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Partnership working is highlighted as key to PվɫÇéƬ and Bute’s recovery from the impact of covid-19, in an action plan agreed today. The PվɫÇéƬ and Bute Recovery Action Plan outlines key themes for action to support the area in moving on from the pandemic and shaping the ‘new normal’. These themes include:

What makes PվɫÇéƬ and Bute a great place to learn and teach? Who better to ask than our Chief Education Officer, Anne Paterson, who’s retiring after nearly four decades teaching in the area.  How long have you worked in education in PվɫÇéƬ and Bute? I began working in January 1982 in Park Primary School as a brand new teacher, so almost 39 years. What roles have you held?

Pupils in secondary schools across PվɫÇéƬ and Bute are delivering top marks for exam performance according to new figures released by the Council’s Community Services Committee. The latest Education Performance Data Analysis for 2020 shows that schools in the area achieved excellent results which outperformed national averages. Figures for PվɫÇéƬ and Bute this year show that:  ·  National 4 results are above the national average by 9.1% ·  National 5 results are above the national average by 2.5%

The council has published an update on its preparations to meet an estimated funding gap of more than £6 million next year. Reports that will be considered at next week’s Policy and Resources Committee set out progress in identifying options for cutting costs, making savings and raising income. Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Policy Lead for Financial Services, explained the particular funding challenges facing PվɫÇéƬ and Bute:

Council welcomes A83 announcement Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of PվɫÇéƬ: “Following correspondence from the council to the First Minister, the announcement of a temporary bund to help protect the Old Military road is welcome in addition with a commitment from Scottish Government to progress an accelerated timescale for a permanent solution. This is good news as we simply cannot wait another decade with further disruption for the A83.

Ongoing investment in PվɫÇéƬ and Bute’s roads continues to show some improvements in the overall network condition. As a result, PվɫÇéƬ and Bute remains in the top five fastest improving Scottish Local Authorities in terms of road condition. The council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee endorsed the Annual Status and Options Report (ASOR) this week. The ASOR summarises the council’s road assets as at April 2020 and sets out future investment options to be considered.

The council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee approved a new approach to encourage and support the use of electric vehicles throughout PվɫÇéƬ and Bute. This will help tackle climate change. The council will develop its network of electric vehicle charging points. It will seek government funding and introduce fees for the electricity used to make sure that the programme is sustainable.

The council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee has endorsed Zero Waste Scotland’s Household Recycling Charter and its Code of Practice. This reinforces the council’s commitment to reducing its carbon emissions and tackling climate change. PվɫÇéƬ and Bute already complies with the majority of the essential requirements outlined in the charter’s Code of Practice. However, that Code of Practice is coming under review in the light of new legislation, including the Deposit Return Scheme and the Landfill Ban.

Hermitage Primary School in Helensburgh is the first school in PվɫÇéƬ and Bute to be awarded Gold by Unicef UK’s Rights Respecting School programme.

A £1.9 million project to regenerate Dunoon town centre, restore its historic buildings and celebrate its culture and history has made strong progress over the past year.  The Dunoon Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Dunoon CARS) works with property owners, providing grants to support building repairs with the aim of safeguarding historic properties and enhancing the town’s visual appearance via the use of traditional construction materials and techniques.