Delivering better outcomes for the Highlands
A new agreement, setting out actions to deliver better public services in the Highlands, has been signed by key Highland public agencies and the Scottish Government.
Representatives of the Highland community planning partners met Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, in Inverness to confirm their commitment to a range of Government priority areas, such as the environment, enterprise, education, services for young and older people, health and community safety.
The Single Outcome Agreement for the Highlands, first launched in August 2008, requires the partners to work more closely to produce an area profile for Highland, highlighting needs and issues and delivering against the 15 outcomes in the agreement.
Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Jim Mather, said: “This Government and Scotland’s councils have a shared ambition to see public services working together with Community Planning Partnerships (CPPs) to improve quality of life and opportunities for people right across Scotland.
“I am delighted to be in the Highlands for the signing of this year’s Single Outcome Agreements. The agreements between the Scottish Government and Community Planning Partners reflect local circumstances and priorities in these challenging economic times for the people of the Highlands. Together, we can work towards our goal of increasing sustainable economic growth and help the Highlands play its part in creating a more successful Scotland.”
Councillor Sandy Park, Convener of The Highland Council, said: “This is very much a partnership agreement and its success will depend upon us all working closely together to target public funds in priority areas. The agreement identifies areas for improvement and our joint aim is to deliver better services for the people of the Highlands and Scotland.”
Chief Constable Ian Latimer said: “Northern Constabulary and the Northern Joint Police Board welcome the opportunity to be involved in the formation and delivery of the new Single Outcome Agreement, which, working together with our partners, reinforces the delivery of safer and stronger communities.”
Sandy Cumming, Chief Executive of HIE, said: "In working closely with public agencies we are better placed to meet the five strategic priorities of the Scottish Government and in turn better serve communities and businesses across the Highlands. We regard this Single Outcome Agreement as a key driver of the local economic recovery plan and also ambitions for sustainable economic growth throughout the Highland Council area.”
Garry Coutts, Chair of NHS Highland, also welcomed the document and said: “In the current financial climate it’s more important than ever that we work together efficiently and effectively to improve services for people in Highland.”
Note to Newsdesks: The Agreement has been developed by partners on the Community Planning Partnership Performance Board, namely: The Highland Council; NHS Highland; Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE); Northern Constabulary; Highlands and Islands Fire and Rescue Service (HIFRS); University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute (UHI); and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) (representing the broader land group of public sector bodies). In addition, the Agreement relies on the contributions from other public sector bodies through alignment of strategy and delivery, namely: the Northern Community Justice Authority; Job Centre Plus; Skills Development Scotland (SDS); HITRANS; and the Cairngorm National Park Authority. Third sector representation in the community planning process is through: direct participation of voluntary organisations in partnership groups and forums; through dialogue over services commissioned; and through the development of a Compact currently underway with the following sector representatives (the CVS network, Voluntary Action Highland and the Highland Voluntary Sector Forum). Private sector engagement is currently through the new economy forum for the region.