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The local totals from Argyll and Bute from the Euro Elections 2019 have been announced. The six MEPs for Scotland will be announced on Monday 27 May 2019. Change UK - the Independent Group -505 Conservative and Unionist Party - 3985 Labour Party - 1197 Liberal Democrats - 5019 Scottish Green Party - 2255 Scottish National Party -11,366 The Brexit Party - 5450 UK Independence Party (UKIP) - 568 Edgar, Gordon - 141 Parke, Ken -43

The journey votes from Gigha make to be counted sparked interest again today/on Friday. Charles Reppke, Returning Officer for Argyll and Bute’s European Election, became the centre of tourist attention when he took to the sea to collect Gigha’s ballots. Charles, who has been key in organising Argyll and Bute’s elections for more than 20 years, said:

Tha Comataidh Poileasaidh is Ghoireasan Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid air aontachadh iarraidh air Còmhdhail Alba na seirbheisean aiseig riatanach san sgìre a ghabhail os làimh, seirbheisean a tha a’ faighinn subsadaidh luach £1 millean bhon Chomhairle an-dràsta.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy and Resources Committee has agreed to pursue the transfer of lifeline ferry services to Transport Scotland, services currently being subsidised by the council by £1million. The provision of lifeline ferry services is the responsibility of Transport Scotland. These small, local services were likely to have been operated by Strathclyde Regional Council and were taken over by Argyll and Bute Council when the single tier authorities came into being. The four ferries currently operated by the council are:

Kilcreggan Primary School’s Pre-5 Unit has received a glowing report from the Care Inspectorate, having been graded as ‘good’ in every category. Inspectors found that staff were welcoming, kind and caring, and took time to listen to the children. Open-ended questions were used to encourage pupils to problem solve, and Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PAThS) were in place to empower children to make positive choices through social and emotional learning.

A talented team of pupils from Hermitage Primary School took second place in the Scottish European Educational Trust’s National Euroquiz Final of 2019. The event was held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament and saw the Hermitage youngsters battle it out against St Mary’s Primary School of Duntocher in what was a nail biting final round. Hermitage fought hard but were pipped to the winning post by St Mary’s.

Overall spend on roads, lighting, piers and harbours capital investment on Islay and Jura will be in the region of £1.6 million during 2019-20. Over 1000 tonnes of bituminous surfacing material will be used to resurface roads and footways on the islands. Where possible, local materials are being sourced for surfacing and repairs. This brings financial benefits to the local economy, saving money on haulage and freeing up valuable space on local ferries.

School pupils from across Argyll and Bute came together to celebrate diversity and equality when they took part in Oban’s first ever Pride Parade on Saturday.   The youngsters were representing an LGBTQI+ group which has been established by Argyll and Bute Council’s Education Services as part of its commitment to embed a culture and ethos of inclusion and equality.   Young people travelled from as far afield as Dunoon and Campbeltown to attend the event, and met at Oban High for breakfast before marching to Station Square to join the main parade.  

Welcome to Argyll and Bute Council’s weekly news round-up.  Thank you for reading it. If you have ideas on how we could make it more useful for you, we’d love to hear them. Please let us know by emailing press@argyll-bute.gov.uk Greenlight for Target road junction work

Congratulations to Dunbeg Primary on gaining its seventh Green Flag from Eco Schools. The school's clans have been working hard on addressing a range of topics as part of their clan activities, resulting in a positive impact on sustainability at a local and even global level. #abplace2b