Orkney Islands Council is holding a consultation event next week (Thursday 4 March 2021) on proposals to install a new extended slipway and landing jetty at the south end of Faray, in the North Isles.
The children of Papdale Nursery were sure of a big surprise recently with the gift of 94 knitted teddy bears!
Head Teachers at Orkney’s secondary schools have praised the uptake rate among pupils and staff voluntarily taking COVID19 tests.
One of Orkney’s Head Teachers was far from blue when she realised the efforts two of her pupils had gone to recently!
A fund for road and path repairs and improvements across Orkney is being recommended by Councillors.
Orkney’s busy festival programme and visitor attractions draw many to the islands every year. With travel currently restricted, XpoNorth recognises the importance of providing support to Orkney’s cultural economy. In partnership with Orkney Islands Council, XpoNorth will host two seminars which will focus on keeping people connected with the islands during these challenging times.
Eight artists based in Orkney have benefited from bursaries totalling £5,750 in the latest round of Visual Arts and Craft Maker’s Awards (VACMA) 2021-2022.
Elected Members have recommended Orkney Islands Council’s budget for the next financial year.
Good luck to all the children who are back into nursery and schools today, 22 February, as part of the Scottish Government’s phased return.
Orkney Islands Council’s Elections team is reminding people of the option to vote by post at the upcoming Scottish Parliament election in May.
Scotland’s National Clinical Director, Professor Jason Leitch, has written to parents and carers of nursery and primary age children explaining the reasons behind the decision for younger children to return to school.
Tributes have been paid to Orkney’s residential social care staff for the spirit of camaraderie shown during the recent wintry blast that badly affected parts of the county.
Orkney Islands Council is advising it plans to carry out surfacing works on Pickaquoy Road, Kirkwall starting on 9 March 2021.
The very first cohort of seafarers to be trained to work on hydrogen powered vessels have been put through their paces on a new course in Orkney.
If you are finding it difficult keeping up with your rent payments, or you need help with one-off rent deposit or removal costs, you may be eligible to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Local artists and musicians are among those hosting a series of free online wellbeing sessions to help tackle the feelings of isolation and loneliness being felt by some young people in Orkney.
With level 3 restrictions set to continue in Orkney until at least mid-March, the Sport and Leisure Service are updating customers and staff on the impact this will have on facilities and activities up to 31 March.
Members of OLECG – which includes a broad range of organisations such as the emergency and public services, transport providers, the utilities and voluntary sector – added a thanks to the “phenomenal” Team Orkney effort during the recent extreme conditions.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group is supporting Scottish Water’s efforts to trace and repair leaks across water networks on the Orkney Mainland.
Nurseries and schools in Orkney will join the rest of Scotland in a planned phased reopening from Monday 22 February.
Local Coastguard teams, the Police and the public have supported Orkney’s Homecare Service during the worst of the wintry spell making sure home carers could reach their service users whenever possible.
The Convener of Orkney Islands Council has praised the incredible reach of social media in aiding the winter messaging to our communities.
Orkney Islands Council is thanking residents for the show of support and cooperation in last week’s wintry blast and issuing advice for those whose household waste and recycling collections were affected.
Orkney Islands Council interim Chief Executive John Mundell and Chair of the Development and infrastructure Committee Councillor Graham Sinclair - joint statement of thanks.
Orkney’s home carers went to amazing efforts over the weekend to ensure visits to some of our most vulnerable folk continued.
The Convener of Orkney Islands Council has issued a plea for families to consider making the outer isles their home when planning a move.
The whiteout is rapidly being replaced by the more familiar green in many areas across Orkney as the thaw continues.
Orkney Islands Council is thanking the local community for the patience and support shown to the authority’s Roads team – and to each other – over the recent severe wintry weather, but is warning challenging road conditions remain.
A large section of the main Kirkwall to Stromness road has been closed due to treacherous conditions.
Police Scotland and Orkney Islands Council are urging people not to venture out on the county’s roads unless their journey is absolutely essential.
The Council’s Roads Team are in discussions with Police Scotland over possible roads closures as conditions worsen in areas of the county.
Thankfully, it’s the weekend and we are hoping many more folk will be able to stay home and safe as the message is clear – do not travel other than for essential reasons only.
All priority one and two routes have been boarded/ploughed and treated at least once this morning by our gritter teams.
It’s another chilly one out there and although there was no snowfall overnight, rising wind is leading to further drifts on some of our roads.
People in South Ronaldsay and Burray with vaccination appointments in Kirkwall over the weekend are being advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys - and to keep an eye on weather and Churchill Barriers updates.
Local Coastguard teams have answered a plea for help from Orkney’s Homecare Service to ensure carers can reach some of the county’s most vulnerable folk with more snow and strong winds forecast into the weekend.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that road conditions will remain hazardous this evening and into tomorrow morning.
Orkney Islands Council is advising some refuse and recycling collections weren't able to be completed today, 11 February, due to ongoing wintry road conditions.
Orkney Islands Council is issuing advice to households whose household refuse and recycling collections were impacted yesterday, 10 February.
Orkney Islands Council advises residents of Hoy and Walls that unfortunately due to mechanical breakdown the refuse cart will not be available to carry out collections tomorrow, Thursday 11 February.
Orkney Islands Council is advising it was unable to complete refuse and recycling collections in some areas yesterday (Wednesday 10 February) due to ongoing wintry road conditions and unfortunately a mechanical issue.
Schools in Orkney are closed to all pupils for a second day due to the snow and icy conditions.
Cursiter Quarry - an update from the Council's interim Chief Executive John Mundell.
Road condition update and black ice warning for 9 and 10 February, from Orkney Islands Council's Roads team.
OIC gritter crews have been out since before the crack of dawn working to keep the main priority 1 roads clear and passable as much of the county has woken to a thick blanket of hazardous snow and ice, with large drifts in areas.
Following a second round of advertising Orkney Islands Council has decided not to hold interviews for the position of Chief Executive at this time.
All schools in Orkney are closed to all children and young people today, Tuesday, as much of the county is covered in a thick blanket of snow and ice leaving roads particularly hazardous.
On the 6th of May the elections for the Scottish Parliament will take place. If you are aged 16 or over that day, resident in Scotland and registered to vote, you will be able to take part.
Orkney Islands Council is warning of very challenging road conditions tonight (Monday 8 February) and into tomorrow, as road surface temperatures plummet.
As the nationwide winter freeze continues, Orkney Islands Council has suspended planned roadworks across the county today to enable a major effort in keeping priority 1 roads open.
Orkney Islands Council is continuing to lobby both the UK and Scottish Governments for improved access to telecommunication networks, as the digital divide continues to disadvantage many in Orkney.
Young people in Orkney are being asked to share their thoughts on how lockdown has affected them personally in a new initiative called “Lockdown Letters”.
Funding is now available from a new Scottish Government support scheme for eligible islands-based businesses.
Engineering and construction work are now complete at the Stromness Terminal Passenger Walkway.
Plans to rejuvenate a “treasured” play area in Longhope moved a step forward last week.