This year’s Christmas bonus for Orkney’s pensioners has been fixed at £30.

However councillors are looking at means testing the award which is given out of reserve fund money to all of the county’s pensioners, disabled and widows or widowers.

Vice chairman of the Orkney Islands Council’s social services committee, Councillor Mike Drever, told members on Thursday that although there were very poor pensioners in Orkney, there were also some very rich ones.

Hospital telephone problem continues

The Balfour Hospital are continuing to work with British Telecom and their telephone system suppliers to try and solve a problem with the hospital's phone lines.

BT engineers were back at the Balfour Hospital on Thursday, to try and solve the continuing fault with the phone system which is intermittent and has continued despite the repair of a suspected fault on the hospital's switchboard two weeks ago.

Archive story: Hospital switchboard out of operation

Orkney Islands Council's development committee have recommended handing out more than £235,000 to projects and businesses throughout the county.

Committee chairman, Councillor Jim Foubister, commented: "Councillors' decisions on agreeing funding to these businesses and developments underlines our commitment to both renewable energy, research and development initiatives and generating a vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit in Orkney."

A request by Women’s Aid Orkney for more money has been turned down by councillors.

The charity had applied to Orkney Islands Council for £2,000 to alter premises in Bridge Street, Kirkwall, and £3,000 to assist with running costs.

Councillors at Thursday’s social services and housing committee meeting decided not to grant the extra funding, as the council had previously pledged £90,000 to the charity.

Orkney’s MSP Jim Wallace is asking Loganair for fare details on their Orkney flights, after BA CitiExpress, who operate flights to Shetland and the Western Isles, relaxed conditions on their cheaper fares on Wednesday.

Writing to Loganair chairman Scott Grier, Mr Wallace says the news had led to some disappointment since Loganair’s franchised flights to Orkney were not included.

He adds: “The reaction in Orkney would suggest that many are not aware of all the options already open to them, so details of your range of fares and a comparison with BA CitiExpress fares, would I am sure be welcome by many.”

Flotta Oil Terminal's flare will appear larger and brighter than normal over the next few weeks, due to maintenance work being carried out on the terminal’s gas plant.

A Flotta spokesman explained that the work, which is under way and is due to end in early October, is similar to an MOT, as the gas plant must be checked and serviced regularly.

Dry dock industrial action puts back Norse Island start date again

Industrial action at a dry-dock in Liverpool has forced Norse Island Ferries to put back the start date for their new freight service between Shetland and the Scottish mainland again.

The service was due to begin on Thursday after the strike disrupted the original Tuesday launch.

It will now begin next Tuesday, a week later than had been hoped.

Council's local plan to be subject of public inquiry

A public inquiry is to hear objections to the OIC's local plan - the blueprint for future development in the county over the next five years.

The inquiry is due to start on December 2, prompted primarily by objections in Stromness relating to the lack of land for housing around the town.

Those wanting to take part are being urged to attend one of two pre-meetings - in Kirkwall Community Centre on September 26 and Stromness Community Centre on September 27.

Flotta turbine gets the go-ahead as councillor attacks officials

The proposed Flotta wind turbine is to go ahead after councillors swept aside official recommendations to refuse planning permission on air safety grounds.

Councillor Jim Foubister launched a stinging attack on planning officials during Tuesday’s meeting of Orkney Islands Council’s Environment Planning and Protective Services committee.

He accused them of deciding to refuse the application, then consulting bodies who would back the opinion up. Planning officials strongly denied this was the case.

Archive story: Flotta wind turbine in the pipeline
Councillors recommended to refuse permission for Flotta wind turbine

Three new directors for Orkney Enterprise

Three new directors have been appointed to sit on the board of Orkney Enterprise.

Mr Ian Johnstone owns and runs Stromness coal merchants Wm. Sutherland and is the chairman of Stromness Community Council. Ms Thelma Shearer currently owns the Victoria Salon in Kirkwall.

At the age of 25, Mr Craig Spence, a partner in the family-run Orkney Hotel in Kirkwall, is one of the youngest directors to serve on the board.

Executive grant aims to boost economy

More than £600,000 is coming Orkney's way to help boost the local economy.

The Scottish Executive this week allocated £1.225 million to the Northern Isles through the European Community backed LEADER+ programme.

Orkney's share of the cash will be managed by Orkney Enterprise. Local organisations and individuals are being encouraged to apply for a share, which is aimed at improving the cultural heritage, wildlife, environment tourism and arts and crafts activities of an area.

Popularity of service means Sunday flights will continue

Loganair announced on Monday that Sunday flights to and from Orkney have proved popular enough to justify an all year-round service.

It was always planned to offer Sunday flights throughout year, but the proposals were dependent on a successful summer.

The only change to the winter schedule is the lack of a direct flight to Edinburgh, which will be replaced by flights via Inverness.

Archive story: Orkney Sunday flights begin

Another two cars stolen - despite local security campaign

Despite recent police campaigns, both of the cars stolen over the weekend had been left unlocked with the keys in the ignition.

A Peugeot car was taken in Longhope and a Ford Escort from Manse Road in Kirkwall. Both were taken sometime on Saturday night and Sunday morning and later involved in road accidents.

A report is being submitted to the procurator fiscal.

Archive story: Police repeat security plea after car stolen

Whisky bikers end marathon in Orkney

Two fund-raising bikers ended their trip on Sunday visiting Orkney's Highland Park and Scapa distilleries.

Tony Ferrige and Bernie Elliot aimed to visit 110 Scottish distilleries to raise money for children's hospitals but missed 30 because of poor weather.

A spokesman for the riders said it was still hoped to raise thousands of pounds for the hospitals, despite missing out on the new record for the number of distilleries visited in six days.

Five Star recognition for Highland Park

Highland Park Distillery's visitor centre has been awarded five stars by Visitscotland, formerly the Scottish Tourist Board.

The centre, on the outskirts of Kirkwall, offers visitors tours and an audio-visual display and received the award in recognition of their facilities and services.

Councillors recommended to refuse permission for Flotta wind turbine

The construction of a wind turbine in Flotta is being recommended to be refused by the OIC because of its proximity to the island’s aerodrome.

Terminal operators Talisman are among those raising safety concerns over the proposed siting of the turbine, at West Hill, Flotta, as the aerodrome is used for emergencies.

A planning application is to be considered by the OIC Environment, Planning and Protective Services Committee on Tuesday.

Archive story: Flotta wind turbine in the pipeline