The Royal rowan sapling has been planted within the gardens of Tankerness House.

Orkney’s Lord Lieutenant Elaine Grieve did the honours and was ably assisted by the team at the Yard Plant Nursery, who maintain and produce plants for the gardens, and various other grounds.

We have a number of new staff members due to start with the Council soon, but they are finding it very difficult to source accommodation. We would hate to lose them because they can’t find a home.

Nel Govender and her family have lived in locations around the world, but it is their hope to move to Orkney and embrace life and work in the islands.

Afternoon folks, just the heads up that a refuse truck on Area 6 needed a trip to the garage mid-way through the collections earlier today.

Thanks to our mechanical magicians, the vehicle is on the road again – but it does mean the team are a bit behind.

They will be pulling out all the stops to try and complete the collection today, including pulling in a second truck to help if possible.

The Council’s School Catering Service are appealing for help to keep pupils fed and watered.

There’s a number of jobs available within school catering, from cooks to kitchen assistants, permanent and relief.

Papdale Park now comes fully equipped with an EV charger at the site.

Folk could take a wander around the green space or have a seat and enjoy the surroundings while the vehicle is plugged in.

An update on road works underway or soon to start in the county - for the week beginning 27 March 2023.

There were lots of happy peedie faces again at this year's Parasport Festival, proudly supported by our Community Sports and Active Schools teams.

Families, bairns and staff from the Glaitness School community will be celebrating the end of the first part of their journey to Net Zero with a “Walk to School Week”.

By Friday 24 March – the last day of the Walk to School Week - it is hoped that most families who are able will walk, cycle or share a lift to school with the ultimate aim of reducing CO2 emissions created by the school run by 80%.

The Scottish Government is raising awareness around the new short-term lets licensing and what hosts need to do as part of the application process.

Like all local authorities throughout Scotland, the Council has been tasked with administering the new scheme on behalf of the Scottish Government and a number of hosts have successfully applied for their new licences through OIC – and a number of others are within the system.

The small staff team at Braeburn Court Housing Support Service are “respectful and delivered care and support in the way residents would wish” – but there were failings around leadership which had left the service weak or adequate in parts, according to a recent Care Inspectorate report.

An unannounced inspection was carried out by the Care Inspectorate at Braeburn Court in St Margaret’s Hope between 20 February and 1 March this year, with the findings published this week (20 March).