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Young people and their families are celebrating success today, with the long-awaited SQA awards announced for S4, S5 and S6 qualifications. The results follow months of disruption for schools, pupils and their families which saw home learning developed and a new national assessment process introduced, as part of Scotland’s response to the threat of COVID-19. Early indications are that overall ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s young people have overcome this disruption and secured qualifications that mean they move onto positive destinations.

Residents in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute are being asked to say what matters most to them when it comes to housing in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute. The council and its partners are preparing a new Local Housing Strategy which will set out priorities for action in the next five years (2021-26). We want to ensure the new strategy identifies issues and priorities across all types and tenures of housing and related services.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is reminding people about the area’s popularity as a prime filming location, after the government announced a £500 million scheme to help kickstart film companies struggling due to Covid 19. A number of high profile film and television productions have been filmed in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute in recent years, as well as various documentaries, adverts and other productions. The area’s stunning landscape is also continuing to attract fashion photoshoots, with Urban Outfitters and Stella McCartney just two who have recently visited.

Visitors to Arrochar and Luss are being urged to park responsibly this weekend, following last weekend when 86 Penalty Charge Notices were served. The majority of the notices were for vehicles parked where they clearly should not be ie in disabled parking spaces, in places reserved for coaches or outwith bays.

As ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute re-opens to tourism, and local people are getting out and about more, we are asking both our welcome visitors and residents to take care of the area and either bin their litter or take it home with them.

Look out for information coming through your door about registering to vote in Scottish and UK elections.  From 3 August anybody aged 14 or over living in Scotland, with the right to remain in the UK, will be able to register to vote in UK elections. Voting ages remain the same – 16 for the Scottish Parliament and council elections and 18 for UK Parliament elections.

¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ has approved planning consent for a development of four new affordable houses at Ulva Ferry, Isle of Mull, led by Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT) working with Ulva School Community Association (USCA). Councillor David Kinniburgh, Policy Lead for Planning, Protective Services, and Licensing (PPSL), said: “¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s future prosperity will be built on growing its population. So it’s wonderful to see a rural community take the lead in determining its future.

Parents in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute are being invited to find out whether or not they are eligible for help towards the cost of their children’s school uniform and free school meals. Since 2015, all pupils in primaries one to three are entitled to a free school meal, however, children in primary four and above need to pay unless their parents meet the criteria set out by the Scottish Government. School clothing grants are also available for parents who get specific benefits.

NHS Highland has become aware of a case of COVID-19 in a staff member from Gelato Burger Restaurant in Oban. The individual is isolating at home as per national guidelines. No other cases of illness have been reported in staff members. The national guidance for contact tracing has been followed and, following this, a number of staff members have been identified as close contacts. These close contacts have been followed up and have been advised to self-isolate for 14 days. As a precautionary measure, testing is being arranged for those identified as close contacts.

Food businesses play a major role in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s economy. Many have continued to operate throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but some will be starting to open up over the coming days and weeks. To provide support for restarting business operations, the council’s Environmental Health Team has put together guidance from a range of trusted sources that will assist business to provide a COVID-secure environment for staff and customers.