Latest News

It’s the season of goodwill so….. if you have overdue library books from last month, last year, pre-lockdown, pre-millennium, pre-decimalisation, don’t worry.

Just hand them in to the Kirkwall or Stromness Library, or pop them into one of the book-drop boxes, any time from now until 24 December, and the wonderful library staff will waive any fees and clear your library account – ready for a fresh start in 2022.

Orkney Islands Council's household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) in Hatston will reopen as normal from 08:00 tomorrow, Tuesday 30 November following damage to an overhead cable in Friday's high winds.

An exciting array of free activities for young people in Orkney is to be trialled following a successful OIC-led “Streetwork” project earlier this year.

The Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) Team, alongside staff from partner agencies carried out the engaging exercise with young people on the streets of Kirkwall and Stromness on Friday evenings from February to May.

The Council’s gritter crews were on the road again last week for the first time this winter as temperatures dipped around the county.

Also, for the first time the OIC is ustilising a new weather forecasting system which allows treatment to be targeted where it’s needed – instead of a blanket coverage of areas.

The NSPCC Talk Pants campaign to help protect young children from sexual abuse is continuing in the county.

A display has gone up at the Northlight Gallery in Stromness and a short film will be shown ahead of film screenings within the Pickaquoy Centre cinema.

The purchase, via national contracts, of PPE and IT equipment to enable safe working has contributed to OIC’s local spend falling to 38%, or £15.4 million.

Are you interested in the funding of Council services, how Council Tax is calculated, the harbour accounts or employee statistics?

Many folk in Orkney are wakening up to a winter wonderland this morning, Sunday 28 November.

While a blanket of white is certainly very picturesque especially at this time of year, it means the road conditions are tricky in parts.

 Update on road closures in central Stromness associated with the current flagstone repairs.

Part of one of our well-established trees near the King Street car park at School Place fell foul of the stormy conditions in Orkney on Friday 26 November.

The Council is taking steps to secure the area by closing off the footpaths and would ask folk to avoid the area for their own safety.