ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº

The Depute First Minister announced today that, if coronavirus continues to be suppressed, schools in Scotland could be fully re-opened in August. While there will be a number of things to consider, the health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff will remain the council’s number one priority.  In ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Education staff have put a huge amount of effort into preparing for a blended learning approach from August in our schools.  We are ready to use this if required should the situation change.

Small Isles Primary School has scooped its fifth Eco-Schools Green Flag. Run by Keep Scotland Beautiful, Eco-Schools is the largest sustainable schools programme in the world and encourages young people to take positive steps to ensure that we look after our environment.  Congratulating the school, ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly said: “What a great achievement. The pupils, staff and parents should be extremely proud of themselves.

Plans are moving ahead for construction work to restart at Dunoon Primary as soon as lockdown restrictions allow. The school has already undergone extensive work over the last few months as part of a £10.7 million investment by ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Council, including £5.08 million funding from the Scottish Government, to transform it into a school fit for the 21st Century.

Head teachers will be getting in touch with parents and carers across ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº today (Friday) to let them know what the council’s proposed plans are for children and young people returning to school in August.

Community spirit in ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº We love hearing from our residents about the efforts made by those in the community who are doing their best in light of the circumstances brought on by COVID-19. We are sharing with you an example of dedications we have received and we want to take this opportunity to recognise and thank you for all your hard work:

Following the announcement from the Scottish Government that specific businesses can start to reopen from 29th June as part of phase 2, ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Council is working with local businesses to offer guidance and support, on the steps they need to take to keep themselves, employees and the public safe.

ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Council continues to build its green transport fleet and has just taken delivery of 20 new Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, partially funded by the Scottish Government. Through Transport Scotland’s Switched-on Fleets Grant, for every three-year lease paid for by the council, the Scottish Government will pay the lease for an additional vehicle. This is conditional on the council taking a diesel car off the road for each new vehicle added.

The council is taking its first step to going back to the normal cycles of bin and recycling collections – three weekly for general domestic waste and two weekly for blue bin/bag recycling. From the week beginning 22 June

The council is taking its first step to going back to the normal cycles of bin and recycling collections – three weekly for general domestic waste and two weekly for blue bin/bag recycling. From the week beginning 22 June

The Leader of ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº Council has urged the UK and Scottish Governments to progress ÄÛ²ÝӰԺ’s rural growth deal, and so support the area’s recovery from the impact of COVID-19. Councillor Aileen Morton has written to the Secretary of State for Scotland and to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Islands and Connectivity, following the council’s recent agreement of an economic recovery plan for ÄÛ²ÝÓ°Ôº which features the £50 million+ rural growth deal (RGD). Councillor Morton said: