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����ֱ�� is progressing a programme of regeneration projects to help communities and businesses recover from the impact of the pandemic.   Ongoing place based investment and regeneration is helping with the economic recovery with signs that employment levels are improving across the area.   The regeneration and investment initiatives include:  

Protecting ����ֱ�� and Bute’s stunning scenery and further enhancing its visitor appeal is the aim of a new range of tourism measures unveiled this week.   In response to concerns about the impact of irresponsible visitor behaviour, councillors have approved additional investment and a range of measures. They include:  

A new visitor map board and community noticeboard will add to the transformation of Lochgilphead’s Front Green thanks to a £13,000 local charity donation.  The Lochgilphead Phoenix Project, supported by the Co-op Local Community Fund, is providing new community signage to help welcome visitors to the area and promote local community events. The funding is helping to create a purpose made map board, providing information about the town centre and wider area. The map will encourage visitors to explore attractions and support local businesses.

Do you own a micro or small based business or are you thinking of starting a new business? ����ֱ�� is investing £1.5 million of funding across the region to further support local economic recovery from the impact of Covid and to help communities with the current cost of living crisis. The funding is available through the Scottish Government’s Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery Fund. As part of this funding, two new grants are available to help businesses start up and develop.

A bright, contemporary and accessible gateway to Oban Town Centre, with more people choosing to shop local – that is the vision behind new improvement works due to take place in Gibraltar Street later this year. ����ֱ�� and Bute is leading on the £260, 0000 project using funding from the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme, including a £10k contribution from Bid4Oban. It is one of five projects taking place across ����ֱ�� and Bute to help support ongoing economic recovery from the pandemic.

����ֱ�� is inviting people to have their say on where additional Electric Vehicle Charging (EVC) points should be located, in the event that funding becomes available to expand the scheme. There are currently 28 EVC sites situated across ����ֱ�� and Bute, however, the Council is consulting members of the public on a draft list of possible new sites as part of a medium to long-term future strategy for EVC infrastructure in the area. Any possible expansion will be strictly dependent on sourcing additional external funding.

Budding stonemasons, slaters, building surveyors and bricklayers all had the opportunity to try their hand at traditional building skills at a recent roadshow organised by ����ֱ��.   Aimed at pupils thinking about a career path in the construction industry, S1-3 pupils gained hands on experience with practical activities.   The roadshow visited pupils at Lochgilphead High School, Dunoon Grammar, Rothesay Joint Campus and Hermitage Academy.  

Port Ellen Primary on Islay has received a silver award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for ‘Making a Difference - Primary School of the Year’. The awards celebrate excellence in education and recognise the life-changing impact that an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.

Three primary school head teachers from ����ֱ�� and Bute have received top marks after completing Education Scotland’s national ‘In Headship’ qualification. Linda MacBeath from Rhu, Karen Wheatley from St Mun’s, and Pauline Walsh from Colgrain all took part in the In Headship postgraduate programme, which is designed to enable new head teachers to develop and continue to build the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding required in their role.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of ����ֱ�� said: