Council Leader James Stockan has described the recent Islands Forum meeting as ‘incredibly useful’ - highlighting in particular his discussions with Michael Gove - Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities  -  around potential funding streams for Orkney’s internal ferry service.

Representatives of ten island groups attended the forum in the Isle of Wight last week.

This was the second meeting of the forum – with the inaugural meeting having taken place in Orkney in September last year.

Transport Scotland’s Mobility and Scrappage Fund is open to new applications from eligible households in Orkney.

Administered by Energy Saving Trust, up to £3,000 is available to eligible applicants for the disposal of their older vehicles and to encourage the switch towards active or shared travel options.

Applicants will receive a £2,000 grant upon the disposal of their vehicle at a SEPA authorised treatment facility and provision of a verifiable Certificate of Destruction. Orkney Aggregates are named as the local contact.

Applications are open for the first free numeracy course in Orkney to be delivered by The Learning Link through Multiply – a new programme aimed at transforming the lives of adults by improving numeracy skills.

The Numeracy National 4 course starts on Monday 12 June at The Learning Link, 2 St Rognvald Street, Kirkwall, and runs over eight sessions until 31 July on Mondays from 12.30pm-2.30pm.

Orkney Islands Council (OIC) and the National Museum of the Royal Navy have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to share experience and expertise in developing the awareness and understanding of naval heritage.

A summing up of road works underway or coming up - including works on Churchill Barrier 1 and ongoing works on the road to the St Margarets Hope pier, and on the main road through Finstown.

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users while the Orkney Rowing Club hold an event.

The order will be in operation on Saturday 17 June 2023 between the hours of 07:45 and 19:30, and the effect of the Order will be to close Scapa Bay Road (B9053), St Ola, from its junction with the B9148 to the access to Scapa Haven, St Ola, between the hours stated. Traffic signs will be erected to indicate when the road is closed.

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to ensure the safety of the public and road users during the Saint Magnus Marathon event.

The order will be in operation on Sunday 2 July 2023 between the hours of 7.30am and 11am and its effect will be to close (1) Albert Street, Kirkwall; (2) Bridge Street, Kirkwall; (3) Broad Street, Kirkwall (from Albert Street to Palace Road); and (4) Castle Street, Kirkwall (from car park exit to Broad Street). Traffic signs will be erected to indicate when a road is closed.

Notice is hereby given that Orkney Islands Council has made an order in terms of section 62 of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 to the effect that, between the hours of 19:15 and 20:30 on Saturday 17 June 2023, in connection with the Firth Gala Day Fancy Dress Parade, vehicular traffic using the roads specified in the Schedule hereto will be subject to delays and a speed restriction, and parking in these roads will not be permitted.

The Orkney public will be treated to a degree show of the highest calibre, when final year BA Fine Art students at Orkney College show their works in June.

A date has been set for a free online gambling awareness event for professionals, support groups and criminal justice practitioners in Orkney looking to learn more about gambling related harm.

The Orkney Community Justice Partnership, in conjunction with the RCA Trust, which provides community-based alcohol and gambling related prevention and treatment services in Scotland, will host the one-hour online event to professionals across the north region on Saturday 10 June 2023 at 1.30pm.