In this issue:
What's new?
Support funding for your council services
The council’s budget situation is once again extremely challenging with an estimated £15 million budget gap forecast. This means that the council will have very difficult decisions to make when it sets its budget in February next year.
We are inviting you to join us in campaigning for fair funding for your council services.
How?
We work with CoSLA (the Convention for Scottish Local Authorities) to raise the case for funding with the Scottish Government (SG). CoSLA negotiates with the SG about the funding settlement for councils.
Normally we find out how much Argyll and Bute is getting for its services towards the end of the year. This year it will be later, not until early 2026.
Join us in standing up for funding for Argyll and Bute – if you would like to support funding for your council services, say yes to fair funding – Budget planning 2026 | Argyll and Bute Council
We will report your support and comments to CoSLA as part of our campaigning. Thank you.
Coming up
Help shape a great place to work – one week to go
We’ve had a great response to our employee experience survey so far, asking you about what’s working well and what could be better at work.
The survey is open until 7 November so there’s still time to share your thoughts on key themes including leadership, training, flexible working and career development.
Your feedback will help develop key actions to enable change and improvements. The survey is anonymous and only takes a few minutes to complete.
Christmas e-card competition
With Christmas not too far away now, I’m launching my annual competition to find the perfect photo to use for my official Christmas e-card.
It’s open to colleagues, friends, and families with two chances to win as the Leader will also choose one for his official card. The only criteria is that you need to have taken the photograph in Argyll and Bute. As a token of thanks, I’ll fund a prize for the winners. Please send your entries to chief.executive@argyll-bute.gov.uk by Monday 1 December.
For inspiration, here’s the winning image from last year by Alison MacGillivray.
Good luck, I’m looking forward to seeing your entries.
Pippa
Pippa Milne
Chief Executive
Careers Week 10-14 November
Look out for more details in November about developing your career with the council. We’ll highlight what help and training is available for you to take the next steps.
Congratulations
Happy retirement
Our Kilcreggan Pier Master, Gavin Walker is retiring on Friday 24th November after 43 years’ service.
His family has a long history with Kilcreggan Pier as his father was the Pier Master from 1964 to 1982.
Wishing you a very happy retirement Gavin. Thanks for all your hard work over the years.
From Campbeltown to Everest
Two members of the Campbeltown Harbour team recently completed a trek to Everest Base Camp. Father and son, Stephen Scally, Harbourmaster and Greg Scally, Pier Operative share their fantastic experience. Congratulations, what an amazing achievement!
The trek starts from Ramechhap Airport, Nepal and then we flew into Lukla which is 2,860 metres above sea level. That’s where we started our epic journey before heading to Phakding for an overnight stay.
From there, we headed on to Namche Bazaar, a small town that serves as the main hub for trekkers heading to Mount Everest. It was a hard incline hike over the famous Hillary Bridge up into Namche where we stayed for two night to get acclimatised. That’s where we got our first glimpse of Everest on the high viewpoint. It was very emotional to see it for the first time.
Then it was off to Tengboche, a small village. We made good time so got a tour of the monastery there and got blessed by the monks to help us and keep us safe to base camp.
Congratulations to all employees and teams nominated by colleagues and members of the public through AB Recognition in appreciation of the fantastic work delivered during the last quarter.
Here are a few highlights from July to September:
- Gritting a dangerously ice-covered 15km road, working in extreme conditions to ensure the safety of road users and residents.
- Hosting a MacMillan Cancer Support coffee morning at the Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre café which raised £762.50
- Outstanding dedication and commitment to pupils during yearly school shows and trips, often beyond school hours.
Based on the feedback received during our review, we are improving AB Recognition by:
- Simplifying the language on the external nomination website page.
- Seeking consent from individuals making external nominations, so recipients are aware of who nominated them.
Please help us spread and word and promote the AB Recognition programme so we can continue to celebrate those who do a great job.
Out and about
Celebrating CARS
At the end of September, Fergus Murray, Head of Development and Economic Growth, attended a celebration of the Lochgilphead CARS event where it was great to meet lots of colleagues as well as funding partners, building owners and members of the community who all took part in the project.
The Lochgilphead CARS is an ambitious £2.3 million heritage-led project, jointly funded by the Council and Historic Environment Scotland (HES), along with contributions from building owners. The project has helped to revitalise the town’s historic buildings while promoting traditional skills and involving the community.
As well as giving a short speech of appreciation with Councillor Armour and a representative of Historic Environment Scotland, it was a great opportunity to try a range of traditional crafts under the guidance of local contractors, including roof slating, joinery, and stonemasonry.
A fantastic event for a special project in Lochgilphead.
Pippa’s Visit with Joe Griffin
Pippa met Joe Griffin, the Permanent Secretary, during his two day visit to Argyll and Bute. Together, they toured Oban, including a visit to Oban and Lorn Hospital, and travelled to the Isle of Luing, where the Community Trust shared their exciting plans to reopen slate quarrying on the island, an initiative that promises to create new jobs and revenue to Luing, while also supplying the building industry with much needed island slate.
