¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥

Three members of the team at Oban Airport received long service medals from Depute Lord Lieutenant Andrew Campbell, at the airport, on 18 February. Tom Eddleston, Senior Airport Fire Officer, and Murray MacGregor, Crew Commander have both served at Oban Airport for 13 years. John McDonald, Airport Firefighter, has reached 12 years with the airport.

The achievements of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s young people were recognised at a prestigious award ceremony in Dunoon last week. A total of 34 finalists attended the 2020 ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute Youth Awards in the Queens Hall for what was a very humbling and emotional evening. The winners were as follows:

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s council has had its Scottish Government funding cut by more than the Scottish average, meaning millions of pounds will have to be cut from council budgets in 2020/21. ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s capital budget (for investment in roads, schools and other assets) has been cut by 21% compared to the Scottish average of 17%. Its revenue budget (for the day to day running of services) has been cut by 1.4% compared to the Scottish average of 1%. Council Leader, Councillor Aileen Morton slammed the cuts:

“We have done everything we can, to secure the continued service of flights to Coll. Despite financial challenges, we have investment in place to continue subsidising the service by £280 per seat and we have successfully completed the first stage of recruitment for a dedicated fire safety crew for the airport, which is a safety requirement under CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) legislation.

Energetic employees from across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ are getting on their bikes next month to cycle 2,053 miles in aid of Sport Relief. Using spin-cycles at Live¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ leisure centres, staff will follow a virtual route around all 81 school establishments in the area, starting at Southend Primary in South Kintyre, and finishing up at Aringour Primary on the Isle of Coll.

People across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute who have completed a development in the past three years can enter the council’s 2020 built environment Design Awards. The awards recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design quality, with a focus on sustainability, which reflects the council’s commitment to meeting its climate change responsibilities.

Business contacts were made and orders were generated when members of Food from ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ showcased the area’s exceptional food and drink, and the benefits of living and working in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, at Scotland’s Speciality Food Show, at Glasgow’s SECC, in January. The show attracts buyers from delicatessens, farm shops, and specialist food retailers from throughout Scotland and the North of England. More than 4500 visitors attended the show, over three days.

More than 90 young people from across Oban and Lorn had an informative and fun day out when they attended an ‘Under the Sea’ Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) event at The Ocean Explorer Centre in Dunbeg.

The Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has called on the Scottish Government to commit now to a permanent solution for the A83, after another landslide closed the key route today (30th January). Councillor Aileen Morton said: 

The Leader of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ secured a ‘sympathetic’ response to the area’s need for ferry funding, when she took ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s case to the Scottish Government’s Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands. In a meeting held today (28 January), Councillor Aileen Morton raised the funding and service issues affecting ferries across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, with Paul Wheelhouse MSP. Councillor Morton said: