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The Leader of Orkney Islands Council is calling for the Scottish Government to finally bring in cheaper ferry fares for residents and visitors to the county – more than a decade after they were first rolled out elsewhere in Scotland.

Orkney Islands Council understands and shares the Scottish Government’s concerns relating to the latest developments with the COVID 19 Virus and the continual need to review the prevailing circumstances across the Country and for each Council area. However, there currently remains no recorded COVID cases in Orkney. Accordingly, the Council believes that a bespoke Orkney response can be accommodated for the lead up to Christmas and for the New Year based on the prevailing data and science for the operation of our internal ferries and the return to school arrangements.

Orkney Islands Council is carrying out road works on Pickaquoy Road near the Co op supermarket on Monday 11 January and Tuesday 12 January 2021, between 09:00 and 16:00 each day.

We can now reveal that the most popular name choices for girls and boys in Orkney during 2020.

Orkney Islands Council is contacting families, carers and staff about current plans for opening schools in January after the Festive Season break.

Orkney Islands Council has advised the Scottish Government of concerns about the impact of Level 3 Covid-19 restrictions on local ferry services and communities – and how it is addressing these.

Following the recent Scottish Government announcement that Orkney will move into Level Three for a three-week period from 26 December 2020 – 17 January 2021, there will unfortunately be some changes to festive and day-to-day arrangements across Orkney’s Sport and Leisure facilities.

Staff at Orkney Health and Care have helped leading children’s charity Action for Children distribute grocery vouchers to vulnerable families and young children in the county ahead of Christmas.

Orkney Islands Council is opening temporary skips for paper and metals recycling over the festive period.

Orkney Islands Council is advising the Travel Centre in Kirkwall will close at 5.30pm on 23 December 2020 and re-open at 9am on 5 January 2021, due to recent antisocial behaviour at the facility.