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A science teacher from Oban High School has been selected to represent Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation Championships in New Zealand. Jodie Hoey started powerlifting during lockdown and only took part in her first ever competition in January this year when she competed in the West of Scotland Championships. The 26-year-old went on to qualify for the Scottish Championships in June, before the Scottish Power Lifting Federation selected her to compete in the Commonwealth Championships in November this year in Auckland.

Council registrars are to provide support for funeral services in the Kintyre area as part of a new initiative to help local communities.   Councillors have approved the six-month pilot following an approach from undertakers in Kintyre about a lack of available Church of Scotland Ministers and Celebrants to conduct funerals.   The move will allow registrars based in Campbeltown, who can already officiate at marriage ceremonies and register deaths, to assist local undertakers with funeral arrangements including conducting services.  

Plans to deliver almost one thousand new affordable homes for Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute over the next five years received full support at a council meeting today.   The decision to approve the plan means there is potential to deliver 247 affordable homes this year and more than 750 units in the coming years.   The proposals are set out in the latest update to the Council’s Strategic Housing Investment plan (SHIP) which outlines housing development priorities for the region for 2023/24 - 2027/28.  

Oban could benefit from over £842,000 following a council decision to approve business proposals from the Business Improvement District (BID) in Oban for another five years. A postal ballot to approve a third term for BID4Oban will take place from 27 October to 8 December 2022.   The principle aim of the BID is to encourage businesses to invest and work together to help improve the local trading environment and boost customer and visitor numbers.  BIDs can only exist if there is support from a clear majority of local businesses in a vote.  

Nursing home services will continue to be available in West Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute, following an exceptional step by health and social care services, supported by the council. The HSCP (Health and Social Care Partnership) will fund the purchase of Kintyre Care Centre, currently for sale, and take over its running from HC-One. The Kintyre Care Centre is a 40 room residential nursing home, providing the only nursing care provision in Campbeltown or indeed in the west of Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute.

Improving safety standards for short-term lets, creating positive visitor experiences and tackling antisocial behaviour for local residents – the aims of a new short-term licensing scheme that comes into force in Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute from 1 October. New short term let business owners need to apply for the license from the 1st of October, with existing businesses invited to apply between January and 1 April 2023.

Councillors have put the wheels in motion on a new plan to provide free parking at the Helensburgh Waterfront car park.   Proposals for parking to be free for the first two hours, delivering a major boost to local people using Helensburgh’s newly-opened leisure centre and swimming pool, have been approved.   The move will also benefit the town’s businesses, allowing local people and visitors plenty of time to enjoy shops and other attractions around the waterfront area and town centre, with parking changes only applying after the two-hour window.  

“We need to see a significant leap forward towards a permanent solution our communities desperately need; where ground is broken and works progressed for both the interim and permanent solution at the Rest and Be Thankful”. These were the words of Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Pվɫ��Ƭ, at this week’s council meeting, calling for urgent action on a permanent solution for the new Rest and Be Thankful.

A former Mid Pվɫ��Ƭ councillor is to be awarded the Freedom of Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute in recognition of almost four decades of service to the local community. Donald MacMillan BEM, or Donnie as he is more commonly known, represented the residents and communities of Pվɫ��Ƭ and Bute as a local independent councillor for almost 40 years. Often cited as one of Scotland’s oldest, longest serving elected members, his service as a councillor concluded in May this year aged 94.

Plans for a new school campus on Mull took a step forward today when members of Pվɫ��Ƭ agreed to submit a business case and funding application to the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). This decision follows a series of public engagement sessions on Mull over the last few weeks, to gather people’s views on what type of campus would work for the island. The sessions were well attended and overwhelming support was expressed.