Wednesday 1 June 2011

Campbeltown Museum

Councillors will be updated at the executive committee meeting ( Thu 2nd June) on work due to start on Campbeltown Museum this summer to improve what’s on offer. Already the council has given £20,000 which has been match funded by Museums Galleries Scotland. The £40,000 will be used for a new gallery heating system, new display lighting and new blackout blinds to reduce natural light.



The museum is the only one run by Argyll and Bute Council and it has been agreed it will still be curated by staff from Kilmartin House Museum and Auchindrain. This agreement has been in place since 2007 and is necessary to give the council the professional museum service it needs. The arrangement has attracted very positive attention at national level, where it isregardedas a model of innovative good practice.



The new look museum could soon include a number of the late Lady Linda McCartney’s photos. Staff are close to an agreement with the trust which controls her photographic works.



Spokesperson for Third Sector and Communities Councillor Rory Colville says ‘I’m delighted about this great partnership continuing delivering a much needed service for Campbeltown and Argyll and Bute.



‘It is fantastic the museum is getting this money to get things in order to maintain accreditation.’

BBC ALBA – WEEKLY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS Saturday 11 June – Friday 17 June 2011

Title: Rockness 2011 Music Festival

The Scottish summer festival season starts on BBC ALBA as the channel presents live coverage of the main stage and highlights from the weekend. The Chemical Brothers and Example are among the main stage acts on Saturday plus DJ Annie Mac. Hosted by Andrew Robertson and Emma MacInnes.

Transmitted: Saturday 11 June
Time: 9.00 – 11:00pm


Title: Rockness 2011 Music Festival
Rockness continues on BBC ALBA, with Paolo Nutini, Glasvegas and The Wombats all featuring on the main stage on Sunday. Hosted by Andrew Robertson and Emma MacInnes.

Transmitted: Sunday 12 June
Time: 10.00pm – 12:00 midnight


Title: Taghadh Bho na Trads / Highlights from The Trads
Julie Fowlis presents music and chat from the Trad Award Winners’ – some of the finest traditional musicians in the country. On tonight’s show - Malinky and Joe Aitken.

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm


Title: Trusadh / Papers in The New World

The newspaper industry has seen many changes in recent years. In the past five years alone, sales of newspapers on a national level have fallen by 30%. The expansion of television to a multi-channel world offering 24/7 news, and the impact of the internet and new technology have all changed the way that we consume news.

How though have local newspapers been affected, and what lies ahead for the industry as a whole? Local Western Isles journalist, Murray MacLeod, finds out more.

We hear from other journalists, and visit the Skye based West Highland Free Press, who recently became the UK's first employee owned newspaper. Is this a model that would work for others? In Uist, local newspaper, Am Pàipear, has twice been named Community Newspaper of the Year for the Highlands and Islands recently. What is the secret of its success?

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Dannsa

Over the course of this vibrant and highly energetic television series, viewers will follow six different dance groups from around Scotland through the highs and lows of rehearsal, competition and performance and we meet some of the dancers to share their life challenges. The groups are highly diverse in location, style, aspiration, age and accomplishment, including the Heavy Smokers, a street-dancing crew from Livingston, the teenage girls of the Fusion dance class in Aberdeen, the Ballet West school in Taynuilt, Oban, the asylum seekers and refugees of the Maryhill Integration Network in Glasgow, the over sixties at Dance Base in Edinburgh, and the aspiring hopefuls from The Space at the School of Contemporary Dance in Dundee.

All groups along with their teachers and choreographers face the challenge of putting a special dance piece together for a show which will see all six groups showcasing their talents on the same stage for one night only. Renowned Scottish contemporary choreographer Mr Andy Howitt will have the demanding task of incorporating all six groups for the end of series performance special at the Tramway Theatre in Glasgow.

Dannsa...........six groups, six different dance styles, one live dance show!

