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A group of pupils from Dunoon Grammar School are celebrating the news that they have won an Apps for Good Employability Skills Award for innovation – beating off stiff competition from across the UK. The 2019 Apps for Good Employability Skills prizes is sponsored by Capgemini and celebrates young technology creators aged 10 to 18 who have come up with a great idea for a product that makes the world a better place.

Three pupils from Dunoon Grammar School recently got the chance to work behind the scenes at STV’s the state-of-the-art studios in Glasgow. Blair McColm, Kane Lock and Dominic Rafferty visited the studios as part of their preparations for the Youth Philanthropy Initiative’s (YPI) national event, which takes place in Perth Concert Hall later this month.

Businesses across Argyll and Bute are being reminded to check whether they need permission to put up advertising signs. Argyll and Bute Council has guidelines which give clear advice to local firms and residents. People planning to install new or replacement signs are being urged to check with the council before going ahead. Policy Lead for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor David Kinniburgh, said: “Signage, whether it’s on a building or an A board on the street, comes under the control of the council.

Findings from the ongoing investigations into flooding in Oban, along with possible solutions to address flood risks, will be shared with the local community at an informal drop in session between 1 and 3 pm on 20 June in the Corran Halls. There will also be a talk followed by open discussion session in the evening between 7pm and 9pm.  The project team is keen to share these findings with the local community including businesses affected by the recent flooding. Feedback will be sought to ensure that the options being developed are right for Oban. 

Dunoon Grammar is in the running to become Europe’s 'Most Enterprising School' after being selected to represent Scotland at this year’s European Entrepreneurial School Awards. The European Entrepreneurial School Awards is an annual recognition of outstanding schools that are championing entrepreneurship in education across Europe.

Argyll and Bute Council has launched a consultation to ask its residents and businesses what they think about tackling waste throughout the area. In January 2021, the Scottish Government will introduce a ban on Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) going into landfill. Simply put, that means household waste that is biodegradable, such as food, garden waste and cardboard, can no longer be disposed of in landfill. 

Argyll and Bute Council’s Community Services Committee has agreed the school holiday dates for 2020-2023. The dates were proposed following consultation with schools and parent councils during 2018. They were then agreed by the Head Teacher Advisory Group, the Local Negotiating Committee for Teachers (LNCT) and the Joint Service Committee (JNC). The dates include two additional in-service days for 2019-20 which were announced by the Scottish Government.

Tha Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid air aontachadh taic-airgid luach £20,000 a thoirt do dh’Fhèisean nan Gàidheal, a’ bhuidheann a tha a’ toirt taic do agus a’ cur chothroman ionnsachaidh air dòigh airson ceòl traidiseanta, seinn Ghàidhlig agus dràma Gàidhlig. Leis an taic bhon Chomhairle, ’s urrainn do dh’Fhèisean nan Gàidheal maoineachadh a bharrachd a thoirt a-steach; mar thoradh air gach £1 de thaic a bheir a’ Chomhairle seachad, thèid £5.40 a chosg air seirbheisean Gàidhlig san sgìre.

Argyll and Bute Council has approved £20,000 funding to Fèisean nan Gàidheal, an organisation that supports the development of traditional music, Gaelic singing and Gaelic drama. The support from the council enables Fèisean nan Gàidheal to lever in additional funding; every £1 of support received from the council, enables £5.40 spend on delivering Gaelic services in the area. The council funding comes from Community Development (£15, 500) and Education Services’ Gaelic specific budget (£4500) and is for the year 2019/20.

Positive progress is being made by Argyll and Bute Council as it prepares for the increase in free early learning and childcare provision, to 1140 hours per year by 2020. The expansion in childcare, from 600 hours to 1140 hours, is part of a Scottish Government initiative aimed at providing young people with a high quality experience that can make a significant contribution to their development, and help close the poverty related attainment gap.