Steven Heddle
Ward
Kirkwall East
Address
C/o Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
I was born and brought up in Kirkwall. After school I went to Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities and gained a BSc and PhD in Physics and worked in R&D and engineering, in industry and at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh. Since coming home in 1999 I have taken an active part in community life through the Community Council and Papdale School Board before becoming a councillor, and run a business and technical consultancy, often working with HIE Orkney. While working at HIE Orkney I designed the Orkneycommunities website, which I still run. I'm married with one son. First elected in 2007 and Council Leader from 2012-2017, I have also been active at COSLA, Scotland’s local government association representing all 32 councils, as a council leader, Spokesperson for Environment and Economy, and currently as its Vice President.
Committee Membership
Details of committee membership are available in the Related Resources section on this page.
Outside Interests
I enjoy listening to music, play guitar in a punk covers band, and also help organise the annual Orkney Rock Festival. I'm a keen Celtic supporter, but torn ligaments mean playing footy is a thing of the distant past. Cycling is still a passion, and I try to get away for a longish tour whenever possible, cycling from Land’s End to John o’Groats in 2015 and 2025. I’m a visiting professor at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Privacy Notice
Councillors represent residents as part of their work in the community. A Privacy Notice is available below. This provides information about the type of personal information Councillors might collect in carrying out their work, how it is collected, how it is used and how it is stored.
Contact details
- Address: C/o Orkney Islands Council, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NY
- Mobile: 07703795806
- Email: gillian.skuse@orkney.gov.uk
How best to contact me
See above. Email will follow me wherever I am though.
Related resources
-
Steven Heddle register of members interests
This document contains Councillor Steven Heddle’s register of interests, reviewed in April 2026, for Kirkwall East. It lists his self-employed consultancy and guiding work, roles with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and former non-executive director role with NHS Orkney. It records property ownership in Orkney and Edinburgh, memberships and academic roles, and his spouse’s employment with the University of the Highlands and Islands; no other roles, contracts, election expenses, shares, gifts or hospitality are listed.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Committee Membership 2024-2027
This document contains the Orkney Islands Council committee membership from May 2024 to May 2027. It lists councillors, their electoral areas and roles across the Council’s committees and boards, including policy, development, education, planning, licensing and audit. It also identifies teacher and church representatives and explains the abbreviations used for roles such as convener, chair, vice chair and proxy.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Committee Membership 2024-2027 - By Ward
This document contains Orkney Islands Council committee membership from May 2024 to May 2027. It lists 21 councillors by electoral area and shows their membership or leadership roles on the Development and Infrastructure, Education, Leisure and Housing, Monitoring and Audit, Planning, and Licensing committees. A key explains the abbreviations used for convener, chair, depute leader, leader, vice chair and member.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Committee, Sub-Committee and Board Membership 2024-2027
This document contains the membership of Orkney Islands Council committees, sub-committees and boards for 2024 to 2027. It lists each councillor and shows their involvement in areas including policy, finance, development, education, housing, licensing, planning, audit, policing and ferries. Symbols identify different roles and membership types.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Councillors Privacy Notice
This document contains a privacy notice explaining how a councillor uses personal information when investigating concerns and responding to enquiries. It covers information received from you, other people and the Council, how it may be shared, and how sensitive information is handled. It explains your rights to access, correct, delete or limit use of your information, and how to withdraw consent. It also covers data security, storage, retention, UK-based processing and complaints to the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.