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Anyone on Islay planning to cast a vote at Bowmore Hall in next week’s local elections should now attend the ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Customer Service Point in Jamieson Street instead, not the Killarow Community Centre as previously advised. Bowmore Hall cannot be used due to safety concerns and, on exploring the logistics of people travelling to and from the Killarow Community Centre, the Council’s Customer Service Point has been selected as a more convenient location.

¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council has awarded the Freedom of ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ to Patrick Stewart CVO, MBE, LLB, WS, FSA Scot in recognition of his service to the community. Mr Stewart served the Lieutenancy of ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ for 33 years before retiring from his most role as Lord-Lieutenant in July 2020. In addition to his Lieutenancy work, Mr Stewart has a long history of involvement with the voluntary sector in ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ.

Dear Parents/Carers,  We are saddened to see the historic building at Hermitage Primary destroyed by fire on Monday evening,  a police investigation is underway. 

Services from across the council have been working together, and with our emergency services partners, in responding to the fire in the annexe of Hermitage Primary School.   Our Education, Property, Building Standards and Health and Safety services are all involved in assessing and progressing action needed now that the fire is out. This includes arranging for demolition of the annexe, which began on Tuesday evening.  

Delivering medical equipment, transporting patients to hospital, transferring school pupils and welcoming tourists are just some of the critical roles air services play across ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ. ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council operates the West Coast Air Service linking Coll, Colonsay, Tiree and Islay to Oban. A new consultation is asking communities and businesses to help shape the future of this service ahead of awarding a new contract.

Residents and visitors will soon be able to enjoy new and improved facilities as the £1.5 million transformation of Lochgilphead’s Front Green nears completion. ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council is leading the transformation project that includes a new public square, a long held community aspiration. The square will be available to hold public events. One of the first events is likely to be the community organised Lochgilphead Celtic and Pictish Festival. Children don’t have long to wait to try out the new play park. There is a range of new equipment to play on, including:

A community orchestra, youth café and LEGO club are just some of the projects to benefit from this year’s ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council’s Supporting Communities Fund. The fund is available to a range of community organisations including voluntary, charities and social enterprises. In total £90,000 of funding will benefit 47 projects, delivering vital support and activities in their communities.

¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council’s ongoing work to develop nurturing cultures across its school communities has been highlighted in Education Scotland’s National Health and Wellbeing Review. The review was carried out by HM Inspectors and explores a range of approaches taken by local authorities to support the health and wellbeing of their young people, including â€˜Our Children, their Nurturing Education’ – a strategy created by ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council’s education service to ensure children and young people have the emotional and psychological support they need.

Hermitage Academy has received gold accreditation from Investors in People, making it the first school in Scotland to gain national recognition at bronze, silver and gold levels. Investors in People is an international accreditation awarded to organisations that demonstrate a commitment to their employees, and to creating a great workplace experience for everyone. Assessors from Investors in People carried out a visit to Hermitage in January this year and praised the school’s continued commitment to engage and develop its young workforce.

Lismore residents today welcomed the arrival of a new passenger ferry. The Lady of Lismore arrived at Port Appin after a journey of 302 nautical miles from Pembrokeshire. ¶¶ÒõÊÓƵ Council awarded the £500,000 contract, funded by Transport Scotland to Mainstay Marine Solutions.