Transmitted: Monday 13 June
Time: 10.00 – 10.30pm


Title: Soillse / Eye of the Crocodile

In Madagascar, the tiny village of Ambalavuntaka lives in fear of killer crocodiles. For eight years, a giant crocodile has been circling this tiny peninsula, isolated in the middle of the Pangalanes canal in the east of the country. In the last few years, five people have been eaten. As the canal is the only source of water, it's impossible to lead a normal life. Washing up, bathing or simply crossing the canal all these simple, everyday acts have become a bold and risky adventure.

Too poor to buy a gun, the villagers are unable to defend themselves. But even if they did have a rifle, they would still be helpless against this monster. Hunting a creature like this is as skill that only a few accomplished hunters possess.

Responding to the call of the curse on this tiny village lost in the distant bush, a renowned young Madagascan hunter and a French crocodile expert join forces to try to rid this village of their plight.

Transmitted: Wednesday 15 June
Time: 9.00 – 9.55pm


Title: The Corncrake and the Croft An-Diugh

A unique opportunity to watch a documentary from the BBC's The World About Us series from 1977 about crofting and the environment in North Uist. The programme also looks at how the people and places featured have changed since then.

Transmitted: Thursday 16 June
Time: 9.00 – 10.00pm


Title: Anns na Paipearan / News from 1985

Derek Mackay takes a nostalgic look back at some of the stories featured in the Highland press in the year 1985.

Transmitted: Friday 17 June
Time: 8.30 – 9.00pm

NFUS says " MINISTERIAL MEETING PLOTS POSITIVE FUTURE"

NFU Scotland has met with Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the nation’s Environment Minister to plot out a positive future for food, farming and farm-based energy generation.

The meeting was the first between NFU Scotland President Nigel Miller and Richard Lochhead since Mr Lochhead was re-appointed to the Cabinet Secretary post following the Scottish parliamentary elections in May. They were joined by Stewart Stevenson, Scotland’s new Minister for the Environment and Climate Change.

Following the meeting, Mr Miller said:

“There is a real determination from both sides to build on the achievements and the positives of the last four years and ensure that our food and farming industries continue to move forward and flourish.

“Discussions focussed on how we can continue to improve the performance of primary production and food processing industries in order to generate real growth and opportunities for the Scottish rural economy. Opening up routes for supporting collaborative processing initiatives will be increasingly important if we are to achieve a diverse and wide-ranging food sector for the future. At the same time, we need to identify and remove any barriers that may stifle and inhibit the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that a successful food and farming sector needs.

“We are committed to working with the Scottish Government to set out the options and opportunities for farm businesses so that farmers, their families and their employees can make choices on how to take their businesses forward.

“There was agreement that we must continue to proactively tackle the immediate issue of CAP reform and future support arrangements for farmers and crofters as volatility and uncertainty are stumbling blocks to farm business development. We discussed with Ministers the priorities for Scotland and securing flexibility in any deal on CAP that comes out of Europe that could allow us to distribute the single farm payment (SFP) in the way that best suits our industry’s needs.

“As part of the CAP package, both NFUS and the Scottish Government are committed to sorting out the problem faced by new entrants who do not have access to SFP. A problem that must be dealt with at the earliest opportunity.

“As part of any CAP negotiations, the onerous cross-compliance requirements and penalty regime must be factored in to EU discussions. We discussed with Ministers the possibility of Scotland operating a pilot scheme to show Europe how an industry-owned inspection system may operate. We believe this could ensure higher levels of compliance while allowing those who voluntarily join up to the scheme being able to opt out of Government inspections and penalties.

“Having Stewart Stevenson at the meeting provided us with an opportunity to discuss Scottish Government strategy on renewables and the important role that farm-based projects will play in meeting ambitious energy targets. For that potential to be realised, we need to work with Scottish Government and examine how we unlock the obstacles that are currently limiting on-farm developments.”

Council leader "disappointed by ferry announcement"

The leader of Argyll and Bute Council has expressed his disappointment following the Scottish Government’s announcement of the tender results for the ferry link between Dunoon and Gourock town centres.

Councillor Dick Walsh was speaking after it was confirmed that there would be no vehicle element to the new service.

The decision was taken despite a long campaign by both Argyll and Bute and Inverclyde councils – on behalf of the communities they serve – to see a vehicle element incorporated.