Hear to Here Islay
As part of the Hear to Here You programme, Pippa visited Islay alongside the Leader. During the visit, we met Natasha, a member of the team at the Mactaggart Youth and Community Outreach Service. She shared the fantastic work being done to support the physical and mental wellbeing of young people, families, and the wider community both in Port Ellen and across the island.
Connect for Success
Being data and evidence driven
We don’t always think about it but we all rely on data to do our jobs… how many children are in a school, how many people are attending an event, what day of the week are people most likely to use a particular service. Gathering data and understanding what it means is crucial to making decisions, forming conclusions, or taking actions that ensure we are delivering what’s needed.
As an employer, your age, marital status, ethnicity and disability are just some of the pieces of equality data that we need to ensure we are a fair and inclusive workplace. If we have this information then we can make sure the policies and procedures we have are fit for purpose.
Please take a few minutes to login in to Itrent/HROnline and check that your equalities information has been completed. Simply click on ‘personal details’. If you need help you can find out how to update your details here: How to update your Personal Details in iTrent – My Council Works
And don’t forget, if you would like to learn more about how you work with data there are resources available:
Online course: Using data to tell a story (via LEON).
The Data Hub (via the Hub) which gives you access to useful data relating to the Argyll and Bute economy, cost of living, demography, and the most recent population census.
Newsflashes from October
Climate friendly
The Spare Share – office items noticeboard
Do you have office chairs that are gathering dust? Maybe you need a new mouse?
The Spare Share is our noticeboard where you can check to see if any office items are available from colleagues before ordering new.
Whether you’re looking to pass on a used desk, donate some spare stationery, or find a keyboard for homeworking, our new swap and exchange service can help. As we all look to do our bit to create a climate friendly Argyll and Bute, it’s a great way to keep useful items in circulation and out of landfill.
Reduce, reuse and recycle where you can by checking any surplus items you have and add them to the Spare Share.
Examples of what you can post
- Office furniture (desks, chairs, shelves)
- Tech equipment (keyboards, mice)
- Office supplies (notebooks, pens)
Please note – we ask you to use any items for the office/homeworking and not for personal use.
Win £750 of energy saving appliances
Our Home Energy Efficiency Team work closely with Home Energy Scotland who provide free advice and support to householders offering support to help stay warm and make the best use of energy and save money on energy bills.
They are running a quiz with the chance for you to win £750 of energy saving appliances for your home. All you need to do is answer four energy advice questions and enter your details. Good luck!
Good to know
Did you know that Argyll and Bute has 28 inhabited islands?
These include: Bute, Coll, Colonsay, Easdale, Eilean Buidhe, Eilean dà Mhèinn, Eilean Loain, Eriska, Erraid, Gometra, Inchtavannach, Innis Chonain, Iona, Islay, Isle of Danna, Isle of Gigha, Isle of Mull, Jura, Kerrera, Lismore, Luing, Oronsay, Rubha Fiola, Rubha nan Gall, Seil, Shuna, Tiree, Ulva.
Argyll and Bute’s inhabited islands had, at the time of the 2022 Census (the most recent census count), a total population of 15,055. This equated to 17.5% of the total population for Argyll and Bute.
In the 2022 Census, an island was considered inhabited if it had an active postcode—meaning mail was delivered there.
Census counts happen as a rule every 10 years. Between the 2011 Census and the 2022 Census, some islands have experienced a reduction in population size, but some islands have seen an increase, including Mull, Jura, Kerrera, Gigha, Seil and Tiree.
Understanding these trends helps inform planning and delivery of council services , ensuring that the unique needs of island residents are recognised and addressed. The Census data, provides valuable insight into how our island populations are changing over time.
For more info contact Aileen Cameron, Research and Insight Officer
Stay well this winter
As the nights grow longer and the chill sets in, it’s the perfect time to focus on keeping well this winter – physically, mentally, and socially.
For some, winter can be a challenging time, here are some simple ideas from the Wellbeing Team to help you stay warm, active, and feel connected.
Stay warm and connected
- Virtual hot drink meetups – grab a cuppa and join a relaxed online catch-up with colleagues – no agenda, just good craic.
- Winter buddy system – pair up with a colleague for weekly wellbeing check-ins or shared goals to keep each other motivated.
Move More, Feel Better
- Step into winter challenge – whether it’s walking, dancing, or stretching – track your movement and celebrate progress.
- Stretch and breathe breaks – take a few minutes to reset with desk-friendly stretches or breathing exercises.
- Winter walks challenge – (weather permitting): Enjoy short walks outdoors or around the building to boost energy and mood.
Support Your Mental Health
- Boost your mood with light – if you have access to a light therapy lamp, take a few minutes to soak up some brightness – it can help lift your spirits and support your Vitamin D levels during the darker months.
- Mental health resources – keep an eye out for regular updates with links to support services, wellbeing apps, and helplines.
And remember all employees have access to the help@hand app. This free service offers confidential health and wellbeing support to you and all eligible family members.