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UPDATE 2 September 2019: The consultation is now open and can be found here /consultations/argyll-and-butes-community-food-growing-strategy-consultation A new council strategy which aims to encourage and enable people who wish to grow their own food is to go out for public consultation.

Thèid co-chomhairleachadh poblach fhosgladh air ro-innleachd ùr aig a’ Chomhairle a tha a’ toirt cothrom do dhaoine agus ag iarraidh orra am biadh aca fhèin a chinntinn. Dh’aontaich comhairlichean an-diugh (15 Lùnastal) air a’ Chomataidh Poileasaidh is Ghoireasan ri dreach den Ro-innleachd air Cinntinn Bidhe aig Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid. Bidh co-chomhairleachadh poblach ann mus tèid an ro-innleachd a chur ron chomhairle airson aonta deireannach.

A new Wellbeing Strategy aims to increase productivity by ensuring ����ֱ�� employees are supported in leading healthy, independent lives. The Policy and Resources Committee this week approved the Employee Wellbeing Strategy 2019-2024, designed to tie in with the Council’s status as an ‘Employer of Choice’ and support employees’ physical and mental wellbeing.

Hundreds of teaching staff and young people across ����ֱ�� and Bute will return to school today after the summer holidays. ����ֱ��’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, would like to wish them the very best of luck:

Applications are being invited for ����ֱ��’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund for 2020-21. Councillors on the Policy and Resources Committee today (Thursday 15 August) approved the criteria for distributing the £90,000 Events and Festivals Fund, with invitations being accepted from Monday 26 August until noon on Monday 7 October. In an effort to simplify the process for applicants, this round will involve a single fund pot, with the normal upper limit set at £5,000.

Tha Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid a’ sireadh iarrtasan airson a Maoin Thachartasan is Fhèisean airson 2020-21. Dh’aontaich comhairlichean air a’ Chomataidh Poileasaidh is Ghoireasan an-diugh (Diardaoin 15 Lùnastal) ris na sònrachaidhean airson a’ Mhaoin Thachartasan is Fhèisean luach £90,000 a bhuileachadh, agus bithear a’ sireadh iarrtasan eadar Diluain 26 Lùnastal agus meadhan-latha Diluain 7 Dàmhair.

Work has started on the £1.4m re-development of the council’s Jackson’s Quarry Roads Depot in Oban. This work will allow all essential operational services for Oban, Lorn and the Isles to be delivered from one single, main site. Everything is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year. Luddon Construction Ltd is the main contractor and will be using local subcontractors throughout the project. The local economy will be further boosted by workers using local accommodation. There will also be employment for one, local unemployed person during the contract.

����ֱ��’s work in supporting refugees into employment has made the final shortlist for the 2019 COSLA Excellence Awards. The ‘Supporting our Refugees into Work’ programme is one of three finalists in the Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health category for the COSLA Excellence Awards, which celebrate the very best in Scottish local government.

Close to half a million square metres of road throughout ����ֱ�� and Bute will be surface dressed over the summer to reduce the chance of new potholes developing as the weather deteriorates over winter. This is part of the council’s £16m capital reconstruction programme which has seen ����ֱ�� and Bute reach the top five fastest improving Scottish Local Authorities in terms of road condition.

����ֱ��’s Policy Lead for Education is urging parents to find out if their child qualifies for free schools meals.   Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: “We all want the best start in life for our children and young people, both in terms of their health and education.   “Evidence shows that school meals can help do this, by improving general health and helping to tackle health inequalities.