector, support for abattoir provision have been 82.668.9 approved and are in place for another season, although Lochmaddy abattoir remains closed. 62.5 £6000 60 The Comhairle’s Regeneration team were successful in applying for Regeneration Capital Grant 4851.3 Funding (RCGF) towards the Stornoway Regeneration Programme Phase 1. Total capital 4408.8 4438.8 funding of £2.3m from RCGF towards three separate elements totalling over £9m will see major £4000 3567 3685.7 infrastructure delivered in the Newton area of Stornoway. During the year significant works in 40 3086.7 2649.5 Goat Island, Caberfeidh and Inaclete Road Mill Buildings had began. 2429.182.6 In 2019, Research Scotland carried out a review which highlighted the successes of the Western £2000 Isles in attracting RCGF funding in every year since 2014. 20

0 0 DG HI AB ES AD OI SC SB SI SC SB DG AD AB ES HI SI OI

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2.1 Economy and Jobs -Over the course of the next four years we will work with partners, Scottish and UK Government to strengthen our local economy and our communities.

8.26 Weeks £3,567 Average time per business and Cost of planning and building industry planning application, standards per planning down 9% on previous year application

Number of funding awards to 48 community projects receiving sup- 355,503 port through the Economic Number of bus passengers 43% Development Service recorded on all Western Isles of procurement spent on Routes local enterprises, down 25% on the previous year Summary of the Comhairle’s 2018/19 investment in the £ tourism sector. 198K 77% Tourism Information Leaflets – Series of 16 7,321 Investment in Economic of properties receiving Development and Tourism superfast broadband, up HebWay – launch campaign and delivery 7 ,250 per 1,000 populatio n 1% on the previous year Marketing Campaigns: Content, Materials and Co-ordination 48,679

Island Visitor Survey 5,000 Marine Tourism Strategy 5,100 £73,350

5% 316 training , advice and support 13%as activities to local heritage of unemplyedf people assisted groups from the Heritage into work from council operated Jobs created/ New business service, up 74 on the /funded employability 1210 72 ris programmes, up 1% on safeguarded 69 Number of Business start-ups supported the previous year Enterprise Skills workshops delivered

www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 3: Housing and Community

3.1 Early Years - The overarching aim is to give every child the best start in life here in the Outer Hebrides to improve their Quality of Life, Wellbeing and Health

Early Years Cost per pre-school education place’ LGBF Family (£ per pre-school pupil)? Care Inspectorate quality evaluations for early years services and Health Visitor assessments at Group 4 (LGBF Family Group 4) 27-30 months are used to provide consistent measures for assessing performance within the Dundee City (DC) £7696 pre-school sector, and for understanding children’s development as they progress through the East Ayrshire (EA) £8000 pre-school setting. £7125 £7155 Eilean Siar (ES) £7000 £6117 £6317 The proportion of funded early years provision graded good or better for all quality themes £5849 Glasgow City (GC) £5239 £6000 £4970 £5070 has increased between 2010/11 and 2018/19 although there has been a decline in the past four years. Between 2010/11 and 2015/16, quality ratings improved significantly from 78.3% to Inverclyde (IC) £5000 100%. Between 2015/16 and 2018/19, small year on year reductions have seen quality ratings North Aryshire (NA) £4000 fall to 92%. NL SC DC ES North Lanarkshire (NL) £3000 EA WD NA GC IC Understanding children’s development as they progress through the pre-school setting £2000 is reflected as the percentage of children meeting developmental milestones, i.e. with no Scotland (SC) £1000 concerns across any of the domains, at their 27-30 month review. The eight developmental West domains are: social, emotional/behavioural, speech language and communication, gross motor, Dumbartonshire (WD) 0 fine motor, vision, hearing and problem solving. The percentage of children with no concerns decreased from 77% in 2016/17 to 63.3% in 2017/18. The data for 2018/19 is not yet available. Major improvements at Leverhulme School are complete. The construction works at Laxdale Cost per pre-school education place School have been completed to a stage of operational handover with some minor works 94% £7696 outstanding. Design works are underway for enhanced Early Years provision at Stornoway Percentage of eligible children, Primary School and a classroom extension at Tong School has also recently been completed. who are registered for pre-school £6879 Scottish Government confirmation is awaited for Future Schools Investment which will inform year of Early Learning and Childcare. investment at Castlebay School. Bookbug Early Years Programme £5737 £5056 Bookbug is Scotland’s universal early years book gifting programme and aims to inspire a £5316 97% 93% 96% £5181 love of stories, songs and rhymes from birth which is co-ordinated locally by the Library & 95% 93% £5005 £4762 Information Service in partnership with the Schools Early Years Department and NHS Western Isles. The programme support early literacy, learning and attainment through the gifting of books and the sharing of songs, stories and rhymes with babies and young children through £3785 free Bookbug Sessions, which take place in libraries and other community venues across the Outer Hebrides. The Bookbug Bags and Bookbug Sessions support families to do more of these activities, which help build bonds and develop relationships and most importantly, are fun. Bookbug is a bilingual programme and the books and Bookbug Sessions are offered in Gaelic and English. There are four fantastic free bags of books for young children in the Western

