In this issue:
What's new?
The Way We Work Together
This month, we launched “The Way We Work Together” – a set of shared statements that describe the culture we want to build across Argyll and Bute Council.
The statements focus on how we work day-to-day – how we treat each other, how we support our colleagues, and how we work together to deliver for our communities.
They are simple but important, and reflect what good teamwork looks like across the council:
- being proud of the difference we make
- listening to each other and making space for different views
- valuing the contribution of colleagues
- understanding our roles and how they fit together
- creating a culture of trust
- supporting each other through change
Over time, you will see these statements reflected in different parts of working life at the council including recruitment, onboarding for new employees, learning and development, Quality Conversations and AB Recognition.
The recently launched Communication Skills toolkit, which will help you feel more confident and prepared when having conversations and discussions about the Way We Work Together, is available on LEON.
Find out more about the Way We Work Together and read the full details here:
The Way We Work Together – My Council Works
Take a few minutes to explore the page and reflect on what these statements mean for you and your team.
New recruitment process coming soon
Following feedback from managers, we have developed a new recruitment process to make recruiting easier, more consistent and fully supported by our recruitment system across the Council.
The first phase starts on 17 August for recruiting managers who deal with the process directly themselves rather than Admin support teams, and to recruit applicants who do not require PVG checks. This will not include the following teams:
- Education
- HSCP
- Catering and Cleaning
- Roads and Amenities
Full rollout for everyone is expected from mid-November.
The new approach includes moving from Talentlink to using HROnline, improved templates, clearer shortlisting, weighted scoring, structured interviews and step-by-step guidance. Training, learning resources and an online toolkit will also be available to support managers.
If you’re a recruiting manager, please visit the webpage for full details, key dates and what you need to do New recruitment process launching soon – My Council Works
Get answers quickly
Our new AI -powered FAQ bot, available directly within a new Teams app, offers a smart, conversational way for you to quickly get answers to common council related questions.
The ‘brain’ of this bot is the entire content of our corporate website. So instead of searching through documents or web pages waiting for responses, colleagues can simply ask questions and receive clear, instant replies – just like chatting with a knowledgeable team member.
The bot understands context, can guide users to relevant information or resources, and is available 24/7, making it a convenient and efficient support tool for day-to-day queries about things across the council.
Instructions on how to download the App to your Teams page Can be found on MyCouncilWorks (under the Humley AI tab).
Give it a go. If you think we could develop a similar app for use by your team that uses your team specific data as its knowledgebase, get in touch with Lorne MacBrayne.
Don’t miss out
If you have offline staff who don’t require access to our email network but would like to stay up to date with news and opportunities, they can receive information directly to their inbox with our weekly ‘in case you missed’ email subscription service.
All they need is a personal email address.
Simply ask them to email the communications team workingtogether@argyll-bute.gov.uk with the subject ‘email subscription’ plus their name and let us know they’d like to be added. We’ll then check the details and add them to our subscription service.
Coming up
Young person’s travel card
Don’t forget that all young people under 22 can access free bus travel on registered bus services across Scotland. Perfect for the summer holidays and meeting up with friends.
You can find details on how to apply for a National Entitlement Card on our website.
Lochgilphead Family Day
Look out for the Lochgilphead Family Fun Day on Saturday 18 July, 10am – 4pm on the Front Green. Lots of fun for all the family including:
Fun fair
Street food
Artisan market
Children’s activities
Family entertainment
Licenced bar
Our events team hope to see you there.
If you or someone you know would like to have a stall on the day selling handmade producest, crafts, gifts or food etc, please get in touch with Carianne De Koning at Carianne.DeKoning@argyll-bute.gov.uk
Congratulations
Congratulations
Colleagues in our Asset Management and Amenities teams have picked up a national award, recognising their hard work to improve services, strengthen training and make better use of technology for our communities.
They were awarded a Bronze Striving for Excellence Award by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) at its recent conference in Aviemore.
This award is open to all 32 Scottish councils, so it’s a great indicator of how we’re performing alongside others across the country.
The teams impressed judges by showing how they’re working more collaboratively and efficiently, as well as making smart use of technology to streamline processes. They’ve also been enhancing staff training and making sure colleagues on the ground have the tools, information and skills they need to do their jobs well.
