Public Service Reform debate

Following yesterday's debate on Public Service Reform in the Scottish Parliament (11 June) - Convener of the Council, Cllr Bill Lobban, said:  

“The public sector continues to operate in an extremely challenging financial environment, where funding has not kept pace with rising service demand and the priorities we face as a region.  

"The Highland Council is addressing these challenges head on through a clear delivery plan and transformation programme focussed on long-term sustainability.  

"This includes developing a future operating model that supports more localised services, improved outcomes, and makes best use of our resources, alongside prioritising investment in schools, buildings and infrastructure to support resilient and independent communities. 

"At the same time, we are taking action to manage overspends, address funding gaps in key areas like adult social care and grow income streams through commercial activity. 

"Our approach is underpinned by strong partnership working across the public, private and third sector partnership alongside a more strategic, multi-year approach to financial planning aligned to our priorities. 

"Last month, Audit Scotland highlighted several aspects this work as examples of good practice in transformation, including: 

• A clear delivery plan and transformation programme, which sets out priorities, governance arrangements, and measures of success. This plan includes our Highland Investment Plan, a £2.1 billion, 20-year programme to improve schools, roads and local infrastructure, representing one of the most ambitious public investment programmes in Scotland. 
• Collaboration with other local authorities, including a shared procurement service with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire. Through this service, we have also built a wider regional partnership with Moray Council to expand electric vehicles infrastructure all four local authority areas.
• The introduction of an in-house bus service, which has improved reliability and service quality, while delivering savings or avoided costs. We have plans to expand this service across Highland. 

"We will continue to focus on our long-term approach to ensure services are sustainable and meet the needs of communities.”