Community Council Ballot Papers Out Next Week

Ballot papers for elections to Orkney’s community councils are being sent out to voters next week.

Ballot papers are being issued for the following Community Council areas:

• Birsay.
• Evie and Rendall.
• Graemsay, Hoy and Walls.
• Kirkwall and St Ola.
• Sanday.
• Shapinsay.
• Stromness.
• Westray.

Plus the 4 islands which is elected through the alternative system being Eday, Flotta, North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray.

The remaining areas have enough candidates to form a Community Council but not more than the number of seats available.

Everyone over 16 registered to vote in a community council area where an election needs to be held will receive a ballot paper.

All voting is done by post and is free – simply use the reply paid envelope which comes with each ballot paper.

To vote, simply place a cross in the boxes beside your preferred candidates. You can vote for as many or as few candidates as you wish up to the number of seats available in your Community Council – this will be indicated on your ballot paper.

The system for Papay, North Ronaldsay, Flotta and Eday is different, due to the small size of the communities. Voters should instead use their ballot papers to name their preferred candidates from within the community.

Ballot papers must be returned by 12 October.

Karen Greaves is the Council’s Head of Executive Support. She said: “We had a really positive response from the community in all areas and we’re pleased to have been able to either form a Community Council or be in the position of running an election process.

“Community Councils are one of the most important sounding boards for the Council on a range of grass roots issues and on that basis I’d encourage everyone to look out for their ballot papers and support their community council network by returning their vote.”

The results will be published on the Council website once all votes have been counted.