If you have children in our schools, work in our Education Service or are interested in helping the council develop our education services for the future, I would encourage you to find out about the council’s proposals for a new ‘collective’ model for school leadership, empowering schools to work more effectively together and share resources for the benefit of all pupils.
Schools in Argyll and Bute face falling pupil numbers, challenges in recruiting staff, and Scotland-wide education reform is on the way. We want to take steps now to ensure that local school leaders are ready and resourced appropriately.
You can find out more at www.EmpoweringOurEducators.co.uk
Covid update
With cases of the new Omicron variant rising, the latest advice from the Scottish Government is to work from home where possible. Only come into the office if it is essential and you have approval from your line manager and the site premises manager.
From tomorrow Scottish Government has advised that:
- If you’re identified as a close contact of a person who may have the omicron variant, you will be informed of this by phone, SMS or letter.
- You will be advised to self-isolate for 10 days irrespective of vaccination status, PCR test result and age.
Please continue to take tests before heading out. There are a number of ways you can access testing kits including ordering online, collecting from test centres and pharmacies. Find out more about testing on our website.
Please continue to work together to avoid further restrictions.
Podcast
We recently announced that a consultation will open in early 2022 asking the public to have their say on proposals for where to position electric vehicle chargers across Argyll and Bute. This week I chat with Mark Calder, Project Manager and Victoria Weir, Project Officer from our Roads and Infrastructure about the proposals. Find out more about the consultation, our existing infrastructure and the ongoing work to improve access to charging points. Listen to the podcast.
Registrars to the rescue
I wrote last week about how proud I am about your dedication to providing essential services to the people of Argyll and Bute. This week, I want to say a huge well done to Dunoon-based registrar Stephanie Wright and our roads team for going above and beyond during Storm Barra to help a couple get married.
Stephanie didn’t want to let anyone down, despite the awful weather conditions, and set off to Lochgoilhead to conduct a wedding. The snow came down heavily and she ended up trapped in her car.
Help was on hand though! After contacting the office, our roads colleagues let her know the gritters were out and heading her way. Once they arrived, they cleared the road and she followed behind them.
I’m pleased to say the wedding took place with only an hour’s delay! This is Team Argyll and Bute at its best. Well done to Stephanie and the gritter crew for your brilliant efforts to help the very happy (and relieved) couple. Read more about this story including images of the wintery conditions.
Have a lovely weekend.
Pippa