Minute of the Meeting of Orphir Community Council

Held in Orphir Community School and via Teams on Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at 19:30.

Present

Mr M Clouston, Mrs B Clubley, Mr J Mackay, Mr A Marwick and Mr N Sclater.

In Attendance

• Councillor S Cowie.
• Councillor K Leask.
• Councillor L Manson.
• Mrs J McGrath, Community Council Liaison Officer (via Teams).
• Ms C Kelday, Community Council Liaison Assistant/Interim Clerk.
• Ms C Waters, Incoming Clerk.

Order of Business

1. Apologies
2. Adoption of Minute
3. Matters Arising
4. Correspondence
5. Consultations
6. Financial Statements
7. Requests for Financial Assistance
8. Publications
9. AOCB - Planning Application Reference 25/079/TPP
10. Date of Next Meeting
11. Conclusion of Meeting

1. Apologies

Resolved to note that apologies for absence had been received from Mr S Pyke and Councillor I Taylor.

2. Adoption of Minute

The minute of the meeting of Orphir Community Council held on 17 March 2026 was adopted, being proposed by Mrs B Clubley and seconded by Mr J Mackay.

3. Matters Arising

A. Bus Shelter, Smoogro Road End

The Chair updated that the shelter was now in production, and would hopefully be finished by the next school term, and it was:

Resolved:

1. To note the update.
2. To keep the item on the agenda for an update at the next meeting.

B. Orkneyinga Saga Centre Refurbishment

The Community Council Liaison Officer confirmed that the building warrant had expired and discussion followed. The Chair updated members on the progress made by contractors, and they discussed the opening of the centre for the 2026 season, and it was:

Resolved:

1. That Councillor K Leask and the Community Council Liaison Officer would make enquiries with the relevant officers regarding the Building Warrant.
2. That the Community Council Liaison Officer would arrange a QR code for donations to the Saga Centre to be created, and posters produced.
3. That members would meet at the Saga Centre to discuss displays for opening for the season.
4. The Chair would send any display materials for printing to Democratic Services.
5. That the Community Council Liaison Assistant would provide the Chair with contact information for the Team Manager, Sustainable Tourism.

C. Local Place Plan for Orphir

Mrs B Clubley advised that discussions were ongoing with companies to help run the place plan, and once in place a group of 12-18 people from the community would be required to assist with the factfinding, and it was:

Resolved to keep the item on the agenda for an update at the next meeting.

D. Winter Service Plan

The Interim Clerk provided an update as provided by the Service Manager, Roads and Grounds, that public trackers for the gritters would not be made available, and snow drift management at Hobbister was not going to be investigated further at this time, and it was:

Resolved:

1. To request via the business letter if any studies into high drifting areas across Orkney had been identified and investigated.
2. That the Chair would provide examples of snow drift management from other areas to Democratic Services.

E. RSSWS – Residual Landholdings

The Chair advised that contact had been made with the RSSWS. Members requested to ask the Council for any information they had regarding the areas of land that had been highlighted in the initial correspondence prior to arranging a further meeting, and it was:

Resolved:

1. To request via the business letter any information on whether OIC owned any of the highlighted parcels of land.
2. That the Chair would arrange another meeting with the RSSWS once the information requested had been received.

F. Burial Grounds Grass Cutting

Resolved to note that, following the deadline and subsequent consultation with members, the tender for cemetery grass cutting had been awarded to M Brass on a 3-year contract.

G. Scorradale

The Interim Clerk advised that the issue had been raised with SEPA, and it was:

Resolved to await the response from SEPA.

H. Orkney Native Wildlife Project

Members had previously been sent a written update from ONWP regarding the stoat project, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

4. Correspondence

A. EMEC Fall of Warness Site – Variation of Consent Granted

A copy of correspondence in relation to a variation of consent application for the EMEC Falls of Warness site had previously been sent round members, and it was:

Resolved to note the information.

B. Drummore, Orphir

Members had previously been copied into correspondence from a resident regarding a planning matter which they wanted to be investigated further, and it was:

Resolved to note that Kirkwall West and Orphir ward members were dealing with this issue directly with Orkney Islands Council.

C. Bench in Orphir

Correspondence from a resident in relation to the bench at the Millenium Trees had previously been sent to members, requesting for the bench to be replaced as it was in poor condition, and it was:

Resolved the Interim Clerk would request prices for new benches for members’ consideration.

D. Annual Grants 2026-2027

The Interim Clerk advised of the annual grants being awarded for the 2026-2027 financial year with a 2% uplift, and it was:

Resolved to note the content of the report and that the grant being awarded to Orphir Community Council was an annual grant of £3,966.37 and community Council Grant Scheme capping limit of £3,992.

5. Consultations

Resolved to note that no consultations had been received for consideration since the last meeting.

6. Financial Statements

A. General Fund

Following consideration of the General Fund statement as at 20 April 2026, it was:

Resolved to note the estimated balance of £23,193.98.

B. Orkneyinga Saga Centre

Following consideration of the Orkneyinga Saga Centre Fund statement as at 20 April 2026, it was:

Resolved to note the estimated balance of £48,275.27.

C. Community Council Grant Scheme

After consideration of the Grant Scheme statement as at 20 April 2026, it was:

Resolved to note main capping limit was overallocated by £455.92.

D. Community Development Fund

Following consideration of the Community Development Fund statement as at 20 April 2026, it was:

Resolved to note that £15,395.42 remained for allocation.

E. Seed Corn Fund

Following consideration of the Seed Corn Fund statement as at 20 April 2026, it was:

Resolved to note the balance remaining for allocation of £2,606.

7. Requests for Financial Assistance

A. Orphir Community School – P7 Hoy Trip

A request from Orphir Community School for financial assistance towards a school trip to Hoy had previously been circulated to members, and it was:

Resolved to award £50 per pupil towards the trip, totalling £200.

B. Orphir Community School – Bag the Bruck

Members had previously been sent a request from Orphir Community School regarding the Bag the Bruck collection for 2026, and it was:

Resolved to award £300 from the Community Council Grant Scheme, subject to approval.

C. Orkney Folk Festival 2026

A request from Orkney Folk Festival committee had previously been sent round members and, following consideration, it was:

Resolved to award a £100 donation from the General Fund.

8. Publications

The following publications had all been previously emailed and were noted:

• VAO – Newsletter – March 2026.
• VAO – Training and Funding Update – April 2026.
• Scottish Rural Action – News and Updates - March 2026.

9. AOCB - Planning Application Reference 25/079/TPP

It was advised that there had been an amendment to the planning application for turbines on Ward Hill, in that an updated EIA had been done, should members wish to study it further, and it was:

Resolved to note the information provided.

10. Date of Next Meeting

Resolved to note that the next two meetings of Community Council had been set for 30 June 2026.

11. Conclusion of Meeting

There being no further business, the Chair declared the meeting closed at 20:22.