In this issue:
What's new?
Have your say: 2026 Employee Experience Survey opens 31 August
The 2026 Employee Experience Survey opens on Monday 31 August and closes on Wednesday 30 September. This is your chance to tell us what it is like to work for Argyll and Bute Council, what works well and what could be better. The survey is open to all council employees, whatever their role, location or hours and includes those working in the Health and Social Care Partnership
The survey is online and should take about 10 minutes to complete. Please take some time to do it today.
This year’s survey builds on what you told us in the 2024 Employee Experience Survey and the shorter 2025 pulse survey. Your responses helped us understand what supports people at work, what can make work more challenging and where we can improve.
Your feedback from the 2024 Employee Experience Survey and 2025 Pulse Survey has helped shape action across the Council and influenced improvements in a number of key areas. To see what we’ve done in response to your feedback and the progress made so far, visit our “You said, we’re doing” update on My Council Works.
Your feedback, in the 2026 survey, will help us see what difference these actions are making and what we still need to do. We ask many of the same questions as previous surveys so we can compare results over time. This year’s survey includes new questions on current priorities including wellbeing, workload and awareness of the Way We Work Together approach.
We want to hear from all employees. Your answers are anonymous and won’t be used to identify you in any way. Every response helps us build a clearer picture of what it is like to work here and what action to take next.
Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey online between 31 August and 30 September. Your views matter and will help us keep improving the experience of working for Argyll and Bute Council.
Mental Health First Aiders – network and signposting information
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) service.
This new provision offers employees access to trained Mental Health First Aiders who can provide a confidential and supportive point of contact for those experiencing mental health concerns, emotional distress, or who may benefit from a listening ear and signposting to appropriate sources of support.
Find out more about the service and how to get in touch with your nearest MHFA.
Give your views
There are a number of live consultations open just now, giving you the chance to help shape decisions on a wide range of topics. Current consultations include housing, the Gaelic Language Plan, ferry infrastructure, the visitor levy scheme, Tobermory Campus, second homes and the Local Development Plan.
Your views can make a difference, so take a few minutes to get involved and have your say.
Visit our consultation page to find out more and take part.
Making it easier to find what you need
We’re improving how we store and access data and information as part of our ongoing digital transformation programme – making it quicker and easier for you to find what you need, when you need it.
The Information Management project is progressing and will be coming to you soon. We are working with teams to bring unstructured council information into one secure, searchable place. This involves moving shared drives to Microsoft 365, giving you better search tools, simpler access, and improved security.
Next steps
Our team are continuing to liaise with Heads of Service and managers to discuss workplans and a suitable time for your teams to start working with us.
Look out for more updates soon – and find out how you can support the project.
For any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact the Information Management Project team by emailing Information Management Project
Your right to join a trade union
The Council is committed to providing employees with clear information about their rights at work. We recognise the important role that trade unions play in representing employees and supporting positive employee relations.
Every worker has the legal right to:
- Join a trade union.
- Choose not to join a trade union.
- Leave a trade union at any time.
- Take part in lawful trade union activities.
Employees are protected by law from being treated unfairly or disadvantaged because they are a member of a trade union, because they are not a member of a trade union, or because they take part in lawful trade union activities.
Find out more about what trade unions do, who local representatives are and how to join.
Coming up
Time is running out if you’d like to join in a UK-wide research study exploring how employees can make small, positive changes to the way they work to improve wellbeing, engagement and job satisfaction.
The study, led by the University of Strathclyde, focuses on “job crafting” – helping employees identify practical adjustments to their work, relationships and ways of working that can make their role more manageable, enjoyable and rewarding. The findings will help researchers better understand how workplaces can support employee wellbeing and help employees thrive at work.
It’s open to Argyll and Bute Council employees.
Applications close on 4 September 2026, so to find out more about the workshops involved, and sign up to be part of the project, head over to MyCouncilWorks.
Each participant will receive a £27.50 shopping voucher as a thank you.
Launching soon: New HROD Helpdesk User Portal
Keep an eye out over the coming months as we launch a new HROD Helpdesk User Portal for networked colleagues. This will make it quicker and easier to view your open and closed helpdesk tickets, add updates to existing tickets and submit new helpdesk requests.
Making better use of our Microsoft 365 licences
As part of our Microsoft 365 project, ICT is introducing a few changes to help us use licences more effectively and securely.
- Additional licences (such as Copilot, Planner, Power BI Pro or Visio) will be reviewed annually to confirm they are still needed.
- Agency worker accounts will be checked when contracts end and, once no longer required, accounts will be disabled and licences reassigned.
- Long-term absence: Accounts inactive for more than 90 days will be disabled for security reasons. Data and permissions will be retained, and managers should notify ICT at least seven days before a staff member returns by completing the relevant form on the ICT Self-Service Helpdesk: Self-Service Form
- Manager licence reviews: Over the coming weeks, managers will be asked to review Microsoft licences assigned to their teams to ensure staff have the right tools for their role.
