Despite the concerns at School Place regarding the OIC’s finance settlement, finance minister John Swinney has announced that the Scottish Government has put resources in place to allow the Orkney’s council tax to be frozen.

A figure of £230,873 is available to ensure council tax levels in Orkney can remain at 2007/08 levels, delivering, in Mr Swinney’s words, “a real benefit to local people”.

However, this cash with only be paid if the OIC freezes council tax next year.

Migrant workers in Orkney will soon be able to access free classes to improve their English skills.

The project is being run in partnership by Orkney College and The Learning Link, part of OIC’s community learning and development service.

Letters and questionnaires have gone out to employers, development trusts and community councils in an effort to pinpoint the areas where classes would be most beneficial.

Work to put the OIC’s redesigned website online is continuing this weekend.

The new design makes it easier to find the latest information about council services and activities and features more than 1,000 web pages of updated content from every council department.

Other improvements include a new online services section, where customers are directed to services such as bill paying and viewing recent planning applications, council decisions, job vacancies and news releases.

The Scottish Government announced the local government settlement for the next three years on Thursday afternoon – with Orkney receiving £211.636 million over the next three years.

Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, said: “While it will take some time to unravel the detail surrounding the grant settlement figures I am extremely concerned and disappointed with our level of settlement."

Councillor Hagan highlights the apparent loss of £1 million special grant support for the county’s ferry services, adding, “if this was to be covered by a Council Tax increase it would mean an increase of 14 per cent alone.”

He said: "I will be raising these issues, and the fact that Orkney continues to receive a much less favourable settlement than the other two islands councils, with the relevant cabinet secretaries.”

Speaking in his Members’ Debate on the air ambulance service in Orkney, MSP, Liam McArthur, has told MSPs that there are still widespread and deeply-felt concerns in Orkney over the current service.

He went on to make the case again for the provision of a locally based backup air ambulance aircraft.  

But, closing the debate, the health minister Shona Robison defended the service, blaming communication problems for one recent failure of the service.

However, she also welcomed the commitment given last week by the new chief executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service to sit down with Orkney GPs and others to examine the record of the service.

The strategically important former auction mart site in Stromness is the subject of guidance for developers, issued by Orkney Islands Council, this week.

The guidance is aimed at potential developers and the local community, and sets out the planning requirements and constraints attached to the site.

Most recently the site was used by the Council’s Harbours Department for storage.  In January, 2005, the mart buildings were demolished, and the site cleared ready for future development.

The guidance will be available on the council website.

Isles communities could be among those asked if they are willing to stump up cash to help pay for their own GPs.

That is just one of several options - similar to a set-up in remote and rural areas of New Zealand and Australia - to be investigated by NHS Orkney.

Whatever happens, changes to the GP services on the outer isles will not come into force until mid 2009, it was revealed this week.

Whether that means the loss of resident doctors is still under debate, but whatever the health board opts to implement is going to be closely scrutinised by an independent panel from the Scottish Government.

A coal mine in Midothian has beaten two of Orkney’s best-known sites to be named the country's most treasured place.

Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange, Midlothian, reached number one in Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) Treasured Places poll.

Loganair has announced extra flights between Kirkwall and Aberdeen for March, 2008.

The extra flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, in addition to the existing timetable, therefore providing four flights a day on these days of the week.

From Kirkwall, the extra flights will depart at 3.40pm and 4.30pm, with flights from Aberdeen leaving at 2.20pm and 3.10pm.

Police have expressed concern at the numbers of pedestrians walking on unlit country roads, particularly to and from Kirkwall and Stromness, while wearing unsuitable clothing.

People are advised, where at all possible not to walk on unlit roads unless they are wearing bright or reflective clothing. Pedestrians are also reminded to walk on the right-hand side of roads with no pavements, facing the oncoming traffic.

Community safety officer, PC Dave Dawson said: “Over the years, Orkney has seen a number of serious accidents involving pedestrians wearing dark clothing. Tragically, some have had fatal results.

“Please don’t let this Christmas and New Year season be marred by another.”

