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In the run up to Christmas, we have some key safety messages to try and keep everyone happy and healthy over the winter months.

We are enjoying being back to socialising with family and friends without any Covid restrictions. However, this means we will be more susceptible to winter illnesses which have been far less common in the past two years.

Good hygiene practice such as hand washing with liquid soap remains the most important step in preventing and controlling the spread of infection.

Support continues to be provided to businesses in Orkney who offer, sell or provide food to help ensure their details registered with the Council are up to date.

The Environmental Health team are refreshing the food business register and, as such, will be in touch with many businesses who deal with food on their premises.

Letters and questionnaires will be sent out in batches and first to receive them will be childminders.

Temporary barriers will be put in place at either end of the Papdale Park pathway to prevent vehicles from using the area as a short cut or throughway.

The Council’s Leisure and Culture Service Manager, Garry Burton, said: “There’s really no excuse for this type of inconsiderate and potentially dangerous driving on a pathway that is clearly not meant for vehicles.

“Despite a previous appeal to drivers to refrain, a determined minority continue to put other genuine users at risk. We feel there is no alternative but to put in place temporary traffic measures until a permanent solution is agreed.

Do you know someone who would enjoy exploring the hidden upper levels of St Magnus Cathedral, unlocking the secrets of one of Orkney’s most revered buildings?

Well look no further, for we have gift vouchers available for the Upper Level Tour of the Cathedral – a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the sandstone building.

For the third year running, Christmas will come early for many of Orkney’s most vulnerable families with a direct payment totalling £260 for every child entitled to free school meals.

This will be the final bridging payment to be made but as such, Scottish Government have doubled the usual amount of £130 to £260 per child. Bridging payments are ceasing because the Scottish Child Payment is being extended to include those aged up to 16. For more info, please see here: Scottish Child Payment - mygov.scot

Domestic and commercial collection days over Christmas and New Year are listed below.  Regular collections will resume on Monday 9 January 2023.

Domestic and commercial refuse collection days over the Christmas and New Year period are listed below.

Regular waste collections will resume on Monday 9 January 2023.

Teaching unions are planning further industrial action on 7 December which is expected to impact Orkney schools.

At present the Council’s Education Team is preparing for disruption on a number of days between now and early in the new year:

Anyone interested in finding out more about palette knife painting techniques should head along to The Orkney Museum on Saturday 10 December for a free demonstration by artist Tim Wootton.

The Council has implemented a number of improvements to the Orkney Fostering Service and pledged to act swiftly on any outstanding findings from a Care Inspectorate report into the service which was published this week (29 November).

A number of key actions have already been implemented, such as the recruitment of an interim service manager who has begun work on the improvement plan.

An additional social worker will be joining the Fostering and Adoption Team in January 2023 and a training programme for foster carers began last month.