PվɫÇéƬ

Do you know a young person in PվɫÇéƬ and Bute aged between 11 and 25 who is truly inspirational?

Councillors have represented the transport needs of PվɫÇéƬ and Bute in an official response to the Scottish Government’s National Transport Strategy. Responding to a public consultation on the draft National Transport Strategy, known as NTS2, PվɫÇéƬ has supported the Strategy’s commitment to an inclusive and accessible transport system that results in a fairer and more prosperous Scotland, while calling for guarantees that there is no adverse impact on rural areas.

Dunoon Grammar has been crowned the UK’s European Entrepreneurial School of the Year at a prestigious ceremony in Helsinki. The European Entrepreneurial School Awards recognise outstanding schools that are championing entrepreneurship in education across Europe. Schools are judged on how they involve staff and pupils on initiatives; the priority they give enterprise in strategic plans; and the extent to which they include the local community and business sector on entrepreneurial activity.

Local suppliers across PվɫÇéƬ and Bute are being offered free training and advice on how they can improve their chances of winning council tenders. A number of informative training events and roadshows are being held over the next few weeks as part of the Supplier Development Programme (SDP). The first event is a live, online ‘Talking Tenders’ webinar on 28 October. This will enable suppliers to discuss internal processes and upcoming tender opportunities discuss internal processes and upcoming tender opportunities from the comfort of their own desk.

A refreshed procurement strategy and policy which make it easier for small businesses to bid for work has been approved by PվɫÇéƬ. The updated Procurement Strategy 2020/21 and Sustainable Procurement Policy set out to ensure the council achieves best value in its procurement processes and that small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are supported to deliver improvements for the people and communities in PվɫÇéƬ and Bute.

Members of the public will be asked for their views on the council’s latest campaign to bring funding to PվɫÇéƬ and Bute, as part of a consultation on budget priorities. At its meeting today (17 October), council agreed to seek the views of local people on how best to bridge an estimated funding gap of £9.2million in 2020/21. The consultation highlights work the council has been doing to increase funding for local services through the potential transfer of four council-run ferries to Transport Scotland.

PվɫÇéƬ has made significant progress in supporting and promoting the use of British Sign Language (BSL) over the last 12 months. At a meeting of today’s Policy and Resources Committee, members heard how six of the seven measures identified in its Joint British Sign Language Plan have either been completed or put in to practice since the plan was approved in October 2018.

Zero Waste Scotland is holding events on Islay and Bute to talk about the introduction of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme. The organisation is keen to find out how people feel the scheme will work on islands and the impact it might have. The first event will be at the Machrie Hotel and Golf Links, Islay, on 22 October, between 10am and 1pm. The event on Bute will be held at the Victoria Hotel, Rothesay, from 10am to 1pm on 28 October.

44% of PվɫÇéƬ and Bute’s population spends more than 10% of their income to heat and light their homes.

PվɫÇéƬ will have to make savings estimated at £9.2m in 2020/21. Reports to be considered by Council next week set out the challenge faced by the council. Council Leader, Councillor Aileen Morton said: “There are no easy options left for making more savings. We’ve delivered £57million in savings since 2010, we’ve had the third highest cut in funding of all of Scotland’s councils in recent years, and estimates show we will have to deliver another £9.2 million of savings next year.