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The Depute First Minister announced today that, if coronavirus continues to be suppressed, schools in Scotland could be fully re-opened in August. While there will be a number of things to consider, the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff will remain the council’s number one priority.  In ����ֱ�� and Bute Education staff have put a huge amount of effort into preparing for a blended learning approach from August in our schools.  We are ready to use this if required should the situation change.

Community spirit in ����ֱ�� and Bute We love hearing from our residents about the efforts made by those in the community who are doing their best in light of the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. We are sharing with you an example of dedications we have received and we want to take this opportunity to recognise and thank you for all your hard work:

Head teachers will be getting in touch with parents and carers across ����ֱ�� and Bute today (Friday) to let them know what the council’s proposed plans are for children and young people returning to school in August.

Plans are moving ahead for construction work to restart at Dunoon Primary as soon as lockdown restrictions allow. The school has already undergone extensive work over the last few months as part of a £10.7 million investment by ����ֱ��, including £5.08 million funding from the Scottish Government, to transform it into a school fit for the 21st Century.

����ֱ�� continues to build its green transport fleet and has just taken delivery of 20 new Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, partially funded by the Scottish Government. Through Transport Scotland’s Switched-on Fleets Grant, for every three-year lease paid for by the council, the Scottish Government will pay the lease for an additional vehicle. This is conditional on the council taking a diesel car off the road for each new vehicle added.

Following the announcement from the Scottish Government that specific businesses can start to reopen from 29th June as part of phase 2, ����ֱ�� is working with local businesses to offer guidance and support, on the steps they need to take to keep themselves, employees and the public safe.

The Leader of ����ֱ�� has urged the UK and Scottish Governments to progress ����ֱ�� and Bute’s rural growth deal, and so support the area’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19. Councillor Aileen Morton has written to the Secretary of State for Scotland and to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Islands and Connectivity, following the council’s recent agreement of an economic recovery plan for ����ֱ�� and Bute which features the £50 million+ rural growth deal (RGD). Councillor Morton said:

The council is taking its first step to going back to the normal cycles of bin and recycling collections – three weekly for general domestic waste and two weekly for blue bin/bag recycling. From the week beginning 22 June

The council is taking its first step to going back to the normal cycles of bin and recycling collections – three weekly for general domestic waste and two weekly for blue bin/bag recycling. From the week beginning 22 June

����ֱ�� is continuing to deliver a range of services aimed at improving the educational attainment and life chances of care experienced children and young people. The Council has confirmed that significant improvements achieved during 2018/19 in relation to scrutiny, audit and outcomes for the area’s care experienced children and young people have been sustained into 2019/20 – including additional support related to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.