Play your part in planning for our community – complete the census

Orkney Islands Council’s Interim Chief Executive, John Mundell, is urging the community to complete their census accurately to help build a reliable picture of our community’s needs.

“Census data is widely used to plan services you rely on – from roads to care homes, schools to hospitals, sporting facilities to housing.

“That is why on behalf of the Council and all our community planning partners I would urge everyone in Orkney to complete their census to the best of their ability and knowledge.

“You have a legal obligation to complete the census, but by completing it accurately you are helping inform how and where public money is best spent.”

Scotland’s Census is the official count of every person and household in the country.

It usually takes place every 10 years. The census asks questions about people’s age, sex, home and living situation, employment, education and qualifications, as well as ethnicity.

Completing the census is important because the answers provide the Scottish Government, and many other service providers with the data they need to make important decisions that affect people’s lives and their communities.

Census Day is Sunday 20 March, but you will be able to complete your census online as soon as you receive your letter. However the answers must reflect your household on Sunday 20 March. Letters were delivered to households in Orkney in the late February, and householders will receive a reminder postcard the week starting 14 March.

You can complete your census online or by requesting a paper copy. 

If you don't complete the census by 20 March, complete it as soon as possible afterwards, reflecting your household as it stood on census day 20 March. Follow-up activity will take place with household who do not complete their census.

Find out more at www.census.gov.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 030 8308.

You can request a paper copy of the survey, or a new unique internet access code for your household or as an individual, here: Make a request | Scotland's Census 2021

British Sign Language users can make use of the contactSCOTLAND-BSL.org free video relay service using the free app that is also available from the contactSCOTLAND-BSL website.

People with hearing or speech difficulties can use the text relay service on 18001 0800 030 8308.