OIC News
Tribute has been paid to Bill Spence on his retirement as Orkney’s Lord-Lieutenant.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that the closing date for funding to improve the energy efficiency of local homes is at the end of March 2020.
Orkney Islands Council is about to begin January’s delivery of Red Bags for household waste.
For seven years Jenni Kakkonen has followed the fortunes of tiny creatures living around the shores of Scapa Flow.
The new care home in Stromness will open its doors to the public for the first time later this week.
A review of polling arrangements in Orkney is underway.
Orkney Islands Council will hold consultation sessions later this month to present proposals for on-street parking in Kirkwall town centre, and give local businesses, residents and the wider public an opportunity to comment.
Existing and potential business people in Stronsay - Orkney’s Island of Bays - are being invited to take part in a “Business Academy” pilot project, due to get off the ground in February.
With the worst risk of flooding now over, organisations involved in Orkney’s response to Storm Brendan will continue for a time to keep an eye out for potential impacts.
OLECG, the Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group, met today in response to forecasts of serious flooding throughout the county.
Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan has voiced his concern that a freight ship will be standing in for the MV Hamnavoe during the ferry’s refit period.
The road works in Stromness that started earlier this week are due to continue from Monday (13 January) along the main street through the town.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that part of Carness Road will be closed to traffic from Monday 13 January to Sunday 19 January to enable underground services to be laid to the Carness housing development.
Families in Orkney are being encouraged to enrol their children for fully funded early learning and childcare ahead of a major expansion this summer.
Opportunities to strengthen and build new links with nations in the Arctic were discussed during a visit to Orkney by leading figures with a keen interest in the region.
The Leader of Orkney Islands Council has sent a strongly-worded open letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, accusing the Scottish Government of ‘blatant discrimination’ in the funding of local ferry services.
Orkney Islands Council is warning of the dangers of placing batteries in household and business waste – after fire resulted in the temporary closure of the Chinglebraes Waste Transfer Station.
A scheme aimed at helping local artists and crafts people take their creative development and ideas to the next level is open once again for applications, following renewed backing from Creative Scotland.
Orkney Islands Council’s Trading Standards team is highlighting advice about the washing machine recall announced this week.
A Christmas tree collection for households within 30mph areas on the Orkney Mainland and in the connected South Isles will take place in early February.
Orkney’s new tugs will be called Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa.
Island athletes are being given the opportunity to benefit from a scheme to support them with travel costs thanks to a partnership between sportscotland and the local authorities in Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles.
Scottish Liberal Democrats candidate Alistair Carmichael has been re-elected to serve as MP for Orkney and Shetland.
Orkney Islands Council is inviting applications for its Culture Fund which is aimed at supporting cultural activity in Orkney.
People voting by post in Orkney are urged to return their postal votes in sufficient time to reach next week’s General Election count in Kirkwall.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that road maintenance work will be carried out in Kirkwall next week.
Orkney Islands Council is starting to have more recycling vehicles available to carry out collections after a number of recent breakdowns.
An event this week offers the chance to discover how the development of a different approach to providing social care and community health services is progressing in Orkney.
Partner agencies in Orkney will be operating a safe space for revellers on so-called ‘Mad Friday’ during the festive period.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that Palace Road and Tankerness Lane in Kirkwall will be open to traffic again from Monday (2 December).
Voters in Orkney are reminded they still have time to apply for a proxy vote.
Orkney is getting into the festive spirit with the annual tree lighting season starting this week.
The MV Shapinsay will provide ferry services to and from Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre from Monday 25 November.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that road maintenance work will be carried out in Kirkwall next week.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that festive lighting will be put up in Stromness on Monday 25 November.
Alistair Buchan, Orkney Islands Council’s Chief Executive since 1997, has retired on medical grounds.
Orkney Islands Council has issued a reminder that people under a week left to help choose names for the county's two new tugs.
With under four weeks to go before the General Election, voters in Orkney and Shetland are being urged to think now about how they plan to take part in the poll.
A new exhibition at the Orkney Museum features a colourful Russian link with the islands in the 1800s
Six candidates have put their names forward to stand for the Orkney and Shetland Constituency in the UK General Election in December.
