News

“We must plan for Argyll and Bute’s long as well as short term future when we set the council’s budget next week.” These were the words of Council Leader, Councillor Robin Currie, following discussion of the council’s budget at the Policy and Resources Committee. Estimates show budget gaps for Argyll and Bute’s council services of £2.2 million in 2022/23, and as much as another £30 million+ in the three years after that. Councillor Currie said:

Argyll and Bute’s Rural Growth Deal continues to progress towards the green light for £70 million of economic-growth initiatives across the area. At its recent meeting, the council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed to invest £150,000 in supporting the development of rural growth deal (RGD) projects and business cases to the detail required to reach the next key milestone in the RGD process – signing the Full Deal with the Scottish and UK Governments. Argyll and Bute’s RGD focuses on the eight key themes, based on driving inclusive economic growth:-  

Argyll and Bute Council will submit bids to the UK Government Levelling Up Fund, to bring up to £70 million to Argyll and Bute for two major regeneration and transport projects. One bid will be for an area regeneration/heritage town centre project, maximum £20 million, and the other a transport bid, for up to £50 million The regeneration/heritage bid – titled Argyll and Bute Western Seaboard Marine Gateways - involves proposals for Rothesay and Dunoon.

Funding to support events and festivals that will boost economic growth in Argyll and Bute has been approved by the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee. Eleven events across culture, sport and the arts will receive support totalling £95,300 from Round 4 of the Council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund (SEF). These are:

Improvements to bus services in Oban and Lorn are timetabled for the near future as the result of a successful bid made by a local partnership to the Scottish Government. The Argyll and Bute Bus Partnership have tapped into the Bus Partnership Fund to implement bus priority measures designed to make local services quicker, more reliable and more attractive as an alternative to the car.

Creating a vibrant community and repairing historic buildings in and around Helensburgh’s Waterfront and attracting further investment to the town are all part of a new £2 million pound heritage-led grant scheme. The Helensburgh Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) 2021-2026 offers funding to help property owners repair buildings and shopfronts within a defined CARS Boundary within Helensburgh Town Centre Conservation Area, which can be found on the council website: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/helensburgh-cars

Improved town centre access, a safer cycling and walking route and replacement play equipment, are just some of the works happening in Tarbert throughout February and March.   Tarbert is set to benefit from major regeneration works as part of the Councils ongoing commitment to economic recovery across Argyll and Bute.   Work is due to start from 14 February to widen a section of Tawny Trail, a popular walking and cycling path between School Road and Oakfield. The work also includes installing new lighting, drainage and an enlarged culvert on the route.  

Communities across Argyll and Bute are set to benefit from a host of active travel projects following the announcement of new Scottish Government funding.   Argyll and Bute Council has received an award of £771,900 from the Places for Everyone programme to deliver ambitious regeneration projects through design stage to construction.   Places for Everyone is a Scottish Government funded infrastructure programme, administered by Sustrans, which aims to create safe, attractive, healthier places by increasing the number of trips made by walking, cycling and wheeling.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Housing Services team has had five nominations shortlisted in Shelter’s 2022 Empty Homes Awards. The annual awards celebrate the impactful and transformative work undertaken across Scotland to bring back many of the country’s 43,000 long-term empty homes. Argyll and Bute has been shortlisted in the following categories: ·       Best Before and After (Ardbeg Road and Cullipool) ·       Best Old Wreck (Cullipool and The Sheiling)

Free period products such as tampons, pads and reusable products will soon be more wildly available for anyone in Argyll and Bute who needs them. Argyll and Bute Council is seeking views on how to make sure everyone who uses period products, or who will use them in the future, can access this service in a way that suits them.