Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Single Outcome Agreement
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Single Outcome Agreement
2008-2011
Foreword
The introduction of Single Outcome Agreements is welcomed by the Comhairle and is a clear demonstration of the new relationship between local authorities and the Scottish Government.
Single Outcome Agreements are a clearly defined set of objectives and targets in relation to the range and quality of services enjoyed by residents of the Outer Hebrides. The Agreements reflect the merging of national and local objectives in continuing to improve service delivery and the importance of working with Community Planning Partners, most notably Northern Constabulary and NHS Western Isles.
These targets will form the basis for future funding alignment, to tailor local services to meet nationally and locally identified priorities against a background of community led objectives. They will be closely monitored on an internal and external basis and future funding will reflect the ability to meet these targets.
The Outer Hebrides offer a quality of life second to none but face major and particular challenges such as peripherality, supersparsity and demographic imbalance all of which put a strain on the provision of services. Through partnership working at a national and local level, we can continue to improve the quality of life for our citizens, deliver first class services, meet local challenges and contribute to national objectives.
I hope you find the information in this document useful. The Comhairle would welcome any feedback that you may care to contribute.
Alex MacDonald
Convener
Introduction
The Concordat between the Scottish Government and local authorities outlined the development of a Single Outcome Agreement (SOA) by every Council in Scotland, based on an agreed set of national outcomes and indicators.
This SOA sets out Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s local outcomes aligned to each of the 15 National Outcomes agreed in the Concordat. It is set within a framework of commitment to continuous improvement and Best Value and fully in accordance with equalities legislation.
Each of the 15 National Outcomes is set in a local context and key challenges, agreed local priorities, actions, indicators and targets are described.
The outcomes described are subject to and based on the level of funding provided to the Comhairle over the period 2008/09 to 2010/11. The outcomes reflect community priorities as identified through the Community Appraisal and consultation with Community Planning Partners and other stakeholders.
The outcomes also reflect the aims of the Comhairle’s Corporate Strategy;
The creation of a prosperous and healthy community living in a quality environment with improved transport links and access to good facilities based on the principles of sustainable development through respect for the natural environment and the cultural traditions of the Outer Hebrides.
During 2008/09, the Comhairle will continue to work with the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) to extend the coverage of the SOA to include community planning outcomes and commitments.
This agreement has been developed in the context of:
· a tight financial settlement;
· balancing internal and external review for more streamlined scrutiny;
· reduction in the use of ring fenced specific grant funding;
· Council retention of efficiency savings; and
· a review of structures within the Comhairle
The agreement has been developed with a recognition of the role the Outer Hebrides have to play in contributing to national targets such as the development of renewable energy which will require national action and commitment to support the delivery of the local outcomes.
This outcome agreement covers:
· all Council services covered by the national outcome framework;
· outcomes arising from joint working with NHS Western Isles and Northern Constabulary in areas such as anti-social behaviour, community safety and drug and alcohol work;
· Outcomes arising from joint working with HIE on Economic Development;
· Outcomes arising from joint working with Lews Castle College and UHI on education.
Ver 7.0
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Single Outcome Agreement
Ver 7.0
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
Single Outcome Agreement
National Outcome 1We live in a Scotland that is the most attractive place for doing business in Europe. / Local Context
The Outer Hebrides are situated 55km off the northwest coast of Scotland. Annual Gross Domestic Regional Product was estimated to be £263 million in 2003. The main sectors within the economy are fishing/fish farming; agriculture; distribution; health and education and public services and administration. Educational attainment rates are high and the area offers competitive establishment costs for new enterprises and a pool of skilled labour, while an island-wide broadband network and daily travel links by air and sea make the region easily accessible.
Community effort and voluntary activity are an increasingly powerful social and economic force across the area. Low crime rates and a high standard of public services infrastructure make the area an attractive place to live and work. The islands have a strong cultural identity which is expressed through the Gaelic Language, dynamic creative industries sector and traditional values
The natural and environmental capital of the islands sustains significant primary sector activity on land and sea and attracts large numbers of visitors to the area. This capital has the potential to allow the islands to become a global player in renewable energy generation and technology while developing a supporting supply chain infrastructure.