Orkney Islands Council advising that festive lighting will be put up in St Margaret’s Hope on Thursday 14 November 2019.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that road maintenance work will be carried out in Kirkwall next week.
The Notice of Election for December’s General Election has been published today (Friday 8 November).
Sports Awards Nominations are requested for the most prestigious awards in Orkney sport.
Orkney Islands Council is advising of plans for resurfacing works on six roads around Orkney over coming months.
Young people from across Orkney will gather in the Council Chamber to debate issues of importance to them later this month.
A record number of Scottish schools - 12 of them from Orkney - have received a prestigious award from sportscotland in recognition of their commitment to school sport.
A public vote is underway to select the names for Orkney’s new tugs - currently under construction in Turkey.
Orkney Islands Council is to present revised plans for a six turbine wind farm at Quanterness to the public later this month.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that Alfred Street in Stromness will be closed to traffic from Monday 4 November for around five weeks to allow drainage work to take place.
Road maintenance work is planned for Stromness next week.
Orkney Islands Council is advising that a section of Palace Road in Kirkwall is set to be closed to traffic for around five weeks.
Mechanical issues have affected recycling collections today (Monday 21 October) and will also cause disruptions tomorrow (Tuesday 22 October)
A special open day takes place this week, showcasing the new Orkney Research and Innovation Campus (ORIC) Robert Rendall building in Stromness.
Orkney Islands Council has issued a safety reminder after maritime distress flares were dumped at St Margaret’s Hope household waste and recycling centre.
The body overseeing the delivery of health and social care in the county has published its plan for the next three years.
Orkney Islands Council will be carrying out flagstone replacement works in Dundas Street, Stromness next week.
Reminders have now been sent to all properties in Orkney who have not yet responded to Electoral Registration Household Enquiry forms issued earlier this year.
Orkney Islands Council's consultation on potential changes to its Council house letting policy closes on Sunday.
Orkney’s pioneering work in the renewables and low carbon sectors should be showcased as part of the United Nations Conference of Parties (C0P) next year as one way of sharing and showcasing climate change solutions, Councillors have agreed.
Orkney Islands Council has agreed to take part in a bid to the UK Government for another round of funding to support testing of 4/5G services in Orkney.
Peedie Breeks is a long established and valued business in Kirkwall. The decision of the owners to cease trading will have a significant impact on a number of families. This issue has attracted public interest in the last week and we thought it might be useful to provide you with some information on some of the main issues that have been raised.
We have been advised today (Friday 4 October) that the owners of Peedie Breeks will be closing the doors on the service in July next year. This is a long established and valued service in Kirkwall and this decision will impact on a number of families.
Victoria Street in Kirkwall will be closed to traffic during the day for three days next week.
A meeting of Orkney Islands Council's Full Council has today (1 October 2019) approved planning permission for the erection of a substation and associated works at land near Heddle Hill in Firth.
The Orkney Library and Archive in Kirkwall will be a hive of activity this October as they join in national Libraries Week and Fun Palaces celebrations.
Orkney Islands Council has today (30 September) welcomed the news that they are to receive £774k from Crown Estate funds to spend on local projects.
Orkney's new pilot launch was today officially named Scapa Pathfinder.
A report to today's meeting of the Council's Monitoring and Audit Committee (26 September 2019) has set out the key findings of a review into the Council's 2018 headstones and burial ground safety programme - and made a number of recommendations for how the programme should be improved for any future works.
Orkney Islands Council Leader James Stockan today welcomed an initiative designed to strengthen and build new links between Scotland and nations in the Arctic.
Orkney Islands Council is this year taking part in National Inclusion Week.
Orkney Islands Council today welcomed an announcement from the Scottish Government on the next Northern Isles ferry contract, with Serco NorthLink named as the preferred bidder.
Work to re-erect headstones in Orkney's cemeteries is continuing with five cemeteries now completed, and one more expected to be completed shortly.
Businesses have the chance next month to find out more about providing services and supplies for the public sector in Orkney.
Orkney Islands Council is about to begin the September Red Bag Roll out.
