Latest News

Orkney Islands Council has sent a clear warning to the Scottish Government today, to say that they will be entirely opposed to the introduction of Highly Protected Marine Areas in Scotland’s seas.

Improving and adding to the harbour infrastructure in Orkney waters should support substantial economic growth in the county - but the business case for the project must fully stack up for the Orkney community before any final decisions are made by the authority or project funders.

A £400,000 fund has been made available by the Council to assist communities improve their playpark equipment.

The Playpark Renewal Fund, created thanks to Covid-19 recovery funding and managed by the OIC Sport and Leisure service, is now open for applications from eligible organisations.

The one-off recovery fund is geared towards improvement projects within play areas, not for routine maintenance, and those applying will be encouraged to seek external match funding.

The Council’s third new tug - Freyja of Scapa – will be officially named by two young Orkney namesakes at a ceremony at Scapa Pier on 15 May.

Five-year-old Freyja Hazel Seatter, from Orphir, and Freya Evans, 9, Tankerness, have been invited to perform the official duty.

Cheryl Seatter – Freyja’s mum – said the youngster was quite excited when she found out she was going to be naming a boat with the same name as herself!

The needs of community heroes providing vital and voluntary care for folk will be shared by speakers at the Orkney Carers’ Conference in May.

Between them, presenters lined up for the conference have a wealth of personal and professional experience of unpaid carers and the challenges the face each day.

Speakers at the conference include:

We have an update on the roadworks underway or due to start around Orkney from Monday 17 April.

Scottish Water are currently working on the A960 in Toab with traffic controlled by traffic lights for the duration of the work. 

Two free online gambling awareness events are to be held for professionals, support groups and criminal justice practitioners in Orkney looking to learn more about gambling related harm.

The Orkney Community Justice Partnership, in conjunction with the RCA Trust, which provides community-based alcohol and gambling related prevention and treatment services in Scotland, recently hosted two free one-hour online gambling awareness events to professionals across the north region.

Nel Govender is “delighted” to be moving to Orkney and starting work in a key role with Orkney Health and Care following an appeal for help to source suitable accommodation.

The public ask for private landlords to come forward with offers of accommodation proved to be very successful with six new members of staff now matched with providers.

A second tranche of the Third Sector Cost of Living Crisis Fund goes live today (Thursday 13^th April 2023)

The fund is administered by Voluntary Action Orkney (VAO) and funded via the Council through their allocation from the Scottish Government’s Islands Cost Crisis Emergency Fund.

Third Sector organisations in Orkney have been reporting difficulties with covering their rising operational costs. While they are facing these increasing financial pressures, these organisations are also seeing more people coming to them for support.

Statement on behalf of the Orkney Partnership

The services inspected are provided by NHS Orkney, Orkney Islands Council, Police Scotland and third sector agencies.