Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ

Improving safety standards for short-term lets, creating positive visitor experiences and tackling antisocial behaviour for local residents – the aims of a new short-term licensing scheme that comes into force in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute from 1 October. New short term let business owners need to apply for the license from the 1st of October, with existing businesses invited to apply between January and 1 April 2023.

A ‘top 10’ national tourism and cultural destination that reaffirms Bute as one of the best places to live and visit – these are just two of the roles campaigners have their sights set on for Rothesay Pavilion, if they can secure the additional funding needed to transform this much loved, iconic 20th century building. 

Outstanding Scottish school named Top 3 finalist for new $250,000 World’s Best School Prizes Dunoon Grammar School makes final 3 for World’s Best School Prize for Community CollaborationAn outstanding Scottish school has been named a Top 3 finalist for the new $250,000 World’s Best School Prizes, launched this year by T4 Education in collaboration with Accenture and American Express.

The deadlines have changed for people wishing to register to vote and/or request a postal vote in the Kintyre and Islands by-election. These changes are due to 19 September being a declared a national day of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The new deadlines are as follows: Last day to register to vote - 12 September at midnight.Deadline to apply for a postal vote - 13 Septembe

On Sunday at 12.45, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute’s Proclamation, announcing a new Monarch, will take place at Lochgilphead Front Green. This will follow Scotland’s Proclamation at 12.30. To enable this, roads immediately leading up to Colchester Square (Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ Street and A83) will be closed for a short time. Diversions will be in place; given alternative roads available, HGVs will be asked to wait. Roads will re-open as soon as possible after the Proclamation has been read. Attached is information on parking options at this time. For anyone affected – thank you for your co-operation.

Like other public organisations, the council has followed national guidance on flag-flying following the sad passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Following confirmation of Her death on the evening of Thursday 8th September, the Union flag was flown at half-mast on all council flagpoles. It will be restored to full mast from just before 11am on Saturday 10th September, until just after 1pm on Sunday 11th September. During this period, the King will be officially proclaimed nationally (on Saturday) and locally (on Sunday).

Twenty-three footpaths across Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute will benefit from an additional £500,000 investment as part of an ongoing programme to improve the quantity and quality of dropped kerb crossing points, and overall service improvement works. The work includes resurfacing footpaths and improving access for all abilities by dropping kerbs at crossing points. Work will start towards the end of the year across a number of locations including Islay, Rothesay, Mull, Helensburgh, Innellan and Oban.

New figures published by Skills Development Scotland show that 93.9% of young people in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute are currently in education, employment or training, putting the area in 5th place out of all 32 Scottish local authorities. The Annual Participation Measure reports on the economic and employment activity of 16-19 year olds in Scotland and is the source of the Scottish Government’s National Performance indicator. This year’s figures show a 0.4% rise in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute compared with 2021 and a jump from 10th to 5th in the national table.

  Councillor Maurice Corry, Provost of Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute has paid tribute to Her Majesty, saying:   “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Her decades of tireless service to the nation mean that she is the only Monarch most of us have ever known. Throughout our lives she has celebrated the nation’s successes and commiserated with us in times of challenge.  Her role was high profile and international, with her work extending across the Commonwealth she so clearly valued. It is difficult to imagine her absence.

Did you know you can vote in council elections if you’re 16 or over? There is an opportunity to have your say in who represents your community with a council by-election in the Kintyre and the Islands ward, where there is a vacancy for one councillor to sit on Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æ and Bute Council. Six candidates are standing for election - they are listed below in alphabetical order by surname: