Minute of the Meeting of Sanday Community Council held in Heilsa Fjold and via Teams on Thursday, 2 July 2026 at 19:30

Present: Gary Nickells, Bruce Stuart, Ute Clackson, Cherrie Ellis, Gary Flint-Elkins and Ken Snelson.

In Attendance:

Gail Speers, Island Link Officer (ILO)/Clerk.
3 members of the public.

Order of Business

Apologies
Adoption of Minutes
Publication of North Isles Sports Book
Matters Arising
Correspondence
Consultations
Reports from Representatives
Financial Statements
Applications for Financial Assistance
Publications
Any Other Competent Business
Date of Next Meeting
Conclusion of Meeting

1. Apologies

Resolved to note that apologies for absence had been received from Andrew Wilcox and Councillors Heather Woodbridge and Mellissa Thomson.

2. Adoption of Minutes

The minute of the meeting of Sanday Community Council held on 14 May 2026 was approved, being proposed by Gary Flint-Elkins and seconded by Ken Snelson.

3. Publication of North Isles Sports Book

Mr Thorne gave a presentation advising members that his new book recording the preparations and events leading up to the 75th North Isles Sports held on Sanday in 2025 had only sold 50 copies at the 2026 North Isles Sports. He asked the members if he could give 40 books to each of the competing islands to see if they could sell them on their islands at £10 per book and that the proceeds go to sports related pursuits as per the members suggestions at the previous meeting, it was:

Resolved:

A. To note that members agreed to this, but asked Mr Thorne to wait giving the books to the other islands until after the Sanday Show as members would try to see if they could sell more copies then.

B. To note that Mr Thorne left three copies for the members to read and he would collect these from the Link Officer the following Tuesday.

C. To note that Cherrie Ellis agreed to selling the 40 copies at the Sanday Show in the Sanday Community Shop bar tent.

4. Matters Arising

A. Defibrillators

Following a report from the ILO with regards to the repair of the telephone kiosk door housing the defibrillator in Burness, volunteer defibrillator checkers and replacement pads, it was:

Resolved:

To note that the installation of the door for the Burness telephone kiosk had still not been completed.
To note that the Chair and his wife offered to do the monthly checks for the defibrillator at Loth waiting room.
To note that the ILO had now replaced the pads in all the defibrillators on the island owned by the Community Council and that replacement pads would not be needed again for another two years.

B. War Memorial

As Andrew Wicox was not present at the meeting, there were no further updates with regards to fundraising for the cleaning of the War Memorial, it was;

Resolved to note that Councillor Clackson suggested that Andrew Wilcox contacts him with regards to a lady in Eday associated with the Best War Memorial competition.

C. Heritage Centre

Following a report from the ILO with an update on the sale of the Heritage Centre from the Sanday Community Council to the Sanday Development Trust, it was:

Resolved to note that the ILO had sent the Terms of Business to the members after the last meeting and was awaiting replies.

D. Sanday TRI-CE Meeting

Following discussion with regards to the TRI-CE meeting on 20 May 2026, which had been attended by Ute Clackson, it was:

Resolved to note there was nothing to report.

E. Police Surgery

Following discussion with regards to the police surgery held at Heilsa Fjold on 10 June 2026, it was:

Resolved:

To note that only 1 member of the public attended.
To note that they had stopped vehicles on the island and were able to issue points on the licences of offending residents.
To note that Councillor Clackson attended the surgery and thanked the officers for visiting Sanday.
To note that due to a shortage of police officers and a recruitment drive which is currently in place, officers run these surgeries on their days off.

F. Kirkyard Grass Cutting

Following consideration of the Kirkyard grass cutting, it was:

Resolved:

To note that the Chair had visited the Kirkyards and was happy with the grass cutting.
To note that the members suggested that the tender process needed looking at as it was daunting for some people to complete the tenders.
To note that this item has been deferred to the next meeting for further discussion.

G. Lady and Cross Kirkyard Gates

Following discussion with regards to the dilapidated state of the Lady and Cross Kirkyard gates, it was:

Resolved:

To note that Orkney Islands Council were aware of the state of the gates as the ILO had sent photos to them showing this.
To note that Orkney Islands Council were working to resolve this issue.

H. Backaskaill Car Park - Height Restriction

Following a report from Cherrie Ellis that the height-restriction barrier at the Backaskaill car park was too low for visiting campervans, specialist wheelchair-access vehicles, and grave-digging vehicles travelling from Kirkwall, and after further discussion, it was:

Resolved:

To note that the ILO would contact Orkney Islands Council to request that they change the height restriction bar to a moveable one which opens up either by a lock mechanism or by a QR code.
To note that members suggested a donation box at the Backaskaill Car Park for visitors to donate, as it was a pleasant space with picnic tables for vehicles to park and use.
To note that Cherrie Ellis suggested that businesses donate some of their beige bags to help with areas without bins, and that she would look into this and give an update at the next meeting.

5. Correspondence

A. Orkney Local Development Plan – update May 2026

Following consideration of correspondence from the Development and Marine Planning team with regards to an update on the review of the Orkney Local Development Plan, it was: