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A total of 37 empty homes were brought back into use in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute from April through to December last year – exceeding ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s annual target of 25.   At a meeting of the council’s Community Services Committee today (Thursday) members also heard how there have been 62 affordable houses completed during the third quarter of the year.   Twenty of these homes are in Bowmore, Islay; 16 are in Lochgilphead; and 26 are in Succoth. A further 41 homes are due to be completed by the end of next month.  

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is inviting residents of Bute and Dunoon to give their views on the development of new walking and cycling routes. A drop-in event is being held on Wednesday 20 March at The Hub (the old Clydesdale Bank), 17 High Street, Rothesay between 11am and 7pm. And on Thursday 21 March, a separate event will be held at the Queens Hall in Dunoon from 11am to 7pm.

A Modern Apprentice from Dunoon working in the field of aquaculture has won a hat-trick of awards. Janis Brivkalns works for the Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) as a Modern Apprentice, and the 34-year-old was crowned Aquaculture Learner of the Year, Modern Apprentice of the Year and Overall Learner of the Year at the Lantra Awards last week, which was Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019. Congratulations to Janis on a fantastic achievement. Find out more about apprenticeships in Scotland here:

Roads infrastructure on Mull will receive a £963,000 cash boost in 2019/20, and footways will benefit from a further £38,250 of investment. This was agreed at last week’s meeting of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥â€™s Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee as part of the council’s Roads Capital Reconstruction Programme. Road that will benefit are: A849, Glenmore – Craignure A849, Pennyghael – Bunessan B8073, Toloisk – Gruline C46, Glenbellart C54, Lochbuie

Work to improve the ferry passenger experience at Dunoon Breakwater will begin on Monday 11th March. Following the announcement by the Scottish Government that CalMac Ferries will provide a passenger-only service between Dunoon Breakwater and Gourock Ferry Terminal, ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has committed to making changes to passenger facilities at Dunoon. The work will improve safety and provide facilities more suited to a passenger-only service, while any disruption will be kept to a minimum.

 ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ will join forces with neighbouring local authorities in Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire to issue a tender to procure residual waste disposal services to cover the Helensburgh and Lomond area.  This will help secure the best possible price for services and ensure that we comply with the 2021 ban on Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) going to landfill.

  ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is undertaking a flood study in Oban based on mitigating flooding up to a one in 200 year return period flood event.   Two consultation events have now been held in Oban. The most recent, on 30 January, enabled local residents and businesses to share their experiences. Other key stakeholders involved in the study include SEPA, Scottish Water, Community Councils and local interest groups.  

Tha Comhairlichean air aonta a chur ri dreachd de Ro-innleachd airson Eaconamaidh Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid a Leasachadha tha ag amas gu h-àraidh air leasachaidhean air a’ bhun-structar, a’ tàladh dhaoine ùra gu bhith a’ fuireach san sgìre agus a’ toirt taic do roinnean cudromach leithid turasachd agus gnìomhachasan na mara.

Councillors have approved a draft Economic Development Strategy for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute that focusses on infrastructure, attracting new residents and supporting key sectors such as tourism and marine industry.

Chaidh maoineachadh a bharrachd luach cha mhòr £500,000 a ghealltainn mar thaic do dh’iomairtean beaga is meadhanach mòr (IBMan) ann an Earra-Ghàidheal is Bòd gus am fàs iad aig ìre nas luaithe. Le Ìre a Dhà den Phrògram airson Fàs nas Luaithe gu h-Ionadail (PFLI) aig an Fhosglan Ghnothachais, thèid prògram taice do ghnothachasan luach £483,000 a lìbhrigeadh le sgioba an Fhosglain Ghnothachais. Chaidh an taic sin aontachadh an t-seachdain seo (7 Màrt) le Comataidh Àrainneachd, Leasachaidh is Bun-structair na Comhairle.