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The Council's selfless staff - who do a power of good work within their communities in addition to their day jobs - are being recognised nationally.

Help for parents to increase their confidence and earning power is now available through Orkney Island Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team.

Following completion of Ortie Road in Sanday yesterday, surface dressing road works will take place today, Thursday, on a section of North Loch Road, Sanday, between the junction with the main B9069 through to Sandquoy.

I, John Weir Mundell OBE, Constituency Returning Officer for the above Election, in accordance with the Scottish Parliamentary Elections Order 2015 Articles 50 and 55, do hereby give notice, that the election expenses returns, declarations and all accompanying documents of candidates at the above election may be inspected between the hours of 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, except public holidays, at Orkney Islands Council, Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, Orkney (Tel: 01856 873535) for a period of one year after receipt by me. 

The Council is aware of a public petition on social media in reference to the withdrawal of funding from Advocacy Orkney and allegations of a shortfall of care provision in the county in relation to an individual.

We acknowledge the level of well-intentioned public interest, however, as it is not possible for a local authority to divulge details in relation to a vulnerable person – it is a version which is lacking in key information that is being circulated. This is causing great distress to the individual concerned and family members.

Organisations in Orkney who assist unemployed young people and adults are being encouraged to apply for digital devices for those they represent through the Scottish Government’s phase three Connecting Scotland programme.

Families in Orkney are being encouraged to apply for free school meals and clothing allowances before the end of term – which may open up other pandemic support grants available to them.

Orkney Islands Council's Roads team will be continuing surface dressing road work on Ortie Road in Sanday tomorrow, Wednesday 16 June.

Stromness Primary school cook Karen Bevan is already a winner in the eyes and bellies of some the bairns she feeds on a daily basis – and they are backing her to win a national competition!

Families with young children in Orkney are being invited to register for places at the Willow Tree Nursery in Kirkwall – signalling a major step forward in addressing some of the county’s childcare needs.