Dear Sir/Madam

Scottish Government have published an on line consultation, to help inform the development of a new Aviation Strategy for Scotland. The following is a link to the document: Discussion document to inform the development of an Aviation Strategy (transport.gov.scot) https://www.transport.gov.scot/publication/disability-and-transport-findings-from-the-scottish-household-survey-1/

The discussion document will be used as the basis for consultation with the aviation sector, business, tourism and local communities. These discussions, alongside the responses to the online public consultation, will inform the future development of Scottish Government's Aviation Strategy.

Argyll and Bute Council currently subsidises air services to Coll, Colonsay and Tiree at a cost of £2.05M over a contract period of 4 years. A commercial air service is also operated to Islay on the back of the Public Service Obligation contract. Argyll and Bute Council also own and operate three airports Oban, Coll and Tiree at an annual cost of £700k. Council Officers are at present drafting a response to the consultation around the following key points:-

• Aviation forms a crucial, often lifeline, element of the transport network in many parts of the Argyll and Bute area. From the transfer of school pupils in Colonsay and Coll to the transfer of patients and medical staff from all the islands and the most remote parts of the mainland to and from the acute hospitals within the central belt.
• Ensuring that aviation policy prioritises support for those islands and regions where surface (sea or land) transport does not offer a competitive alternative to air links.
• Ensuring that the Scottish Government uses this welcome review of the governance and support of air services to consider alternative structures and funding mechanisms that can best deliver improved affordable connectivity. As the consultation highlights, we have a national operation model where 4 different bodies - Argyll and Bute Council, Orkney Council, Sheltand Council and HIAL/Transport Scotland - support airports and Public Service Obligation air services, whereas a more coordinated and cohesive approach may realise reduced running costs (procurement, advertising, training, bundling of routes etc).

The consultation document sets out a number of questions, (extracted and enclosed with this email as a word document for ease), and the deadline for responses is the 21 January 2022. We have not been contacted directly regarding the consultation and it has been unfortunately poorly advertised. The following was posted on Transport Scotland Facebook 19th October:-

"Following the launch of the Scottish Government Aviation Strategy consultation, Transport Scotland will be visiting a number of airports to help more people have their say. Visits will take place on the following dates:
Kirkwall (Thursday 28 October)
Sumburgh (Friday 29 October)
Stornoway (Monday 1 November)
Barra (Wednesday 3 November)
Dundee (Friday 5 November)
Inverness (Tuesday 9 November)
Wick Assembly Rooms (Wednesday 10 November)
Benbecula (Friday 12 November)
Campbeltown (Monday 15 November)
Islay (Tuesday 16 November)
Tiree (Wednesday 17 November)"

We are sending a notification of this public consultation out to interested stakeholders and Community Councils, to raise awareness, and also to advise your Community Council can also send any comments or issues they would like to raise to Council officers (myself and Iain MacInnes), and we can include these within the Council's official response.

Please just me know if you have anything you would wish included within the Council response and I would be grateful if you could assist in raising awareness of this important consultation.

Best regards
Moya
Moya Ingram CEng MICE
Strategic Transportation and Infrastructure Manager
Development and Infrastructure Services
Argyll and Bute Council
Whitegates Office
Lochgilphead
PA30 8SY
Tel: 01546 604 190

Dear Julian,

Kirsty and I had a 2nd Team meeting on Friday December with SSEN and partners working on the new power cable.  This meeting was purely about the proposed oral history project but they did mention that the actual work is scheduled to begin with the laying of the cable in mid Feb 2022.

Please can you pass the attached information on for information and action to CCC members.  Plus, can it be posted on the CCC website as well so that it goes out into the community?

Kind regards,
Jane.

Storm damage : 18:00 hrs, 7th December 2021

Due to an uprooted tree leaning on the 11kV electricity lines near Arinagour, the power to the north end of Arinagour has been switched off. Engineers will have to get to Coll before removal can be safely attempted and the power will remain off until this is done. Engineers are expected to arrive early tomorrow afternoon (8th Dec).

The affected are those north and west of the cenotaph, within Arinagour. This includes The Surgery, The Hotel, An Cridhe, Fire Station, The Water Works and Petrol Pumps.

Outside the village, beyond the Water Works and beyond The Surgery, properties remain ON, as is the main section of the village and Calmac Pier.

Coll Community Council will be facilitating the community to join public meetings on-line via Microsoft Teams.
This commences with the AGM on 28th December 2021.

Microsoft Teams has been chosen as it is the most confidential and secure option available to the Community Council.
To join in on-line, there is a need for you to register your interest. Once you have signed up showing your interest, an email will be sent to you prior to the meeting. It will show the link you need to click to join the meeting.

