Committees

Members of the Council sit on six main committees, listed in the 'More pages in this section' menu on this page. Each committee makes recommendations connected to a particular area of the council’s work, such as Education, Roads, Marine Services and Economic Development. The exceptions are the Planning Committee and the Local Review Body which deal with planning applications and notices of review respectively, and the Licensing Committee, which deals with civic licensing functions – these committees operate with full delegation.

The Scheme of Administration, which sets out the referred and delegated functions of the Council and its Committees and Sub-committees, is available from the 'Related Downloads' section of this page.

Cycle of Meetings

A cycle of meetings involving each of the committees takes place five times a year. Once a cycle has been completed, a meeting of the full council is held. All 21 councillors take part – and make final decisions on the recommendations made by the committees.

Council Meetings (Full)

The Full Council meets at the end of every committee cycle to consider all the recommendations from the main service committees.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all General Meetings of the Council.

All 21 Members of the Council attend the meeting, which is chaired by the Convener. Members have the chance to raise any concerns or queries they might have about recommendations from committees they’re not members of. They can also raise amendments or ask for items to be referred back to a future committee meeting.

Development and Infrastructure Committee

The Development and Infrastructure Committee plays an important role in promoting the economic development of communities throughout Orkney. Members also debate issues that shape the islands’ external and internal transport links as well as considering the running and development of roads and air fields. The remit also includes road safety, traffic management, street lighting, waste management and the raising of environmental awareness.

The Committee also considers environmental health, food safety, trading standards, planning and building standards, including planning policy, and access to the countryside.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Development and Infrastructure Committees.

Education, Leisure and Housing Committee

The Education, Leisure and Housing Committee plays a key role in the running and development of Orkney's education service, community leisure activities, sport and cultural heritage. The Committee also has responsibility for a range of housing matters, including the provision of council housing.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Education, Leisure and Housing Committees.

Licensing Committee

Members of the Licensing Committee consider applications for civic licensing functions, further details of which are available from the 'Related Links' section of this page.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Licensing Committees.

Local Review Body

The Planning Etc (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Town and Country Planning (Schemes of Delegation and Local Review Procedure)(Scotland) Regulations 2013, together provide for the establishment of a Committee of the Council, to be known as a Local Review Body, or LRB, with effect from 3 August 2009. The functions of the LRB are held by the Planning Committee.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Local Review Body meetings.

Further details on how to submit a Notice of Review are available from the 'Related Links' section on this page.

Monitoring and Audit Committee

Members of the Monitoring and Audit Committee keep a close eye on the way Council policies and decisions are implemented. They have a responsibility to make sure arrangements are in place to ensure the Council's resources are used effectively - and to promote high standards of conduct by members of the Council.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Monitoring and Audit meetings.

Planning Committee

The Planning Committee determines all planning applications not included within the delegation to the appointed officer. The Planning Committee also determines application for works licences not included within the delegation to officers.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the list of all Planning Committees.

The Scheme of Administration also contains the procedure adopted at meetings of the Planning Committee, together with information on site visits undertaken by the Planning Committee.

Policy and Resources Committee

The Policy and Resources Committee is chaired by the Council Leader. The Committee plays a central role in the development of important, across-Council policies.  It ensures that the Council’s staff, finances, property and information technology resources are used effectively and efficiently. Members also make recommendations on the allocation of finance to each of the main council committees.  Minutes for previous meetings are in the List of all Policy and Resources Committees.