Highland Council ranked one of top councils for online presence

20th January 2015

The Highland Council's new website has risen to the top 6% of UK Local Government websites, according to an independent survey into online presence.

The website, launched in July 2014, aims to focus more on the needs of the customer and provides a platform to deliver more services online.

Independent survey tool, SiteMorse, found that in Q4 of 2014, the Highland Council website had risen to the rank of 25th out of 429 UK Local Government organisations in terms of online capability (taking into account Function, Accessibility, Code Quality, Performance, Email, Metadata and PDFs). During the same quarter in the previous year, the Highland Council website ranked 87th in this category. This means that the Council’s website now ranks in the top 6% of UK Local Government organisation websites.

The new site was designed to be an agile and responsive, customer driven platform and initial indications are that the new website has been an improvement on the previous web presence. The foundation is now in place to provide a flexible platform for digital delivery of customer services and general information which is compatible with a range of mobile devices and the evolving mobile environment. The launch of the School closures content and the linking in of social media (Facebook/twitter) has been widely considered a success and further development is underway to enhance the content and processes that the website provides.

Improvement to the website is set to continue into the future with the addition of more online services and the introduction of the "myaccount" service, aiming to give people a simple and secure way to access public services online. Once establishing this service, Highland Council will be one of only two Scottish Local Government organisations to do so.

An external survey of the Council’s website is underway at the moment. Those surveyed include the citizens panel, community councils and elected members. A formal report of the findings of the survey will be presented at the Resources Committee on the 25 of February 2015.

Considerable effort has been made to increase our social media presence and extend our reach to the public in the Highlands, in order to disseminate and signpost information, as well as engage with online followers.

Twitter followers have increased from 8474 in September 2014 to 10,000, putting us in 12th place for Scottish Local Authorities. Facebook “likes” have increased from 1431 and 18th place on 1 September 2014 to 6680 and 9th place at 19/1/15. This is a 367% increase.

Chairman of Resources, Councillor Maxine Smith commented, “ At first former users of the Council’s website were unsure of the new site as they had become very familiar with the old one, but now, as people are more au fait with all the new detail, they are beginning to embrace it. New users especially are finding it easy to use and navigate and it is useful for those who want to apply for things online or indeed make payments.

“The users will increase as the months go on as more and more applications become available for the general public, as well as the satisfaction levels. I am delighted that Highland Council are progressing so quickly up the league tables and am sure this is set to rise even higher.”

The Highland Council website can be found at: http://www.highland.gov.uk/
Highland Council Facebook: www.twitter.com/highlandcouncil
Highland Council Twitter: www.facebook.com/highlandcouncil

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Visitor Levy Consultation In-person Events Announced

Residents, businesses, community groups and visitors are encouraged to continue to take part in a series of public engagement events to learn more about the proposed Highland Visitor Levy and how they can contribute to the statutory public consultation.   In addition to the online webinars held earlier in the process, a programme of in-person events will continue throughout November.  

30/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Highland Council agrees budget engagement programme

Members of the public, community groups, the business sector and young people will be invited to share their views on how The Highland Council balances its budget and plans spend over the next three years.   The Council needs to find £39.2 million of additional savings over the next three years to deliver a balanced financial plan, driven largely by the impact of rising costs and the ongoing impact of wider economic events.  

29/10/2026 : Local Authority

The Hidden Cost of a 1% Capital Budget Cut: Could Scotland's Schools, Roads and Highland Investment Plans Be Affected?

The Chancellor's decision to reduce departmental capital budgets by 1% could have consequences well beyond Westminster.  Scotland faces a reduction in capital funding, while Highland Council is embarking on a £2.1 billion investment programme that includes a proposed £100 million education campus in Thurso.  

28/10/2026 : Local Authority

When Fuel Prices Rise, Who Pays the Bill for Public Services?

Councils, the NHS and other public bodies face a difficult choice when rising diesel and energy costs threaten the contractors they depend on.  School transport in rural Scotland illustrates the problem.  

27/10/2026 : Local Authority

Gaelic Spending Under Scrutiny: Can Highland Council Afford Another Post While Jobs Are Under Pressure?

The council has legal responsibilities to support Gaelic, but with budgets stretched and services facing difficult choices.  Residents are entitled to ask how priorities are decided across the Highlands.  

24/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Libraries, Leisure Centres and Local Culture Face Growing Pressure as Council Charges Rise

Audit Scotland warns that cuts to community services could deepen inequalities, while councils lack the evidence to measure the full consequences.   Scotland’s councils are spending less on culture and leisure services while asking the public to pay more to use them, raising questions about the future of libraries, swimming pools, sports facilities, museums and other important parts of community life.  

23/10/2026 : Local Authority

Trading Standards warns of Council Tax refund scam emails

The Highland Council has received reports from customers who have been sent emails containing links to claim an alleged Council Tax refund.   The emails appear to be from a sender describing themselves as the "Council Revenue Authority" team.  

14/10/2026 : Local Authority

Highland Council's Offices: Go Digital, Bring in Mobile Offices and Save Money?

The banks have closed branches across the Highlands and customers have adapted.  With Highland Council facing serious financial pressures, is it time to rethink permanent offices and take council services directly to the people who need them? There was a time when going to the bank meant visiting a branch.