More information can be found here

To register your interest, please sign up here

The new housing measures [for birds], which will come into force on Monday 29 November, mean that it will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the UK to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of and eradicate the disease.

Click the link for full retails

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership is delighted to be holding its first ever digital online community consultation on our next three year Strategic Plan.  This Plan outlines the HSCP's vision and values and details how health and social care resources are governed, allocated and operationally managed.

We really want to hear from our local communities and empower the people of Argyll and Bute to have their own voices heard, their experiences valued and to tell us what they would like included in the Plan.

We have arranged an online webinar event for the 25 November at 3pm-4pm which will be led by Fiona Davies (Interim Chief Officer) and Caroline Cherry (Head of Adult Services, Older Adults and Community Hospitals). This will include a short presentation and also an opportunity for the public to ask questions and suggest ideas.

If you cannot make the webinar, it will be available up to the 9th December for viewing and comments and questions can still be posted
online via 'Slido' digital community listening tool. We also have an online community consultation survey for more detailed feedback.

To access all the links  click https://www.bit.ly/ABStrategicPlan

Please see the poster attached for further details and if you would like to request a print-ready version of the poster, please contact Emma @ emma.mason7@nhs.scot for a high resolution version.

Kind Regards,
Kristin Gillies Senior Service Planning Manager
Alison Ryan Service Planning Manager
Many Thanks
Emma Mason
Planning Department Secretary
Campbeltown Hospital
Ralston Road
Campbeltown
PA28 6LE 

HI Julian,

I have been notified of an incidence of Blue Green Algae on the North East edge of Loch Duin on Coll, I am sure you will already be aware but wanted to let the Community Council know in case they are able to post any notices to warn people as appropriate. It is relatively late in the season for the blooms however he warm temperatures appear to have led to later than usual occurrences according to SEPA who monitor these blooms and notify ourselves as appropriate.

If you need more information please let me know, in addition the following is a good source of information and also allows users to log
potential  sightings

Bloomin' Algae | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (ceh.ac.uk) https://www.ceh.ac.uk/our-science/projects/bloomin-algae

Kind regards

Jacqui Middleton

EHO - Public Health and Housing
Argyll and Bute Council
Kilmory
Lochgilphead
PA31 8RT

Please see below latest Press Release -
 Free Sleepio & Daylight Cognitive Behaviour Apps available to everyone
https://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/News/Pages/FreeSleepioDaylightCognitiveBehaviourAppsavailabletoeveryone.aspx

Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) is pleased to announce free access to Sleepio and Daylight
https://go.bighealth.com/en-gb/nhs-staff#:~:text=Free%20access%20to%20Sleepio%20and,staff%20returning%20to%20the%20workforce
Cognitive Therapy Behaviour Apps for all NHS staff and members of the public.

THE HSCP recognise that anxiety and poor sleep are long standing problems for many people,  it is important to look after your own mental health and wellbeing.  People struggling with poor sleep, insomnia or anxiety are being encouraged to take advantage of the online CBT programmes. Both programmes are available to compliment other digital cognitive behaviour therapies (CBT) available and provided free in Argyll and Bute.

Sleepio and Daylight Apps are NHS accredited programmes provided by company Big Health, co-founded by Oxford University sleep expert Professor Colin Espie. The online resources allow people to access CBT therapies in the comfort of their own home and time.

Nicola Gilliespie, Head of Mental health Service said: “We are really pleased to be adding Sleepio and Daylight to our programme of digital therapies.

“Difficulties with sleep and anxiety can have a negative impact on many aspects of peoples health and wellbeing. The programmes are early intervention programmes to help teach people to learn and develop self-management coping skills, to help prevent the symptoms from getting worse, and the need for professional services.

Accessing support through Daylight or Sleepio for Wellbeing click here
https://go.bighealth.com/en-gb/nhs-staff#:~:text=FreeaccesstoSleepioand,staffreturningtotheworkforce 
-
 Elaine Booth

 Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership

 Communications Officer
 Victoria Integrated Care Centre
 Helensburgh
 T. 07973740014

 For out-of-hours press enquiries please contact the Raigmore
switchboard on 01463 704000 and ask for the duty communications manager 

Dear Sir/Madam,

MARINE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2010, PART 4 MARINE LICENSING

00009500 - Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc - Cable Replacement - Port Langamull, Mull to Sorisdale Bay, Coll

The Licensing Officer for this case is David Hutchison

A marine licence has been requested under the above Act to deposit a cable between Mull and Coll at a location below the level of Mean High Water Springs.  Licence application details 00009500 - Cable Replacement - Port Langamull, Mull to Sorisdale Bay, Coll - Marine Licence | Marine Scotland Information 
https://marine.gov.scot/ml/00009500-cable-replacement-port-langamull-mull-sorisdale-bay-coll-marine-licence

Should you have any comments on these proposals, I would be grateful if they could be forwarded to me in an electronic format
(MS.MarineLicensing@gov.scot) or as a hard copy within 21 days of the date of this email.

