OIC News
Orkney Islands Council is advising that special collections for the non-linked Islands of Orkney will begin again after being suspended due to the pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council is re-opening a further six public toilets.
For the week beginning 19 October, the waste team will be collecting plastic bottles in the kerbside recycling.
Orkney Health and Care is seeking to recruit more foster carers.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that this year’s Visual Artist and Craft Maker Award (VACMA) will be offering a slightly different service.
Orkney Islands Council has launched a consultation on revised plans for a six turbine wind farm on Faray.
The Environmental Health team at Orkney Islands Council is urging local owners to register their fishing vessels and arrange for an inspection as soon as possible.
Orkney’s two new tugs were officially named Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa during a ceremony at Scapa Pier on Monday. (October 12)
From today (Monday 12 October), anyone in employment, or self-employed, who gets one of the low-income benefits listed below will be able to claim a £500 self-isolation support payment from the Scottish Welfare Fund, if they are asked to self-isolate by the Test and Protect service.
The annual Orkney Community Halls Training Event is due to be held online for the first time later this month due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.
Starting Monday 12 October, kerbside recycling will revert back to glass collection.
Young children from St Andrews Nursery and older members of the East Mainland community are joining forces in a new pen pal initiative called “Bridging the Gap”.
Councillors have agreed to take ownership of the island of Little Green Holm as an investment for part of Orkney’s biodiversity future.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has welcomed the opportunity for further engagement with the Scottish Government on the potential for a more localised approach to coronavirus restrictions.
The “groundbreaking” local delivery of the Orkney Dementia Strategy has moved a step forward with the adoption of the “exemplar” document.
A planning application has been submitted by Orkney Islands Council for a six-turbine wind farm development at Wee Fea in Hoy.
From today, Monday 5 October Stromness Library, Warehouse Buildings will be taking bookings for Public Access PCs and the George Mackay Brown Room.
For the week beginning 5 October, the waste team will be collecting paper and thin card in the kerbside recycling.
Voters in the North Isles have elected Heather Woodbridge to represent the ward on Orkney Islands Council.
We want to remind people aged 60 and over that they can apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) online.
Orkney Islands Council reintroduced the first hour free in car parks around the county this week.
The fourth Annual Performance Report 2019/2020 for the Orkney Integration Joint Board has outlined significant highlights over the past year, while detailing key challenges and priorities moving forward.
Orkney’s unpaid carers - described as the county’s “unsung heroes” – are being encouraged to access emotional, practical and financial support services available to them.
This week sees the release of the mid-point review consultation of the Local Housing Strategy 2017 – 2022.
Four young people from Orkney have shared their experiences at a national political level on how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on career and employment opportunities.
North Isles residents are encouraged to return postal votes as soon as possible to ensure they arrive in time for the by-election on Thursday October 1.
The waste team will be collecting, for the week beginning 28 September, metals and cans in the kerbside recycling.
The chance to take a virtual tour of buildings across Orkney is on offer this weekend.
As from Wednesday 23 September, people aged 60 and over will be able to apply for their National Entitlement Card (NEC) online.
Householders and companies in Orkney will be able to donate their unwanted electricals via a new collection service to support Restart Orkney, a local charity.
The Scottish Government’s scheme Eat Out to Help Out that was introduced into school canteens within Orkney when they opened in August was gratefully received.
The Council notes the Ba Committee has cancelled the Ba for this year and therefore we are reminding property owners/managers that the council will not be placing barriers outside properties as it has done in previous years.
Plastic bottles will be collected during kerbside recycling for the week beginning 21 September 2020.
North Isles residents are encouraged to look out for their postal votes next week.
Much has been very different over the last few months and the Council is proud of how many of its keyworkers have continued to provide a service throughout the pandemic.
Orkney’s two new tugs have arrived in Stromness after a long sea journey from Turkey.
Updated Covid-19 guidance for tourism and hospitality businesses has been published by the Scottish Government.
