News

Fiona Anderson is a Special Projects Officer in the council’s Governance and Law Team, but during elections she takes on another important role, dealing with postal votes. Fiona said: “We work closely with the Electoral Registration Office in Campbeltown and issue postal voting packs to around 12,000 people.

The majority of pupils in Argyll and Bute are celebrating today, having gained the qualifications they were hoping for.  Nationally there has been a reduction in pass rates and we are analysing what this means for young people in Argyll and Bute. A report will be put to Community Services Committee later in the year. The council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said:

With less than two weeks until pupils return to school after their summer holidays, the council’s Policy Lead for Education is reminding parents to check if they qualify for help towards the cost of their child’s school uniform.  

Week five of the A to Z of council services and we're looking at the letter U. U is for Understanding Need Helping people get involved in decisions that affect them is a key part of Genna Lugue’s job. Genna is the council’s Research and Engagement Officer.

Argyll and Bute Council’s Tarbert Lochgilphead Regeneration Fund has helped kick-start opportunities for change along the Crinan Canal Corridor. The re-opening of the historic Egg Shed, on Ardrishaig’s waterfront, as a community hub, on Friday 2 August marks the first stage of the regeneration of the gateway to the Crinan Canal. By breathing new life into the disused building, former garage and new extension, partners behind the project have provided a space to tell the tale story of the Crinan Canal and the communities on its banks.

On Saturday 7 September, The Parliament Project and the YWCA – Young Women’s Movement - are gathering 400 women for a dynamic day at the Scottish Parliament, to explore their paths to elected office and participation in democracy. To help women from across the country participate, live screenings of the event will be hosted by four local authorities, including Argyll and Bute. The screening will happen in the Council’s Chambers in Lochgilphead. Participants will be able to:

We employ 845 full time equivalent primary and secondary teachers throughout our schools to ensure our children and young people are equipped to achieve success in life. Paul Gallanagh is just one of those teachers who is dedicated to going the extra mile to help deliver the council’s vision that together we will realise ambition, excellence and equality for all. Paul is the Principal Teacher of Business and Computing at Dunoon Grammar School and has led pupils to win a huge array of awards in recent years, as well as national recognition from industry leaders.

R is for Regeneration. Colin Fulcher is the Project Officer for Rothesay Townscape Heritage. “Having been born and raised in Rothesay, as the Project Officer for Rothesay Townscape Heritage, it gives me a great sense of pride to be managing a project that is helping to make an improved and lasting difference to the town centre," he said. "My job involves initiating, developing and implementing projects from inception to completion, all with a goal of regenerating the town centre.

Ann Martin is a Through Care After Care Social Worker in Argyll and Bute, working with young care experienced people and key partner agencies to make life better for our young people. Ann supports vulnerable young care experienced people to remain in their current placement/home after they turn 16 and, if appropriate, their 18th birthday, under the Scottish Government’s Staying Put Initiative (2011).

Argyll and Bute Council has been ranked the number one UK local authority for high performance and low cost of our Information and Communication Technology (ICT) service. The 2019 Socitm Benchmarking Report reveals Argyll and Bute Council ranked third best for ICT performance with the third lowest cost. Combined, those results put us at number one against 104 other councils in Britain. Socitm is the Society of Information Technology Management, a professional body for digital and IT leaders who deliver services for public benefit.