Isles: 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 1. Baby Bag: from your health visitor when your baby is 3-5 weeks Percentage of pre-school children that 2. Toddler Bag: from your health visitor when your child is 13-15 months have reached all of their expected 3. Explorer Bag: from nursery when your child is 3 developmental milestones at the time 14/15 18/19 17/18 16/17 15/16 11/12 10/11 13/14 4. Primary 1 Family Bag: from school when your child is in P1 of starting primary school. 12/13

www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 3: Housing and Community 3.2 Sport and Health -The overarching aim is to promote regular exercise and preventative measures to encourage healthier and more active lifestyles, across all age ranges to the population of the Outer Hebrides to improve their Quality of Life, Wellbeing and Health.

Sport and Health LGBF Family How much does my council spend on sports and leisure In January 2010, the Comhairle took the bold step of more than halving its existing sports Group 1 facilities (net) (£ per visit) ? facility membership fees to try and encourage our communities to become more active. Ten Aberdeenshire (AD) SI £0.70.7 (LGBF Family Group 1) years on and nearly 30% of the population of the Outer Hebrides are members of the scheme. OI ‘Slàinte Mhath’ was designed in order to improve health outcomes and help islanders increase Argyle & Bute (AB) £1.08 their physical activity levels. Over the years, the scheme has been developed further including Dumfries & Galloway (DG) HI £1.73 offering free memberships to ‘at risk’ children. Eilean Siar (ES) AD £2.51 In 2016, £340k was investment in a range of good quality state of the art fitness equipment. Highland (HI) SC £2.62 In 2018, the Comhairle agreed reciprocal arrangements for access to a range of sports facilities Orkney Islands (OI) across Scotland as part of the LeisureLink Partnership. This move has meant that families with AB £2.93 existing Slàinte Mhath memberships are able to access facilities operated by the Comhairle, Scotland (SC) Highlife Highland, Orkney Islands Council and Moray Council, Argyll and Bute and LiveBorders Scottish Borders (SB) SB £3.09 free of charge. It is anticipated that more local authorities and trust across the UK will be added Shetland Islands (SI) ES £3.26 to this list over the next year. The cost per attendance at sports facilities increased from £2.11 in 2010/11 to £3.26 in 2018/19. DG £3.68 In support of the Active Hebrides Strategy, all secondary parents are being consulted on PSE £0.0 £0.5 £1.0 £1.5 £2.0 £2.5 £3.0 £3.5 programmes in secondary schools during 2019/20 and a revised PSE programme is being developed to support young people. All primary schools have two hours P.E. each week. How much does my council spend on libraries How much does my council spend on Laxdale School have been awarded the Gold Sportscotland School Sport Award 2019 -2022. (net) (£ per visit) ? museums and galleries (net) (£ per visit)? They are the only school in Lewis and Harris to have achieved this standard. Graham Lindsey £6 (LGBF Family Group 1) £8 (LGBF Family Group 1) and Gary Reid from Sportscotland travelled to Lewis for the official presentation. Graham £7.29 £5.19 highlighted the quality of the Laxdale school submission to be of an excellent standard and £7 £6.7 £4.95 said: “The efforts and level of work evidenced had blown the judging panel away.” He also £5 £6.4 £6.41 praised the efforts of the staff for leading the project and the school pupils for their ‘have a go’ attitude. The Comhairle’s Active Schools Co-ordinator liaised closely with the school to raise £6 sporting standards and opportunities in a variety of sports throughout the year. £4 £3.84 £5 2,964 £4.12 Number of Slàinte Mhath £3 £4 £2.52 £3.48 £857 Memberships £3.15 £2.05 £2.11 £3 £2 £1.81 67% £1.56 £2 £1.52 Comahirle spend on Residents satisfied £1 with local leisure £1 parks and open spaces 280,371 £0.31

(net) (£ per 1,000 people) Number of Attendances at facilities £0.06 Sports facilities £0 £0 OI HI SI SC DG AD SB AB ES AB HI DG SC AD ES OI SI SB

www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 3: Housing and Community 3.3 Supporting Longer, Healthier Lives -The integrated health and social care system will work with the population of the Outer Hebrides to develop a framework of mutual responsibility to ensure they will be living longer, healthier lives at home, or in a homely setting to improve their Quality of Life, Wellbeing and Health.

