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¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ is currently carrying out a review of all residents who currently receive a 25% Single Person Discount (SPD) on their council tax.   SPD is claimed when an adult is the sole adult occupant of the property. Whilst most residents who claim the discount are genuinely eligible, there are a minority who are attempting to deceive the system.  

Children who turn five between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020 should be registered for primary school during the week beginning Monday 14 January 2019. Parents should take their children to their local primary school to register during that week, between 10am and 3pm. If your child is not already receiving pre-school education in ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute, you will need to bring their birth certificate with you when you register.

  Councillor Donnie MacMillan, councillor for Mid ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to local government. Donnie (91) has served ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute as a local councillor for nearly 35 years. Following the announcement, in this year’s New Year’s Honours List, Donnie said:

‘Slime’ and similar products are expected to be among the most popular children’s gifts this Christmas. If you have bought slime, or are planning to do so, please be aware that products that do not carry the ‘CE Mark’ are far more likely to be unsafe. If you have any concerns or questions about a particular product, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or get in touch with our Trading Standards team on trading.standards@argyll-bute.gov.uk

An ongoing regeneration project in Rothesay is progressing well, councillors have heard. The Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH) Phase 2 project is a five-year heritage-led regeneration project that will allow property owners to safeguard historic buildings and shopfronts while also developing skills and hosting events celebrating the island of Bute’s heritage.

Discussions between the council, Helensburgh Seafront Development Project (HSDP) Group and Waverley Excursions will help plan for the future use of Helensburgh Pier. The 147-year-old timber pier was temporarily closed on advice by consultants Arch Henderson, who recommended that a detailed structural analysis be carried out to confirm the structural integrity of the pier. Timber testing is currently underway, by specialist contractor Evova BM TRADA, at the timber pier.

A reduction in the council’s annual grant announced by the Scottish Government this week has left ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ facing a £9million budget gap for the next financial year. It is another significant cut in our funding, which is extremely disappointing. It will clearly impact on our residents and communities.

It’s always lovely to feel and see things changing as Christmas gets closer – even if some might say the whole festive season gets started a little too early these days. Of course it is inescapable once television and radio adverts switch to their Christmas focus, and shops roll out their festive decorations. It’s a lovely time of year though, and we are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world where even the winter weather doesn’t take away from the scenery and feeling of community.

The council’s policy and resources committee has agreed that 12 events and festivals will share £113,000 funding to help create attractions that will increase the appeal of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute as a world-class tourist destination. These include a literary event on Bute and a dance festival, as well as music festivals in Kintyre, Oban and Tiree. That funding is being made available for a portfolio of strategic events demonstrates the importance this industry has to economic development in the area.

Pupils at Dunoon Grammar School have ‘scooped’ themselves a year’s supply of ice cream after winning an international competition. Business Management pupils - Claire Lauffer, Eleanor Hill, Kim Kerr and Matthew MacDuff - beat off stiff competition from across the UK to win the School of Marketing’s ‘Ice Cream Dream’, sponsored by Walls.