Golspie office offers new services under one roof

A new public office has opened in Golspie,  which offers a wide range of services under the one roof.

Olsen House is home to The Highland Council’s Service Point and Money Advice Service as well as to staff of Northern Constabulary and the East Sutherland Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

The three partners have contributed towards the £80,000 cost of refurbishing the office, which opened its doors on Monday.

The move has been warmly welcomed by the three Highland councillors for East Sutherland and Edderton – Councillors Deirdre Mackay, Ian Ross and Jim McGillivray – and the other partners.

Councillor Ross, who is also vice-convener of the Northern Joint Police Committee, said:  “This is an excellent project and one which I hope can be replicated across the Highlands.  Sharing premises with the Police and East Sutherland Citizens Advice Bureau reduces the costs for each organisation, promotes joint working and ensures the continuity of these services in Golspie. I am sure that many people will find the new arrangements very convenient.”

The Council is looking to share services with other public agencies wherever and whenever possible.
 
One important partnership is with the Identity and Passport Service (IPS).  At Service Points at Fort William, Kingussie, Lochcarron, Lochinver, Portree and Ullapool, first time passport applicants can use a webcam system to complete an interview with IPS staff.
 
Partnerships also exist with the Visitscotland at Durness, Dunvegan, Dornoch and Drumnadrochit. The Service Point at Fort Augustus has an agreement with City Link to provide bus tickets to local residents and tourists and a similar facility is planned for Kinlochleven Service Point. At Aviemore, a partnership with Albyn Housing has enabled local residents to purchase the Biomass Heating cards from the Service Point, an essential requirement for heating their house.
 
 Registration services are provided at 20 Service Points, while the Council also provides the service from our six stand alone registration offices in Inverness, Dingwall, Fort William, Portree, Thurso and Wick.