News

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.

Plans for improved ferry terminals at Kilcreggan and Dunoon have moved a step closer with Argyll and Bute Council set to embark on public consultation on proposed designs.   Major upgrades of the existing terminals in both towns will deliver a range of benefits for passengers including improvements to the reliability of the Gourock-Dunoon and Gourock- Kilcreggan services.   The infrastructure improvements will also ensure that both terminals can accommodate larger vessels.  

Communities across Argyll and Bute will join the rest of the country in electing their local councillors in May this year. If you’re passionate about your community and want to make a difference to local life, have you considered standing for election to represent your local community on Argyll and Bute Council? Becoming a councillor is challenging but highly rewarding, offering opportunities to represent the people who live in your local area as well as involvement in decisions about issues of local and national significance.

Plans for a drone hub to service Scotland’s islands with unmanned flights have taken a major step forward with UK Government funding. Argyll and Bute Council has welcomed confirmation of the award of more than £170,000 UK Government Community Renewal funding to create an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Innovation logistics hub at Oban airport.

Next week, 24th to 30th January, is Welcome to Your Vote week - the ideal time to start conversations with young people about democracy, politics, and all aspects of voting. The Electoral Commission has created a set of online resources for young people, and those who work with them, to get the discussion started and help young people find out how to get and use their vote. This includes an overview of government and responsibilities at all levels, information about campaigns and how they work, and how young people can get involved in democracy.

Following Scottish Power Renewables today being awarded the seabed rights to develop an off-shore windfarm off Islay, as part of Crown Estate Scotland’s ScotWind Leasing, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Robin Currie said: “This has the potential to bring significant benefits to Argyll and Bute, as well as more widely across Scotland.  It could increase by 200% the amount of clean energy we produce in Argyll and Bute, and make a major contribution to getting Scotland and Argyll and Bute to net zero. 

Children who turn five between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023 can be registered for primary school during the week beginning Monday 17 January 2022. This year’s primary one registration will take place online, via the council website, due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The wheels are in motion on exciting plans for a new cycle path linking Helensburgh, Cardross and Dumbarton which will deliver a further boost to Argyll and Bute’s climate friendly credentials.   Argyll and Bute Council is asking members of the public to give their views on the proposed design for the new cycle and walking path to run between the towns.   As part of the Council’s consultation with the local community, a survey asking for views on the preferred design of the path has been launched online at /forms/cyclepath  

I began last year’s message saying it was a year like no other. We’ve had our ups and downs again this year, but I think we approach the festive season with more optimism. We’ve benefitted from the roll out of the covid vaccine and this Christmas we can look forward to spending time with more of our families. Nonetheless, we must be cautious as covid is still with us. We remember those people affected by this awful pandemic and those who have lost loved ones. My thoughts and wishes are with them as ever at this time of year.

Members of Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services have agreed to begin statutory proceedings to consider the possibility of widening the catchment area of St Joseph’s Primary School. The Council inherited the existing catchment boundary from Strathclyde Council in 1995. It covers most of the Helensburgh and Lomond area, with the exception of a corridor along the A82 from Glen Douglas to the boundary with West Dunbartonshire Council.