Cllr Dougie McFadzean

Remember these events today on Islay and tomorrow on Jura.

Weather recovery – we’ve been asked about progress on the B828 which had to close due to a landslip and damage to the bridge caused by the severe weather on 6 and 7 October.

We've completed the repairs needed on the road and had hoped to re-open it in December. However, specialist contractors working on behalf of Forest and Land Scotland have advised us that two large boulders on the hillside (weighing up to 300 tonnes each) have become unstable.

Due to public safety, the road has to remain closed while FLS works to stabilise the hillside. The focus remains on re-opening the road as soon as the route is safe for people to use.

We recognise the challenges a lot of people face in terms of energy and keeping warm at home. Over 50% of people in our communities are facing fuel poverty so if you need advice and support ALIenergy’s Affordable Warmth Team are here to help. Call us on 01631 565 183 or email [email protected].

Highland Overdose Prevention and Engagement (HOPE) app

The Highland Overdose Prevention and Engagement (HOPE) app was created with input from people with lived experience and a range of experts from NHS Highland and beyond.

The HOPE app is a source of information for people with drug and/or alcohol problems, as well as their families or friends, which helps prevent overdose and encourages engagement with services that can help.

It contains information on what to do in an emergency overdose situation for both depressant and stimulant drugs. Harm reduction information and details on how to contact a range of support services are also available on the app.

The HOPE app is a collaborative project involving Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), NHS Highland Public Health, Health Improvement, Highland Alcohol and Drug Advice and Support Service (HADASS) and Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD), who are all members of the Highland Drug Related Death Prevention Group. The content of the app was developed with input from a range of experts, including the aforementioned teams, plus HMP Inverness and Crew. This link will take you to the app: http://ow.ly/6W3Q50MG7EX

ARC – Addi

Argyll annd Bute and service for people affected by and - see the flyer below for more information.

PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND (PESF) is a support programme offered by Argyll and Bute Council which is funded by the Scottish Government. It provides a more flexible and user-based model of delivery that supports parents into work as well as helping those already in work to increase their household income.

The programme provides:

Person-centred help for parents to address their barriers to work, which might include a lack of skills or work experience, health support, money advice, confidence building or motivational support.
Targeted support to help parents already in work through the provision of training and employability support to remain active in the workplace and gain progression through a rewarding career.
Confidential income and money advice which includes:
Benefit checks and help with any claim processes
Better off calculations
Help with debts, these can be a barrier to work
Creation of a bespoke budget for the family
Budgeting skills support to ensure long lasting effect
PESF aims to support parents to access or progress in work. It will provide appropriate and timely support to parents who within the targeted family groupings:

Have the right to live and work in the UK
Require support to access employment
Require support to progress in work
Our Engagement Workers are keen to support parents that meet the following criteria:

Lone Parents
Parents with disabilities or a disabled child
3 or more children
Minority Ethnic Families
Youngest child under 1 year
Parents age 25 years and less
They can support parents gain new skills, qualifications and assist with job applications and compiling a CV.

If you would like to find out how the Parental Employability Support Fund can help you, please contact:

Tel: 01586 555990
E: [email protected]

Kayaking and canoeing are among the most popular watersports in the UK, but things can go wrong when out on the water, even if you’re a seasoned professional.

To reduce the risks:

• Carry a means of calling for help, such as a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch 📱

• Check the weather forecast and tide times 🌊

• Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) and make sure you are also wearing suitable clothing 🦺

• Paddle in a group where possible and if you're exploring somewhere new, consider asking experienced kayakers or canoeists about the area.

If you get into trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

Islay: Kennacraig - Port Ellen/Port Askaig - CalMac Ferries We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing to visit this website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more

Rural Payments and Services (RP&S) is now open following essential maintenance.

Customers can access the website as well as Preparing for Sustainable Farming (PSF) Applications, AgriCensus, Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) viewer, HMU-Online and Community Right to Buy (CRTB).

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure.

For more information: https://www.ruralpayments.org/news-events/access-to-rural-payments-and-services--rp-s-.html

Hope everyone had a good Christmas and New Year!

