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Local electors are encouraged to return postal votes in plenty time for the Scottish Parliament election in May.

More than a third of the 17,668 people on the Electoral Register in Orkney have registered to vote by post – 6,098 in total (34.5%). The number of electors who’ve applied for a postal vote has gone up by 1,793 since December 2020.

With restrictions due to ease during May, Orkney’s Sport and Leisure Team have updated how this will impact on their activities and facilities in the county.

Orkney will continue to be in Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions until 16 May, and from the week commencing 17 May Orkney will enter Level 2.

After a careful review of Scottish Government, sportscotland and Governing Bodies of Sport guidance, as well as current facility usage figures, the following facilities and activities will continue to be affected:

The Council’s Environmental Health team have been dealing with a boom in food business – with the number of new catering start-ups almost trebling during the COVID-19 lockdown year.

Orkney's iconic St Magnus Cathedral will shine in gold, pink and blue on Friday (30 April) as part of the first International Care Experienced Day of Remembrance, a day aimed at marking the contribution and experience of looked after people in communities around the world.

Local businesses who have been impacted by coronavirus may still have options open to them for financial support, despite some national schemes coming to an end as restrictions ease.

The ReFLEX Orkney project has launched a new carbon calculator to help the Orkney community estimate its carbon footprint and monitor it over time.

Electors are reminded that the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is less than a week away.

Some Westray residents are being asked to re-present bins again tomorrow, Wednesday, today's refuse truck had to return to mainland Orkney as it was full, leaving 70 properties uncollected.

Orkney Islands Council has today (20 April 2021) agreed to sign the Edinburgh Declaration for the protection of biodiversity.

Organisations involved in visitor management in Orkney have met in preparation for the easing of travel restrictions later this month.