Voters in the North Isles are reminded that there are two key deadlines this week ahead of the upcoming by-election.
To vote in the by-election, North Isles residents need to ensure they are on the Electoral Register – and to do this by midnight on Tuesday 15 September at the very latest.
A popular lollipop lady has retired after nearly quarter of a century helping keep children safe while crossing some of Kirkwall’s roads.
Kerbside recycling will continue in the four week cycle of collections, with next week reverting back to glass collection.
Trading Standards and Police Scotland are warning local people to be on their guard for scam calls which appear to originate from local telephone numbers with STD code 01856.
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to announce that from Monday 14 September the reception at the Warehouse Building in Stromness will open to the public, to deal with customer services enquiries (payments, blue badges etc.) and police counter enquiries.
Press Release from Orkney’s Economic Recovery Steering Group
A new group has been tasked with building and driving forward a strategy for Orkney’s recovery from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council has signed an agreement with Hoy Energy Ltd which will ensure that the island’s income from the existing community turbine won’t be adversely affected by the potential development of a council-owned wind farm in Hoy.
OIC launches school crossing patrol officer recruitment drive
Orkney Islands Council is inviting tenders for the contract to extend and refurbish St Andrews Primary School in Orkney.
Views are invited on a state-of-the-seas appraisal of the waters around Orkney.
Voters are being encouraged to cast their vote by post in the North Isles by-election.
The by-election on Thursday 1 October is being held to elect a councillor to represent the ward on Orkney Islands Council.
From Monday 7 September Orkney Islands Councils Sport and Leisure Service will taking bookings for their sport and leisure facilities ahead of their reopening during the week commencing 14 September.
Orkney Islands Council would like to thank parents and carers for their swift response to the request for information on their childcare needs.
Orkney Islands Council has taken the difficult decision to close two of its public facilities due to ongoing antisocial behaviour, vandalism and graffiti.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that they are undertaking our periodic high-level building surveys on some of their facilities from 4 September 2020.
Orkney Islands Council would like to hear from parents and carers looking for childcare provision – following the go ahead to progress a temporary nursery facility while also working on a long term solution.
Orkney Islands Council is warning that increased vandalism and damage within public toilets across the county in recent weeks may lead to the unavoidable closure of some.
Four candidates have put their names forward to stand in the North Isles by-election.
Orkney Islands Councils Sport and Leisure Service welcomes the Scottish Governments announcement that sport facilities can begin to re-open from the 31 August.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that the road works underway in Burray at the junction with Ness road will continue until Friday 4 September.
The Scottish Government has begun a 30-day consultation period on Orkney Islands Council’s plans for a wind farm at Quanterness in St Ola.
The Community Learning Guide for Autumn 2020 contains a comprehensive programme of courses drawn together by the Council’s Community Learning and Development service.
Following the First Ministers announcement last week that indoor sport and leisure facilities can reopen from the 31 August subject to Scottish Government guidance, Orkney Islands Council will continue to plan for re-opening from 14 September in line with previous timescales.
Over 80 families and individuals in Orkney are now better connected thanks to the first phase of a Scottish Government-funded scheme to get clinically vulnerable people online.
Due to operational issues as a result of Covid-19, the switchboard and reception desk will now require to be closed to the public between 1-2pm, Monday to Friday. To compensate for the closure during the lunchtime period, we will open the reception each day until 4pm rather than 3pm. Our emergency contact numbers will be available on the recorded message via 01856 873535 and on our website www.orkney.gov.uk
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to announce that school canteens have signed up for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
From Monday 24 August, commercial recycling and cardboard collections will resume.
Three grants from Orkney Islands Council to help local businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis are now open for applications.
The Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres can now accept scrap metal and inert waste once again.
Orkney Islands Council’s Alison Bews has been at the forefront of supporting folk with disabilities - bringing creativity into the lives of some of the county’s most vulnerable for the past 40 years.
