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Delays and disruptions are expected on parts of the Council website on Thursday evening (18 August) as essential maintenance and testing works are carried out on the Council network.

The NSPCC’s Pantosaurus would like to say a roarsome “thank you” to everyone who stopped by the stall on County Show Day.

The friendly dinosaur says all the new pants designs created by children, who entered the competition to win Grooves vouchers and copies of The Power of Pants books, were simply “T-rexiffic”!

There were almost 200 entries and eventually the “dino-mite” colourful artwork by seven-year-old Dorrie Fry was chosen as overall winner of the £50 Grooves voucher and a copy of the book.

Staff at the Council are delighted that their Cancer Challenge has raised over £16,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Thanks to the generosity of people in Orkney and away, the total is £16,206.25 - more than three times the original target of £5,000.

Orkney Islands Council is looking for three new members from the business, community and third sectors to act as representatives on its sub-committee known as the Orkney College Management Council.

Try something new in 2022

Feedback from parents and carers of children who attended the Council’s 2022 Summer Holiday Programme is being sought.

The Scottish Government has invested funding in all local authorities for the targeted provision of summer holiday childcare, activities and food for low income families to help with the cost of living.

Nominations are being sought for educators who go the extra mile in their endeavour to embrace equality and diversity for the second annual GTCS Saroj Lal Award.

Orkney teacher Theo Ogbhemhe, from Kirkwall Grammar School, was named as the first-ever recipient of the annual award in 2021 in recognition of his outstanding work in challenging discrimination and promoting equality, making society a better place for everyone.

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users while filming takes place.

The order will be in operation from Monday 15 August, 2022 to Sunday 28 August, 2022.

The Scottish Government are delaying universal free school meals provision for P6 and P7 pupils.

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer, said: “The further expansion of free school lunches during term-time to include children in P6 and 7 will not begin in August as had been intended which is disappointing particularly given we are in the midst of a cost of living crisis.

“I know that some families have already expressed dismay at this decision as they fall just outwith the eligibility criteria and will have to either pay £2.70 for a two-course school meal for primary pupils and £2.80 for secondary pupils or provide a packed lunch.