Well done to everyone involved!
Schools out for summer
As schools break up for the summer, Councillor Kieron Green, Policy Lead for Education has paid tribute to teachers, support staff, and early years practitioners for all your hard work in making a real difference every day in helping our young people succeed.
Read more on our website
Out and about
A piece of Helensburgh’s history has been given a new lease of life.
Following a surplus of funding from the CHORD programme, a carefully preserved model of the iconic PS Comet has been set in resin and added to the town’s outdoor museum. To ensure it remains protected from the elements, the installation is currently on display at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre, where it was recently visited by Ross McLauglin, David Logan and Douglas Hendry.
The Comet holds a special place in Helensburgh’s story. Built for Henry Bell, the town’s first Provost, it was the world’s first commercially successful steamship to operate passenger services on the Clyde. Its impact was transformative—revolutionising travel and trade, and helping to establish Helensburgh as a thriving seaside resort and gateway town.
Ross and Douglas also visited Taynuilt Primary School recently to see how investment in Climate Change improvements is making a difference including solar panels and low energy lighting.
Pictured left to right: Head of Commercial Services, Ross McLaughlin, Headteacher Berni McMillan, Councillors Luna Martin and Ross Moreland and Executive Director Douglas Hendry.
Training opportunities and useful resources
LEON mandatory training report for managers – video guidance
This short video guidance will show managers how to generate reports in LEON to track their teams mandatory training completion.
Did you know we have a range of podcasts on LEON – from managing your workload to menopause at work, powerful AI prompts and lots more.
Become a Digital Champion
“What I enjoy most about being a Digital Champion is supporting colleagues to build confidence with digital tools. I really value the opportunity to share knowledge, solve problems, and help others work more efficiently.”
Want to build your M365 skills and make a real difference to your team? Why not join the Digital Champions Programme?
You could be the go-to person your colleagues turn to for M365 help sharing tips and knowledge that make everyday tasks easier. Help others feel more confident using M365 tools.
What you’ll gain
- Monthly M365 1 hour training on the latest tools and features
- Request topics you want to learn or that support your team’s work
- Practical M365 skills to work faster and more efficiently
Recent sessions have covered:
- SharePoint and MS Teams integration
- SharePoint lists and Power Apps
- Teams meeting transcriptions
- Annotate live in Teams
- Coming next: Planner Agent
To sign up ask your line manager for approval, then submit a request to the HROD Helpdesk: Contact HR – My Council Works
Things to do
Summer of Sport
With school holidays coming up, find out how you can enjoy a summer of sport in your local area. From fully funded soft play to free swimming and low-cost activities, find out what’s on offer for under 18s and families.
What’s on in Argyll and Bute
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
12th – 19th July 2026
The Clipper Race fleet will once again sail into Oban in the summer of 2026. Cheer on the Scotland Yacht crew and celebrate by taking part in the Festival of the Sea. https://www.oban.org.uk/clipper-race-26/
Taste Dunoon – Food and Drink Festival
25th & 26th July 2026
https://www.dunoonpresents.co.uk/event/taste-dunoon-food-drink-festival/
Plus
- Tiree Music Festival (July)
- Inveraray Highland Games (July)
- Sound of Iona Music Festival (July)
- Loch Lomond Summer Fest (July)
- Southend Highland Games, Kintyre (July)
- Taynuilt Highland Games, Nr. Oban (July)
- Mull Highland Games (July)
- Bute Highland Games (August)
- Mull of Kintyre Music Festival (MOKFest) (August)
- Mid Argyll Show (August)
- Doon the Watter Revival Music Festival, Dunoon (August)
- West Highland Yachting Week (August)
- Bute Noir (August)
- Cowal Highland Gathering (August)
- The Argyllshire Gathering / Oban Games (August)
Free walking and cycling guides
If you’re looking for a free activity over the Summer holidays for the whole family, why not download our free active travel apps. They include walking and cycling routes across key locations in Argyll and Bute. They include:
For more information including how to download the apps, visit our website Active Travel | Argyll and Bute Council