These changes will help improve security, make better use of available licences, and ensure staff have access to the tools they need.
Congratulations
All hands on deck for Oban clipper event
When the clipper ships arrived in Oban, catering colleagues from across Argyll and Bute rolled up their sleeves and came together to serve more than 650 guests. Led by Sarah Jane Richer and Anne Moore, 16 members of staff worked side by side, with teams from nine schools, campuses, cafes and restaurants helping to prepare the food.
The menu was packed with fantastic local produce, including seafood from Luing, venison from Inveraray and Jura, and locally produced cheese and ice cream. The warm weather made keeping everything at the right temperature a little more challenging, but good planning and brilliant teamwork helped the day run smoothly, and guests had plenty of praise for the food.
Sarah Jane and Anne were especially proud of how everyone supported one another, particularly as many of the team had never worked together before. They’ve also shared recipes for two of the dishes served on the day: Irn-Bru glazed barbecue chicken and pulled wild venison burgers. If you give either of them a try, let us know how you get on!
Jim takes the lead in London
In July, Dogs Trust and the RSPCA brought together leaders from animal welfare, veterinary medicine, local government, policing and behaviour change at the ‘Shaping the Future of Dogs in Society Summit’ to champion their new Dog Ownership Guide (DOG).
Speaking at this event, in London, was Argyll and Bute Council’s own dog warden. Jim Ferguson was asked to contribute to the event to talk about dog control legislation in the UK.
As well as doing his own job, Jim is the chair of the National Association of Dog Wardens in Scotland and sits on the Scottish Government dog control data analysis subgroup, and the resource subgroup.
Prior to the event, he spent time running through his lines with BBC journalist, Victoria Derbyshire who was compering the event.
Jim said: “My presentation went well, and I was happy that it was well received. It’s always useful to meet legislators from other nations to share what works well across the country and learn from each other.”
Thank you for your service
This month we are celebrating four colleagues who have reached an incredible 115 years of service between them. This is a fantastic achievement and we would like to thank each of them for everything they have contributed over the years.
Linsay MacPhail is celebrating an amazing 40 years with the council. Linsay worked in several clerical roles before becoming a Service Point Officer in 2002, a role she has now held for 24 years. Julie McLellan, Senior Registrar and Customer Service Point Supervisor, who works alongside Linsay, said:
“Congratulations on reaching an amazing 40 years of service with the Council. Having worked alongside you for many of those years, we have shared many highs and lows. I know first-hand the dedication, experience and commitment you bring to your role. This is a fantastic achievement and a very special milestone. You should be very proud and enjoy celebrating this well-deserved occasion!”
Three colleagues are also marking 25 years of service. Sarah-Jane Martin has worked as a Childcare and Education Worker since 2001; Andrea Fisher has held a variety of roles, mainly supporting education as an ASN Support Assistant and Pupil Support Assistant; and Linda Macdonald has worked in administrative roles since 2008, having previously held a clerical post.
Angela McMullan, Business Support Officer, who works alongside Linda, said:
“Reaching 25 years of service is a remarkable achievement and one that Linda should be very proud of. Her commitment, experience and willingness to support others have been invaluable, and it has been a privilege to work alongside her. Congratulations and thank you for your outstanding contribution.”
Caroline Armour, Headteacher Dalintober Primary School and ELC, who works with Sarah Jane said:
“Sarah-Jane is a committed and nurturing practitioner and it is lovely to see her professionalism and devotion to Early Learning and Childcare be recognised, following the milestone of reaching 25 years of service. We have been especially lucky to have Sarah-Jane in post as Lead Childcare and Education Worker at Dalintober for just over 12 years. She has been pivotal in driving forward a number of improvements and leads our service with enthusiasm, warmth and integrity. Well done on your achievement and contribution to supporting Dalintober’s young people, Sarah-Jane!”
Congratulations to Linsay, Sarah-Jane, Andrea and Linda on reaching these brilliant milestones, and a huge thank you for your many years of hard work and dedication.
AB Recognition
We’re pleased to congratulate our employees and teams nominated in the last quarter. Colleagues and members of the public used AB Recognition to share their appreciation and highlight work that has made a positive difference. Your efforts do not go unnoticed and are greatly appreciated!
Here are a few highlights of the nominations received from April to June 2026. Here is a sample of the great feedback we received:
- Putting clients first during staff shortages, supporting colleagues and going above and beyond to meet the needs of the service and those it supports.
- Delivering outstanding customer service through a strong One Council approach by providing a welcoming, high‑quality canteen service that consistently goes above and beyond for customers and colleagues.
- Providing long‑term, supportive work for a child facing attendance challenges, helping the family move towards returning to the school environment.
- Improving and maintaining cemetery grounds, ensuring ancestral graves were clearly visible and respectfully cared for.
The Power of Recognition
One of the most rewarding aspects of AB Recognition is hearing directly from nominees about what being recognised means to them.
Karen Ramsay – Senior Clerical Assistant was nominated for covering multiple roles, providing high‑quality support and resolving complex issues communicating effectively, advising on outcomes and assisting other departments.
