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Any pupils who were born between 01/10/2006 and 28/02/2007 may be eligible to apply for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) of £30 per week if their household income is below the threshold. Thresholds are £24,421 for households with one dependent and £26,884 for households with two or more dependents.

Residents in Orkney who are eligible for free ferry vouchers but who have moved in the last 12 months are urged to contact the Council’s transportation team as soon as possible to ensure their vouchers are delivered to the correct address.

What was the purpose of the report?

The OIC Unison branch commissioned an independent report in January 2022 to get feedback from staff on the Council’s Social Work service.

A number of new Head Teacher appointments have been made across Orkney Mainland schools.

Papdale Primary School is welcoming Emma Billington as Head, while Katie Lucas this week took over at St Andrews (Monday 30 January) and Cathy Mackenzie is the new Head Teacher leading the Hope, Burray and North Ronaldsay.

Moving to Orkney with his family for a “unique role in a unique location” demonstrates the commitment that Orkney Islands Council’s new Chief Executive is making to the community that he is now serving.

Fife-born Oliver Reid comes to the county with 30 years’ experience of local authority working and says there’s no other place that he would rather be to begin the next chapter of his career and leading an organisation for the first time.

Orkney Islands Council is issuing a final call for people with relatives buried in the county’s cemeteries to check whether memorials important to them have been identified as dangerous and in need of repair.

The Scottish international netballer, who competed in the 2022 Commonwealth games, pipped Squash player Finlay Scott and fellow commonwealth games competitor, Taylah Paterson to the post. Taylah didn’t go home empty handed though, she received the award for Performance of the Year.

A roundup of works underway or soon to start around Orkney, for the week starting Monday 30 January 2023.

Orkney’s visual arts and craft makers community is being reminded the closing date for the current round of VACMA grants is 7 February.

Orkney athletes will once again able to apply for funds soon to help support them with travel costs, thanks to an ongoing partnership between sportscotland