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Local businesses are being encouraged to find out how a new gift card scheme, approved by ����ֱ�� today, could help them. The aim of the ����ֱ�� and Bute Loves Local Gift Card initiative is to encourage local shopping, drive footfall to community businesses and keep spend local in the local area for longer. The cards are suitable for small independent and national retailers with no costs to individual businesses. They can be used for face-to-face transactions, and online where a business has a ‘bricks and mortar’ presence in ����ֱ�� and Bute.

����ֱ�� has approved funding for five new community projects via the Scottish Government’s Place Based Investment Programme (PBIP). Over the next year, £561,000 will go to support a range of local projects across ����ֱ�� and Bute:

����ֱ�� is looking for a buyer for the former Port Ellen Schoolhouse on Islay. Situated close to Port Ellen Primary School, the property is for sale at offers over £95,000 and will appeal to buyers keen on a renovation project. Built in 1965, the schoolhouse is a single storey, detached four-bedroom bungalow with a internal area of 118m2 and private off-road parking.

Secondary pupils across ����ֱ�� and Bute are celebrating today after achieving top marks in their exams and outperforming national averages. Figures for ����ֱ�� and Bute this year show the following pass rates:

Dunoon’s appeal as a fantastic location for cyclists and walkers moves into top gear this week with the launch of the new Dunoon Bothy Project   The Bothy will offer a range of activities for both experienced and new cyclists and walkers from its temporary base at the town’s pier.   Operated by Cycling UK and part funded by ����ֱ��, the new facility is based on the successful Gourock Bothy which has proved a major attraction for Inverclyde locals and visitors since 2018.     

Following a tree survey in the early stages of the project, it was determined that a number of trees along the A83 were in poor health, overshadowed or dying. Work to remove the damaged trees will start on 9 August 2021.   Trees being removed, will be replaced with Hornbeam, specially chosen for the avenue along Poltalloch Street, as it is more salt tolerant than the Horse Chestnut. All existing healthy trees will be protected during the works.   On the plan below, trees coloured red are to be removed and green trees will remain. 

Do you want to make your home more energy efficient?Residents in ����ֱ�� and Bute are being given the opportunity to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient through the Scottish Government’s Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme. ����ֱ�� has been awarded £1,742,819 to help residents make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. These include external/internal wall insulation, underfloor insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. The programme is available to:

  Work underway on significant tourism development project Issued by VisitScotland    Gigha’s visitor economy is getting a boost with a major infrastructure project to improve facilities for motorhomes and campers.   Work is underway on the project, to provide a new fully accessible toilet and showering facility with provision for 6 motorhome hook up points, camping pitches and a motorhome waste disposal point.  

“What can I do?” “What can we do together?” Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of the ����ֱ�� talks about being proactively climate-friendly, meeting ambitious targets and looking after the resources we all need. Climate friendly ����ֱ�� and Bute – LGIU

Lochgilphead historic buildings and shopfronts are set to get a makeover with the launch of a new grant scheme to help building owners carry out repairs. It is part of ����ֱ��’s ongoing investment and regeneration in the town, to help attract more people and jobs to the area and make the place more vibrant for communities.   The Small Repairs Grant is part of the Lochgilphead Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), a £1.6million project that runs until March 2026. It follows on from previous successful CARS in Dunoon, Rothesay and Campbeltown.