ÓûÂþɬ

Upgrade work to improve the lifts at Rothesay Ferry Terminal is currently programmed to begin in October of this year subject to procurement and off-site fabrication of materials by the Council’s contractor. The council has commissioned Stannah Lift Service Ltd to carry out almost £100,000 of upgrades to the lifts, based on recommendations made by an independent specialist hired to identify the best way forward.

The council has agreed to release funding of £25,000 for research into the possibility of creating a seawater intake pipe pumping system that could eventually serve a new aquaculture hub in Machrihanish.

More than £150,000 of funding is to be made available to businesses in ÓûÂþɬ over the next three years. A surplus of £154,700 has been left following the closure of the West of Scotland Loan Fund (WSLF), and this money will now be set aside to boost small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in ÓûÂþɬ.

Councillors today approved a plan that will enhance ÓûÂþɬ’s accessibility and appeal as a location for filming. With recent productions such as Hollywood blockbuster Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and upcoming big screen movie Love Me To Death having been filmed in ÓûÂþɬ, the spotlight is on the area as a desirable location for film crews from around the world.

With thousands of young people from across ÓûÂþɬ returning to school today after the summer holidays, ÓûÂþɬ Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, would like to wish them the very best of luck: “From those entering their final year of secondary school, to our primary ones who are just starting out on their educational journey, I would like to wish each and every one of them lots of happiness and success in the new school term.

An event will be held in Oban next week to enable graduates in ÓûÂþɬ to find out more about the opportunity to become fully qualified secondary school teachers without the need to move away from the area. ÓûÂþɬ Council has been working in partnership with the Universities of Dundee and the Highlands and Islands to agree a programme, recently approved by the General Teaching Council of Scotland, which will see student teachers based in local schools over an 18 month period.

  Tha aithisg adhartais air Seirbheis Foghlaim Comhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid a’ toirt fa-near do mar a tha ceannas làidir ann, taic a tha air a dealbh a dh’aona-ghnothach do dhiofar sgoiltean, agus do mar a tha an luchd-obrach air cur romhpa piseach a thoirt air an t-seirbheis.   Dh’fhoillsich Luchd-sgrùdaidh na Banrigh airson Foghlaim toraidhean an sgrùdaidh aca an-diugh (Dimàirt 31 Iuchar) agus iad air tadhal gus faicinn dè na ceumannan a bha a’ Chomhairle air a ghabhail gus piseach a thoirt air seirbheis an fhoghlaim aca.  

Thathar a’ tabhann comhairle an-asgaidh do luchd-seilbh Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid air dè a’ bhuaidh a bhios aig an atharrachadh bho Shochairean Taigheadais gu Creideas Coitcheann orra.

People living in conservation areas or listed buildings in ÓûÂþɬ are being encouraged to check with the council before carrying out any changes to their property. ÓûÂþɬ has a total of 32 designated conservation areas, from Campbeltown to Tobermory.

ÓûÂþɬ Council’s Trading Standards team is warning people to be aware of doorstep cold-callers, after receiving reports of traders turning up unplanned at peoples’ homes in the area to offer household maintenance, repairs and general improvement work. Before carrying out any work at your property, traders must provide you with written details that include the name and address of the trader, the price and details of the work involved.