Staff saluted for their business support efforts

Councillors have praised the ‘magnificent efforts’ of OIC staff for their role in the delivery of many millions of pounds in Covid-19 support to businesses in Orkney.

Since the start of the pandemic, local businesses have received £3.1 million in funding from the Council’s own Coronavirus Response Fund.

In addition, Covid support funding worth more than £16 million from the Scottish and UK Governments has been channelled to Orkney businesses via the Council.

Councillor Graham Sinclair, OIC’s Chair of Development and Infrastructure, said: “The Council has been ahead of many other local authorities in Scotland in delivering its own support to local businesses as well as that provided by the two Governments.

“The efforts of small teams of staff in processing applications and paying out funding – often in addition to their usual duties – have been magnificent.

“The support dispersed by the council has been crucially important for local businesses and Orkney’s economy during the pandemic. On behalf of fellow Councillors, I would like to pass on a sincere ‘well done’ to all the staff involved.”

Councillor Sinclair’s comments were made at this week’s meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee.

The meeting recommended that measures be put in place enabling the Council to consider and respond to urgent Covid recovery requests from the local business sector over the summer period, when Elected Members are on recess.