Orkney Islands Council is planning to re-open a further 14 public toilets over the days ahead – many of them in the North and South Isles.
Orkney Library and Archive
Orkney Library and Archive, in Kirkwall, will reopen to the public on Monday 17 August, with some restrictions in place.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that from Monday 17 August road works will begin in Burray at the junction from the main road though Burray (A961) and Ness Road, with work taking two weeks to complete.
Kerbside recycling will continue in the four week cycle of collections, with next week reverting back to glass collection.
The Notice of Election for the North Isles by-election was published today (Thursday 13 August).
The Orkney Museum will re-open its doors on Thursday 13 August for a new temporary exhibition.
Orkney Islands Council has welcomed a 'significant u-turn' following today’s announcement by the Scottish Education Secretary John Swinney that all downgraded exam awards will be withdrawn.
Orkney Islands Council has announced the appointment of Warmworks Scotland (Warmworks), following a competitive tendering process, as the new Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area-Based Scheme (HEEPS: ABS) Managing Agent for Orkney.
Work is continuing within Orkney Islands Council to ensure families in Orkney have access to childcare, including the provision of increased free childcare hours in most nursery settings from this month (August).
Pre-school and nursery settings in Orkney will reopen in full on August 17 following the recent Scottish Government announcement.
Friday 7 August saw the last day of the Orkney Coronavirus Community Support Hub being situated at the Pickaquoy Centre, now that shielding has paused in Scotland
People in Orkney are being encouraged to check their voter registration details are up to date.
Residents are asked to complete and return an annual form sent by the local Electoral Registration Office – to ensure they retain the right to vote in future elections.
Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out resurfacing works on Tankerness Lane - which are planned to start on Monday 10 August 2020.
The Point of Ness Campsite, Rackwick Hostel and the Hoy Centre were some of the first facilities to be re-opened following the initial phases in the easing of lockdown. As a result of the significant demand for pitches at our Point of Ness Campsite plans are now being finalised to re-open the Birsay campsite from the 12 August 2020.
The Community Learning and Development (CLD) service is delighted to be able to offer a new evening class for people who want to know more about staying safe online.
The annual Riding of the Marches is one of many events that have had to be cancelled this year because of the Covid-19 crisis.
Orkney Islands Council has pushed back the reopening of some leisure facilities following the recent changes in guidance from the Scottish Government.
The Board of Orkney Ferries has made a direct appeal to the Scottish Government for emergency funding to offset the damaging impact on the company of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Schools in Orkney will reopen in full during August following the Scottish Government announcement last week.
Ministers have signed off on a plan which will see pupils back in the classroom by the middle of the month.
Orkney Islands Council is delighted to confirm that from Monday 3 August grass pitches will be reopened for bookings.
From Tuesday 4 August both Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres will again be able to accept waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Public toilets at a number of rural and outer isles sites will re-open next week (from Monday, August 3)
Orkney Islands Council are advising of three areas of roadworks that Roads Services are intending to carry out next week.
Orkney Islands Council is encouraging people interested in serving their community to consider standing in the by-election for the North Isles ward.
Orkney Islands Council has started the recruitment process for a new permanent Chief Executive.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that applications are now open for assistance towards the cost of supporting young people to continue their studies.
Public toilets at four more sites will re-open on Monday 27 July.
People living in Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre are to be asked to help build a picture of how their ferry service is currently used - and how it might develop in future.
Bus timetables for Orkney Mainland and the linked South Isles return to normal from Monday 27 July.
Maintenance work at Helliar Holm Lighthouse is set to get underway on Monday 27 July.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has welcomed today’s visit to Orkney by Prime Minister Boris Johnson – following the announcement of government funding for an Islands Growth Deal.
The Leaders of the three Scottish island councils have welcomed the award of £100 million in funding for a growth deal for Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Youngsters in Orkney are being encouraged to take part in a special online robotics event later this month.
