Outrage as lighting scheme for Islay fails to de-light islanders
A row has erupted over a lighting scheme for a historic island village which has been described as second-rate by some residents.
Argyll and Bute Council
Community fundraise for legal challenge to Mull parking
A community group has vowed to challenge a council decision to introduce a £9-per-day parking charge.
Oban and Tobermory projects to benefit from Town Centre Fund
Projects in Oban and Tobermory are to benefit from £1.2 million of cash set aside by the Scottish Government to improve town centres.
Organisers announce Oban Live will not return in 2020
Organisers of Argyll’s biggest annual outdoor live music concert have announced they will not be hosting the event next year amid a dispute with the local authority.
Mull parking all set for £9 per day
Councillors have backed plans to roll out an unpopular parking charge that will hit islanders making essential journeys to the mainland.
Highland rock bottom across the nation for provision of foster care allowance for under 11s
Calls for better payments to foster carers across the north have been made after it emerged that Highland Council is the lowest provider of allowances across the nation when it comes to children under the age of 11.
Visitor experience on Islay given go ahead after planners approve development at distillery
Work on a brand new visitor experience on Islay as part of a wider multi-million-pound investment is to get underway in the coming weeks after planners gave the development their seal of approval.
Number of schools on Western Isles has halved since 2001
One school has been shut down in a north or north-east community every two months on average during the public spending squeeze in the last decade.
Councils aim to make extra £1bn to plug funding gaps
Local authorities in the north and north-east will soon be raising more than £1 billion each year in extra revenue as they hike charges and fees to help plug funding gaps.
North councils have axed almost 5,000 full-time jobs during spending squeeze
In the first part of this week’s P&J series on local government finance, Calum Ross today finds out how council workforces have shrunk in recent years.
Argyll and Bute Council left red-faced after leaking email addresses of competition entrees
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Consultation launched to extend Oban catholic school catchment
The only Catholic primary school within an 80-mile radius of Oban could soon expand its catchment area.
New single depot for all council services in Oban to be expanded at Jackson’s Quarry
The site of a council roads depot which burned down in Oban is to be vacated to make way for new development.
Island roads to receive £1m maintenance boost
The roads infrastructure on the isle of Mull is to receive a £1 million facelift.
Experts eye three-year timeline for flood protection programme in Oban
The design and build of a new flooding scheme to protect homes and businesses in Oban could get under way in 2022.
Burst water pipe shows Oban site can’t cope with more houses, residents say
A burst water pipe at one of the last greenfield areas in Oban has shown the site cannot cope with a new housing development, objectors have claimed.
Lifeline flights across Scottish islands are in jeopardy
Lifeline flights from Oban Airport to the Argyll isles are in jeopardy, signalling “disaster” for fragile island communities.
Highest council tax rise possible and job cuts on the table in Argyll
Increasing the council tax by the maximum possible of 4.79% is just one of the measures that Argyll and Bute is proposing to meet its budget gap of £7.9 million.
Hope that flood study will solve Oban’s problem
A study aiming to find a long term solution to a Highland coastal town’s flooding problems has begun - and is expected to be completed later this year.
Islanders demand action as Mull pier situation reaches crisis point
Community representatives on Mull and Iona have written to Argyll and Bute Council demanding it take action over the poor condition of Craignure Pier.
Calls for work on ‘rubbish’ road to serve major Oban development to be redone
Work on a road which is to serve 600 new houses being built at near Oban has been condemned.
Popular Inveraray Castle festival is pulled because of a lack of funding from Argyll and Bute Council
A popular festival has been cancelled, with its hostess The Duchess of Argyll criticising the local authority for its lack of funding.
Councils across the north facing multi-million pound shortfalls
Councils across the north have said they are facing multi-million pound funding shortfalls as a result of the annual grants announced by the Scottish Government this week.
Man charged with assault following incident at children’s shinty tournament
A man has been charged after a spectator was allegedly attacked at a children’s shinty tournament.
Argyll facing £9 million funding shortfall
Councillors in Argyll yesterday heard that the Scottish Government funding allocation for local government could increase the council's funding gap for 2019/20 to around £9 million.
Parents ‘cha toir e seachad’ on Gaelic school for Oban
A standalone Gaelic Medium Education school for Oban is not a viable option, Argyll and Bute Council decided yesterday.
Argyll council prepares to axe 56 jobs
A total of 56 jobs at Argyll and Bute Council could go in the next financial year as it prepares to consider a list of savings options.
Fury after bins block Oban restaurant views
The owner of a popular seafood eaterie was furious yesterday when a council placed a row of commercial bins in front of his restaurant windows.
Talks over Oban parking issues threatening tourism
Talks have taken place between the Oban business community and council representatives after a new parking regime threatened to chase away tourists.
Local groups take on Oban and Tobermory Christmas lights
More than £12,000 has been awarded to light up Oban and Tobermory this Christmas.
Argyll burial charges scrapped for under 18s
Burial and cremation fees will no longer be charged for children and young people under 18 in Argyll and Bute from next month.
Argyll facing £2.5million budget shortfall
A £2.5million funding gap for next year is being tackled by Argyll and Bute Council.