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Minute of the Meeting of Flotta Community Council held in Flotta Community Centre and via Teams on Tuesday, 7 July 2026 at 16:15

Present: Mrs K Bradley, Mr N Cheeseman, Mrs P Gee, Mr J Gerboc, Mrs A Newby-Tucker, T Newby-Tucker and Mrs I Smith.

In Attendance:

  • Councillor G Bevan.
  • Councillor J Park (via Teams).
  • Mrs J McGrath, Community Council Liaison Officer.
  • Ms C Kelday, Community Council Liaison Assistant (via Teams).
  • Ms M Belobradova, Clerk.
  • Three members of the public.

Order of Business

  1. Apologies
  2. Election of Office Bearers
  3. Adoption of Minutes
  4. Matters Arising
  5. Correspondence
  6. Consultations
  7. Financial Statements
  8. Financial Requests
  9. Publications
  10. Reports from Representatives
  11. Any Other Competent Business
  12. Dates of Future Meetings
  13. Conclusion of Meeting

1. Apologies

Resolved to note that apologies for absence had been received from Councillor L Hall.

2. Election of Office Bearers

The Annual Election of Office Bearers was due to take place. Following discussion, it was:

Resolved that Mrs K Bradley be appointed Chairperson, Mr N Cheeseman be appointed Vice Chairperson and Transport Representative, and Mr J Gerboc be appointed Health and Care Representative of Flotta Community Council.

3. Adoption of Minutes

The minute of the meeting of Flotta Community Council held on 19 May 2026 was adopted, being proposed by Mrs A Newby-Tucker and seconded by Mr J Gerboc.

4. Matters Arising

A. Triangular Area of Land at Burnside

The Chair advised that she had contacted the contractor who had recently been in Flotta doing similar work. However, the contractor was busy with other work commitments.

An email with various suggestions from a local resident, Mr J Newby-Tucker, had previously been circulated to members and was discussed at this point. The suggestions were including to sell the piece of land back to the Council, turning the land into a map of the Orkney Islands, or clearing the land. Following discussion, it was:

Resolved:

  1. That the land needs to be cleared, as had previously been agreed, and that the Chair would keep trying to contact the contractor to ask for a price to do the work, which would then be discussed by members.
  2. That the Clerk would respond to Mr J Newby-Tucker thanking him for his correspondence and advising him of the outcome of discussions.

B. 13 and 14 Burnside

It had previously been agreed to pay the outgoing caretaker for the outstanding amount due for caretaking duties in 2025/2026, and that this had been processed from the Burnside Account.

It was advised that the Clerk had now taken over the bookings for the Burnside properties from Mrs P Gee, and that Mrs A Newby-Tucker was Caretaker for both properties. The Burnside accommodation was now advertised on Orkney.com and a request for the short-term let licence had been submitted, with an outcome awaited.

It was raised that there were still items to purchase as part of the upgrade, that outstanding repairs required to be addressed, and that correspondence in relation to TV Licenses had been received. The broadband subscription was also discussed, and it was:

Resolved:

  1. To note that the electrical repairs/socket replacements had not been done yet and the Community Council Liaison Officer was still waiting for responses from contractors.
  2. To note that £2,534.17 had been spent on improvements to date, but that some of this included cleaning supplies.
  3. That a budget of £2,500 per house had been agreed for improvements, with CCGS to be utilised and a mix of Burnside Account and Seed Corn funding (pending approval).
  4. That new sofas for each property would be paid for from the Seed Corn account (pending approval).
  5. To install key safe boxes for the properties and that the Community Council Liaison Officer would order these, with costs being covered from the Burnside Account.
  6. That the Caretaker will forward a payment request for the TV Licences to Democratic Services to be paid from the Burnside Account.
  7. That fire safety checks still needed to be carried out and that the Community Council Liaison Officer was in correspondence with a contractor regarding this.
  8. To note that the broadband was on an annual subscription and was being paid through the Burnside Account.
  9. That the Caretaker would submit invoices to be paid at the end of each month.

C. Play Park – Equipment and Grass

Discussion continued regarding a new piece or pieces of equipment for the play area. The Chair suggested a different option – outdoor exercise equipment that would be suitable for age of 12 and over including adults. She advised of other companies that provide equipment, and it was agreed to give this further consideration.

