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Argyll and Bute Council has approved a new housing strategy that sets out plans to build over 900 affordable homes over the next five years. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan 2021/22 – 2025 will help achieve the aims set out in the council’s Local Housing Strategy. The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) covers:

Councillor David Kinniburgh is Argyll and Bute’s new Provost. His election to the role follows the sad death of Councillor Len Scoullar earlier this month. Councillor David Kinniburgh, Provost for Argyll and Bute: “It is an absolute honour to be elected as Provost although it comes in such sad circumstances following the passing of my friend and colleague Len Scoullar. Being elected as Provost is a privilege and I can assure the people of Argyll and Bute, of my commitment to this important role. ”

The council’s winter roads’ maintenance plan is now up and running to tackle the worst of the cold weather ahead. You can help keep yourself safe by following the council’s daily action plan so you know what overnight road conditions are likely to be and what our gritting schedule is. That way, you can prepare for the following morning. When freezing conditions are forecast the council has 33 gritters to pre-treat over 750 miles of road, over 50% of the entire network. This is the equivalent of driving from Lochgilphead to Paris.

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council has led tributes to Provost Len Scoullar who passed away at the weekend. Councillor Currie said:

The £200,000, Dunoon illumination project is now complete. The benefits of the colour-selectable lighting in Argyll Gardens, Castle House, Highland Mary Statue, Dunoon Pier and the War Memorial were obvious when these key landmarks lit up red, during the week, in honour of Remembrance Day. As well as additional performance lighting in Argyll Gardens, the Bandstand now also offers musicians an on-site PA system and upgraded electrical supplies. The audio and lighting project was made possible through funding from the Scottish Government’s, Town Centre Fund.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed their ideas for a Keeping it Local message for their local areas. We are now looking for final comments on proposals for Lochgilphead, Ardrishaig, Tobermory and Islay/Jura. Go to Community Links SL’s website, read more about the ideas and please give your feedback by Monday, 16 November. Lochgilphead Ardrishaig Islay and Jura

To coincide with National Maintenance Week (20th-27th November 2020) and #NationalGuttersDay  on Friday 27 November, Rothesay Townscape Heritage is promoting the importance of maintaining your property and keeping your gutters clean and clear each year. If you live in a tenement and find it hard when trying to organise repairs, the gutter maintenance programme will help property owners work together and form an “Owners Association”.

Congratulations to Jilly Wilson, of Lochgilphead Square Peg, who is the Argyll and Bute’s regional champion in Scotland's Town Partnership’s High Street Heroes Awards. Jilly was recognised for supporting communities in Lochgilphead, and in Tayvallich, working seven days a week to fulfil orders from her shop. She and her small team of staff also fed between 120 and 180 essential workers - three meals a day for four weeks.

Argyll and Bute Council is asking for your views on its bus services, as part of its work to prepare for setting its budget next year. Estimates show that the council should prepare to bridge a funding gap of around £6.7 million in 2021/22. One of the steps the council is taking to do that involves assessing how it could work differently, together and with partners, in key areas of work including the delivery of public and school bus services.

The council’s building standards team were contacted by Police Scotland at the weekend and attended the scene where it was found that an area of stonework from the front elevation of the property had collapsed onto the public footpath and roadway. Due to the poor condition of the property it has been unoccupied for a number of years. In the interests of public safety and working with Police Scotland and our Road and Infrastructure Services, the council used its statutory powers to close the public footpaths and road in the immediate vicinity, with traffic diversions put in place.