Orkney Islands Council has achieved the Investors in People (IIP) (Standard) Award for the first time – part of a drive to improve how the local authority supports and develops its employees.

IIP – which is recognised globally for pushing best practice in people management – carried out a review recently at OIC with IIP Practitioners meeting and surveying staff from across the whole organisation to determine what is working well and what could be done better.

An agreement to invest £100 million in the future economic prosperity of Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides was signed today (20th January) in Orkney by UK and Scottish Government Ministers and the Council Leaders of the three island groups.

Views are being sought on how rates relief should be awarded for unoccupied non-domestic properties in Orkney.

Feedback from local ratepayers and other interested parties will be used to help shape the Council’s rate relief policy moving forward.

The work of the Council’s Customer Services Teams in Kirkwall and Stromness has been given a resounding seal of approval by the folk they are there to help, support and assist.

The Council launched a Customer Service survey in October 2022 and received 150 responses from people from throughout Orkney keen to feedback on their customer service experiences.

A roundup of works underway or soon to start around Orkney, for the week starting Monday 23 January.

Orkney Islands Council’s transport team is reminding the Orkney public to give their feedback before 30 January on the late night bus services currently being trialled in the county.

Support continues to be provided to businesses in Orkney who offer, sell or provide food to help ensure their details registered with the Council are up to date.

The Environmental Health team are refreshing the food business register and, as such, are getting in touch with many businesses who deal with food on their premises.

Two interactive sessions in Kirkwall and Stromness in coming weeks will be the final chance for local people to give their thoughts in person on what form a covid memorial in Orkney should take - as part of the national ‘Remembering Together’ programme.

Orkney Islands Council is advising the public to expect short delays on the main St Margarets Hope to Kirkwall road next week (A961) as survey work on the first Churchill Barrier takes place.

The opening hours at the Council’s Warehouse Buildings in Stromness are changing slightly from later this month.

From Monday 30 January, the new hours will be: