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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.

Businesses in the hospitality and other sectors are being encouraged to collect customer and visitor details in accordance with new Scottish Government guidance.

We issued a survey to parents and carers at the beginning of June, to find out what concerns they have about pupils returning to school after the summer. Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete this. We have read all your feedback and have collated these responses to answer your queries and, hopefully, provide you with some reassurance. When will pupils return to school?

The UK Government‘s announcement of cutting VAT for the tourism and hospitality industry has been welcomed by ����ֱ��. VAT in the hospitality and tourism sectors on food, accommodation and attractions will be temporarily cut (15th July 2020 to 12th January 2021) from 20% to 5% as part of the Government’s three phased economic response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Employers in ����ֱ�� and Bute are being reminded that a work permit is required for all young people aged between 14 and 16 who work part-time while 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.

Did you know that ����ֱ��’s website not only contains lots of useful information for residents, businesses and visitors; it also offers a huge range of online services that make connecting with the council quick and convenient. By logging on to the website you can now make secure online payments at any time of the day or night using the online “Pay It” service for:  Council Tax, School meals Parking tickets Non domestic rates

Over the next week, and in line with national guidance, transport in ����ֱ�� and Bute will start to operate more normally. North Pier Pontoons Transit berth facilities at Oban North Pier are now open. Details on the facilities available will be found on the website and physical distancing measures will apply. Ferry services

Some local businesses may struggle to open when social distancing is still a requirement.  To help this situation, a number of public realm sites, across ����ֱ�� and Bute, will be made available on a temporary basis to established businesses, free of charge, in a bid to help open up the area’s economy quickly and safely.

“Post COVID-19, we should support our local businesses as they have supported us during the pandemic.” Councillor Alastair Redman, Policy Lead for Economic Growth, is calling for residents to shop local at every opportunity and make the most of locally sourced produce to help kick-start the local economy.

At this critical stage in the Scottish Government’s roadmap to further ease restrictions, it’s important that communities and visitors work together to avoid a second wave of COVID-19 and a return to lockdown. That is why ����ֱ�� is urging visitors in caravans, motorhomes and campervans to make use of official campsites, to help support the local economy as well as protect their own health and the health of local communities.