Table of Contents
Chief Executive's Update
I’ve clocked up 39 years of working for the old Argyll and Bute District Council and our Council, and while I can’t say every minute has been pure joy, I can honestly say that the good times have far outweighed the bad.
Like all areas though, Argyll and Bute comes with its challenges. While working for the council can be really rewarding, it can also at times be difficult in a number of different ways.
We see, and appreciate, how hard our employees work. As part of doing all we can to support you, we have introduced a new Employee Benefits Scheme. It covers physical, mental and financial wellbeing. If you haven’t already, please look into how it could help you.
It’s still summer, and the sun will, hopefully, come back, so I hope you take time to enjoy all the benefits of Argyll and Bute.
Have fun.
Douglas Hendry
Executive Director
New Employee Benefits Scheme
As part of overall improvements to our terms and conditions, we have a new Employee Benefit Scheme offering a range of savings designed to help your physical, financial and mental wellbeing.
We are delivering the scheme in partnership with Vivup, a company who work with a number of councils delivering similar schemes.
You’ll find a whole host of offers. They include:
- Home and Electronics – help spread the cost of a huge range of technology and home appliances
- Bike Shop – bike savings for the whole family
- Travel and Leisure – access a wide range of holidays and spread the cost via salary with no deposit required
- Gym Membership – get healthy and spread the cost at a choice of over 3,000 gyms
- Lifestyle Savings – access a huge range of discounts including technology, fashion, supermarkets, travel and much more.
Register for the Employee Benefits Scheme argyllbute.vivup.co.uk
Covid restrictions and council buildings
Being at level 0 (as Scotland now is) means, among other things, that public buildings can re-open for use, but that we should continue to work from home where possible.
This brings change for some employees; it means that things stay the same for others.
Essential face to face activities like weddings, social care interventions and birth registrations continue to take place in our offices.
Our Customer Service Points are opening to an extent again from Monday 2nd. Opening hours will be limited and all the digital service options that people have been using throughout lockdown are still available via our website, and will be promoted as the first option for customers.
Covid-safe measures have to be in place of course for all this to happen.
At the same time though, working from home continues where possible. Offices are not re-opening for general use. If you need to use an office, please contact your manager and the building’s site premises manager in advance.
Work on developing long-term home/office arrangements is happening through the Our Modern Workspace group and we’ll keep you-up-date with progress. If you have any questions about this you are welcome to contact us at workingtogether@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Jane Fowler, Head of Customer Support Services
Jobs – attracting the people we need
Pictures paint a thousand words as they say. They also attract interest and help our vacancies stand out from the crowd.
We promote council jobs in different ways, and find that a great photo makes all the difference in attracting attention and interest.
To help beat competition from other areas for the people and skills we need here, we highlight what people can get here that they can’t easily elsewhere – a fantastic outdoor lifestyle, close to the amenities of the central belt.
As an example, here’s a photo we used, courtesy of Communication Officer Aileen Maclennan, and an example of the positive response to it.
If you have any photos that showcase Argyll and Bute as a great place to live and work, and that you’d be happy for us to use, we’d love to hear from you: workingtogether@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Thanks.
The Communications Team
Summer – have fun, stay safe
Summer can bring lots to enjoy. To help you enjoy it safely, here’s a round up of links to some useful information. 
Covid-safe:
- In Scotland face masks are still needed in some public places, even if you’ve been vaccinated. For exemptions see here: https://bit.ly/3BGc2FR
- Tests: 1 in 3 people with coronavirus don’t show any symptoms. Find out how to get tested if you have symptoms or if you don’t: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/coronavirus/how-to-get-tested
- If you haven’t had a vaccine yet phone 0800 030 8013.
Water safe
If you’re planning to enjoy the waters around Argyll and Bute, you can find tips on swimming safely here: https://bit.ly/3iEQMrh
If you get into difficulty, advice from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is to stay calm, extend arms and legs and float on your back, and shout for help: Your Safety | SFRS (firescotland.gov.uk)
And watch out for swimmer’s itch. Drying off when you come out of the water helps reduce the risk. Find out more here – https://bit.ly/3zFfw9U – and please let Environmental Health know if you get it – https://bit.ly/3i75B76
Nature safe:
Hot weather can bring potentially hazardous blue-green algae in lochs and rivers. For information on what to look out for, and keep children and pets away from, please see here: https://bit.ly/3i2mEaj
For Kids’ Sake
The For Kids’ Sake campaign highlights that we can all do something to help a child at risk. 
With covid restrictions lifting, we may be spending time with children we saw little of during lockdown.
It’s now therefore that we might notice that something is wrong.
The message is that not to ignore signs that something is wrong.
Get help and support by contacting Argyll and Bute’s social work department on 01546 605517. Or, if you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police right away.
For more information about the campaign see For kids’ sake… Child Protection campaign urges everyone to be alert for signs of abuse or neglect (argyll-bute.gov.uk)
Recipe for Success at Oban Beach Café
Our award-winning catering service recently won the contract to take over the running of the Beach Café at the Scottish Association For Marine Science (SAMS) building in Oban.
The team have worked really hard to open the café and it’s already a busy place welcoming locals and students along with staff and tourists.
We’re offering a wide range of freshly prepared meals and snacks using locally sourced produce so next time you’re passing, please pop by for a bite to eat.
A big thanks to the team for all your hard work.
Andrea Harris
Service Manager (West)
Catering and Cleaning
Get in touch
We would love to hear from you. If you would like to include an article or say congratulations please email workingtogether@argyll-bute.gov.uk