“It is very disappointing that the process has not produced what the communities wanted – a regular vehicle and passenger service between Dunoon and Gourock town centres,” Councillor Walsh said.

“Having said that, I am pleased that we finally have a clear decision from the Government which will allow us to move on and work out how best to ensure that the people of Dunoon and the surrounding area can benefit from the service they will have.

“I also welcome the fact that the new service will operate from our new linkspan terminal. The challenge for the council now is to create suitable passenger facilities at the linkspan, and also to look at how best to address the issue of Dunoon’s Victorian pier.”

Argyll and Bute and Inverclyde councils vigorously pursued the establishment of a vehicle and foot passenger ferry service on the route over several years – which included lobbying the European Commission.

However, in December 2009 the Commission ruled that public subsidy could only be provided for the passenger element of any service.

Since then, the councils sought - whilst acknowledging the ruling - to ensure that the tender would still allow the community aspirations for a vehicle service to be incorporated and operate commercially under stringent accounting, to ensure no subsidy leakage from the passenger service.

Both councils also sought independent legal advice on how the EC decision could be adhered to whilst achieving a tender which would allow the communities’ aspirations to be met. The main findings from that exercise were passed to the Scottish Government last year.

Argyll and Bute’s spokesperson for transport and infrastructure and chair of Hitrans, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre, said: “We did everything we could to try to secure a vehicular element, but unfortunately the decision has not gone the way the community had hoped it would.

“What’s important now is that this ferry service becomes part of an integrated transport network serving the Cowal and Inverclyde communities.

“The ferries must represent an improved level of service over that currently provided, especially in terms of the hours of operation during the early morning and late evening periods.

“We now look forward to working with the operator to ensure that the people of Dunoon and Cowal benefit in as many ways as possible from the new timetable.”

Tuesday 31 May 2011

NFUS CHIEF STEPS DOWN TO TAKE FOOD & DRINK ROLE

NFU Scotland announced today (Tuesday 31 May) that its Chief Executive James Withers is to join Scotland Food & Drink as its new CEO.

After 12 years with NFUS, three as Chief Executive, Mr Withers will leave the organisation and take up the exciting role at Scotland Food & Drink in September. A process to appoint his successor at NFUS will begin shortly.

NFUS President Nigel Miller said:

“While losing someone of James’ calibre is a blow to the organisation, the good news for members of NFU Scotland is that he will remain a hugely influential figure within our industry. Scotland Food & Drink has a target of growing the value of our food and drink sector to £12.5 billion by 2017. Scottish farmers and crofters, as food producers, will be at the core of that vision and will share in the benefits of value being added to our produce.

“Based on our experience, James will undoubtedly bring great vision and tremendous commitment to developing and growing Scotland Food & Drink. Since he started as a graduate trainee at NFUS in 1999, he has gone on to generate a substantial legacy from each of the positions he has held at head office.

“His early days in parliamentary affairs laid down the foundation of NFU Scotland’s successful relationship with the new Scottish Parliament and its ministers. In his time as Communications Director, he modernised the way the Union addressed its members, the wider industry, the media and the general public, significantly boosting the profile of NFU Scotland. Since his appointment as Chief Executive three years ago, he has delivered financial stability to the business while using funds wisely to grow NFUS as a member-led organisation with a much stronger regional base.

“James’ recent work on a forward strategy and business plan for the Union means that he leaves NFU Scotland in rude health with an excellent platform for any successor to build on. We wish James every success in his new role, we look forward to working with him on growing Scotland’s blossoming food and drink sector and we will crack on with the job of seeking a new Chief Executive for NFU Scotland in due course.

“Having James in place for the next few months will be a big benefit and help ensure that we find the right person to lead the Union as we head forward.”

James will commence his role at Scotland Food & Drink in September and he will play an important role in leading the industry into a successful future by pushing to the target of growing the industry from a value of £10bn to £12.5bn by 2017. He will also be crucial in implementing the industry strategy of exploiting the growth areas of premium, provenance and health.