If you require an extension to the consultation period, please inform me in writing as soon as possible and within 21 days of this email.

If an extension request or a written reply to this consultation is not received within 21 days, it will be assumed that you are content with
the proposals.

Any licence that is subsequently issued for the proposed works will be made available on Marine Scotland Information at the address above.


Kind regards,

David

David Hutchison
Marine Licensing Casework Officer

Marine Scotland - Marine Planning & Policy

Scottish Government | Marine Scotland | 375 Victoria Road | Aberdeen |
AB11 9DB

Email:                  david.hutchison2@gov.scot
Website:             http://www.gov.scot/marinescotland

http://www.gov.scot/marinescotland

http://www.gov.scot/Topics/marine/Licensing/marine/MLFAQ

Please see link above for latest information on short term lets regulations with a final date for  consultation being 29th October 2021.

Dear Stakeholder,

Our water and waste water services support daily life for millions of
people across Scotland.

We want to listen to your views on our service, update you on our
performance and share our plans for the future.

Our Annual Consultative Meeting will be hosted online by our Chair, Dame
Susan Rice, DBE and Chief Executive, Douglas Millican.

Customers can register to receive a unique login and view this year's
update FROM 10AM ON WEDNESDAY 6 OCTOBER at WWW.SCOTTISHWATER.CO.UK/ACM
[1]

If you would like to ask our Senior Leadership Team a question, visit
our digital platform and complete the online form available no later
than Wednesday 20 October.

We will respond direct to all questions after this date and post key
themes on our website.

If you do not have access to our website, call our Customer Helpline on
0800 0778778 for assistance with an alternative format.

SW Public
 General


 Scottish Water

 www.scottishwater.co.uk

Good morning Community Councils, I am forwarding an email from The
Conservation Volunteers & OVO Energy offering free trees. Further
details can be found in the email below,

All the best for now,

Marina.

Marina Curran-Colthart,

Local Biodiversity Officer,

Argyll and Bute Council,

Minicipal Buildings,

Albany Street,

Oban.

PA34 4AW

FROM: The Conservation Volunteers & OVO Energy <idt@tcv.org.uk>
 SENT: 10 September 2021 15:00
 TO: Curran-Colthart, Marina <Marina.Curran-Colthart@argyll-bute.gov.uk>
 SUBJECT: TOGETHER we will plant over 2 MILLION TREES! ?

 [1]

 We CAN make a difference.

 Together we continue to smash our tree planting targets for climate,
wildlife and communities.

 But we have only just begun. This year we are going further than ever
before:
 2 MILLION TREES in the ground by the end of this tree planting season!

CLAIM YOUR FREE TREES NOW [2]

PLANTING BY NUMBERS – what we’ve all achieved so far...

 OVO Energy [3] members with carbon-cutting upgrades have pledged
another 600,000 carbon-busting trees for local green spaces – the most
trees pledged to date.

 Trees. They’re not just nice to look at. These wooden wonders
literally eat carbon out of the air, improving the air we breathe and
enhancing our local community green spaces for the benefit of people and
wildlife alike – that’s why we looove them!

CLAIM YOUR FREE TREES NOW [4]

MEET THE TREE PLANTERS...

 None of our fantastic achievements could happen without the help of YOU
- wonderful volunteers and communities coming together to make a real
difference.

 We have updated our webpage [5] with further insights as to where the
planting is happening and, as always, we'll endeavour to share your
fantastic events across our social media channels - just be sure to tag
us in your posts and use the #IDigTrees [6] hashtag!

Twitter [7] | Facebook [8] | Instagram [9] | LinkedIn [10]

 [11]

 [12]

CLAIM YOUR FREE TREES NOW [13]

 I Dig Trees with OVO Energy is now in its seventh year. This fantastic
partnership programme goes from strength to strength and is a great
opportunity for any community group or volunteer to join in, feel good
and make a real difference.

 As the old proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years
ago. The second-best time is now.”

 For climate. For wildlife. For communities – I Dig Trees [14]!

Best wishes,

 SARAH CLARKE
 TCV Senior Corporate Administrator 

Dear Argyll and Bute Community Councils,

You may already be aware of the various initiatives planned to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Communities and organisations across the area are getting involved in these projects and the Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, Mrs Jane MacLeod, would be delighted to hear about any activities that your community council may be considering or planning.