Members discussed potential funding availability for the exercise equipment and maintenance.

Members of the public advised that the broken piece of equipment had been dismantled but not removed. Following discussion, it was:

Resolved:

  1. That the Chair would forward an online link to the members to look at the suggested outdoor exercise equipment so that further consideration could be given.
  2. That the Community Council Liaison Officer would make an enquiry to remove the dismantled piece of equipment through the scrap collection.

D. Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Paths

The Community Council Liaison Officer suggested that, as the lease with landowners had now ended, the landowners should make enquiries to the relevant department themselves, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided and that the Community Council Liaison Officer would provide contact details for the relevant officers to landowners.

E. Seating at Stanger Head

The Chair advised that she had contacted the person who had made the original request to explain the landowner’s wishes and suggestion to put a plaque of the family name on the bench. It was agreed that the bench should be placed next to the pond at the quarry, and no further than the gate.

The members discussed the price of the seating including transportation and installation, and it was:

Resolved:

  1. To provide funding of £700 for a 1.5m recycled plastic bench, including installation costs (four bags of concrete), from the General Fund.
  2. That delivery/collection details and details of the proposed plaque would be confirmed at a later date so that work could be arranged.

F. Flotta Kirkyard Gates

The Community Council Liaison Officer confirmed that the small gates had been repaired and that it had been reported to the Council that the bigger gates now required attention, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided and await a further update.

G. Grass Cutting in Burnside Communal Areas

The Community Council Liaison Officer suggested that OIC Housing should take care of the Burnside communal areas, and it was:

Resolved that the Community Council Liaison Officer would raise this via the business letter to the housing department, Orkney Islands Council.

H. Post Office

The Chair advised that despite contacting various different departments, she had not received any response from the Post Office. However, there had been some conversations with interested parties, who had been sent application information.

Mr J Gerboc advised that there were two residents who were interested in taking on the role of sub-postmaster, however the recruitment process was complicated and financially difficult. Mrs P Gee confirmed that the current Post Office was due to close at the end of September.

The Community Council Liaison Officer reported that the Education Department had advised that there would be a need to carry out consultation regarding any use of the school or community areas for the Post Office. Following discussion, it was:

Resolved:

  1. That the Community Council Liaison Officer would make enquiries regarding potential use of the schoolhouse as premises for the new Post Office.
  2. That members would wait for more information from the Education Department.

I. Car Scrapping Scheme

The Community Council Liaison Officer confirmed that the Terminal were happy to assist with the removal of scrap cars from the island as they had done in the past, but that it would be later in the year when the ferry was not so busy.

She suggested that notes of interest be invited, and that vehicles would need to have the necessary documentation and be able to be moved to the laydown area near the pier.

Mr N Cheeseman advised that there would be a need to advertise the Scrap Car Scheme around the island, and it was:

Resolved that the Community Council Liaison Officer would create an advert to pass to the Clerk to be distributed across the island.

J. Coat Hooks in Waiting Room

It was confirmed that a coat hook had been installed in the toilet cubicles, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

The Community Council Liaison Assistant left the meeting at this point.

5. Correspondence

A. Invite – Equality Delivery Group Meeting

Members had previously been sent an invite for a meeting of the EDG. The Chair advised that she had joined the meeting, where people had put forward what they were looking for from the group and what their island issues were. The next meeting would be in 6 months, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

B. 2026 SURF Awards Open for Application

Information regarding the SURF awards had previously been circulated to members, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

C. Island Conversations – Exploring the new National Islands Plan

Members had been sent information on two National Islands Plan online discussion sessions on 18 and 22 June, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

D. Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund

Correspondence had just been sent to the Clerk that day in relation to funding available for projects that will deliver direct support to those in need, with a deadline of 31 July 2026, and it was:

Resolved to note the correspondence.

6. Consultations

A. Draft Summer Ferry Timetables

The draft ferry timetables for Summer 2027 had been previously circulated to members for comment. T Newby-Tucker raised the question about two different times of sailing on Sunday.

Mrs A Newby-Tucker noted that residents tended not to travel on Sunday due to limited ferry availability.

The transport representative, Mr N Cheeseman, highlighted that any comments need to be submitted by 4 August 2026. The Community Council Liaison Officer advised that residents would need to make comments via the Clerk or the Transport representative, and it was:

Resolved that Mr N Cheeseman would inform the island residents via advertising on local social media group and board to let him know any comments they might have on the draft timetable.