Chairman of Scotland Food & Drink, Ray Jones said:

"James is one of the most highly regarded and knowledgeable individuals in the Scottish food and drink industry and I am delighted to be welcoming him to the team. His experience at NFU Scotland will stand him in excellent stead to lead the team at Scotland Food & Drink and guide the industry to reach our ambitious growth targets.

"James is joining Scotland Food & Drink at a pivotal time. We have a number of exciting new projects in the pipeline that will enhance the industry's reputation across the globe and improve working practices and profitability for companies of all sizes."

Mr Withers said:

“It is with a great deal of mixed emotions that I leave NFUS. I am hugely excited about the opportunity at Scotland Food & Drink, an organisation that can spearhead the growth of the industry in the coming years. Of course, taking up that position comes at the price of leaving an organisation and a group of dedicated colleagues that I have worked with for 12 years.

“In many ways though, this was an opportunity I felt was too good to miss. I have spent a long time working on behalf of food producers and I can now take that experience and broaden it across the whole food and drink sector. Many of the committed individuals and organisations that make up Scotland’s food and drink industry are well known to me and being able to continue working with them – albeit in a different capacity – was a real attraction of this job.

“I am hugely passionate about our food and drink industry; it is already a success story but the potential still remains enormous. The outgoing CEO, Paul McLaughlin, has done a great job in creating a solid foundation for Scotland Food & Drink. I look forward to working with its board, staff and members in taking it forward over the coming years.

“I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to NFUS, its staff, members and office-holders. I know I am leaving an organisation that is in extremely good heart and one which will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Scottish agriculture and rural communities in the years to come.”

LEWIS – STILL THE LAST STRONGHOLD OF THE PURE GOSPEL?

The Last Stronghold of the Pure Gospel: Today
BBC ALBA, Thursday 9 June, 9pm
The original programme, The Last Stronghold of the Pure Gospel was first broadcast on the BBC in 1979 and looked at the Christian beliefs of the people of the island of Lewis. The programme heard from both young and older people who spoke about the impact that faith had on their daily lives.

The Last Stronghold of the Pure Gospel: Today which will be broadcast on BBC ALBA on Thursday 9th June at 9pm will see the original programme and also hear from some of those who took part about the changes that have taken place since then.

Among the contributors will be Reverend Iain D Campbell who was 15 years of age in 1979 and also Murdo MacLeod who was a fisherman and who is now an elder in the Free Church of Scotland in Stornoway.

The Last Stronghold of the Pure Gospel: Today was produced by BBC Gàidhlig for BBC ALBA and can be seen on Thursday 9th June at 9pm with a repeat on Monday 13th June at 10.30pm

Councillors updated on schools for the future

Argyll and Bute councillors will be updated this week on progress regarding two key proposed school building projects.

The authority is planning to build a new Dunoon Joint Primary Campus and a new Campbeltown Grammar School under the Scottish Government’s ‘Scotland’s Schools for the Future’ programme.

A report will go before the authority’s Executive on Thursday (June 2) following receipt of a letter from the Scottish Government regarding key conditions and guidance for local authorities in relation to its share of the funding for any school projects.

These conditions and guidance require to be complied with in full in order to be eligible to receive revenue support from the Scottish Government for any particular project.

Both of Argyll and Bute’s projects are currently progressing through a business case process.

The outline business case for the Dunoon pre 5 and joint primary campus proposal – which would amalgamate the town’s Dunoon, Kirn and St Mun’s primaries - was approved in February this year.

That document recommends the current Kirn Primary site as the preferred location for the new school, which members agreed following an option appraisal exercise. Other sites considered included both Dunoon and St Mun’s primaries, the former gasworks in Argyll Street and Spence Court.

Councillor Bruce Marshall, chair of the Bute and Cowal area committee, said: “This is a project which I believe represents an exciting long term solution to the significant challenges currently posed by Dunoon’s deteriorating primary school buildings.

“Consultation has already taken place with key stakeholders, and work is ongoing to develop the educational and architectural briefs.

