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The council’s Growing Our Own scheme is all about providing opportunities for people to build rewarding careers with ����ֱ��, and for young people to see the council as a future employer. Since 2014, the council’s Growing Our Own scheme has employed over 50 Modern Apprentices. This has provided young people with the opportunity to earn while they learn, kick starting their career by providing an opportunity to benefit from paid work experience and gain an industry recognised qualification.

Employers across ����ֱ�� and Bute are being reminded that a work permit is required for all young people aged between 14 and 16 who work part-time whilst still at school. ����ֱ�� is committed to the protection of children in employment, and has a number of byelaws which state the rules and regulations governing the employment of children – one of which is a valid work permit. The work permit is free of charge and must be signed by the head teacher from the young person’s school, as well as a parental guardian and employer.

Could you offer a child a home in a secure, loving environment? If so, ����ֱ�� is looking for you to come forward and apply to become a foster carer. There are always a number of young people looking for foster carers in ����ֱ�� and Bute, for a variety of reasons, either on a temporary basis while plans are made for their future, or for an extended period if they are unable to go back to their family.

We're now into the second week of our A to Z of council services. F is for Family Milestones Our registrars work hard to deliver a personal service. Responsible for registering births, deaths and marriages, their job can be emotional. “I really love my job,” said Registrar Shona Brechin, “No two days are ever the same and I like the fact that we get to help people at both the happiest and most difficult times of their life.” Since 2002 people have been able to get married anywhere.

The council has developed an Economic Strategy and associated Action Plan to focus its resources on economic development activities that will have the greatest benefit on the sustainable economic growth of its communities and Scotland as a whole. This new strategy demonstrates the council’s corporate priorities for developing the ����ֱ�� and Bute’s economy, thereby facilitating focus, effective resource planning and partnership working at local, national, European and international levels.

People living in ����ֱ�� and Bute are being given the opportunity to make their homes more energy efficient thanks to the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS). The Scottish Government has awarded ����ֱ�� a grant of £1,745,908 to help residents make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. These include external/internal wall insulation, underfloor insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.

A total of 933 vessel berth nights were spent at ����ֱ��’s North Pier Pontoons, Oban, during June 2019. That’s more than three times higher than the total number of berth nights clocked up at the pontoons during the same month in 2018. The leap in the number of visitors, spending time in shops and restaurants, is great news for the Oban economy and cements its place as a ‘must visit’ location for sailors.

The council’s building standards team is responsible for ensuring members of the public are kept safe. Tony Casci works as an Area Team Leader and part of his remit involves dealing with dangerous buildings. “Buildings can become dangerous for a number of reasons,” he said, “Storm damage, fire damage, vandalism, ground subsidence and neglect are just some of these. Whilst property owners are responsible for maintaining their buildings, this doesn’t always happen and these buildings can often fall into disrepair.

C is for Community Group Support Did you know that the council has a department dedicated to providing support and advice to community groups? Kirsty Moyes works as a Community Development Officer with the council, helping community groups to access funding, increase volunteer numbers, improve their skills and knowledge, become more sustainable, create community action plans, increase in confidence… the list goes on!

B is for Benefits Meet Kerry Gillespie. Kerry is a Welfare Rights Assistant with the council, and provides members of the public with advice on benefits. “One of the most rewarding parts of my job is helping people,” Kerry said. “There are so many people out there who are entitled to claim benefits but aren’t doing so. I help them find out what they are eligible for and, if needed, I assist them with filling in any forms or paperwork. All our services are free, impartial and confidential.