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Following an extensive regeneration programme by PվɫÇéƬ with key partners, Campbeltown is shortlisted for Scotland’s most improved place in the 2020 SURF Awards. Each year, SURF, Scotland’s Independent Regeneration Network, and the Scottish Government team up to deliver the national SURF Awards for Best Practice in Community Regeneration.

Tributes have been paid to Councillor Ellen Morton, who passed away at the weekend. Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of PվɫÇéƬ, said:

PվɫÇéƬ and Bute’s council has to identify options to meet a projected budget gap of £6.7 million in 2021/2022, and as part of that, is asking for your views on amenity services. Savings can only come from a relatively small proportion of the council’s budget (32%), because of national priorities and other factors outside council control: Teacher posts are protected nationally Social work costs are managed by the Health and Social Care Partnership Utility, loan and other costs depend on external factors.

PվɫÇéƬ is benefiting from Scottish Government funding, delivered through Scotland’s Town’s Partnership, to support eight towns across PվɫÇéƬ and Bute to promote a shop local message. The council will work with Community Links to talk to local communities and businesses in eight towns to generate shop local artwork and messaging ideas that represent the distinct characteristics and offering of each town. The towns involved are those currently without Business Improvement Districts (BIDS):

Kilcreggan Primary School has been awarded the prestigious Silver Rights Respecting School Award by Unicef – the first school in the UK to receive a virtual accreditation this term.

The Electric Bakery, in Montague Street, Rothesay, has been given an electrifying new look thanks to a Shopfront Grant awarded through Rothesay Townscape Heritage (Rothesay TH). Works began on site in February of this year that included:

A street cleaner from Oban has been featured in a prestigious national photography exhibition after having his picture taken by a local photographer. David Farrell was working during lockdown when Christopher Cox from Taynuilt stopped him and asked if he could take his photo. Christopher then submitted the image to the National Portrait Gallery’s Hold Still digital exhibition, where it made the final 100 portraits from almost 32,000 entries received during the project’s six-week entry period.

PվɫÇéƬ’s new leader is Councillor Robin Currie, councillor for Kintyre and the Islands, and Policy Lead for Housing, Roads and Infrastructure Services. He was appointed leader at today’s Council meeting, following Councillor Aileen Morton’s decision to move on from the role. Councillor Currie has served PվɫÇéƬ and Bute as a councillor for more than 30 years, in roles as wide ranging as planning and housing, and leisure, islands and roads services.

Dunoon Grammar will take to the global stage yet again when staff and pupils deliver a virtual seminar at this year’s World Education Week. The school was invited to present an hour-long piece to showcase their innovative enterprise work, and are the only school in Scotland selected to take part. World Education Week, which begins on 5 October, was established to strengthen efforts to achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 of Quality Education. By combining and sharing collective experience, it is hoped that every child has a better quality of education.

A shopfront grant awarded through Dunoon CARS, to restore Bookpoint, in Dunoon’s Ferry Brae, has inspired owners within the building to source funding to complete the building’s facelift. Bookpoint was awarded a Shopfront grant through the Dunoon CARS project in July 2019 and on-site works began in January this year. These included: New curved glass window Replacement stallriser tiling Hand painted signage Timber repairs/ replacement to windows