“I very much look forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government, the people of Dunoon and the surrounding area and our other partners to move these proposals forward over the next few months.”

The council has allocated funding to allow the development of a full business case for the joint campus proposal, and work will start shortly on the pre-application planning process to allow an initial planning application to be made.

The council aims to have the new school completed by autumn 2015.

The Campbeltown project has had its initial business case approved, and an outline business case is currently being developed.

Support from the Government’s Architecture and Design Scotland (ADS) arm has been agreed in order to move forward with plans for consultation exercises in relation to both the educational and architectural briefs.

As announced last week, ADS is currently involved in refurbishing a small area of Campbeltown Grammar as part of a trial national project which could see future schools designed in a new way which would complement the Curriculum for Excellence.

The work, which is expected to be completed in October, will see a number of classroom areas combined to form a large multi-purpose teaching space.

Monday 30 May 2011

Summer Courses in Ionad Chaluim Chille Ìle

Week 1 beginning 4th July 2011

This week gives children the opportunity to learn Gaelic. We offer two courses one for older children who might wish to experience High School Gaelic before commencing High School and one to interest younger children where the emphasis will be on learning through song and play.


Course 1 Introduction to Gaelic in High School
From 10 – 12 Monday to Friday
Registration 9.45 Monday 4th July

This short course would be of interest to children who are due to go into High School education in the next year or so. It will be taught by the Gaelic teacher in Islay High School.

Cost £20.


Course 2 Fàilte gu Gàidhlig – for children to understand that Gaelic is fun
From 2 – 4 Monday to Friday
Registration 1.45 each day

An afternoon of fun and games which will appeal to younger children.

Cost £20

Week 2 beginning 11th July 2011

This week gives adults the opportunity to acquire / improve their skills in Gaelic and will hopefully help satisfy the large demand which we have received for conversational classes. We hope to run Standard Grade classes in the autumn and the first course will be a good opportunity for immersion in Gaelic. It is not necessary to attend this course prior to signing up for the Standard Grade course and it will also be a good “back to basics” course for people who wish to refresh their Gaelic.

The second course comprises five drop in classes where basic Gaelic will be taught and where the emphasis will be on “learning Gaelic is fun”

Course 3 Introduction to Standard Grade Gaelic
From 9.30 – 4 Monday to Friday
Registration 9.15 Monday 11th July

In anticipation of starting a Standard Grade Gaelic class we are offering a week long mini immersion course to give prospective students the chance to acquire vocabulary and basic conversation skills before commencing the course in the autumn. Alternatively a good way for learners to either start learning Gaelic or alternatively have the opportunity to use their existing skills. This course will be taught by the teacher who will deliver the Standard Grade course in the autumn.

Cost £90
It may be that this course will attract ILA funding. Check ILA website to confirm.

Course 4 Fàilte gu Gàidhlig - for adults to understand that Gaelic is fun
From 2 – 4 Monday – Friday
Registration 1.45 daily.

As an alternative we offer a series of “welcome to Gaelic” sessions where anyone interested in trying their hand at Gaelic can spend a couple of hours learning basic Gaelic conversational phrases. The emphasis on this course is to enjoy the introduction to Gaelic with a view to progressing with their Gaelic skills.

Cost £7 per drop in session or £25 for the whole week.

Week 3 beginning 18th July 2011

Week three gives an opportunity to combine learning the chanter and improving Gaelic. It gives the opportunity to start the Ùlpan course which will then continue in ICCI over the winter period.


Course 5 Chanter through medium of Gaelic
From 10 – 12 Monday to Friday
Registration 9.45 Monday 18th July

An opportunity to learn chanter and acquire the relevant Gaelic language skills.

Cost £25


Course 6 Ùlpan classes. Units 1 – 12
From 9.30 – 4 Monday to Friday
Registration 9.15 Monday 18th July


Ùlpan is the modern method to acquire Gaelic conversational skills. This is the introductory set of units in a course which should lead to conversational fluency.

Cost £90
It may be that this course will attract ILA funding. Check ILA website to confirm.