A course developed in Orkney to prepare local seafarers for working on and alongside hydrogen powered vessels has been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
Orkney Islands Council will be collecting glass bottles and jars during next week’s kerbside collections starting on Monday 20 July.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that Gunns Close Car Park (behind Bruce’s Stores) and Main Street, Kirkwall will be closed to allow for resurfacing work to take place next week.
Orkney Islands Council is advising people to be prepared for the possibility of short delays when using the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Hatston and Garson.
Orkney Ferries are reminding customers that all travel on their ferries needs to be booked in advance, whether the booking is for foot passengers only or with a vehicle.
Orkney Islands Council is planning to start re-opening public toilets later this week.
In line with guidance from the Depute Registrar General and the Scottish Government, registration services are provided in Orkney subject to the following restrictions:
St Magnus Cathedral will reopen for private prayer and reflection from Tuesday 21 July.
Orkney Islands Council’s Environmental Health team is gathering information at the site in Burray where a Fin whale has washed ashore after it died in local waters.
Orkney Islands Council would like to announce that the free school meals and clothing allowance applications for 2020/21 are now open.
Whilst Scotland slowly eases its way out of lockdown a number of restrictions and requirements, aimed at keeping staff and site users safe, are still in place, impacting on the ways in which we can operate.
Our Hatston and Garson household waste recycling centres will be accepting black bag waste from Tuesday 14 July – along with garden waste, cardboard and bulky household waste.
Orkney Islands Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Service is currently working to reopen their 3G pitches from the 13 July in line with the Scottish Government Route Map.
Orkney Islands Council has decided that, if required, the Full Council will meet to give their view on the 'Orkney's Community Wind Farm Project - Quanterness' planning application.
Orkney Island Council's Leader, James Stockan, is to meet with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism Fergus Ewing tomorrow (Wednesday 8 July) to raise concerns over some of the challenges Orkney is facing as a national move is made to 'reopen tourism' from 15 July.
The Community Support Hub call centre at the Pickaquoy Centre is changing its opening hours from Monday 13 July, to Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 14:00.
Car parking charges are due to come back into force in Council car parks on 15 July.
Orkney's Houton and Tingwall bus services will change this Monday (6 July) to fit in with revised Orkney Ferries timetables for Hoy and Rousay.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that there are only a few days left to apply for a grant from the Small Business Grant Fund or the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.
The deadline is 5pm on Friday 10 July.
A surprise retirement celebration saw several hundred teaching staff, parents and pupils turn out in their vehicles to wish Alison Aitken a happy retirement after around 40 years as a teacher in the county.
Our recycling centres at Hatston and Garson will be accepting bulky household waste from Tuesday, July 7 – in addition to garden waste and cardboard.
Orkney Islands Council is hoping to reopen a number of leisure facilities from late July onwards.
Orkney Islands Council has agreed a number of measures to ensure families in Orkney have access to childcare, including the building of a new £1.5 million early learning and childcare facility at Orkney College.
Like ships passing through the String on a tide, Orkney Islands Council has bid a fond farewell to Brian Archibald, Head of Marine Services, Engineering and Transportation and Harbour Master, and welcomed his successor to the role, Jim Buck.
A letter asking travellers for their help in keeping Orkney safe will be given to people as they check in with NorthLink Ferries, Pentland Ferries and Loganair.
Document will now go out to consultation in the county.
Orkney is leading the way in Scotland when it comes to driving forward a Dementia Strategy for people living with dementia in the county and their unpaid carers.
A number of Orkney Islands Council’s housing services will soon be available again, in line with the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions.
Orkney Ferries is set to bring in enhanced timetables from Monday 6 July following consultation with Community Councils in the North and South Isles.
A Dutch warship will fire a 21-gun salute in Scapa Flow tomorrow (Friday 26 June) in memory of lives lost at sea in the waters around the north of Scotland.
