This service is managed by Active Communities
Empowering communities
Empowering Communities is a project designed to give community councils in Orkney a greater role in shaping and delivering services in their local areas. The project is based on the idea that local knowledge and local involvement can make services more responsive to the needs of island communities, while also helping us use resources more efficiently.
How it works
The project aims to increase employment opportunities in island communities, build local skills and capacity, improve access to services, and enable community groups to work together for the benefit of local residents.
In practice, this could mean community councils taking on greater responsibility for managing or delivering certain local services, or finding ways to use local skills and businesses in place of contractors.
Background
The project grew out of the responses to our Tough Times, Tough Choices public consultation in 2010, where people told us that community councils should play a larger role in delivering local services. We then carried out a feasibility study and developed a business plan, before selecting Papa Westray and Stronsay as the first communities to take part.
Where we are now
Working in partnership with Highlands and Islands Enterprise, we established a project liaison officer and funded an Island Link Officer on each of the two pilot islands. A Community Office was set up in each location - at the former library in the Papay Schoolhouse on Papa Westray, and at the Fish Mart on Stronsay. These offices provide a base for the Link Officer and a working space for Council officers visiting the island.
We continue to explore opportunities to extend the approach to other island communities.