Latest News

The OIC has thanked members of the local Coastguard and RNLI for joining Council staff in a planned flood defence exercise in Kirkwall on Friday (7 October).

Everyone pitched in, gaining experience in both erecting and dismantling the boards and swing gates along the harbourfront.

This was part of the Council’s routine winter preparations.

People in Orkney can now apply for Social Security Scotland’s new benefit, Adult Disability Payment.

It’s money to help disabled people or people who have a long-term health condition with the extra costs they have in everyday life.

Adult Disability Payment is open for new applications only. People who already get Personal Independence Payment or Disability Living Allowance don’t need to apply as their benefits will have started to be transferred to Social Security Scotland from 29 August 2022. Social Security Scotland will be in touch directly.

Orkney Islands Council is advising today’s (Monday 10 October) refuse collection in Westray is unable to go ahead due to ferry cancellations, with households advised to take their bins back in for now.

Craig shares his HR journey

“People are at the heart of every service we deliver at the Council and it’s the job of Human Resources to make sure that we, as an organisation, enable our people to do their best work.

“The Council is undergoing a major transformation thanks to significant investment in our staffing through Our People – Our Plan and you could be part of our journey. We have three roles available within our Human Resources and Organisational Development service.”

The Council is undergoing a major transformation thanks to significant investment in staffing through Our People – Our Plan and you could be part of our journey. We have three roles available within our Human Resources and Organisational Development service.

Here’s Amanda’s Story...

People are at the heart of all that we do at Orkney Islands Council.

It’s a time of change within the organisation with investment in our staffing resource leading to a significant number of exciting opportunities within the local authority.

This includes posts within the Council’s Human Resources and Organisational Development service – a Service Manager (Organisational Development), Senior HR Adviser and a HR Support Team Leader are all currently open for applications.

Staff at Highland Park have been thanked for their volunteering efforts in completing a garden makeover at the Glaitness Centre in Kirkwall.

The day centre garden, which is for people aged 16-65 who have physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, had become overgrown and a bit tired in recent years.

With staff simply unable to dedicate the time needed, manager Inga Wilson, got in touch to ask for the distillery’s help.

The Council’s third new tug is on her way to Orkney – a 3,500 nautical mile journey from Turkey that replicates those made by her sister ships, Odin of Scapa and Thor of Scapa in 2020.

The new 32-metre tug has been built by the same company - Sanmar Shipyards of Turkey - to the same design and specification as the previous two after a competitive tendering exercise.

A reminder our Roads team are out and about carrying out emergency repairs and resurfacing work on the county's roads, including a closure on Cromwell Road with significant impact on the Kirkwall Town bus service, one lane traffic at Norseman village and Harray straits, and road closures in South Ronaldsay and Westray.

Folk in Orkney are being warned to be on the lookout for a series of scams linked with the Government’s energy rebate plans.

The Government has announced measures to help both consumers and businesses with the cost-of-living crisis, particularly with energy costs, which has unfortunately led to scammers trying to mislead the public.

The Orkney Scam Action Group has been made aware of a number of scams targeting local folk by text, phone and email advising that they will receive an energy rebate if they follow the link provided. The links lead to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information.