Orkney Islands Council's Trading Standards team is urging local people to stay vigilant and report scams to them, as the national 'Shut Out Scammers' campaign comes to an end this Friday (26 June).
Businesses in Orkney who have previously received financial assistance through Scottish Government business grant schemes or the Council's Business Hardship Support Fund are to receive an additional payment from the Council's £5m Coronavirus Support Fund.
Orkney Islands Council is to provide two support services for the children of Category 1 key workers over the summer holiday period.
Orkney Islands Council’s collection of sculpture can now be viewed online as part of a nationwide Art UK project.
St Peter's House, the former care home in Stromness, is to be put up for sale by Orkney Islands Council.
Two Stromness Academy pupils have been successful in winning a £4,000 grant for the Samaritans of Orkney.
Orkney Islands Council is reminding the community that face coverings will become mandatory on public transport from Monday (22 June) in line with Scottish Government requirements.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council is warning that Scottish Government objectives for the reopening of schools will be ‘undeliverable’ in the county.
Orkney Islands Council's recycling centres at Hatston and Garson will be accepting heavy corrugated cardboard - as well as garden waste - from Tuesday 23 June.
Over the last two weeks Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres have collected a large amount of garden waste and are expecting more to come.
Kerbside recycling collections are to continue with the current four-week cycle of single material types for households in Orkney Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay.
Orkney Islands Council is warning local people that, despite the potential lifting of some national travel restrictions this week by the Scottish Government, opportunities to travel locally by bus, plane and ferry will still be limited due to capacity constraints arising from social distancing.
Birthday Honours list delayed to allow for Covid-19 recognition
The Queen’s Birthday Honours List has been delayed until the autumn this year to allow for recognition of people who have made “exceptional contribution” to the national Covid-19 response.
S2 pupils at Stromness Academy have created their own virtual newspaper – Lockdown Lowdown – documenting the biggest news story of the century so far.
The Community Support Hub call centre at the Pickaquoy Centre is changing its opening hours from Monday, June 29 to Monday to Friday, 09:00 -17:00.
The new S2 pupils at Stromness Academy have been busy during lockdown and are set to publish a book before the end of term.
Orkney Islands Council has announced that a council by-election will be held in Orkney for the North Isles Ward on Thursday 1 October 2020.
A decision on whether or not to grant planning permission for an extension to the council-owned Cursiter Quarry in Finstown has been deferred for a site visit in due course.
One of Orkney Islands Council’s longest serving employees – Hazel Stephen – is retiring after nearly 44 years’ continuous service.
Orkney Islands Council is encouraging all companies who provide contracted services to the council to apply for assistance under the Supplier Relief Scheme.
Orkney Islands Council wants to thank people who visited the Hatston and Garson Household Waste Recycling Centres this week for their consideration and co-operation.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that they will be carrying out some road repair works in Kirkwall over the next few weeks.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group – OLECG, made up of representatives from a broad range of organisations, including the emergency and public services, transport providers, the utilities and voluntary sector, continue to meet virtually during this pandemic.
The Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) at Hatston and Garson are set to reopen on Tuesday (June 2) - and will initially accept only garden waste.
Kerbside recycling collections will be for plastic bottles next week.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that this week’s announcements on the move to Phase One of the Scottish Government’s Route Map out of Lockdown will result in no immediate change to current public transport arrangements.
The Caring for People group, continue to meet virtually to work together to discuss how services can support individuals and communities in both responding to and recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A loan scheme to assist local businesses experiencing cashflow difficulties as a result of the Covid-19 crisis is launched today by Orkney Islands Council.
The phased re-opening of Orkney’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) is set to begin early next month.
Transport Scotland has announced that local authorities can now begin accepting and processing applications for the replacement and renewal of National Entitlement Cards, however, applications for new cards are still not being accepted at present.
