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����ֱ�� has given out £30 million in business grants, and is reminding businesses affected by COVID-19 that help is still available. Staff from a range of council services have either refocused their work, or left their usual roles temporarily, to help deliver support to local businesses at this hugely difficult time. The main area of activity involves the administration of Scottish Government business support schemes, which include rate reliefs and specific grants for small and medium sized businesses.

Moves to expand Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) and implement 1140 hours of funded ELC in ����ֱ�� and Bute by August 2020 are continuing to progress, despite the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. In March the Scottish Government announced that local authorities would no longer be legally obliged to deliver 1140 hours of funded childcare from August 2020 due to the coronavirus crisis.

“We need to work together locally to help recover our local economy.”   The Leader of ����ֱ��, Councillor Aileen Morton, summed up the challenges facing the local economy in moving on from the impacts of COVID-19.    “Tourism and regeneration work on hold, numerous local shops closed, businesses suspended, jobs being lost… COVID-19 is having significant consequences for the local economy.    

����ֱ�� will invest up to £250,000 in events and festivals to help the local economy combat the impact of COVID-19.  A range of cultural events, which had been awarded grants by the council’s Strategic Events and Festivals Fund and Supporting Communities Fund, cannot go ahead in 2020/21 because of COVID-19 restrictions.  The council’s Business Continuity Committee agreed three measures today to address this and the impact on the economy: 

����ֱ�� has  commissioned a design team to develop a new concept for an area of Ardrishaig’s public realm and waterfront. The new design is the latest step in a project looking  to enhance this important area within the village with the aim of encouraging people to visit and spend more time there.

Plans are being progressed by ����ֱ�� to prepare for children and young people returning to school and early years settings in August. Although specific details are still being confirmed, children will return to a ‘blended model’ which will include a mix of school and home learning.

����ֱ�� is urging people to act responsibly and follow national guidance following a busy weekend at popular beauty spots. The warm weather brought high volumes of visitors to the area including Luss and Arrochar which in turn created antisocial issues including parking congestion and littering in the village and across beaches. Councillor Robin Currie, the council’s policy lead for roads and infrastructure said:

����ֱ�� and Bute has fantastic volunteers who make life better, even possible, for people in need. Responding to the coronavirus has brought that fact into sharp focus. From delivering food and medicine, to providing emotional support, hundreds of people across the area are generously giving their time, attention and hard work to help others. This is Volunteer Week, so a great opportunity to pay tribute to this amazing community spirit.

Two secondary schools in ����ֱ�� and Bute are leading the way in Scottish education when it comes to delivering remote, digital learning opportunities. Since before lockdown began, Oban and Tiree High Schools have been benefitting from shared live, digital lessons through Google Meet. Peter Bain, Executive Head Teacher of both schools, explains: “We made the decision to merge the timetables of both schools to allow for the delivery of live lessons to and from each one.

 The Scottish Government has announced they are entering phase 1 as lockdown restrictions start to ease.  Whilst some restrictions have been lifted including access to outdoor recreation, the guidance remains clear: