Argyll and Bute use weapons of mass destruction as welcome pack cover 

IT’S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL parts of Scotland, including scenic islands and miles of calm coast-line, yet the local council in Argyll and Bute have endorsed a more unconventional approach to promoting the area. 

In a photoshoot with sole Scottish Tory MP David Mundell, council leader Dick Walsh endorsed a ‘Welcome to Argyll and Bute’ brochure fronted with an image of the UK’s weapons of mass destruction submarines - based at Faslane naval base. 

Senior officer Douglas Hendry, who faces complaints, should step down for duration of independent investigation

ARGYLL and Bute Council must launch an independent investigation into bullying allegations made against a top council officer according to local MSP Mike Russell, following an investigation by CommonSpace.

Leaders reject plans for investment and regeneration

HOPES of campaigners in Dunoon, who offered PS850,000 to buy out the derelict Castle Toward estate for their community, have been dashed by Argyll and Bute council after it rejected the offer.

A special meeting had been called to discuss the final proposals ahead of the deadline of Friday 13 February, which under legislation was the date by which the community had to have a bid accepted in order to exercise its right to buy the land.

CommonSpace reveals how councillors have tried to intervene in the situation following the privatisation of services, and how care staff are frightened to speak out.

COUNCILLORS are calling for an investigation over claims that care workers in Argyll and Bute are being paid less than the minimum wage from care companies following the privatisation of services.

Care companies in Argyll have been accused of breaching employment law by excluding travel time from carers' pay slips.

Council faces Friday ultimatum to back public buyout

THIS week Argyll and Bute council is facing final calls to support a community buyout bid for Castle Toward estate after 18 months of planning.

The estate, on the outskirts of Dunoon, has been left derelict by the council - but a community business plans to invest millions of pounds to establish a new development on the site.

Despite support from enterprise bodies, government, and the community Argyll and Bute Council has refused to support the terms of the business plan.

What on earth is going on in Argyll and Bute?

DURING a year and a half of preparing a full proof business plan the council has havered, obfuscated and eventually opposed a plan to develop a derelict estate into a thriving community owned centre.

Residents of Dunoon have been left stunned and outraged.

What created the problem?

1) The council