Childcare Hubs ensure frontline workers can continue to play their part in the fight against the coronavirus — while home learning largely replaces traditional schooling in the county.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) are continuing to meet virtually to monitor the response to Covid-19 across Orkney.
Orkney Islands Council is to extend a food funding scheme that supports residents in the isles.
Recycling collections are set to begin again on a phased basis for households in Orkney Mainland, Burray and South Ronaldsay – and will take place weekly over the next four weeks.
Orkney Health and Care, in partnership with public and voluntary-sector agencies from throughout Orkney, have produced a leaflet that provides details of where you can find help and support with your mental health and wellbeing, along with some tips on how to stay well.
A problem affecting Orkney Islands Council’s internet connections has been resolved.
The Council’s doors may remain closed as part of the nation’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown, but it’s very much “business as usual” for many of our own frontline workers.
Here, we take a closer look at the “front face” of the Local Authority – those customer service teams in Kirkwall and Stromness who have adapted to a new way of working in these challenging times.
Orkney Islands Council relies on its partnership working with Community Councils and this has never been so important as during the current challenging times.
The Council would like to thank all the volunteers for their commitment in ensuring the work of Community Councils continues – at a safe, social distance.
Orkney Islands Council is calling for a halt to moves by Highland and Islands Airports Limited to press ahead with plans to centralise air traffic control operations – at least until a full Islands Impact Assessment is carried out.
Orkney Islands Council is experiencing disruption to two of its main internet connections.
Revised arrangements have been put in place by Orkney Islands Council for consulting with the public on proposed plans for a wind farm development in Hoy. As the development is classed as a 'major development' there is a requirement to submit a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to the planning authority and carry out a Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) – which usually would include a public event or exhibition.
With low water levels reported elsewhere in Scotland, Orkney Islands Council is offering some handy tips to people in the county with private water supplies – in case they experience similar problems later in the year.
Key agencies working to support the Orkney community during the coronavirus pandemic met virtually again today.
It’s been 75 years since the Churchill Barriers officially opened on 12 May 1945 - four days after Victory in Europe day.
Orkney Islands Council is keen to support all contracted suppliers through this difficult time to ensure that they are able either to continue to work with us through the crisis or, where that is not possible, to be in a position to resume normal service delivery when the outbreak is over.
We would firstly like to thank the Orkney public for their understanding and co-operation with the changes in how waste collections and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) operate as a result of COVID-19, and for all the drawings and comments in support of Orkney’s refuse collection teams. Your thanks and support are truly appreciated, as they keep this essential service running every day.
The long-held aspiration to restore the Hall of Clestrain – birthplace and childhood home of Orcadian Arctic explorer Dr John Rae - moved a step closer this week, with funding secured from the Council’s Community Development Fund towards a feasibility works project.
Orkney Islands Council has established a council loan scheme to assist local businesses experiencing cashflow difficulties as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council is encouraging those who are self-employed to go online and check to see if they are eligible for the government’s Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) - which opens next week.
The Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordinating Group is supporting Scotland’s Fire and Rescue Service in urging Orkney communities to stay safe in their homes during the continuing covid-19 pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council Leader, Councillor James Stockan, has described the Scottish Government’s decision to pass £155 million of funding from the UK Government in full to Councils as a ‘significant victory for local government’.
A support initiative for businesses experiencing hardship is launched today by Orkney Islands Council (Friday 1 May).
They come from all walks of life but have one thing in common – a willingness to help in whatever way necessary to support Orkney’s most vulnerable people as the nation continues to wage war on the coronavirus.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) is supporting efforts to encourage people with non-coronavirus health concerns to seek help as they would have done before the outbreak.
Orkney Islands Council has taken steps to make sure supplies of free dog poo bags are still available for people to use.
The flag at the Council offices in Kirkwall is flying at half mast as part of the nationwide tribute to key workers who have lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Orkney Islands Council is engaged in discussions on whether an islands-based approach should be considered for tackling the spread of Covid-19 – and for the eventual lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