The Outer Hebrides experiences a range of economic challenges due to peripherality, insularity and super-sparsity of population. There is a dependency upon traditional industries, which have fared badly in recent years. Public services are a significant employer in the islands and available indicators describe an economy that is dependent on the public sector and that is narrowly focussed in specific areas of activity.
Growth prospects for the Outer Hebrides for the period to 2015 are assessed as neutral. There are new opportunities in the areas of Harris Tweed manufacturing; aquaculture development, the creative sector and through the establishment of Gaelic digital broadcasting. Given the richness of the area’s natural resources, the renewables sector is viewed as the one which may deliver a significant uplift or step-change in the performance of the local economy. Small levels of growth are anticipated in the tourism and local market sectors, with this being neutralised by on-going losses in the primary sector.
The challenge for the Outer Hebrides over the next period will be to bring the three elements of sustainability (economic, community, environment) into closer balance. The high quality of the environment of the Outer Hebrides is recognised at national and international level. However the future well being of the Outer Hebrides will depend on an appropriate balance being achieved between safeguarding the environment and allowing and pro-actively supporting an appropriate community and economic development process.
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency/Type/Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
1.1 Cohesive and complementary Business Support Services that add-value to private sector organisations / 1.1.1 Provision of a single point of contact for business customers through the co-location of relevant Comhairle and HIE services. / Annual /
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Comhairle) /
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) / 0 / Co-location complete by end 2008
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency/Type/Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
1.1.2 Operation of a Business Gateway service. / Annual /
Comhairle / HIE / 0 / Business Gateway Operational by end 2008
1.2 Maximum take-up of broadband connectivity by households and businesses / 1.2.1 Active coordination of the marketing of broadband services, through community events and other promotional vehicles using the “Get Connected” brand. / Bi-Annual /
Comhairle / HIE / 36% / 60% household penetration by 2012
60% business penetration by 2012
1.2.2 Establishment and operation of community access points, allowing individuals and businesses to experience and learn about broadband internet access. / Bi-Annual /
Comhairle / HIE / 25%
1.3 Growth in emerging sectors. / 1.3.1 Further research activity especially at Lews Castle College/UHI through the continued use of partnerships and by improving knowledge transfer from research activity in universities / Annual /
Comhairle / Lews Castle College UHI (LCC/UHI) / 4 / 20% annual increase in number of Post Graduate students undertaking research at Lews Castle College/UHI.
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency/Type/Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
1.3.2 Further development of hydrogen projects, initiatives and infrastructure / Annual /
Comhairle / 0
0 / Provide hydrogen fuel station and 2 hydrogen powered vehicles for use on the island
2009
1.4 An increase in inward investment in the Outer Hebrides. / 1.4.1 Value of inward investment attracted / Annual /
HIE Measurement Framework & economic updates /
Government Regional Accounts and Nomis / 2007/8 / 1 new significant inward investment in a GES key sector.
2008/9
1.4.2 Number of business growth projects supported / Annual /
HIE Measurement Framework & economic updates /
Government Regional Accounts and Nomis / 2007/8 / +20%
2008/09
1.4.3 Value of exports / Annual /
HIE Measurement Framework & economic updates /
Government Regional Accounts and Nomis / 2007/8 / +10%
2008/9
1.4.4 Turnover and productivity in key sectors. / Annual /
HIE Measurement Framework & economic updates /
Government Regional Accounts and Nomis / 2007/8 / +20% from assisted businesses
2008/9
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency/Type/Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
1.5 An increase in Private Sector earnings / 1.5.1 Private sector earnings index / Annual /
HIE Measurement Framework & economic updates /
Government Regional Accounts and Nomis / 2007/8 / +20% from assisted businesses
2008/9
1.6 An increase in net civilian migration / 1.6.1 Estimated net civilian migration / Annual /
General Register Office for Scotland Mid Year Estimates / 2005/06
110 persons / To be set by OHCPP Migration Project Team
1.7 An increase in the working age population / 1.7.1 Working age population (as % of total population) / Annual /
General Register Office for Scotland / 58% / To be set by OHCPP Migration Project Team
1.8 An increase in business start-ups / 1.8.1 New business start-ups / Bi-annually / HIE economic update Report (Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks) / Year ending 2005
118 (4.5 per 1000 population) / Continued growth in business start-ups
1.9 A reduction in travel costs mainland-island / 1.9.1 Ferry: Standard summer return for driver and car (Ullapool - Stornoway)
1.9.2 Air: Standard open business class return (Glasgow – Stornoway) / Annual (Summer) /
Caledonian MacBrayne and British Airways / 2008
Ferry: £180
Air: £331 / Monitor effect of RET/ADS
Required Actions/commitment by local partners for these outcomes / Encourage inward investment to maximise the local economic benefit from renewable energy potential.