Please read below how Karen’s nomination impacted her wellbeing and confidence:
“I was both delighted and surprised to be nominated by my colleagues. This nomination came at a good time for me, as I had been struggling with how I’d been feeling about myself and was feeling quite robotic at times.
Receiving this nomination from colleagues outside of my team gave me a real boost and showed me that my work is being recognised across other teams within the council.”
Karen’s feedback is a powerful reminder that taking a few minutes to recognise a colleague can have a lasting impact, helping people feel valued, appreciated and connected.
Whether someone goes the extra mile, supports others, demonstrates our values, or makes a positive difference, every nomination matters.
Thank you to everyone who helps create a culture where colleagues feel seen, valued and appreciated.
Building conservation skills at the Avenue Screen
Colleagues from the Property Design Team recently took part in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session at Inveraray’s historic Avenue Screen (the Arches), helping to build specialist conservation knowledge and skills.
The session, organised by James Lafferty from the Transformation Projects and Regeneration Team, was delivered by project partners Nick Blair of ZM Architecture and stonemason Andrew Bradley. Six colleagues attended and learned about the surveys, investigations and repair works currently being undertaken to safeguard the structure, supported by Crown Estate funding.
The team also enjoyed a live demonstration of traditional lime mixing and harling techniques used in the conservation work.
Alison McBride, Property Design Manager, said: “The feedback was really positive. The expertise of everyone involved shone through, and the practical demonstration was a great opportunity to see traditional conservation skills in action.”
The session supported colleagues with existing conservation accreditation as well as those working towards it, while helping the Council develop in-house knowledge to support the future care of this important local landmark.
Training opportunities and useful resources
New LEON courses
A new Inclusive Recruitment e-learning course is now available on LEON to support the rollout of the new recruitment approach and is mandatory for all managers involved in recruitment.
Course: Inclusive Recruitment at Argyll and Bute Council: A Practical Guide for Recruiting Managers
There’s also a practical workshop webinar to help recruiting managers feel confident and clear about how to plan and conduct a successful selection interview –Course: Successful interview skills
Interested in learning Gaelic?
Try out the new LEON course Gaelic for beginners – continuing the journey
You’ll learn some conversational language about where you live, the weather, days, classroom phrases, discover Argyll and Bute place names and delve into the meanings behind them.
Can be completed even if you have not previously taken the LEON Gaelic Greetings and Introductions course.
Training webinar – AI for Minutes
This practical one-hour webinar explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support the minute-taking process.
During the session, you will learn:
- How AI can help… and where it does not
- The prompts that will get the best from AI in writing minutes
- How to use AI for everyday meetings that combine different types of discussion and don’t necessarily follow the agenda
- Where good supervision of AI is needed to ensure the minutes give the necessary information
To book onto this course to learn how AI can help you produce effective meeting minutes please follow this link – Course: AI for minute-taking webinar
Have you registered yet for The M365 Skills Hub?
The M365 Skills Hub is a free online learning resource available to Argyll and Bute Council. It helps you get more from Microsoft 365 with up-to-date training, learning modules, live and recorded sessions, feature updates every month, and access to support from a community of users.
Request access to the M365 Skills Hub
Note – you must have an Argyll and Bute email address and to verify your identity when accessing the M365 Skills Hub, have the Microsoft Authenticator app installed on your phone.
Once registered why not try out the Microsoft Teams Self-Assessment feature.
The Microsoft Teams Self-Assessment helps you explore key features across Chat, Calls, Teams, Channels, Meetings, Files and Settings.
- You’ll be asked whether you can complete specific tasks in each area.
- Based on your answers, you’ll receive a summary of your results along with recommended learning resources to help you build your skills.
- Use this self-assessment to identify gaps in your knowledge and focus on the training you need to use Teams effectively.
Spark: a smarter way to improve services together
Every council service relies on processes, from applications and licensing to education and customer support. Keeping these processes efficient is essential, especially as technology and legislation continue to evolve.
Spark is a simple, collaborative process-mapping tool that helps teams understand how services work today and identify opportunities for improvement. By bringing stakeholders together in one shared workspace, Spark makes it easier to map processes, explore better ways of working and measure the potential benefits, including cost savings.
How can Spark help?
Spark can be used across almost any council service to:
- Map and understand existing processes
- Identify delays, duplication and inefficiencies
- Design improved ways of working
- Support digital projects and system design
- Help new starters quickly understand a service
- Create a single, shared source of truth
Already used successfully across areas including licensing, applications, education and systems design, Spark is available to everyone, not just project teams or digital specialists.
Best of all, it’s free to use through our corporate licence. If you’re interested, get in touch with digitalservicesteam@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Newsflashes from August
Our next edition of Cascade will be in December. There will still be plenty of opportunity to share your news with colleagues by sharing it on www.mycouncilworks.co.uk.
If you have news you would like added to mycouncilworks.co.uk, please email the Comms Team at cascade@argyll-bute.gov.uk