º£½ÇÉçÇø

Did you know that over 600 marriages are conducted by º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute Council’s registrars each year? That’s almost two weddings every day. In 2002 the law changed in Scotland, allowing people to get married anywhere. Since then, the registrars in º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute have seen an influx of people tying the knot in a variety of beautiful locations across the area.

Staff and pupils at Campbeltown Grammar are excited to be moving forward in their new school building and to be making positive changes in light of the recommendations made by Education Scotland in their inspection report. The head teacher, staff and pupils are looking forward to discussing the progress made when Education Scotland returns next month (March).

We kicked off our #proudtocare campaign on Monday to highlight how much carers matter and are valued in people’s lives, and all the different reasons people have for choosing the care sector. We asked you if experience in home care can help you get jobs in other professions?

People living in º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute are being given the opportunity to make their homes more energy efficient as a result of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS).

Work on £200,000 worth of improvements to the Category A-listed Avenue Screen in Inveraray is underway. The Avenue Screen’s existing render needs to be entirely removed and replaced. Weather-proofing works are also required on the screen and will be carried out as part of the contract, which is part of the council’s drive to protect Inveraray’s stunning architectural appearance following previous major repair and conservation works to a string of buildings in the town.

º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute Council is currently carrying out a review of all residents who currently receive a 25% Single Person Discount (SPD) on their council tax.   SPD is claimed when an adult is the sole adult occupant of the property. Whilst most residents who claim the discount are genuinely eligible, there are a minority who are attempting to deceive the system.  

Children who turn five between 1 March 2019 and 28 February 2020 should be registered for primary school during the week beginning Monday 14 January 2019. Parents should take their children to their local primary school to register during that week, between 10am and 3pm. If your child is not already receiving pre-school education in º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute, you will need to bring their birth certificate with you when you register.

  Councillor Donnie MacMillan, councillor for Mid º£½ÇÉçÇø, has been awarded the British Empire Medal for services to local government. Donnie (91) has served º£½ÇÉçÇø and Bute as a local councillor for nearly 35 years. Following the announcement, in this year’s New Year’s Honours List, Donnie said:

‘Slime’ and similar products are expected to be among the most popular children’s gifts this Christmas. If you have bought slime, or are planning to do so, please be aware that products that do not carry the ‘CE Mark’ are far more likely to be unsafe. If you have any concerns or questions about a particular product, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or get in touch with our Trading Standards team on trading.standards@argyll-bute.gov.uk

An ongoing regeneration project in Rothesay is progressing well, councillors have heard. The Rothesay Townscape Heritage (TH) Phase 2 project is a five-year heritage-led regeneration project that will allow property owners to safeguard historic buildings and shopfronts while also developing skills and hosting events celebrating the island of Bute’s heritage.