Members of the Highland Council’s Corporate Resources Committee were presented with a progress update report on the council’s Future Operating Model (FOM), including confirmation of an additional £500,000 investment in the Programme, which was approved earlier this month.

At the meeting, members also agreed the Programme’s next steps as it moves further into delivery. 

In 2025, the council gave its backing to the FOM and approved £500,000 in recurring revenue funding to support delivery, including demonstrator sites and early projects. Earlier this month, a further £500,000 investment was agreed to help progress the Programme, supporting the development of a mobile service delivery unit and key staff roles focused on internal and external engagement.

The additional investment will specifically provide an opportunity to implement a mobile service delivery unit, which will seek to: 

• Increase access to essential support by offering face-to-face help with housing, council tax, benefits, and welfare checks without requiring long travel;
• Strengthen prevention and early intervention by spotting issues such as financial hardship or risk of homelessness earlier and connecting people quickly to the right support; and
• Reduce inequalities by tackling digital exclusion and other barriers faced by vulnerable groups through consistent, local, and accessible service delivery.

At its heart, the FOM is about working together in partnership with other public organisations to make services accessible, efficient and equitable for the whole community. The model brings together new ways of working, improved use of assets and strengthened collaboration both internally and with public and third‑sector partners.

The Programme will mark a major step forward in transforming how the council delivers services across the region and will deliver future efficiencies to support the council’s ongoing commitment to financial sustainability.

Members were also pleased to note that work is now well underway to recruit the specialist roles needed to support the Programme’s next phase, including posts focused on internal and external engagement.

With investment secured and the delivery phase now fully activated, the Programme is positioned to make meaningful progress in transforming how services are delivered across Highland communities.