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The council’s Supporting Communities Fund will open on 11 January next year, with improvements designed to benefit applicants and communities. The Supporting Communities Fund (SCF) provides grants of potentially up to £2,500 for the voluntary sector, community councils and parent councils. The council sought feedback from previous years’ applicants, to improve the fund’s impact for local communities and the process for organisations. As a result, at its meeting today, Council agreed a number of key changes.

����ֱ�� and Bute’s council has adopted a Decarbonisation Plan that explains how council services will focus on being environmentally responsible in their day to day work. While no single organisation can tackle climate change in isolation, the Decarbonisation Plan sets out the council’s intention to lead the way in ����ֱ�� and Bute. The plan sets out its achievements to date and its intentions for the future.

����ֱ�� today (26 November) agreed to suspend all off-street parking charges from 11 – 24 December. Both the council and businesses hope that the offer of free parking will encourage residents to remain in ����ֱ�� and Bute, shop locally and support retailers. Councillor Rory Colville, Policy Lead for Roads and Infrastructure Services, said: “Businesses throughout ����ֱ�� and Bute felt the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic. They stepped up to the plate to support their communities when we needed them, and it’s now time to give something back.

����ֱ�� has approved a new housing strategy that sets out plans to build over 900 affordable homes over the next five years. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2021/22 – 2025 will help achieve the aims set out in the council’s Local Housing Strategy. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) covers:

Councillor David Kinniburgh is ����ֱ�� and Bute’s new Provost. His election to the role follows the sad death of Councillor Len Scoullar earlier this month. Councillor David Kinniburgh, Provost for ����ֱ�� and Bute: “It is an absolute honour to be elected as Provost although it comes in such sad circumstances following the passing of my friend and colleague Len Scoullar. Being elected as Provost is a privilege and I can assure the people of ����ֱ�� and Bute, of my commitment to this important role. ”

The council’s winter roads’ maintenance plan is now up and running to tackle the worst of the cold weather ahead. You can help keep yourself safe by following the council’s daily action plan so you know what overnight road conditions are likely to be and what our gritting schedule is. That way, you can prepare for the following morning. When freezing conditions are forecast the council has 33 gritters to pre-treat over 750 miles of road, over 50% of the entire network. This is the equivalent of driving from Lochgilphead to Paris.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of ����ֱ�� has led tributes to Provost Len Scoullar who passed away at the weekend. Councillor Currie said:

The £200,000, Dunoon illumination project is now complete. The benefits of the colour-selectable lighting in ����ֱ�� Gardens, Castle House, Highland Mary Statue, Dunoon Pier and the War Memorial were obvious when these key landmarks lit up red, during the week, in honour of Remembrance Day. As well as additional performance lighting in ����ֱ�� Gardens, the Bandstand now also offers musicians an on-site PA system and upgraded electrical supplies. The audio and lighting project was made possible through funding from the Scottish Government’s, Town Centre Fund.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed their ideas for a Keeping it Local message for their local areas. We are now looking for final comments on proposals for Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Tobermory and Islay/Jura. Go to Community Links SL’s website, read more about the ideas and please give your feedback by Monday, 16 November. Lochgilphead Ardrishaig Islay and Jura

To coincide with National Maintenance Week (20th-27th November 2020) and #NationalGuttersDay  on Friday 27 November, Rothesay Townscape Heritage is promoting the importance of maintaining your property and keeping your gutters clean and clear each year. If you live in a tenement and find it hard when trying to organise repairs, the gutter maintenance programme will help property owners work together and form an “Owners Association”.