Highland Council has launched a new website that makes it quicker and easier for Highland residents to access the information and services they need online.
The first phase of the website’s transformation launched last week following a major redesign which includes:
- Improved accessibility and mobile compatibility
- Clearer and more consistent information which is easier for users to find
- A stronger search function
- Simpler, more intuitive navigation which supports faster self-service and helps residents to quickly and easily find key information on services such as schools, Council Tax, refuse and roads.
Councillor Bill Lobban, Chair of Highland Council’s Redesign Board, said: “This project forms a key part of the My Council Programme which aims to ensure all Highland Council customers have a seamless, end-to-end journey, regardless of how they choose to contact us. We engaged with a number of community and stakeholder groups to gather feedback and discovered that customers found it difficult to quickly and easily access accurate and clear information on our old website.
“The first phase of the website’s transformation has been designed with our customers in mind, providing a modern, intuitive ‘front door’ that clearly directs customers to simple, clear and accurate information that meets accessibility standards. The redesign of Highland Council’s website is a major step forward in the Council’s commitment to digital transformation and finding new and innovative ways to deliver services whilst putting our customers at the centre of what we do.”
Chair of Highland Council’s Corporate Resources Committee, Councillor Paul Oldham, said: “This has been a truly collaborative project involving all services within the Council and has only been possible by listening to the voices of local people. This first phase of the new website is the foundation of our continued digital journey and will support us in our mission to transform public services in Highland in partnership with our communities. We must thank everyone who took the time to engage with us and offer feedback. This has allowed us to ensure the new website is fit-for-purpose and supports our ambitions for continued improvement on our digital transformation journey, as recognised by Audit Scotland.”
The next stage of development will include improvements to online forms and payment processes as part of an in-depth review of the full online customer journey.
The new website can be viewed at highland.gov.uk.
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