With schools having been back for nearly four weeks, I want to commend the care, commitment and courage shown by everyone in playing their part in keeping our communities safe.

The number of cases of COVID-19 across Orkney have been rising of late and have affected a small proportion of adults and young people who attend at some of our schools.

Orkney Islands Council resolved today to fund the full cost of constructing a roadway in Bignold Park to enable year-round use by the community.

Orkney Islands Council is set to start holding some of its meetings in public again from 1 October, following consideration of the issue at today’s Special General meeting.

Orkney Islands Council will be writing to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care seeking confirmation that a full island communities impact assessment will be undertaken with regards to National Care Service proposals.

Roads in Kirkwall will be closed to vehicles at times over coming weeks as important flagstone repairs take place.

Local poet, Lydia Harris, will be reading her poetry inspired by artefacts on display in theOrkney Museum this Satruday 18 Seotember as part of the national Doors Open Day festival.

Orkney’s Local Heroes Neil and Sarah Taylor have first-hand experience of flooding and are urging others to do all they can to make their homes flood resilient.

Sarah, who is a lifeguard and swimming instructor at Stromness Swimming Pool, said they will be attending at one of the Scottish Flood Forum’s (SFF) planned engagement events in Orkney next week to hear how they can further protect their home from future flooding.

Local people are being reminded to take a closer look at proposals for the future management of the world-renowned Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site (WHS)  - and give their feedback via an online survey option newly added to the consultation website.

The establishment of a full School Counselling Service in Orkney got the backing of Councillors this week.

A part-time in-school counselling service has been available for some time in Orkney’s senior secondary schools, however the Scottish Government aims to see this rolled out further to make counselling available for all children and young people aged ten and over. Funding of £166,000 has been allocated by the Scottish Government for Orkney for 2021/22.

The pre-winter deployment of coastal flood protection systems in Kirkwall, St Margaret’s Hope and Holm will be carried out during an exercise next week (16 and 17 September).

Within Kirkwall the various flood gates will be deployed in sections on Thursday 16 September from 9am. This will have a temporary impact on the Waterfront West-Shapinsay Slip carpark and the wider Kirkwall harbour area, but deployment will be carried out in sections to minimize disruption.