Free Sunday swimming is back from this Sunday onwards, 10.30 to 17.30

Unfortunately the free transport has stopped due to lack of demand

Marie Hendrie - Adult Social Care Marie, a Registered Manager at a day centre, tells us why she loves working in adult social care. Find out what makes a career in care so rewarding!

ACHA has a sheltered housing property in Tarbert available to let. To express your interest or for more information on in this property contact the Mid Argyll Office on 01546 605800 or visit the Home Argyll web page: www.homeargyll.co.uk/

There have been changes to the allocation policy so please click on the link to see the changes.

New figures just released show that 95.6% of 16-19 year olds in Argyll and Bute are currently in education, training or employment, an increase of 1.7% on 2022 and 1.3% above the national figure of 94.3%.

👉 www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2023/dec/argyll-and-bute-leads-way-employment-and-training

🔹 Your rent choices for April 2024 🔹

Between the 8th December 2023 and 11th January 2024 we will be running our annual rent consultation, we would welcome views and feedback from tenants.

This year we will be seeking tenant feedback using our new tenant satisfaction software CX Feedback.

During the consultation period you will receive either a text message or email from West Highland Housing Association (WHHA). The message you receive will provide you with the link to complete our survey, it should only take a few minutes to complete.

Where a tenant has expressed a preference to communicate with us via post we will issue hard copies in the mail. If we hold a mobile phone number or email for you we will also send you a text message or email and would encourage you to use the online method. We will however welcome feedback via return post.

During the consultation period If you need any help to complete the survey or have not been asked to complete the rent consultation please contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 323 1170.

We have five family payments for families who get Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits.

Scottish Child Payment: £100 every four weeks until your child turns 16

Best Start Grant: three payments at key stages of your child's early years

Best Start Foods: a pre-paid card topped up with money to spend on healthy food while you are pregnant or have a young child

You can apply using the same form at https://bit.ly/fivefamilypayments

There are a lot of these scams about, please be careful everyone x

⚠️ Parcel Delivery Scams ⚠️

Legitimate parcel delivery services will not contact you unexpectedly to ask for personal or payment details whether it be a text, email or phone-call.

If you receive an unexpected message about a parcel delivery, don't click on any links or follow any instructions to download an app to your phone.

If you are expecting a parcel, track the delivery on the company’s official website or app rather than using links or contact details provided in an unexpected message.

Contact your bank immediately if you think you may have made a payment to a scammer or if you are worried that a fraudulent transaction has been made from your account.

Useful links below:
National Cyber Security Centre: https://ow.ly/Gv5y50Q7nvI
ScamShare Spotlight PDF on delivery scams: https://ow.ly/Eam750Q7nvJ

Good news!

EMERGENCY ROAD NOW OPEN – We’re happy to confirm that the road is open, under convoy. Well done to our hard working teams who have made this possible. Thanks to everyone for your patience. https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/service-status

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is seeking assistance in reaching out to individuals over the age of 50 who smoke, mainly if they reside alone, have mobility problems, or require medicinal oxygen. If you know someone who fits this description and whom you care for, please to 0800 0731 999 to arrange a free home safety check. This small step could potentially save their life.

Our school counselling service, introduced earlier this year, continues to help young people across Argyll and Bute with emotional and mental health issues. Read more about the service https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2023/dec/top-marks-schools-counselling-service

https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/councils/argyll-bute-council/argyll-and-bute-health-and-social-care-partnership/jobs/home-carer-359363?fbclid=IwAR2eoJcAS4waKBgTWVHXUEtUu5VprlZk3H8OTL-1qe51POGK_ll8NNKJBcQ

IDI are delighted to announce that we have been awarded £619k from the Scottish Land Fund to purchase Sgiba Forest on the outskirts of Port Charlotte. This has been a long process and thanks to those involved for their patience, and to all the people that fed into our consultation. Special thanks to Jo from Inspiralba and for all the letters of support.

Given Islay is now part of the Carbon Neutral Islands project, we will be better placed as a community to deliver on some of the upcoming initiatives and pairing this project with Cornabus Forest will really help us fast track replanting and crofting initiatives - details to follow!

Look out for our community events on how you can help shape this project going forward coming up early in the new year.