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Hobbit houses, campfires and water walls are just some of the fun outdoor learning activities that children will get to experience as a result of Argyll and Bute’s new Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) settings and the ongoing expansion of an existing unit on Mull. Willowview in Oban and Silverbirch in Dunoon, both run by Argyll and Bute Council, welcomed their first children this week, while MAKI Pups in Lochgilphead, run by the Argyll and The isles Coast and Countryside Trust, has been fully operational for nine months now.

Public, private and third sector organisations with ten or more employees (which can include formal volunteers) can now sign up for asymptomatic workplace testing.

Plans are progressing for local events that will support the aims of the global climate change conference planned in Glasgow later this year. Included is an event in Helensburgh that will raise the question – what do we need to do to make Argyll and Bute the UK’s first net zero region?

Argyll and Bute Council has given the green light for a new native woodland in Lochgilphead, as part of its work to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045. The scheme will see woodland planted across 60 hectares of council-owned land, located mostly around Kilmory. It will be delivered through a partnership between the council and Argyll and the Isles Coast and Countryside Trust (ACT).

Local businesses affected by the covid pandemic can soon apply for covid-recovery grants from a fund of more than £500,000. The council, at its meeting today of the Policy and Resources Committee, approved the launch of the Covid Hardship Fund, to support businesses facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. Three levels of grant award will be available: ·         £2,000 for businesses with no employees

Argyll and Bute Council 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 Argyll and Bute:

Local businesses are being encouraged to find out how a new gift card scheme, approved by Argyll and Bute Council today, could help them. The aim of the Argyll 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 Argyll and Bute.

Argyll and Bute Council 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 Argyll and Bute are celebrating today after achieving top marks in their exams and outperforming national averages. Figures for Argyll 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 Argyll and Bute Council, the new facility is based on the successful Gourock Bothy which has proved a major attraction for Inverclyde locals and visitors since 2018.