In his first column back after a motorcycle accident, Councillor Iain Paterson updates on work at Argyll and Bute Council and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

It is good to get back to my role as councillor and Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park board member after my motorcycle accident in Wales, in early August.

I have attended open Doors events in Arrochar along with fellow councillors Gordon Blair and Fiona Howard where we discussed improving transport links and the Kilcreggan and Cove community hub that is being piloted by Argyll and Bute Council.

Following these discussions, I met with representatives of Cove and Kilcreggan community, and also attended a meeting with Strathclyde Passenger Transport in Glasgow where I discussed the transport issue's that affect our rural communities.

I will continue to pursue this matter along with Cllr Blair who is our SPT lead in the council.

Argyll and Bute is the only authority not to have a Rural Growth Deal. Our county has many key industries - tourism, farming, fishing, and clean energy to name a few - that not only support our local economy but that of Scotland and the UK.

Our geographic location lends itself to investment. It is vitally important that we get the Rural Growth Deal in place as soon as possible and bring the much-needed revenue to the people and communities of Argyll and Bute, which will deliver 300 additional jobs, new housing, support for local businesses, and economic growth.

It is crucial in improving the prosperity of our communities. The council continues to work positively with the UK and Scottish Government in making our case.

National Park

I am looking forward to meeting and engaging with local farmers, who are invited to take part in a five-year climate programme that is being run by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

The Resilient Farm Network Programme would run from 2025 to 2029 and will explore ways to make farming in the area more climate and nature friendly while making it profitable for farmers.

The initiative will look to foster nature restoration by focusing on farmer led sustainability that help farm and rural businesses thrive amid climate and economic challenges, providing farmers and rural communities with support and resources.

Three host farms will benefit from financial, environmental and biodiversity reviews, along with support from advisory and discussion groups,These groups will meet regularly to discuss progress, look at new ideas and share experiences.

Farmers and land managers within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park are invited to apply to become one of the three resilient network host farms.

If you would like to hear more about this initiative, please come along to the opening evening at Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park headquarters in Balloch on October 28 at 7.15pm. The event will feature a presentation from Perthshire farmer John Ritchie. I will be there and look forward to meeting farmers, land managers and members of our rural community.

Finally I would like to thank the medical and auxiliary staff of Aberystwyth NHS Hospital Wales for the excellent care and treatment I received after my accident. You are all a credit to your profession.