New Chair appointed for Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee

Councillor Mellissa Thomson has been appointed Chair of the Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee at Orkney Islands Council, having previously served as Vice-Chair. Cllr Thomson was elected at yesterday’s (Tue 30 June) General Meeting of the Council.

The appointment follows Councillor Kristopher Leask's resignation from the post of Chair, after his election as a Highlands and Islands regional list MSP in May. Councillor Leask remains a serving councillor for Kirkwall West and Orphir. 

Cllr Thomson represents the North Isles ward and has served as an Elected Member since 2022. She lives in Eday with her family, where she farms beef and sheep.

She is also Chair of the Orkney Ferries Board, will now be Chair of the Council’s Harbour Authority and is a director of the Eday Development Trust.

Speaking on her appointment, Councillor Thomson said:

"I was absolutely delighted to have been appointed this morning. Enterprise and Infrastructure is a huge part of the Council, and I am honoured to be involved in it. 

“My background in farming and fishing means this committee's work, from piers and harbours to roads, is something I understand from day-to-day life on the isles. 

“I want to thank those who held this role before me for the foundation they've built, and I'm grateful for the trust my colleagues have placed in me." 

Council Leader Heather Woodbridge said:

"Councillor Thomson has been an asset to this Council - and as a North Isles Ward colleague, I have had the pleasure of seeing her hard work, and dedication to isles communities, as well as her determination to improve things for all of Orkney.

“I am looking forward to working with her in this new role, which will be central to economic development and infrastructure work across Orkney in the years ahead."

At the General Meeting, Elected Members also confirmed appointments to the Orkney and Shetland Valuation Joint Board, following a further vacancy created by Councillor Leask's change in committee responsibilities. Councillor Gillian Skuse was appointed to the Board as a substantive member, and councillors agreed to increase the number of substitute members from two to five. Councillor James Moar continues as a substitute member, joined by Councillors Ivan Taylor, Raymie Peace, Janette Park and Graham Bevan.