Health and Wellbeing In the 2018/19 Annual Audit Report, Audit Scotland advise that the Integration Joint Board (IJB) receives performance exception reports every six months. These reports highlight performance indicators that have been marked as red or amber and identify the corrective action that has been taken. The IJB’s performance against the 23 National Core Integration Indicators, as reported in the 2018/19 Annual Report is based on the most up-to-date position at the end of March 2019 (where data is available) and is summarised in the overall performance against National core integration standards infographic. The IJB’s performance against national standards is mixed with just over half exceeding or around the Scottish average. Performance has deteriorated slightly (with one indicator slipping below the Scottish average) and the IJB continues to face a number of challenges in delivering performance targets. The infographic shows 7 targets (37%) categorised as red and outwith target. Those standards more than 25% outwith target are: Western Isles IJB Annual Report 2018/19 • Emergency admission rate (per 100,000 population) • Rate of emergency bed days for adults (per 100,000) • The number of days people (75+) spend in hospital when they are ready to be discharged Homelessness (rate per 1000) Number of applications received Work is ongoing by the IJB to reduce numbers of A&E attendances and the Annual Report records that the IJB has developed an effective out of hours system, with community 14/15 159 100% unscheduled-care nurses working with GPs to reduce overnight admission to hospital. 15/16 155 Percentage of roofless applicants However, the Annual Report also records that the level of emergency hospital activity for older accommodated immediately if people is the highest in Scotland. 16/17 137 presenting out of hours Engaging Libraries 17/18 128 The Library & Information Service was one of twenty services from around the UK to be 18/19 143 awarded an Engaging Libraries grant in 2019. Engaging Libraries supports public libraries to run public engagement activities on research within the themes of health, society, and culture. It helps to facilitate partnerships between public libraries and researchers, and spark people’s curiosity around topics that are relevant or interesting to them. The programme is a partnership between the Carnegie UK Trust, Wellcome and the Wolfson Foundation. The local project, Le Cheile / Together, will explore themes of loneliness, social isolation and changing culture through working with communities and a team of researchers from the University of Highlands and Islands.

Population by age group, Na h-Eileanan Siar, 2018 0 - 15 16 - 64 65 and over 16.1% 58.4% 25.4%

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3.1 Quality of Life, Health and Wellbeing

Percentage of older people with long term care needs How much does my council spend on providing care to supported by the Comhairle so that they can remain at home support older people to live at home (£ per hour)? LGBF Family (LGBF Family Group 4) Group 4 (LGBF Family Group 4) NL 68.7% Dundee City (DC) EA £21.96 EA 68.3% East Ayrshire (EA) WD 67.9% WD £22.79 NA 66.7% Eilean Siar (ES) NL £23.79 IC 65.2% Glasgow City (GC)

GC 61.8% Inverclyde (IC) SC £24.78 SC 61% North Aryshire (NA) ES 57.2% NA £26.57 DC 56.2% North Lanarkshire (NL) DC £27.12 Scotland (SC) IC £28.34 West Dumbartonshire (WD) GC £34.97

ES £51.01 £0 £10 £20 £30 £40 £50 £60 Percentage of adults supported at home who agree that they Proportion of people who are discharged are supported to live as independently as possible from hospital are readmitted within 28 days (LGBF Family Group 4) 150 £51.01 (per 1,000 discharges) NA 84% (LGBF Family Group 4) 129£7.29 £43.67 DC 83.8% £42.02 GC 81.6% 118 120 SC 81.1% 111 103 103 £33.72 WD 81.1% 100 IC 80.4% 98 £28.48 93 93 EA 79.8% 90 ES 78.9% NL 75.4%

