The Council is issuing a reminder not to handle dead birds, as Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales declare an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone across the whole of Great Britain.

The Council is supporting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service plea for folk to attend organised public Bonfire Night events rather than family displays – with an additional reminder to be Covid-19 safe even though outside.

Those who are choosing to host or attend private garden displays are urged to take care when buying fireworks and reminded that the law in regard to fireworks has changed in Scotland. It is now illegal to set off fireworks before 6pm and after 11pm – extending to midnight on 5 November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Services Annual Report 2020-2021 has been published and details a strong performance across a number of areas.

The Annual Report looks at how the service is performing in comparison to last year and against similar local authorities – Shetland and Highland - and the Scottish average using national performance measures.

NHS Orkney Public Health and Orkney Islands Council continue to work closely on the widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and, to date, no major clusters have been identified.

In following Scottish Government and Public Health guidance “warn and inform letters” have been sent to parents of children in P3, 6 and 7 advising them of a potential situation at Papdale Primary School.

Dear COP

Against the backdrop of the COP26 discussions in Glasgow, everyone’s talking about climate change.