News in brief: Events boosted charities, training days for village volunteers, businesses wanted of VAT letter scam

Events in Cove last weekend raised over £1,700 for good causes.

The RNLI will receive £922.50 after a very successful Victorian Afternoon tea at Cove Sailing Club on Saturday with Stephen Adam performing.

And the next day a Spring Serenade at Craigrownie Parish Church saw local performers – organised and produced again by Stephen Adam – raised nearly £800 which will be split between the church and Zavora Clinic in Mozambique.

Training days are being held to support village halls and community managed buildings in Argyll and Bute.

Argyll and Bute Council and partner agencies are hosting two events next month which will provide support to volunteers and help them meet funders.

Advisers from the Robertson Trust, Argyll and Islands LEADER, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and others will be attending.

Advice on how to attract and retain committee members, how to become a registered charity, health and safety, how to increase in and reduce energy costs will be addressed

The events will take place on Saturday March 7 from 10.45am to 3.15pm at Centre 81 in Garelochhead and the following Saturday from 11am to 3.30pm at the Corran Halls in Oban.

For further information call 01436 657608 or email communitydevelopment@argyll-bute.gov.uk

Trading standards officers are warning residents about a VAT letter scam in Argyll and Bute.

The council team has had reports of businesses receiving a letter titled ’UK – data control – Missing information about your VAT Registration Number’.

The letter states that the sender is looking to update VAT registration numbers, however, what the scammers are actually trying to do is get businesses to sign up to paying £790 annually for three years inclusion on the UK data control portal, which is unlikely to have any benefit to businesses.

The council is concerned that local businesses may think the letter is an official communication and will sign and return the form, leading to demands for payments.

Businesses should be aware that there is absolutely no obligation for them to provide any information.

For further information contact trading standards on 01546 605519.