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����ֱ�� has increased its electric vehicle charging network to 28 points across the area as part of its commitment to reduce the impact of climate change. Its new policy of recovering costs for the electricity drawn to charge private vehicles comes into effect on 9 April 2021. This will bring ����ֱ�� and Bute in line with many other Scottish local authorities. Read more information on locations of the EV charging points and fees.   

Beating covid together -  answers to questions you may have about asymptomatic tests Free tests are now available in Helensburgh for people without covid-19 symptoms. Here are answers to questions you may have.   Question Answer Why should I get tested if I have no symptoms?  

We’ve heard concerns that Ardencraig Gardens, on Bute, will close. Ardencraig Gardens themselves will remain open, the only difference will be that the flowers will be sourced externally. The tearoom has been commercially leased and has been vacant for some time. If anyone is interested in taking on the lease, we would like to hear from them. The aviary and display glasshouses are being retained as these are integral parts of the gardens.

Rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing is available now in Helensburgh for people without symptoms.  The community testing initiative aims to drive down local COVID-19 rates and transmission by identifying positive cases more quickly, as people can spread the virus to others before symptoms appear. Residents who don’t have any of the three COVID symptoms (a new continuous cough, temperature, loss or change in sense of taste or smell) are encouraged to get tested.

“����ֱ�� will join the National Day of Reflection on March 23 to mark the anniversary of the start of the Covid-19 lockdown. As a mark of respect to all those who have lost their lives, the council will light up buildings in the area and join the minutes silence at midday.

����ֱ�� can advise that following discussion with CalMac Ferries, re-surfacing works planned for last year at Port Askaig will now take place from Monday 19 to Wednesday 28 April. This  means there will be changes to the CalMac ferry timetable, to and from Islay.The work, which will be carried out in-house by ����ֱ��, was postponed last year because of COVID-19 restrictions. The areas being resurfaced include the marshalling area, through lanes and exit lane.

The results are now in for the two by elections held on 18 March.  In Ward 8 – Isle of Bute, Liz McCabe (Independent) was elected at Stage 5, by single transferrable vote. The percentage poll was 42.4%.   In Ward 11 – Helensburgh and Lomond South, Gemma Penfold (Scottish Conservative and Unionist) was elected at Stage 1, by single transferrable vote. The percentage poll was 41.8%. Full results for Ward 8 - Isle of Bute

Issued by Historic Environment Scotland   Four historic communities across Scotland will benefit from a combined investment of £4,502,575, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced today (Wednesday 17 March).   The funding, awarded as part of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), will be shared between four Conservation Areas to help them regenerate and attract further investment in the future: £762,101 will be invested in Dumfries; £1,113,949 in Dunbar; £1,240,000 in Helensburgh; and £1,386,525 in Stirling.  

Parents and staff from schools on Mull and Iona teamed together to put a smile on the faces of every child and young person on the islands after a difficult year. Led by Dervaig Primary School’s Parent Council, the group received £5,000 from the Mull Waterfall Fund to do something special for every young person in the area, from new born babies to school leavers – a total of 529 people.

The Scottish Parliamentary Election takes place on Thursday 6th May 2021. Everyone in Scotland is represented by eight Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) - one constituency MSP and seven MSPs for the larger region in which they live. For voters living in the ����ֱ�� and Bute constituency, this means they will be asked to elect one Constituency MSP and one Regional MSP for the ����ֱ�� and Bute area within the Highlands and Islands Region.