Some Highland Council service points could win a reprieve

Some of the 23 Highland Council service points earmarked for the axe could now win a reprieve, following a dramatic twist in the controversy surrounding their future.

The closure of local authority public counters sparked an outcry across the region and mobilised community councils and outraged residents who have protested at the hugely controversial move in their droves.

The council came under heavy fire for the decision which was set to be challenged next week.

But in a dramatic shift in position the ruling SNP/Lib Dem/Labour administration now plans to scrutinise the use of service points - which are poised to close by June 2015 in a bid to save £160,000 - on a case-by-case basis and involve the alarmed communities.

Significantly, the previous "implementation period" of 15 months will now be dubbed a consultation as officials look at the usage figures for each counter. A cross-party working group will also be set-up.

Kingussie and Grantown are two of the service points earlmarked for closure.

The revised proposal will be debated at the full council meeting in Inverness next Thursday and could stave off a attempt from the Independent opposition group which wants to block the closure programme.

Council leader Drew Hendry insisted it was not a U-turn and the revised proposals had come about after it took on board the "genuine concerns" from worried communities.

He said the cross-party group would work closely with community councils to assess the merits of each service point and recommendations would come back to the council for final decisions.

"The messages we got was that there was some community groups and other interest groups which had not had the [original] proposals explained to them," said Councillor Hendry.

"We have understood that and taken it on board. The important thing is that people feel they have an input into the solution.

"They need to have confidence that the 21st century solution we are proposing is suitable and effective for their communities. We are listening and will provide a mechanism built into the review to ensure local involvement."

Asked how the proposed £160,000 savings could be achieved if the 23 counters were not closed, the council leader said it would not be helpful to speculate ahead of the review.

"I believe the review will not only achieve its savings target but will create a more sustainable network and a better service for customers," he said.

The council leader said it would not vote in favour of the opposition’s notice of amendment which wants the status quo retained because it would not deliver the service improvements required.

He reiterated that there would be no compulsory redundancies, no closures until alternative provision was in place and that every resident who needed a face-to-face appointment would get one.

Independent leader Carolyn Wilson said she could not comment on the proposals in depth because she was not aware of them and wanted to find out more.

"Nobody has contacted us from the administration, we would need to see the official statement in black-and-white to see what their intentions are," said Councillor Wilson.

Several members of the opposition had questioned the accuracy of the statistics presented to the finance, housing and resources committee last month on public usage.

They claimed there were anomalies in the figures and counters were used by the public far more than suggested.

Twenty three out of 35 service points were set to shut by June 2015. The hit list also includes Bettyhill, Bonar Bridge, Dornoch, Durness, Helmsdale, Lochinver, Lairg, Brora, Gairloch, Lochcarron, Broadford, Kyle of Lochalsh, Mallaig, Acharacle, Kinlochleven, Invergordon, Muir of Ord, Fortrose, Ardersier, Hilton; Inverness and Fort Augustus.

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