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A new plan to promote the use and raise awareness of British Sign Language (BSL) in ����ֱ�� and Bute has been approved by the council’s Policy and Resources Committee. The aim of the plan, which is shared by ����ֱ��, Live ����ֱ�� 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 ����ֱ�� 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.

  We're kicking off our fostering appeal this week to try and encourage more people in ����ֱ�� 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.....  

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 ����ֱ��. He became involved in fostering because he wanted to help make a difference to a young person’s life.

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.

����ֱ�� 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 ����ֱ��’s economy for local and national benefit. The bid was agreed at today’s special meeting of full Council.

The Leader of ����ֱ�� is to urge the Scottish Government to formally commit to identifying and funding a permanent solution to keep the A83, and ����ֱ�� 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 ����ֱ��, said:  

  Time is running out for anyone wishing to play a key role in the future of the stunning, redeveloped Hermitage Park by taking a tenancy within the new Pavilion.   Closing date for expressions of interest in the new Pavilion is 26 October 2018 at 12 noon.   This is a fantastic opportunity to get in at the beginning of an exciting venture that is part of the social and economic development of Helensburgh.

Festive lighting will be delivered in Inveraray and Lochgilphead, by local organisations, in 2018. Funding for Lochgilphead Festive Lights Committee and Inveraray Community Council was agreed by Mid ����ֱ��, Kintyre and Islay Area Committee on Wednesday (10 October). Lochgilphead Festive Lights Committee has been awarded £5,000 to project manage the set-up, commission a contractor testing, maintaining and removal of the lights as well as organising the much anticipated “switch-on” event.

A rural growth deal for ����ֱ�� and Bute will take another step forward if an outline proposal is agreed at a special meeting of Council next week. A report going to Council sets out an ambitious, multi-million pound proposal for UK and Scottish Government investment in growing ����ֱ�� and Bute’s economy. Council Leader, Councillor Aileen Morton, explained why the Council is seeking a rural growth deal: