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Plans are being made to reopen all of ����ֱ�� and Bute’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, with the exception of Helensburgh and Lomond, on June 1.  This reflects the First Minister’s statement today on the easing of lockdown measures, dependent on the continuing suppression of the COVID-19 virus. Helensburgh and Lomond will have a temporary facility set up at Helensburgh Pier Head Car Park for the short term. This is to manage traffic safely in what we expect will be a busy time when customer demand to use the centre is high.

The Leader of ����ֱ�� joined the Community Food Project this week at Hermitage Academy in Helensburgh, as they prepared and distributed weekly food parcels across the area. The Leader saw first-hand, the sheer scale of the operation and paid tribute to all those who have come together to help people during the pandemic. Councillor Aileen Morton said:

A group of senior pupils from Lochgilphead Joint Campus are urging the people of ����ֱ�� and Bute to help them in their bid to become Scottish Enterprise’s Company of the Year. The school’s ‘B-Eco Team’ is one of 15 regional finalists competing for the coveted title in this year’s Festival of Enterprise, but they need public votes if they are to succeed.

“This is a good report. It shows that the council has continued to improve since the last inspection, dealing with challenges unique to ����ֱ�� and Bute and working to support both the present and the future of the area.” These were the words of Councillor Aileen Morton, Leader of ����ֱ��, following publication today (21 May) of the Accounts Commission’s Best Value review findings.

Pupils in primaries five, six and seven at Dervaig Primary took the phrase, ‘the show must go on’, to a new level last week when they performed their school play to parents last week using a digital platform. The talented youngsters had all rehearsed their parts for Alice in Wonderland before lockdown and, in full costume, they presented their show via Google Meet. Teachers watched with pride and admiration as the children delivered their lines and produced the relevant sound effects using violins!

People in ����ֱ�� and Bute who are unemployed and want to find work during these challenging times, are being encouraged to sign up to Fair Start Scotland. Fair Start Scotland is delivered by PeoplePlus and trusted local delivery partners – in this case, ����ֱ��’s Employability Team. Together, they have a lot of experience helping people back into work in a variety of ways, including:  helping to break down the barriers that might be stopping you from working;

With schools across Scotland closed until June, ����ֱ�� is preparing for pupils returning in August, subject to COVID-19 safety requirements. At a meeting of the council’s Business Continuity Committee, members heard about work which is ongoing to prepare for the re-opening of schools, as part of a discussion about the steps the council is taking to support businesses and communities affected by COVID-19.

Council progress in supporting businesses and local communities affected by COVID-19 has been considered by the Business Continuity Committee (BCC). A report to the BCC shows that the council’s response has been wide ranging covering everything from food, medicine, information and home-learning services, to care for vulnerable people, business support and longer term planning for recovery. Highlights include: Getting £23.5 million to date of Scottish Government grant funding to local businesses

Members of the local community on Coll have teamed up with teachers at Arinagour Primary School to provide island pupils with a wide variety of remote learning challenges during lockdown. As well as the day to day learning tasks set by teachers, residents on the island are also thinking up novel, fun ideas for children to get involved with.

The council’s Business Continuity Committee on Thursday (14 May 2020) approved £28,900 from the Strategic Housing Fund be awarded to the Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC) towards purchasing land at Scalasaig, Colonsay in order to deliver much-needed affordable housing for the island. CCDC has had positive discussions Colonsay Estate to purchase land to purchase the land. The Development Company has already secured £375,000 in funding from the Scottish Land Fund and the council contribution will bridge the funding gap.