Week 4 beginning 25th July 2011

This week give further opportunity to converse in Gaelic with two separate levels of conversational classes. For cèilidh enthusiasts we provide an opportunity to learn various Islay choruses to allow for full participation. For those anxious to improve their singing ability we also offer classes in the Alexander technique for Gaelic singers. Again for those who wish to combine music and Gaelic tuition in the same course we offer the opportunity to have basic guitar and tin whistle with appropriate Gaelic tuition in these skills.

Course 7 Gaelic conversation. 5 separate topics for discussion
From 10 – 12 Monday to Friday for beginners
Registration 9.45 daily

Cost £12 per session or £50 for block of 5

From 2 - 4 Monday to Friday for intermediate students
Registration 1.45 daily

Cost £12 per session or £50 for block of 5
An opportunity for learners at beginners and more advanced levels to speak in Gaelic with support from an experienced tutor.

Course 8 The Gaelic choruses of Islay
From 10 – 12.30 Tuesday to Saturday
Registration 9.45 daily

An opportunity to explore Islay’s cultural heritage through local Gaelic song. No musical training is required simply an enthusiasm to be involved.

Cost £7 per drop in session or £25 for the whole week.


Course 9 Bilingual Guitar tuition for beginners
From 2 – 3.00 Tuesday to Friday
Registration 1.45 Tuesday 26th July

Cost £7 per drop in session or £25 for the whole week.


Course 10 Bilingual Whistle tuition for beginners
From 3.30 – 5.00 Tuesday to Friday
Registration 3.15 Tuesday 26th July

Cost £7 per drop in session or £25 for the whole week.


Week 5 beginning 22nd August 2011

Finally we have two workshops which will be delivered by Beathag Mhoireasdan. She will be celebrating Islay’s links with Irish in a series of workshops which will introduce participants to Irish She will also do Gaelic tuition for students who are at the stage of Upper Intermediate / Advanced Gaelic.

Course 11 Introduction to Irish
From 9.30 – 12.30 Monday to Friday
Registration 9.15 Monday 22nd August
Cost £45

It may be that this course will attract ILA funding. Check ILA website to confirm.

Course 12 Upper Intermediate / Advanced Gaelic
From 2 – 4.30 Monday to Friday
Registration 1.45 Monday 22nd August
Cost £45

It may be that this course will attract ILA funding. Check ILA website to confirm.

ARDLUI RESPITE PROJECT

The Ardlui Respite Project, a joint venture between Argyll and Bute Council, Ardlui Respite Care Trust (ARCT) and Sense Scotland has been presented with an award for innovation.

They got the award from Sense Scotland for developing innovative and flexible respite services for children and families in remote rural and island areas.

A high quality five bedded unit was opened on 1 October 2010 in Helensburgh, and operates short breaks for children and young people with disabilities. Transport is provided as an integral part of the respite experience, and as well as offering respite care services for children within Argyll and Bute, it is now expanding and able to offer services to children from other local authority areas.

Argyll and Bute Council and ARCT are committed to improving access to residential respite care for children facing considerable travel and disruption to using existing national resources. The Ardlui Respite Centre now provides this, and is continuing to enhance its service by developing relationships with the children and families involved.

Councillor Andrew Nisbet, spokesperson for social affairs said: “I am delighted that the work the Ardlui Respite Project does has been recognised. It is an extremely valuable service, providing much needed support to young people with disabilities. Argyll and Bute is a vast and diverse area, so it is important that we are involved in projects such as this one to help vulnerable people in remote areas.

“Partnership working was vital for this project, and it was achieved through each of the partners’ commitment to the shared vision for the service and common set of values in supporting children affected by disability, and their families and carers.”

EXTERNAL AGENCIES HIGHLIGHT COUNCIL’S PROGRESS - says Council

Argyll and Bute Council says it is "is making significant progress in its improvement agenda, according to independent auditors".

Audit Scotland and Grant Thornton will present details of its newly-published report at the Executive meeting on Thursday, June 2.

The report updates members on the progress of the council’s Assurance and Improvement Plan (AIP), which was first published in July 2010.

