“With a sense of despair – people have asked ‘what can you do?’. I’m a firm believer that there is always something you can do in almost any difficult situation.”

Those are the words of Orkney’s Les Cowan expressing his thoughts on the conflict in Ukraine.

“We cannot stop the war, but we are not helpless to deal with the aftermath,” he continued. “This is the time for people to step up to the mark.

The Council can confirm that the first refugees from Ukraine arrived in Orkney this month through the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

The Council’s Head of Community Learning, Leisure and Housing, Frances Troup, said: “The household concerned is being hosted by a family on Mainland Orkney and it’s important that they are given the time and privacy required to be allowed to settle in as best they can.

“We have been in touch with the host to see how we can provide support and we are following that through.”

There's been a lot of questions on social media today about the registration of 'honesty boxes' with our Environmental Health Team - here's a bit of clarification on some of the points being raised.

Orkney Islands Council is making it easier for households to replace their damaged bins, with the introduction of a ‘QR code’ which takes householders straight to an online order form.

Update on road works already underway or starting next week (week starting 23 May), including on Pickaquoy Road in Kirkwall which will also affect public bus services: