This service is managed by Corporate Governance
Committees and sub-committees
We operate with a traditional committee structure. Our elected members sit on a range of committees and sub-committees, each focused on a particular area of the Council's work. Committees make recommendations which are then considered and decided on by the full Council.
You can find agendas, reports and minutes for all committee and sub-committee meetings in our meetings calendar.
Related resources
-
Elected Member Appointments 2024-2027
This document contains the membership of Orkney Islands Council committees, sub-committees and working groups for 2024 to 2027, updated in July 2024. It also records elected member appointments to companies, trusts, partnerships, public bodies and external agencies, along with the roles and responsibilities of many groups.
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.
-
Council Meetings 2026
This document contains the Orkney Islands Council diary of meetings for January to December 2026. It lists dates and times for council meetings, committees, boards and sub-committees, including planning, education, housing, licensing, finance, transport and human resources. Some meeting times are to be confirmed, and several meetings cover the 2026/27 budget, council tax and annual accounts.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
How our committees work
Each committee cycle involves meetings of all our main service committees. Once a full cycle is complete, a meeting of the full Council is held. All 21 councillors attend and make final decisions on the recommendations put forward by the committees. The Convener chairs the full Council meeting.
The Scheme of Administration sets out the referred and delegated functions of the Council and its committees and sub-committees.
Related resources
-
Scheme of Administration
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s Scheme of Administration, setting out how the Council, its committees and sub-committees are organised and what decisions they can make. It covers retained Council powers, delegated responsibilities across finance, services, planning, licensing, education, housing, transport and community matters, plus meeting and hearings procedures. The updated Scheme takes effect from 1 June 2026.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Scheme of Delegation to Officers
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s Scheme of Delegation to Officers, setting out the powers and duties given to the Chief Executive, directors and other chief officers. It covers areas including finance, procurement, planning, infrastructure, education, housing, transport, harbours, internal audit and social care. It also explains legal responsibilities, limits, consultation and further delegation arrangements. The updated scheme takes effect on 1 June 2026 and may be reviewed annually.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
-
Standing Orders
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s standing orders for managing Council, committee and sub-committee meetings and business, effective from 1 July 2026. It covers meeting arrangements, public and councillor attendance, conduct, agendas, minutes, motions, voting, appointments and petitions. It also includes protocols for remote attendance, appointing chief officers and broadcasting meetings, along with definitions of confidential and exempt information.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Our Committees
Full Council
All 21 elected members attend the full Council meeting, which takes place at the end of every committee cycle. Members consider recommendations from all the main service committees and have the opportunity to raise concerns, propose amendments or refer items back to a future committee meeting.
Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee
This committee covers economic development, transport links, roads and airfields, road safety, traffic management, street lighting, waste management, environmental health, food safety, trading standards, planning and building standards, including planning policy, and countryside access.
Education, Communities and Housing Committee
This committee covers education, community leisure, sport, cultural heritage and a range of housing matters including the provision of council housing.
Licensing Committee
This committee considers applications for civic licensing functions. It operates with full delegation.
Local Review Body
The Local Review Body considers notices of review of planning decisions made under delegated authority. Its functions are held by the Planning Committee.
Monitoring and Audit Committee
This committee oversees how Council policies and decisions are put into practice. It checks that arrangements are in place to ensure our resources are used effectively and promotes high standards of conduct among elected members.
Planning Committee
This committee determines planning applications and works licence applications that fall outside the delegation to officers. The Scheme of Administration also sets out the procedure for Planning Committee meetings and site visits.
Policy and Resources Committee
Chaired by the Council Leader, this committee plays a central role in developing Council-wide policies. It ensures our staff, finances, property and IT resources are used effectively and efficiently, and makes recommendations on how finance is allocated to each of the main service committees.
Our Sub-committees
Asset Management Sub-committee
Considers matters relating to our assets, including land, property, and information and communications technology.
Community Development Fund Sub-committee
Considers applications for financial assistance from the Community Development Fund from groups and clubs hoping to develop projects and facilities to benefit their community.
Harbour Authority Sub-committee
Exercises the function of Duty Holder, with responsibility for the safety of all harbour activities.
Human Resources Sub-committee
Considers human resources policies and procedures, staffing matters and conditions of service for employees. This sub-committee also sits as the Staff Appeals Sub-committee.
Investments Sub-committee
Considers matters relating to the management and investment of reserve funds, including the appointment and monitoring of fund managers, and considers applications for the use of reserve fund monies including loans.
Pension Fund Sub-committee
Responsible for all functions relating to our role as administering authority for the Orkney Islands Council Pension Fund. The Pension Board, established under the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2014, meets at the same time and considers the same agenda items.
Police and Fire Sub-committee
Considers matters relating to scrutiny of and engagement with Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in Orkney. A local policing officer and a local senior fire officer work with us and other partners to agree local plans setting out priorities, objectives and arrangements for local service delivery.
St Magnus Cathedral Sub-committee
Considers matters relating to the fabric and use of St Magnus Cathedral and its grounds.