This recycling week (23-29 September), Orkney Islands Council is running a mini-campaign encouraging residents to recycle even more foil trays and household foil.
Orkney Islands Council's Leader James Stockan has responded to the news that UK energy regulator OFGEM has conditionally approved SSEN proposals to build a 220MW interconnector linking Orkney with the Scottish mainland.
A powerful message will be driven home to local people next week as the Safe Drive, Stay Alive event comes to Orkney.
The Local Government Boundary Commission for Scotland has begun a public consultation on proposals for councillor numbers and ward boundaries in Orkney Islands Council area.
Setting the bar high for sport across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands will be focus of a special event in Orkney later this month, as work starts in earnest to prepare for the International Island Games to be staged in the county in 2023.
Inspectors from Education Scotland have described Sanday Community School as 'the heart, soul and future' of the island community in a recent inspection report.
Orkney Islands Council is reminding the public about the dangers of incorrectly disposing of gas canisters.
Orkney Islands Council is reminding householders they have the chance to take part in a county-wide energy efficiency survey.
Scotland's first Arctic Policy Framework will be launched in Orkney, a move welcomed by the Islands Council.
An underwater inspection of the pilot vessel Scapa Pathfinder is to be carried out into a possible technical issue.
A funding scheme for local artists and craftspeople is now open for applications - for the sixth year in a row.
Orkney Islands Council is to seek views on potential changes to its policy on letting homes.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak on 14th October 1939, a special display of objects from the ship and her crew is on show at Orkney Museum in Kirkwall.
Two community projects have secured funding from the Council's Community Development Fund (CDF), following a meeting of the CDF sub-committee this week.
The Red Ensign flag is flying this Tuesday 3 September over the Town Hall in Kirkwall as Orkney joins UK-wide events in recognition of the nation's merchant seafarers.
A turf cutting ceremony has taken place at Lyness, marking the start of work to restore and improve the Scapa Flow Museum.
Orkney's new pilot vessel has arrived at Scapa after a long sea journey from Spain.
The Council is reminding folk that the second phase of street improvement works in Kirkwall’s town centre is due to get underway next week (week beginning 2 September).
The North Isles Landscape Partnership Scheme (NILPS) is to work with the Orkney Skate Trust on an exciting and innovative project to learn more about the critically endangered Flapper Skate and general marine life in the North Isles.
A project by Orkney Islands Council which aims to support the sustainable growth of the aquaculture industry whilst protecting and maintaining the seas around Orkney has been shortlisted for a national planning award.
Orkney Ferries is to extend the period multi-journey books of vouchers are valid for.
The Council will be carrying out important road works on Pickaquoy Road from 09:00 tomorrow (Tuesday 27 August) to lay safety surfacing at a pedestrian crossing.
An innovative workshop looking at the process of marine planning in Orkney will take place in Kirkwall and Stromness next month.
Orkney Islands Council is set to appoint a new Executive Director of Education, Leisure and Housing.
New interpretation panels and benches have been installed in Kirkwall.
The second phase of street improvement works in Kirkwall’s town centre is due to get underway at the beginning of September.
Work to restore and improve the Scapa Flow Museum is set to begin in September.
Orkney Islands Council is urging all motorists to switch over to switching off, following concerns raised by the public about fumes from idling vehicles.
Council Leader James Stockan has welcomed the opportunity for discussions today with the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform.
People in Orkney are being encouraged not to lose their vote by completing and returning their annual canvass form to the Electoral Registration Office as soon as possible.
Pupils across Orkney are today (Tuesday 6 August) receiving their examination results from the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The consultation on plans to improve the main entrance at St Magnus Cathedral comes to an end this week.
Artists’ contributions are currently invited for an upcoming winter exhibition at the Orkney Museum exploring folklore, archaeology and landscape.
An Orkney-wide energy efficiency survey will drop though letter boxes over the weeks ahead.
Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to provide funding that would allow cheaper fares on local inter-island ferry routes.
Planning applications have been made to install 'met masts' at two of the sites being considered as part of 'Orkney's Community Wind Farm' project.