Provision of technical support to local community groups in development and implementation of sustainable energy technology and solutions
Business Support Services and broadband connectivity to be delivered in partnership with Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Scottish Government required action/commitment to support delivery of local outcome / Appropriate funding streams to be made available by Government to facilitate the set up costs and initial introduction of Business Gateway.
Government support for development of emerging sectors
National Outcome 2
We realise our full economic potential with more and better employment opportunities for our people. / Local Context
The size of the economy of the Outer Hebrides, in terms of GRDP is £263m (£10,078 per head) or 66% of UK GDP. The economy experienced 2.5% growth, between 1997 and 2003, which is lower than the growth rates experienced in the wider economy. In 2003 the external trade deficit stood at £163.4m. Dependence on imports is increasing – up 16% to 2003, with exports decreasing by 5.6%. Resident employment in the Outer Hebrides in 2003 was 11,000; an activity rate of 79%. Local employment levels have remained constant to 2003, up marginally to 9,908. The public sector accounts for 30% of the total value of output. The five most significant sectors in terms of contributions to employment are Private Services; Construction; Distribution; Health, and Education. Together, these five sectors accounted for 50.5% of total employment.
The percentage of the working age population with no qualifications is 14.8%. In May 2007, 2.9% of the resident working age population in the Outer Hebrides were claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA). The equivalent figure for Scotland was 2.5% and 2.4% for the UK. A far greater percentage of those on JSA in the Outer Hebrides, however, are long term unemployed (claiming for over 12 months) at 21.6%; the equivalent figure for Scotland was 15.8% and 16.9% for the UK.
Households derive a higher proportion of their total income from self-employment than in Scotland as a whole. In 2003 households spent a total of £100.1m on imported goods, either through direct purchases or on goods imported and then by local wholesalers / retailers. The magnitude of household multipliers was lower in 2003 than 1997, reflecting greater household dependence on imported goods and services. The average household income in the Outer Hebrides was £23,400 in 2003. This ranks the Outer Hebrides as third lowest out of the 121 UK postcode areas. The 2003 Rural Scotland Pricing Survey, placed prices some 3.7% higher than survey average – the second highest in Scotland. Living costs are significantly higher than urban Scotland – food costs are on average 15.2% higher and fuel costs 13% higher. Government transfers direct to households in the region support 9% of jobs and account for almost 15% of incomes in the region. 14% of all household income comes from pension and annuities, compared to a Scottish and UK average of 7%.
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency / Type / Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
2.1 Inward investment that maximises the local economic benefit from the areas vast renewable energy potential both onshore and offshore. / 2.1.1 No of MW of renewable energy consented or operational / Annual / Comhairle / 6 MW / 300 MW consented / operational
2012
2.1.2 No of MW of renewable energy in community ownership / control / Annual / Comhairle / 3 MW / 75 MW consented / operational
2012
Local Outcomes / Relevant Indicators / Frequency/Type/Source / Baseline
(2006/07) / Local Targets & Timescales
2.1.3 No of FTE employed in renewable energy manufacturing and supply chain activity and commercialisation of research and development through LCC/UHI / Annual / HIE / 20 FTE / 150 FTE