POLICE remain hopeful of extending their young volunteers scheme on to Bute, an inspector for the area has said.
A councillor sought an update on the potential extension of the project after it was reported to have 19 youth volunteers in Dunoon.
Inspector Bart Simonis confirmed that it was “definitely a possibility” that the initiative could come to Bute, but a balance had to be struck.
The discussion took place at a meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Bute and Cowal community planning group on Tuesday, August 11.
A report by Police Scotland in advance of the meeting said: “Led by PC [Rachael] Wells as group coordinator, Dunoon PSYV (Police Scotland Young Volunteers) consists of 19 youth volunteers and 8 adult volunteers holding weekly training sessions at Dunoon Grammar School.”
Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle (SNP, Isle of Bute) asked: “We had previously asked about expanding the youth volunteer work on to Bute. The work you have described is excellent, but has there been any further movement?”
Inspector Simonis responded: “We are looking at it. It is definitely a possibility but we have to balance the needs. The last thing we want to do is not have the power to sustain it.
“We were working with one or two youth officers in Bute who were quite keen, but we also need to look at some adult volunteers who form part of the setup.
