Proposals to cut the number of the Highland Council's service points are back in the news again.

These were set up across the Highlands to allow the public face to face access to the council for the likes of paying council tax or housing rent, arranging special refuse collections or picking up for planning applications and parking permits.

But the public have been voting with their feet preferring to use the online or call centre facilities. A service point in Inverness can have 1,000 customers a week but in some of the remote communities it can be as few as two or three, sometimes none.

Last February opposition Independent councillors were determined to stop the SNP/Lib Dem/Labour coalition administration's plans to slash the 35 council service points by 23, with many under threat in remote communities. But the council's Finance Housing and Resources Committee voted 13 to nine to proceed.

Most assumed the coalition would use its majority to force it through the full council in the face of some considerable public opposition. Perhaps the issue wasn't quite as emotive as school closures, but the concern was real.

As a result there was a new spirit abroad and the following month the council agreed to implement a review of face to face services in 23 service point locations. These were chosen because of the low number of customers who use this service or where there is another service point nearby.

A 10 councillor strong Customer Services Board was set up to undertake the review and to make a decision about future service 'provision' at these 23 locations.

It was Audrey Sinclair, the Independent councillor for Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh, who was chosen to chair the board, which underlined the inclusive nature of the exercise.

The proposals she and her board are now to consult on are that 13 Service Points will act as 'Community Hubs', offering the full range of services and dedicated appointments for essential services.

These would be: Inverness, Nairn, Aviemore, Dingwall, Alness, Tain, Golspie, Wick, Thurso, Ullapool, Kyle, Portree and Fort William.

In another 17 areas there would be access points available for a more limited range of services. These are earmarked for Muir of Ord, Fortrose, Invergordon, Hilton, Ardersier, Grantown, Mallaig, Kinlochleven, Broadford, Lochcarron, Bettyhill, Bonar Bridge, Brora, Dornoch, Helmsdale, Lairg and Kingussie.

Meanwhile a variety of other options are being looked at for the remaining five locations of Fort Augustus, Durness, Acharacle , Gairloch and Lochinver. These would include a range of mobile services.

Councillor Sinclair said "I am pleased we have now reached the stage of going out to consultation. I would stress, however, that these are proposals we are consulting on and no decisions have been made. We would welcome all views and we will take these into consideration before a final decision is made."

The consultation process will run until March 19, and the feedback from the consultation will be presented back to the board.

However there are already fears that the 17 areas in the level below community hubs will just have computers in libraries, which is not ideal for the elderly. And it is still not clear what is to be provided in respect of registering a birth, death or marriage when by law, people have to present themselves in person with specific documents. In the case of registering a death, that has to be within eight days.

Often those performing that grim duty are elderly themselves and don't always have access to a car. Will there be a mobile service for people living some distance from the nearest appropriate service point?

Meanwhile, some jobs will go. Last year it was to be 30, mostly women relying on part-time positions which are like gold dust in some communities. The council has a policy of avoiding compulsory redundancy, but it is difficult to see what other jobs could be offered to them without moving.

The proposals could release savings of up to £355,220, however, around half of this would be re-invested to support improved services on telephone, email and online. It is expected that e-transactions will substantially increase over the period due to the work that the council is undertaking to offer more services on line.

So it will play a pretty modest part in the authority's plans to save £55m over four years. This suggests the move is based on a genuine desire to make the service more effective as well as more efficient.

The online communication revolution has already transformed the nature of retail across the land, so it is not surprising it is also having an impact on public services.

Some of the elderly and disabled will feel it. Also it is difficult not to lament the removal of another thread from the fabric of life in some of the more remote communities. Even if it is just one part-time job and a place where people can go to ask a question, face to face with the council's representative.