News

With schools across Scotland closed until June, Argyll and Bute Council is preparing for pupils returning in August, subject to COVID-19 safety requirements. At a meeting of the council’s Business Continuity Committee, members heard about work which is ongoing to prepare for the re-opening of schools, as part of a discussion about the steps the council is taking to support businesses and communities affected by COVID-19.

Over the past few weeks, in response to the COVID 19 crisis, the council has made changes to the way it works to support the continuation of essential services in Argyll and Bute. The council’s high-performing planning and licensing services will play a key role in economic and social recovery in Argyll and Bute, and so it is vital that new arrangements are put in place to keep them operating effectively.

The council’s Business Continuity Committee on Thursday (14 May 2020) approved £28,900 from the Strategic Housing Fund be awarded to the Colonsay Community Development Company (CCDC) towards purchasing land at Scalasaig, Colonsay in order to deliver much-needed affordable housing for the island. CCDC has had positive discussions Colonsay Estate to purchase land to purchase the land. The Development Company has already secured £375,000 in funding from the Scottish Land Fund and the council contribution will bridge the funding gap.

Members of the local community on Coll have teamed up with teachers at Arinagour Primary School to provide island pupils with a wide variety of remote learning challenges during lockdown. As well as the day to day learning tasks set by teachers, residents on the island are also thinking up novel, fun ideas for children to get involved with.

Council progress in supporting businesses and local communities affected by COVID-19 has been considered by the Business Continuity Committee (BCC). A report to the BCC shows that the council’s response has been wide ranging covering everything from food, medicine, information and home-learning services, to care for vulnerable people, business support and longer term planning for recovery. Highlights include: Getting £23.5 million to date of Scottish Government grant funding to local businesses

Three members of our Argyll Education Staff are finalists in the 2020 Scottish Education Awards. David Mitchell, of Dunoon Grammar, is amongst the three finalists in the Head Teacher of the Year category. Paul Gallanagh, also of Dunoon Grammar, and Susan Carter, of Kilmartin Primary, are two of the final three nominees for Teacher of the Year. Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, Policy Lead for Education, said: “I am so proud of our three finalists.

The council-operated Oban Airport is providing safety support to a trial delivering vital medical supplies between Lorn and Islands District General Hospital, in Oban, and Mull and Iona Community Hospital, Craignure, Isle of Mull. The team at the airport is providing back up to Skyports, a London-based drone delivery service. The project is designed to support NHS logistics operations to help provide front-line staff with the necessary equipment to do their jobs safely and to help keep hard-to-reach communities provisioned with essential medical care.

Argyll and Bute Council's Policy Lead for Education has issued a reassuring message to parents, urging them not to put too much pressure on themselves while trying to home-school during lockdown. Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, said: “Lockdown is a difficult time for everyone, especially parents who are trying to home-school their children, many of whom are doing so while also trying to work from home – not an easy task. We fully understand that parents aren’t trained teachers and we don’t expect them to be.

Please find here an update on Audit Scotland’s Best Value inspection of Argyll and Bute Council

Argyll and Bute Council has given out £17.4 million already in business grants, and is reminding businesses affected by COVID-19 that they can apply for funding support until 31 March2021. The main area of activity involves the administration of Scottish Government business support schemes, which include rate reliefs and specific grants for small and medium sized businesses. Staff from a range of council services have either refocused their work, or left their usual roles temporarily, to help deliver support to local businesses at this hugely difficult time.