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.

Orkney Islands Council is advising there may be short delays in the centre of Kirkwall, Stromness and St Margarets Hope over coming days as preparations for festive lighting continue.

Around 800 households in Orkney are set to benefit from the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget announcement on Wednesday 27 October in relation to the Universal Credit taper reduction.

This reduction from 63 per cent to 55 per cent means that anyone claiming Universal Credit who has a job will get to keep more of their earnings before it starts to affect the benefit.

The most prestigious awards in Orkney sport has returned, as the search to crown the county’s most outstanding athlete of the last year gets under way.

The Orkney Sports Awards, organised by Orkney Islands Council’s Active Schools team and sponsored by The Orcadian, celebrate and recognise the county’s vast sporting achievement and success over the past year.

An update on the road closures associated with current flagstone repairs in Kirkwall and Stromness.

As Glasgow hosts the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), The Phoenix Cinema has teamed up with Orkney Islands Council and Take One Action Orkney to show three films exploring issues around climate and community.

Are you a recent graduate with a passion for inclusivity and empowering young people?

Orkney Islands Council is reinforcing NHS Orkney’s appeal for communities to be vigilant heading into the weekend given the rising COVID-19 transmission rate.

The ongoing rate of transmission, and the requirement for close contacts to isolate, is having a knock-on effect on some businesses and services, including within Orkney Islands Council.