A Christmas Message from the Council

Having just logged off the very last Council meeting of this year – an online meeting of the Full Council – we felt it the right time to put pen to paper for our traditional Christmas message.

There’s no doubt 2021 – like 2020 before it – was not quite the year we might have hoped for. Harvey previously referred to 2020 as the year the world slowed down. It feels like we’re still in first gear – but we’re looking to kick it up a bit.

The ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic - and the restrictions to our daily lives that it has brought – continue to be felt across Orkney. It’s been a tough year for many – and we’re certainly entering 2022 no closer to ‘normal life’ resuming.

Orkney though, through all the hardship, continues to shine through as an example of a community that thrives and survives – with folk stepping up to the plate with resilience and a strong sense of community spirit when it is most needed.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the recent response for the call for support for our home care service - whether that be through folk coming forward to fill positions as home carers or through the families who have stepped in to support the service as it faces unprecedented challenges over the festive period.

We offer our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your kind offers of help.

This is a shining example of a community working together for the benefit of some of its most vulnerable folk – and leaves us hopeful that we face a brighter picture now as we head into Christmas and beyond.

Orkney Islands Council does many things well, and some things exceptionally well, and that is entirely due to the commitment, skill, and expertise of our staff, many of whom don’t just go the extra mile, but the extra ten miles because they see their role not just to serve the Council as their employer, but the community as a whole.

While many of us are enjoying a few days off during the festive season, spare a thought for those Council staff who will be on duty during the 12 days of Christmas, helping make this time special for others on their own, taking care of the vulnerable and ensuring our roads are safe to travel on, to name but a few.

From all aspects of caring, whether that be residential, home or social care to the pier masters, tugs crews and ferry workers to the on-call highway officers, roads operatives and garage mechanics, they all play a vital role in making sure the Council’s services continue over the festive period. I wish them all well and hope they take a well-deserved break when the time comes.

I hope we can all enter 2022 with full hearts, looking forward to the opportunities that may be coming Orkney’s way in the New Year.

Elected Members have just today approved funding towards projects which will support Orkney's recovery from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.  These projects will help address some of the key issues that the public come to us with time and time again - those issues that on the face of it may seem small but make a tremendous difference to daily life in Orkney – and we look forward to seeing the outcomes of today's decision over time.

That said each and everyone needs to do their bit to support our economy - and the very best way to do that is to spend your money locally – keep the money circulating!

Merry Christmas to you all – and here’s to a brighter 2022!

Councillor Harvey Johnston - Council Convener

Councillor James Stockan - Council Leader

John Mundell OBE - Interim Chief Executive