This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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One-stop shops for Highland council services
06/08/2003
Finance and Public Services Minister Andy Kerr visited Dingwall today to see at first hand how Highland Council is delivering services to the community.
The Minister was at Dingwall Service Point, one of 36 all-purpose "One Stop Shops" which make up a network financed through the Executive's Modernising Government Fund.
The service points are located throughout the Highlands and serve the needs of local people. Each allows the payment of council bills, including rent, council tax and rates.
In a number of locations the Service Point has become the focal point for the local community providing access for, libraries registration and tourist information.
In North West Sutherland, at Bettyhill Service Point these additional services have now been extended to include banking, doctor's surgery as a reporting centre for Scottish Water.
Mr Kerr said:
"I am delighted that Highland Council is making real progress in their delivery of modern services focussed on the customer.
"The Dingwall Service Point demonstrates what effect improved services can have on a community. Delivering improved public services is all about the people who use them and we must listen to them and respond to their needs - I believe this has already been achieved in Dingwall and in many other areas across Scotland.
"However, the Executive is committed to building on these achievments through continued funding under our Modernising Government Fund. The first round of funding gave £26 million toward projects and £1.3 million of that went to Highland alone.
"On top of this we have already announced a second and third round of funding bringing the total amount of funding to £86 million. I am certain this will build on the high level of public services already being provided in Highland and throughout Scotland."
Highland received funding of £1.3m from the first round of the Modernising Government Fund which was used for further development of the Digital Highland initiative to improve the telecommunication infrastructure and power supplies that can provide a greater digital network.
In general the Modernising Government Fund (MGF) aims to take forward projects involving the innovative provision of improved public services, focussing on the citizen's needs, and contributing to the development of 21 st Century Government for Scotland.
Ministers announced that 36 Projects (some combined) were successful in December 2000, with the enhanced funding of £26m being allocated. Continued monitoring of MGF 1 projects and facilitating of information sharing and lessons to be learned.
3. Highland also received over £1 million under the second round of the Modernising Government Fund for 2002-04 for work on a number of programmes.
4. Across Scotland the second round of the Modernising Government Fund has £30m at its disposal (£15m in 2002/03 and £15m in 2003/04), an increase on the first round Fund and double the amount that was originally announced. It is committed to promoting a citizen-focused approach to modernising the delivery of public services in Scotland across several key areas.
5. A further £30 million is being mage available under the third round of the Modernising Government Fund. The Executive is currently consulting with public sector partners before setting priorities for this fund.
6. In total the Modernising Government Fund will be £86 Million through to end year 05/06.