Community councils
Community councils are independent voluntary bodies that represent the views of local people to Orkney Islands Council and other public agencies. There are 20 community council areas in Orkney, each covering a distinct part of the islands.
Community councils play an important role in local democracy. They are regularly consulted on planning applications, transport, local services and other issues that affect their communities. Your community council is a good first point of contact if you want to raise a concern, share a view or find out more about decisions being made in your area.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe any community council meeting.
@Crown copyright and database right 2012. All rights reserved. Ordinance Survey License number 100021621
About community councils
Find out how community councils work, how they are funded and how we support them.
Contact your community council
Find contact details for the clerk to your community council.
Community council meetings
Find meeting dates and download agendas and minutes for all community councils.
Empowering communities
Find out about our project to give community councils a greater role in shaping and delivering local services.
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3 November 2026
Planning your own fireworks for Bonfire Night? Read this first
Orkney Islands Council, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland are reminding anyone planning their own fireworks this week about the law around buying and using them, and how to celebrate safely.
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29 October 2026
Why shouldn’t you care? The voices of care experienced young people in Orkney amplified through art.
A new poster campaign, featuring original artwork created by a group of young people with care experience, is set to raise awareness of Care Experience Week and challenge the stigma that surrounds the experience of care in Orkney from Wednesday.
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26 October 2026
Flood Warning for St Margaret’s Hope, alongside Amber Flood Risk and Yellow Wind Warning - Tuesday 27 October
SEPA has issued a Flood Warning for St Margaret’s Hope, where flooding of low-lying land, roads and properties is expected on Tuesday 27 October, from approximately 9:30am. This comes alongside a wider Amber flood risk for coastal and tidal flooding across Orkney, and a Yellow weather warning for wind from the Met Office, in place for Orkney from 3am to 9pm on Tuesday.