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Did you know that the council deals with licences for a variety of things? From driving a taxi, busking and erecting scaffolding to selling alcohol, running a pet shop and window cleaning. Susan Mair is the council’s Legal Manager. Talking about taxi operator licences in �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute, she said: “Before anyone becomes a taxi driver there are a number of requirements that must be met. Our priority is to ensure that all these are in place before the applicat...ion is considered.

We've now entered week three of our A to Z of council services and what better way to start it than by paying tribute to our hardworking catering staff. Our primary schools menu is revised twice a year and is designed in consultation with the children through pupil focus groups. This helps to ensure they have a say in the menu choices and get an understanding of the importance of having a balanced diet.

�鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council’s gritter drivers cover a total of 1,430 miles of roads during the cold winter months in order to keep motorists safe using both ploughs and salt spreaders. The Council is responsible for in excess of 1400 miles of local roads in �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute with BEAR Scotland maintaining the trunk roads on behalf of Transport Scotland.

Did you know that our roads, communications and web teams work in partnership to provide you with the latest travel information for �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute? The council website has a dedicated section with links to a variety of sources which will tell you about any current/planned road works in the area, travel and weather disruptions, road closures, and links to the area’s road cameras to enable you to see current road conditions. This information is also posted on our Weathering the Storm Facebook page and service disruptions can be heard over the phone by dialling 01546 60404040.

  FareShare is a charity that works to ‘fight hunger and food waste’ by distributing food that would otherwise go to waste. It works in towns and cities across the UK. �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council, with the Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), is gathering information to help FareShare support organisations in �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute to distribute food.

What location on Bute best promotes the island as a great place to live and work? �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council is planning to commission photos to promote Bute and is asking local people for their views on which locations best represent the island. The photos form one element of the ‘Choose Bute, Love Bute’ campaign, due to be launched in August. The campaign is part of the council’s work to address �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute’s falling population, by showcasing the area as a great place to live and work.

Did you know that �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council’s website not only contains lots of useful information for residents, businesses and visitors; it also offers a huge range of online services that make connecting with the council quick and convenient. By logging on to the website you can now make secure online payments at any time of the day or night using the online “Pay It” service for:  Council Tax School meals Parking tickets

One of the key actions in our Local Housing Strategy is to bring empty properties in �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute back into use. With limited resources for new development, our Empty Homes Officer Kelly Ferns works hard to make the most effective use of existing stock. Not only does this help address housing need and demand, it also helps to regenerate and support sustainable communities. Kelly’s commitment and dedication to her work has seen her win an accolade of awards, most recently being named Outstanding Individual at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards.

Could you offer a child a home in a secure, loving environment? If so, �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council is looking for you to come forward and apply to become a foster carer. There are always a number of young people looking for foster carers in �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute, for a variety of reasons, either on a temporary basis while plans are made for their future, or for an extended period if they are unable to go back to their family.

Employers across �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute are being reminded that a work permit is required for all young people aged between 14 and 16 who work part-time whilst still at school. �鶹��Ѱ� and Bute Council is committed to the protection of children in employment, and has a number of byelaws which state the rules and regulations governing the employment of children – one of which is a valid work permit. The work permit is free of charge and must be signed by the head teacher from the young person’s school, as well as a parental guardian and employer.