That document set out the planned scrutiny activity for the council from April 2010 to March 2013, based on a shared risk assessment undertaken by a Local Area Network (LAN) of representatives of all the main local government audit and inspection agencies.

The LAN met late last year to update the AIP for 2011-14. The update drew on evidence from a number of sources including Grant Thornton’s annual audit report, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE), the Social Work Inspection Agency (SWIA), the Scottish Housing Regulator (SHR) and the Care Commission.

The resulting report states that Argyll and Bute Council has ‘a number of areas of improving performance’.

“The key building blocks for improvement are now in place, such as a new management structure, planning and performance management framework, and the transformation programme, which includes a programme of service reviews and the examination of options for shared services,” it adds.

“The management restructure now in place is providing strong leadership. The council’s revised vision provides a clarity of direction.”

The report confirms that the council has positively addressed areas highlighted in the 2010/11 risk assessment as either an ‘area of uncertainty’ or a ‘significant risk’, and continues to work towards further improvements.

It also highlights seven areas of uncertainty including Social Change (ensuring services are directed to the most vulnerable), Support of adults at home rather than in residential settings, Management of the School Estate, Housing, Services for homeless people, Economy (Transport) and Sustainability. There is one significant risk, which relates to the road network and the report recognises the additional money factored into the roads budget for the next three years.

Chief executive Sally Loudon welcomed the report, saying: “It is very gratifying to learn that the work everyone is putting in to improving the organisation is acknowledged and supported by these independent bodies.

“We will of course continue to strive for further improvements. We cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal, particularly given the very challenging financial climate for local government across Scotland in the foreseeable future.

“We do not underestimate the scale of those challenges, and are fully committed to meeting them by being more efficient, more focussed and more flexible in the years ahead. That’s what we are all working towards.”

Among the areas of major improvement highlighted are Social Change (Education/Accommodation and care leavers), which went from a ‘significant risk’ to ‘no significant risk’, and Environment (Sustainable Growth), Organisational Development (Transformation and Modernisation), Leadership and Culture, Competitiveness, Managing People and Equalities, which all went from ‘area of uncertainty’ to ‘no significant risk’.

In terms of finance, the report states that Argyll and Bute Council ‘has a record of good financial management, informed during the year by budget consultation with the public’ and acknowledges that the authority has clear plans in place to achieve the required level of savings, although this remains a ‘significant challenge’ to deliver.

It also makes reference to the ongoing review of the school estate. Eleven school amalgamation proposals are currently out for statutory public consultation.

“In recent years the external auditors have drawn the council’s attention to the relatively poor occupancy rates in the council’s schools and the significant backlog of maintenance in the schools estate,” it states.

“The council has responded with an undertaking to review its school estate and develop a strategic plan for addressing areas of concern. Grant Thornton will monitor the council’s progress in implementing this key policy commitment.”

The report highlights several areas of core national priorities, and comments on how Argyll and Bute is measuring up against them.

Among those comments are; ‘most early years provision and primary schools were good or better, with general improvement evident’, ‘there are improved outcomes for those using social work services, particularly in terms of care planning and meeting their needs’, ‘ the Adult Support and Protection Committee is now well established and is an example of good partnership working’ and ‘the council continues to be proactive in responding to the current challenging financial environment and is well placed to do so’.

It also refers to the council’s service review programme, and finds that ‘the process has been improved to ensure the findings are robust and lead to quantifiable savings. This is a key step to respond to the financial position and look for radical alternative service delivery models through the council’s new service review guidance. The council’s budget proposals outline plans to achieve these savings.’

Council Leader Dick Walsh said the document provided clear evidence that the authority’s improvement plan is having a significant effect.

“It is obviously satisfying that these independent bodies have had so many positive things to say about the changes we have made and will continue to make,” Councillor Walsh added.

“We want to see improvements in service delivery and service user satisfaction across Argyll and Bute, and the comments in this report suggest we are progressing well towards that target.

“I am pleased that national agencies such as those which have fed into this report believe that the measures we have taken so far have been effective. I look forward to continuing to build onto the strong foundations already laid down.”