Over the past few weeks, in response to the COVID 19 crisis, the council has made changes to the way it works to support the continuation of essential services in Argyll and Bute.

The council’s high-performing planning and licensing services will play a key role in economic and social recovery in Argyll and Bute, and so it is vital that new arrangements are put in place to keep them operating effectively.

To comply with government restrictions, scheduled meetings of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee will not be held as normal.

Instead, a virtual PPSL Committee will meet on the planned dates of 20 May and 17 June. This makes it convenient for outside organisations and applicants who already have notification of the dates.

There will also be a virtual Local Review Body (LRB) process, although this will take into account the fact that there are the limitations on the ability for site visits.

There will be no action taken on Planning Hearings for the moment and this will be reviewed at end of June 2020.

Virtual Civic Government Hearings, where applications for taxi, street trading, private hire licences etc are heard, will be considered on a case by case basis.

A virtual Licensing Board has been scheduled to meet on 15 May and any other dates as agreed.

David Kinniburgh, Policy Lead for PPSL, said: “It may be some weeks before we hear from the Scottish Government how the country will, very slowly, start to open up again, but our work has to continue to make us ready. Our planning and licensing operations play an important part in supporting business and development.

“I have to congratulate everyone who has worked hard to make it possible to continue on a virtual basis. From council employees to our customers who have adapted to the situation – thank you for helping Argyll and Bute prepare to re-open for business.”