60 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19 30 How much does the Comhairle spend on providing care to support older poeple living at home 0 (£ per hour) IC WD GC NL ES SC NA EA DC www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 4: Governance Framework 4.1 Corporate Governance - The Comhairle will continue to have in place proper arrangements (known as the Governance Framework) for the governance of the Comhairle’s affairs and to facilitate the exercise of its functions. Percentage of the highest paid 5% Corporate Services LGBF Family Group 1 employees who are women IT and Internal Audit ( LGBF Family Group 1) Aberdeenshire (AD) In 2018/19, the Internal Audit function achieved 85.3% of the approved Internal Audit plan AD 66.4% despite challenges arising from reduced staff resources. The Comhairle’s External Auditors Argyle & Bute (AB) SC 55.8% were able to place reliance on internal audit work after having completed an assessment What is the gender pay gap for Dumfries & Galloway (DG) DG 55.6% based on the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) and this was reported to the staff in my council? ES 52.1% Eilean Siar (ES) ( LGBF Family Group 1) AB 52.1% Audit and Scrutiny Committee as part of the planning documentation. In addition the Internal Highland (HI) HI 50.1% Audit service reported on its role as Designated Person for the Harbour Authority, together 15 14.4 SB 43.8% with further work in relation to European Audit Certification and providing the audit to the Orkney Islands (OI) Integration Joint Board. Internal audit investigation work has increased and continues to be OI 27.3% a challenge in relation to balancing available resources to that required for investigations. In Scotland (SC) SI 24.2% terms of demands upon the Internal Audit service and it staff, 2018/19 was by far the most 12 11.6 Scottish Borders (SB) challenging and as financial pressures continue to affect local government, the risks associated Shetland Islands (SI) with error, non-compliance with protocol and deliberate wrong-doing may increase further as staff numbers fall and additional work distributed to remaining staff. The IT Service gained PSN accreditation yet again and also gained Cyber Essentials Plus which is 9 7.8 yet another security / best practice accreditation. Accountancy and Exchequer Servcies 6.8 5.8 5.7 One of the main focuses for the Accountancy and Exchequer Services is the completion of 6 the budgets and these are agreed by service committees at each February series of meetings. Members of the public are welcome to attend committee meetings and can view the timetable 4 on the Comhairle’s website, at: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/the-committee-system/. 3.1 Equality 3 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is committed to fair and non-discriminatory pay for all its employees Area regardless of gender, race or disability. It supports the principle of equal pay for work of equal 0.6

1,181 value and believes that pay systems should be based on objective criteria. The Comhairle £0 OI square aims to eliminate any bias in its pay systems and conditions of service and understands that ES AB SI HI DG SC SB AD miles equal pay between men and women is a legal right. The Equality Act 2010 sets out specific requirements of named public authorities, including the Comhairle, to publish information on CNESCnES Workforce PPopulationopulation gender pay gaps through an equal pay audit. (TotalWorkforce number of 26,830 1,302 (Total The Comhairle publishes the outcome of their Equal Pay Audits and Employee Equality FTE staff) number of Monitoring information on its website, at: https://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/policies-plans-and- performance-monitoring/ The pay award for all staff, with the exception of teachers, was finally agreed at the beginning of March 2019. £120.6 31 million elected 2018/19 members 2018/19 23 Budgetbudget IndependantIndependent 7 1 ConservativeConservative SNPSNP www.cne-siar.gov.uk www.e-sgire.org Local Outcome 4: Governance Framework 4.1 Corporate Governance - The Comhairle will continue to have in place proper arrangements (known as the Governance Framework) for the governance of the Comhairle’s affairs and to facilitate the exercise of its functions. Total number of complaints received per 1000 population LGBF Family Group 1 How much does my 3.27 council spent on collecting Aberdeenshire (AD) council tax (£ per home) 2.92 Argyle & Bute (AB) (LGBF Family Group 1) 2.67 96% £25 57% 2.37 Dumfries & Galloway (DG) How efficient is my council at Percentage of paying invoices on time? Eilean Siar (ES) employees in the 20.78 Highland (HI) highest 10% of earners that are female (exc. £20 Orkney Islands (OI) 92.75% Teachers) 0.97 Percentage of Freedom of Scotland (SC) 16.46 Information (FOI) responded to Scottish Borders (SB) within 20 working days £15 Shetland Islands (SI) 13.8 14/15 15/16 16/17 17/18 18/19

£10 9.58 Council Tax 8.23 8.41 7.69 6.92 7.17 77% How much does my council Percentage of spend on collecting council How efficent is my council at employees that are £5 tax (£ per home)? collecting council tax? female £20.78 97% £0 SC AD HI DG SB AB SI OI ES

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Stornoway Balivanich

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Sandwick Road Council Offices Stornoway Balivanich Isle of Lewis Isle of Benbecula HS1 2BW HS7 5LA Tel: 01851 600501 Tel: 01870 602425 Fax: 01851 705349 Fax: 01870 602332

Tarbert Castlebay

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Council Offices Council Offices Tarbert Castlebay Isle of Harris Isle of Barra HS3 3DF HS9 5XD Tel: 01859 502367 Tel: 01871 810431 Fax: 01859 502283 Fax: 01871 810254