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Speaking ahead of the Chancellor’s Budget statement next week, the Resources Spokesperson for COSLA (Convention of Scottish Local Authorities), Councillor Gail Macgregor said: “Through delivery of essential services – children’s services, housing, transport, social care, environmental protection, and more - Local Government is the life blood of Scotland. These essential services create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.

Two heritage projects from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute are toasting success as the winners of the Scottish Heritage Angel Awards 2018 were revealed. Scooping the awards for Best Rescue of a Historic Building or Place (under £2m and over £2m respectively) were the project to rescue Dunoon Burgh Halls, which reopened in June 2017 as a community arts hub following major refurbishment, and Campbeltown Community Business Ltd, who led the project to restore the category A listed Campbeltown Picture House.

  An Empty Homes Officer from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has been short-listed for two prestigious awards for her work in trying to combat the problem of empty homes.    Kelly Ferns is a finalist in both the Outstanding Individual and Best Before and After Photography categories at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards.    Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony which takes place alongside the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership annual conference on Monday 26 November in Stirling.  

A new plan to promote the use and raise awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute has been approved by the council’s Policy and Resources Committee. The aim of the plan, which is shared by ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, Live ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and the Health and Social Care Partnership, is to improve access for deaf and deafblind BSL users to information and public services including healthcare and mental health support. The Joint Local BSL Plan for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute 2018 – 2024 sets out actions to develop use of BSL, for example.

  Festive lighting will be delivered in Oban and Tobermory by local organisations in 2018. Funding for BID4Oban and Tobermory Christmas Lights Committee (CLC) was agreed by Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee recently. BID4Oban has been allocated £9,000, to commission a suitable contractor to put up the lights, test and maintain them as well as remove them at the end of the season. It will also take on organisation of the highly anticipated ‘switch-on’ event.

The Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is to urge the Scottish Government to formally commit to identifying and funding a permanent solution to keep the A83, and ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, open for business.   Councillors unanimously agreed the action at the meeting of full Council today, in response to the impact on residents and businesses of the most recent closure of the road.   Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, said:  

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ will submit a multi-million pound funding bid to the UK and Scottish Governments that would see investment in areas as wide ranging as transport, broadband, education and market-leading business innovation. The bid comprises sixteen different projects that would bring together local and national organisations, as well as public and private sector agencies, to transform ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s economy for local and national benefit. The bid was agreed at today’s special meeting of full Council.

Did you know there are many types of foster carers? There are indeed those who provide young people in care with a secure, stable home throughout childhood, and if possible, up to the age of 21.

Did you know that foster carers can come from a variety of backgrounds. Our criteria covers a wide age range, as long as you are healthy; any gender; any sexual orientation; any relationship status. The most important thing is that young people are matched with people who will give them love and stability. *Dave is a single foster carer with ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥. He became involved in fostering because he wanted to help make a difference to a young person’s life.

  We're kicking off our fostering appeal this week to try and encourage more people in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute to come forward and be assessed to become foster carers. Moyra Paterson and her husband Peter both have full-time jobs and have been foster carers for six years now. We caught up with the couple to find out all about it.....