Below is some information about two of the Platinum Jubilee commemoration initiatives that may be of particular interest here in Argyll and Bute.

Queen’s Green Canopy – Plant a Tree for the Jubilee
The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is encouraging people, local groups, private companies and public organisations across the whole of the UK to get involved in ‘planting a tree for the Jubilee’.

The aim is to start planting trees during the planting season, October 2021 to March 2022. From October, all planting projects can be uploaded to an interactive, nationwide QGC map. Trees planted (whether individual or as part of wider woodlands) will, together, create a sustainable legacy for future generations, marking the Queen’s 70-year reign and service, as well as contributing to tackling climate change.  

You can find out more and sign up online at The Queen’s Green Canopy (queensgreencanopy.org)  - please remember to let the Lieutenancy know about your plans!

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons, Jubilee Weekend, 2nd to 5th June 2022
Some of you may well have organised commemorative beacons in previous years and will be well acquainted with the concept of a nationwide chain of beacons across the country. For the Platinum Jubilee, it is hoped that this will be a particularly popular and dramatic countrywide commemoration and for the first time there will also be beacons in each of the capital cities of the Commonwealth, joining those which will be lit in a wide range of locations across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories.

There are different types of beacons which can be used for this exciting commemoration project and local groups and organisations are encouraged to get involved. Here too there will be an interactive list as more and more communities sign up between now and Platinum Jubilee Weekend 2022.
If you are interested in organising a Platinum Jubilee Beacon in your community, please visit Queen’s+Platinum+Jubilee+Beacons+Guide+2021+08+09.pdf (squarespace.com) in the first instance for more information and to find out how to sign up. Again, please do let the Lord-Lieutenant know if you are hosting a beacon in your local area.

We do hope that you are able to consider some kind of commemoration in your local community – both projects offer opportunities for a wide range of people and organisations to get involved and to add vibrancy to community life.

If you are aware of any other local people or organisations who may be interested, please do let us know, or feel free to pass this information to them, again with the encouragement to keep in touch with the Lord-Lieutenant about their plans.

To highlight your activity to the Lord-Lieutenant, please contact lord-lieutenant@argyll-bute.gov.uk in the first instance – and any photographs of your endeavours are also always welcome.

With thanks for your kind attention, and best regards,  On behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, Mrs Jane MacLeod

Early Notice of a Coll Community Council by-election

Over the past three years, changes in several Community Council members personal circumstances has led to enough vacancies to trigger a by-election.

In general, a person is entitled to stand for election provided he or she has achieved 16 years of age on the day of election and is a Coll resident. The person must also have his or her name in the Coll electoral register for local government elections.

Pending a definite date for the beginning of the by-election process, we would urge every eligible resident to consider standing as a Community Councillor.

Proposed work on outfall at Arinagour Pier

MIDDLE PIER OUTFALL EXTENSION

THIS WORK SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON 6th  SEPTEMBER, HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF ESSENTIAL MATERIALS.

Good afternoon,

I'm getting in touch to make you aware of some forthcoming Scottish Water works for the Isle of Coll.

A £57,000 investment project to extend the existing outfall at Arinagour Pier is set to begin at the beginning of September (exact date
TBC) and will help improve the marine environment by taking effluent into deeper and faster flowing waters.

Corrie Construction will be carrying out the work on behalf of Scottish Water at the lowest tides in September and October (work will take place for 1 week during each month). A marine licence has been secured.

While we anticipate this project having very little impact on customers due to the location and timing of the work, there will be some localised construction traffic and noise. We will do all we can to keep any disruption to a minimum.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this work.

Many thanks and best wishes,

Laura

Laura Boyce
 Scottish Water
 Buchanan Gate Business Park,

Cumbernauld Road, Stepps,

Glasgow

G33 6FB

 Dear Secretary,

 I wonder if you would be able to help (or know someone who could)?

 My name is Peter Rivers and for the last year, myself, my wife and our
five-year-old daughter, have been living on Muck. We have really loved
living here and feel we have adapted well to island life, however; our
temporary accommodation is about to come to an end and there is no
immediate possibility of long-term accommodation becoming available any
time soon. So, I was wondering what the situation is on Coll with
regards to long-term property rentals?

 Do you know of anything to rent, or know anyone we could get in touch
with? Any help would be greatly appreciated as we are really keen to
stay in the Inner Hebrides if at all possible.

 Yours sincerely

 Peter Rivers

Population decline is a real threat to the sustainability of many, although not all, of Scotland’s island communities. During the consultation for the National Islands Plan, depopulation was the top priority issue identified by respondents...........

Please read more in the link above