Appendix 2 – Settlement Officer Detailed Activities Update
Argyll and Bute Council · 21 March 2024
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 21 March 2024 and its agenda
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APPENDIX 2 – SETTLEMENT OFFICER DETAILED ACTIVITIES UPDATE Table 1: Update of Actions Focus Area Action Approved Progress to Date 21st March 2024 Current Status Active Promotion of Argyll and Bute Continue to develop and expand settlement case studies for the abplace2b website and enhance marketing provisions where appropriate. All settlement content has been uploaded to the abplace2b and Invest in Argyll websites. The settlement flyer is available to download on abplace2b. The welcome pack is available to download on abplace2b. Five case studies have been written and are available to read on abplace2b here. The myjobscotland section specific to Argyll and Bute Council has been updated here. The settlement flyer has been passed on to colleagues in HR to be distributed alongside offers of employment. Supporting Relocation Continue to respond to relocation queries. Set up a relocation network connecting new and existing residents. Work with the new Housing Improvement Officer (Empty Homes) to support individuals relocating to recently refurbished properties. To date, there have been 10 relocation queries received. All queries have been responded to accordingly. (See Appendix 2). The Relocation Network has gone live. Settlement support resources have been passed on to the Housing Improvement Officer to be distributed. Housing Launch the ‘Make Your Second Home Your First Home’ campaign. The ‘Make Your Second Home Someone’s First Home’ campaign has been paused until the findings from the Argyll and Bute Housing Summit have been finalised.
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Increased energy support and signposting across Argyll and Bute. Energy support and signposting resources have been incorporated into abplace2b web updates here. The SPSO continues to assist housing colleagues to drive forward work on the Council’s Housing Emergency. Employment Consider current empty council- owned (non- residential) properties being used for remote working hubs or creative spaces (working with other council colleagues, as appropriate). Engage with key employers across the Repopulation Zones to identify in detail the number and nature of recruitment issues they have encountered/ forecast The current focus for remote working spaces is to map existing facilities across Argyll and Bute. A survey has been created for individuals, businesses, and organisations to provide details of their current working spaces. Working with the Communications and Web Teams this will be released to the public. Monthly reports continue to be analysed from the Argyll and Bute Council HR Team regarding withdrawn and declined job offers. Funding was provided to Isle Develop CIC on Tiree to develop a custom WordPress site, an integrated booking system, refreshed logo, and design assets for the Hynish Trust on Tiree. This project will enable Isle Develop CIC to train their trainees in advanced website management and social media integration. The project will run from January to March 2024. Table 2: SPSO Proposed Actions Focus Area Proposed Action Active Promotion of Argyll and Bute Further develop the ‘Why Argyll and Bute?” section on abplace2b, showcasing existing good news stories from across Argyll and Bute. Scope the potential to collaborate with UHI students to commission a number of promotional articles for abplace2b.
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Supporting Relocation Develop a ‘plan your move section’ on abplace2b including: o A comprehensive checklist for those relocating. o A guide to relocating to Argyll and Bute from inside/ outside the UK. o Downloadable relocation guides for each administrative area in Argyll and Bute. Containing place-based information relating to: o Transport o Housing o Education o Employment o Healthcare o Leisure and things to do Housing Continue to support Housing colleagues and help to drive forward work on the Council’s Housing Emergency. Working with colleagues in Housing progress the ‘Make Your Second Home Someone’s First Home’ campaign. Employment Scope the potential to run six-week paid internships for students within a business or organisation based in Argyll and Bute that supports the use of Gaelic language and tradition in the workplace. Explore the potential for existing council-owned office equipment that is no longer used, to be provided to community organisations looking to develop purpose-built remote working spaces across Argyll and Bute. Knowledge Gathering Share findings from the Repopulation Zone Survey with the relevant communities.