Archive News

Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met today in response to the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic.

Due to the changes to ferry timetables, refuse collections in Hoy have now been scheduled for Wednesdays, with the first collection being tomorrow – 01 April 2020.

Orkney Public Protection Chief Officer’s Group are urging everyone to keep their eyes and ears open for children who may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect during the COVID-19 coronavirus public health emergency. It’s now more important than ever for members of the public to speak up if they’re concerned about a child or children.

A call centre to provide essential information and support to the most vulnerable people in Orkney has been established which will open formally on Monday.

The NHS is notifying all those most at risk – and for whom the new service is aimed at - by letter.

Are you out of work, recently retired, or can you spare even a couple of hours a week? Orkney Islands Council is looking at ways to staff vital service areas in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and one of the options will be offering additional short-term employment.

Public toilets and pier waiting rooms across the Mainland and the isles are being closed as part of Orkney Islands Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Orkney Islands Council are advising that as of Thursday, 26 March, new revised public bus timetables will come into effect until further notice.

Visiting can no longer take place at care homes operated by Orkney Health and Care in response to the strengthening of nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Orkney Islands Council is now focusing its efforts on the most essential services the local community requires – after the UK and Scottish Governments announced stringent new measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met virtually today in response to the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic - with representatives involved from all key agencies across the county.

Following advice from our Executive Director and Head of Service I have to inform you that the Orkney Islands Council - Building Standards service has been temporarily suspended until the current COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, or alternative measures have been implemented to allow staff to undertake work from home.

Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Service is advising that due to the current COVID-19 situation and recent guidance for contractors, only emergency repairs will be carried out within their houses – for example internal power failure or leak.

Orkney Islands Council continues to take steps to ensure childcare is provided in schools and nurseries for the children of key workers.

The five Recycling Centres in Orkney – at Hatston, Garson, Cursiter, St Margaret’s Hope and Bossack – remain open as normal at present.

Following the announcement earlier this afternoon that the Scottish Government has requested all local authorities to take extra steps to support the most vulnerable in our community, Council officers have swung into action this afternoon to get this up and running.

Over the weekend, Orkney Islands Council’s education staff have responded to 250 applications for childcare for key workers' children and young people under the age of 16.

Visiting restrictions to our Care Homes are now in place following guidance from Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland to help delay the spread of COVID-19.

With recent developments in the coronavirus outbreak, we understand that many Council Tax payers may be worried about the bills for the new financial year that we recently issued.

Orkney Islands Council has launched a new online platform which will make it easier to get in touch, make online payments and to report and track issues and requests.

The Council has responded to the announcement from the Scottish Government that schools and local authority nurseries will close from Friday afternoon (20 March).

Leisure, cultural and library facilities in Orkney will close to the public later this week as part of efforts to help prevent infection by the coronavirus.

Following yesterday's announcement on school closures by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Council is awaiting clarification from the Scottish Government on the detail behind this.

A contractor has been appointed and work will begin shortly to start repairs to a damaged section of wall in Stromness.

Detailed planning has taken place over recent weeks to ensure the Council can respond as effectively as possible in the event of Covid-19 cases in Orkney.

From Monday 16 March, Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out carriageway repairs and resurfacing on the Ontoft Road, from Cromarty Square to the Pier Road, in St Margaret’s Hope.

Orkney Islands Council is seeking to get in touch with the owners of a memorial bench at the Downies Lane viewpoint in Stromness.

People in Orkney are being asked for their views on options the Council might consider in response to wave over-topping at the second Churchill Barrier.

Orkney Islands Council is to present revised plans for a seven-turbine wind farm in Hoy to the public later this month to allow folk to provide input in advance of a planning application being submitted later this year.

Advice on Covid-19 and the Coronavirus.

Orkney Islands Council say work is ongoing to find solutions to reduce the risk of flooding within St Margaret’s Hope.

Work to install 'met masts' at two of the sites being considered as part of 'Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project’ is due to get underway shortly.

 The first of the Orkney Islands Council two new tugs – Odin of Scapa – was launched at the end of February at the Sanmar Shipyard at Altinova in Turkey.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for businesses in Orkney to attend a free seminar for those interested in global market growth, particularly between the UK and Japan.

Elected Members have agreed Orkney Islands Council’s budget for the next financial year.

Orkney Islands Council is set to purchase a vessel to replace the aging ferry MV Golden Mariana.