¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

While Christmas is a very happy time for many people, for others it can be difficult. Following on from the success of last year’s food bank collections, Council employees will be giving donations for food banks across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute again this year. Staff will be joined by pupils in a number of our schools who are coming up with their own ideas on how to generate income to purchase items for donating, helping them to learn the value of money at the same time.

Financial management within ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is effective with a budget process focussed on the council’s priorities. That was one of the findings of the 2017/18 Annual Audit Report undertaken by Audit Scotland which went before the full council on Thursday 29 November.  The report further noted that: The council has appropriate governance and accountability arrangements in place that support the scrutiny of its decisions;

Tha stiùireadhionmhasail èifeachdach ga chur an sàs taobh a-staigh Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid le pròiseas nam buidseatan a’ cur cuideam air prìomh amasan na Comhairle. ’S e sin aon de na toraidhean a chithear san Aithisg Sgrùdaidh Bhliadhnail airson 2017/18 a rinn Sgrùdadh na h-Alba agus a chaidh a chur air beulaibh na làn Chomhairle air Diardaoin 29 Samhain. Cuideachd san aithisg thugadh iomradh air na leanas:

More than 800 affordable new homes are in the pipeline for construction over the next three years as part of the council’s Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP). These homes are in addition to the 91 expected to be completed in 2018/19 and 75 completed in 2017/18. The updated SHIP proposals will be presented to the Scottish Government, outlining the council’s strategic investment in affordable homes over a five-year period up to 2023/24.

  Thathar an dùil còrr is 800 dachaigh ùr, a bhios ri fhaotainn aig prìs reusanta, a thogail san ath thrì bliadhna mar phàirt den Phlana Ionmhais Ro-innleachdail airson Taigheadais (PIRT) aig a’ Chomhairle.   Bidh na dachaighean seo a bharrachd air na 91 a thathar an dùil a thogail ann an 2018/19 agus na 75 a chaidh a thogail ann an 2017/18.  

A booklet is to be published by ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ which captures the wide range of events that were held in the area to commemorate the centenary of World War One, and acknowledges the commitment and dedication shown by local communities to mark the anniversary.

Tha Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid a’ dol a dh’fhoillseachadh leabhran le fiosrachadh air taghadh farsaing de na tachartasan a chaidh a chumail san sgìre gus comharrachadh mar a bha ceud bliadhna annbhon Chogadh Mhòr, agus tha e cuideachd a’ toirt aithne don dealas is dìcheall a nochd coimhearsnachdan ionadail ann a bhith a’ comharrachadh ceann-bliadhna a’ chogaidh.  

An ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ worker has scooped a prestigious award for her work to combat the problem of empty homes. Empty Homes Officer Kelly Ferns has been named Outstanding Individual at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards for her commitment and dedication to empty homes work. Her collaborative approach and passion as well as consistent results were recognised by the panel.

Join us in Oban for the latest in our programme of events across the country. Since May this year the organisations behind the Local Governance Review have been encouraging community groups to hold Democracy Matters conversations across the country. The ideas generated through these conversations are being gathered and will ensure that the outcomes of the review focus on what local people have identified.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s education service has made significant improvements over the last 12 months, and staff are working hard to continue to raise attainment in schools. These were the findings of HM Inspectors of Education (HMIE) in a report published today (Monday), following their visit to the local authority last month, which confirmed that they will make no more visits to the Council in connection with the inspection of the Council as Education Authority in September 2016.