About Community Councils
Community Councils play an important role in the Orkney community.
The Community Councils are regularly consulted by most public and many voluntary organisations, thus representing local views on community related issues.
Each Community Council meets approximately every 6-8 weeks and holds an average of 7 meetings per year. Public or Special meetings are arranged, when necessary, to facilitate the discussion of controversial issues. Members of the public are entitled to attend and observe proceedings at any Community Council meeting.
Agendas and minutes of each Community Council meeting are displayed locally in each area and are also available on this website through the Related Links section on this page, along with contact details for Clerks to the Community Councils and for Democratic Services.
Office-bearers are elected annually in May/June - the Community Council Vacancy Procedure for Election is available from the Related Downloads section on this page.
Orkney Islands Council provides each Community Council with an annual grant, in the region of £3,500 per annum, to be spent at their sole discretion. In addition, financial assistance is provided through the Community Council Grant Scheme, Seed Corn funding and Community Development Funding (CDF). This allows them to be an active co-ordinator and benefactor to their local community. The majority of Community Councils arrange the caretaking of burial grounds in each area with the costs being met by Orkney Islands Council.
Each Community Council elects a Planning Representative. The Planning representative receives regular notification of recent planning applications submitted to Orkney Islands Council, and is authorised to consult directly with the Planning Authority to obtain further information on applications in their area if considered necessary.
Each of the Outer Isles Community Councils also elect a Transport Representative. These appointed persons attend meetings of the Inter-Isles Air and Ferry Services Consultative Forum and act as a two way communication link between this forum (operated by Orkney Islands Council Transportation Services) and the Community Council on all matters relating to transport between Mainland Orkney and the Isles.
Details of these representatives are contained within the contact details for each Community Council.
