ARGYLL and Bute Council offices, including Customer Service Points, libraries, museums and archives, will close for the festive season at 5pm on Wednesday 24th December 2014 and reopen at 9am on Monday 5th January 2015.

People can still contact the council about services during the holiday period by using the following telephone numbers – available on Monday 29th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st December 2014:

Council Tax enquiries – 01546 605511

Benefits enquiries (including Scottish Welfare Fund) – 01546 605512

Roads and Amenity Services (including street lighting) – 01546 605514

Payments – 01546 605515 (the 24/7 automated phone payments service is available throughout)

Social Work – 01546 605517

For out of hours emergencies, the normal arrangements apply and contact details can be found at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/emergency-contact-numbers

The Licensing, Book It, Planning and Complaints telephone lines will not be available during the holidays but enquiries can be made online as normal at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk

If you need to contact the council by telephone during the holiday period and are not sure what number to use, the switchboard/general enquiries line – 01546 605522 – has recorded information to help you find what you are looking for.

The council’s website can be used as normal for reporting issues, making payments and sending enquiries. However, no action may be taken on some matters, like validation of planning applications, until council offices fully reopen on Monday 5th January 2015.

For emergency death registrations, appointments will be available between 9am and 12.30pm on Tuesday 30th December. You can find contact details at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-and-government/birth-marriage-and-death or on the notice at your local Customer Service Point.

There will be some changes to bin collection arrangements during the festive season. Local information can be found at www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/bin-collection

Household rubbish and recycling centres will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Friday 2nd January.

Leisure centres across Argyll and Bute will be open at times throughout the holiday period, although most halls will be closed. 

The mobile library service stops for the festive season from Monday 22nd December, while all libraries close at 5pm on Christmas Eve – both services are available again from Monday 5th January 2015.