B. Winter Service Plan

Resolved to note that the Winter Service Plan consultation had recently been forwarded to members for consideration, and that comments needed to be submitted by 9 September 2026.

C. CLD Training Needs Survey

Resolved to note that a survey was to be circulated to members to complete, should they wish, in relation to learning and training needs, with a deadline of 31 July 2026.

7. Financial Statements

A. General Finance

After consideration of the General Finance statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved to note that the estimated balance was £57,638.17.

B. Wind Power Fund

Following consideration of the Wind Power Fund statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved:

  1. To note that the estimated balance was £21,955.77.
  2. To note than Flotta Day Club had received a duplicate payment of £100 towards Bag the Bruck in error but that the community council would allow them to keep the extra funding towards future events.

C. Burnside Account

After consideration of the Burnside Account statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved to note that the balance was £1,604.54.

D. Community Council Grant Scheme

After consideration of the 2026/2027 Community Council Grant Scheme statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved:

  1. To note the OIC Main Capping Limit had £731.80 remaining for allocation.
  2. To note the Additional Capping Limit had £796 remaining for allocation.
  3. To note the OIC Island Capping Limit had £770 remaining for allocation.

E. Community Development Fund

After consideration of the Community Development Fund statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved to note that the sum of £10,980.51 remained available for allocation.

F. Seed Corn Fund

After consideration of the Seed Corn Fund statement as at 23 June 2026, copies of which had previously been circulated, it was:

Resolved to note that the sum of £3,161.00 remained available for allocation.

G. Annual Accounts for Year Ending 31 March 2026

The income and expenditure accounts and balance sheets for Flotta Community Council, the Wind Power Fund and the Burnside Account had previously been circulated to members, and it was:

Resolved to note the balances as at 31 March 2026.

8. Financial Requests

Resolved to note that no requests for financial assistance had been received.

9. Publications

The following publications had previously been forwarded via email, and were noted:

  • VAO Newsletter – June and July 2026.
  • VAO Training and Funding Update – June 2026.
  • Scottish Islands Federation - Newsletter – April and May 2026.
  • Scottish Islands Federation – Events Bulletin – June 2026.
  • Orkney Ferries Statistics – May 2026.
  • Free Webinar for CCs – Overview of Community Wealth Building.
  • Accessible Travel Framework – Island Events.
  • Island Digital Connectivity Resilience – SIF Meeting – 25 June.
  • Information on new Tesco Grant.
  • Armed Forces Day – 27 June 2026.

10. Reports from Representatives

A. Transport

The Transport Representative advised that the next internal transport forum would take place on 19 August to review the draft summer timetables. Any comments would need to be submitted by individuals to the Transport Representative or Clerk, and it was:

Resolved to note the content of the report.

B. Planning

Resolved to note that there was nothing to report.

C. Health and Care

Mr J Gerboc updated members on the meeting of 4 June which he and Mrs K Bradley attended. There had been discussion around clinician cover, prescriptions and difficulties to get to Stromness surgery. It had been highlighted that Flotta had experienced several instances where their nurse had been taken away to another island at short notice.

The Health and Care Representative advised that the next joint isles health and care meeting will take place on 20 September, and it was:

Resolved to note the content of the report.

11. Any Other Competent Business

A. Flotta 10K

Members discussed the possibility of reinstating the Flotta 10K running event. After consideration of the infrastructure needed for it to be an official 10K, and the condition of the roads, there was a suggestion to create a family event including a fun run, and it was:

Resolved:

  1. That Mr J Gerboc would investigate the idea of family fun day including the fun run.
  2. That the Clerk would contact Orkney Ferries to discuss availability of the ferries during any event.

B. Bag the Bruck

Mrs I Smith raised that, following the Bag the Bruck event and collection, fishing nets and creels had not been picked up from the collection point at the Mill yet, and it was:

Resolved that the Community Council Liaison Officer would enquire with Greener Orkney as to whether these items could be picked up.

12. Dates of Future Meetings

Following consideration of a date for the next meeting, it was:

Resolved that the next two meetings of Flotta Community Council would be held on Tuesdays 1 September and 3 November 2026.

13. Conclusion of Meeting

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 18:03.