News

Senior secondary pupils across Argyll and Bute have cause for celebration today after achieving impressive results in their SQA exams.  This spring, for the first time in three years, S4-S6 pupils in Argyll and Bute were presented for examinations.  As a result of the pandemic, the last time our young people sat exams was in 2019.  Therefore, pupils have had no previous experience of sitting SQA exams, and some had their studies interrupted by the requirements of self-isolation for both pupils and staff.

Argyll and Bute Council has set up a dedicated web page to keep residents informed about the Campbeltown Flood Protection Scheme (FPS), as the project moves forward. Campbeltown has suffered significant flooding at various times in recent decades due to a variety of factors, but now the council is carrying out a £15.215 million scheme that will see a range of improvement works to minimise this risk.

Free period products will now be available to everyone in Argyll and Bute through the council’s new My Tribe initiative. Although free period products have been available in schools and community settings since 2018/19, the Scottish Government’s Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 becomes law this month, which means that everyone in Scotland who menstruates can have reasonably convenient access to period products, free of charge, as and when they are required.

Helensburgh’s new £22 million state-of-the art leisure centre is now complete. The main contractors for the project, Heron Bros Ltd, officially handed the building over this week, on time, despite the global construction challenges faced during Covid.

Argyll and Bute Council is giving residents the opportunity to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient FREE OF CHARGE. The council has received £2,011,323 from the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme to help residents make a range of energy efficiency improvements to their properties, including external/internal wall insulation, underfloor insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY KEEP SCOTLAND BEAUTIFUL Environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, has announced that Hermitage Park in Argyll and Bute has been presented with a Green Flag Award. The accolade acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country that help to boost our nation's health and wellbeing.

To help keep spending local, support businesses and protect jobs, businesses across Argyll and Bute are being encouraged to give their backing to the successful Scotland Loves Local card scheme.

What should a new Mull school campus look like, if funding becomes available for one?  The council is asking for islanders’ views on this question, as a key part of its work to bid for Scottish Government funding for Mull. The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) is the Scottish Government’s programme for investment in education. The council is putting together a bid for LEIP funding for a new school campus on Mull. The LEIP does not fully fund projects; if the bid is successful additional funding would have to be secured from other sources. 

Ardrishaig residents and visitors will soon enjoy a new public square, improved car parking, gardens and seating as part of improvement works due to start early September.   The works include:  

    Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Robin Currie said:  “We are so shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of our colleague Councillor John McAlpine. John served the area as a councillor over a number of years. He wanted the best for Argyll and Bute and we will remember him fondly for his commitment to the area. Our heartfelt condolences go to John’s family at this very sad time.”