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Pupils at Dunoon Grammar recently took part in the school’s 31st German exchange visit. Thirty-five pupils returned to Dunoon Grammar School from a 10-day trip to Germany, laden with not only gifts and dirty washing for parents - but with many magical memories that will last a lifetime. The pupils, accompanied by six staff, visited Hardenberg Gymnasium in Furth, Bavaria.

Over the next few weeks we'll be publishing an A to Z of council services, focussing on a different letter each day, to show you some of the work that staff are doing behind the scenes. We're kicking off the process today with: A for Adoption Every child deserves the best start in life and that’s why the council and its partners are working hard to encourage more people to consider adoption. Lorraine Prentice is the council’s Practice Lead for adoption and fostering.

Gheibh gnothachasan ann an Earra-Ghàidheal is Bòd cothroman air trèanadh ann an sgilean didseatach agus comhairle bho eòlaichean mar thoradh air maoineachadh luach £48,000 bho Riaghaltas na h-Alba. Bheir Fosglan Gnothachais Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid 19 bùithtean-obrach DigitalBoost seachad agus suas ri 20 seisean bho eòlaichean far am bi iad a’ toirt comhairle seachad do ghnothachasan fa leth, agus tha sin mar phàirt de sgeama maoineachaidh nàiseanta gus trèanadh a lìbhrigeadh gu co-dhiù 2020.

Businesses in Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute will benefit from digital skills training and one-to-one expert help thanks to £48,000 in Scottish Government funding. Business Gateway Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute will deliver 19 DigitalBoost workshops and up to 20 one-to-one expert sessions with the funding, which is part of a Scotland-wide fund to continue the successful training until at least 2020.

’S urrainn do Chomhairle Earra-Ghàidheal is Bhòid dearbhadh gu bheil dà phròiseact san Òban agus fear ann am Muile air pàirt den £1.2 millean fhaighinn a tha ri fhaotainn bhon Mhaoin Meadhan Baile aigRiaghaltas na h-Alba. ’S iad na trì pròiseactan ann an sgìre an Òbain, Latharna is nan Eilean a gheibh taic: Ionad Achadh na Creige san Òban, soidhnichean mìneachaidh ann am Meadhan Baile an Òbain, agus a’ chiad ìre de leasachaidhean air Caladh is Raon Poblach Thobar Mhoire.

Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Council can confirm that two projects in Oban and a third on Mull will benefit from a share of £1.2million from the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Fund. The three projects in the Oban, Lorn and the Isles (OLI) area to benefit are the Rockfield Centre, Oban Town Centre interpretation signage, and the first phase of the Tobermory Harbour and Public Realm enhancements.

Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Council and BID4Oban Ltd (Oban Business Improvement District) are working to find a solution to cut down on pavement signage in the town, while improving information to residents and visitors. This is a partnership solution to remove unauthorised signage that will benefit both pedestrians and retailers. Proposals are in place to replace all the existing town centre notice boards and install additional boards across the town.

‘This will bring benefits for everyone’ - that was the message for the UK Government at the latest Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Rural Growth Deal talks.  Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Aileen Morton, met with the Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell MP, in Edinburgh on 27th June, to discuss progressing the potentially transformational Deal for Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute.

A former Oban High School pupil will be able to attend a Meteorological course thanks to the kindness of local people. Cameron Allen dreamed of attending the 10-day Meteorological Observers course in Aberdeen, but as he has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (also known as Brittle Bone Disease), he would need the support of his family throughout the stay.

Helensburgh Pier could play a key part in delivering the town’s waterfront development successfully. The contractor appointed to deliver the £18million project will, if required, have access to the pier for project-related uses such as receiving supplies. Progress has been made in raising understanding in the construction industry of the project’s requirements, with a number of potential bidders responding to the initial tender issued by Â鶹¸ßÇå and Bute Council.