BBC Radio 2’s Young Folk Awards ceremony, featuring the winning performance from Orkney’s Jeana Leslie was heard on Mike Harding’s show on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old fiddle player, singer and pianist wowed judges at the event last Friday, performing along with Siobhan Miller, a 20-year-old singer from Pennicuik, near Edinburgh.

The duo will perform at festivals all over Britain in the new year, as part of their prize which has earned them a new status in British folk music.

Following the recent case of epiglottitis in Stromness, officials from NHS Orkney’s public health department say the incubation period has passed for any possible secondary cases from close contacts.

“This was a very rare occurrence in an adult and it is also now very rarely seen in young children — the most vulnerable group — due to the introduction of the Hib vaccination,” a spokeswoman said.

Minister for Public Health Shona Robison today announced £53,000 to fund smoking cessation services in Orkney.

Ms Robison said: "Great strides have already been made in reducing the numbers of smokers in Orkney in recent years, and creating an environment which supports people to give up by introducing the smoking ban.

"However, there is no room for complacency as more work remains to be done to reduce smoking rates, especially in young people.

A man who committed breach of the peace and assaulted a woman has had his sentence deferred until 2008.

Appearing from custody at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Tuesday, Jonathan Hodgson, 29, of Kinneddar, Holm, admitted to a number charges relating to an incident in Stromness last night, Monday.

Honorary sheriff Valerie Johnston granted Hodgson bail, with the condition not to contact the complainer, or go to the address.

Monday's cold, clear night allowed for a spectacular show of the Aurora Borealis.

According to Rousay astronomer John Vetterlein, the "Merry Dancers" were active from around 9pm, through to the early hours of Tuesday morning.

NHS Orkney has stumped up £81,000 in out of court settlements in the past five years. The figures were revealed following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

The six settlements were made up of missed diagnosis, a staff lifting injury and an employment issue. In 2002-2003, there was one claim settled, costing the health board £3,000.

Two claims cost NHS Orkney £39,000 in 2003-2004, and another two were settled in 2004-2005 for £33,000. NHS Orkney settled the only claim in 2005-2006 for £6,000.

There were no out-of-court settlements during 2006-2007.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that money from the Scottish Ewe Scheme will be received by producers from Monday.

The scheme, announced on October 24, to help the Scottish livestock industry recover from the severe crisis resulting from the foot-and-mouth outbreak in England, received European approval on November 23.

Almost £62,000 worth of grants were approved by HIE Orkney last month.

The largest approval was £18,800 to the Highland Brewing Company Ltd, in Swannay for the expansion of the brewery.

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Rob Gibson hopes to raise the issue of the Orkney air ambulance this Wednesday in Parliament.

Reports of birds being shot from the side of public roads has prompted police to warn wildfowlers that this could result in prosecutions.

A spokesman said: “There have been several reports from concerned members of the public regarding people shooting at wild fowl from the road side, or from within a vehicle on the public road. Some of these incidents have also occurred when light levels are beginning to fade.

Kirkwall musician Jeana Leslie was celebrating after a win in the final of the Radio 2 Young Folk Awards on Friday night.

Singer, pianist and fiddler Jeana,19, from Kirkwall, appeared as a duo with Siobhan Miller, 20, a singer and pianist from Penicuik and a fellow third-year student at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow.

The pair, who have only been performing together for a few months, were competing alongside five other soloists and groups for the top honour.

Highlights of the competition will be broadcast on the Mike Harding Show on Radio 2 on Wednesday, December 12.

Following the news that the Foinaven contract between Talisman and BP has been terminated Stephen Hagan, Convener of Orkney Islands Council said that the he was disappointed to hear of the loss of the Foinaven contract. 

He said: "It is too soon to speculate on the impact that this will have for Orkney. A report will be presented to a future meeting of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, to advise elected members of any possible impact that this may have. 

"Orkney Islands Council will be fully discussing the implications with staff and trade unions as appropriate."

The police’s annual festive road safety campaign was launched on Friday.

The four-week campaign will see “intelligence-led patrols” with breath tests carried out on anyone stopped for a moving traffic offence. Patrols will also be increased.

Northern Constabulary is urging people to drive responsibly and not put themselves and other road users at risk by getting behind the wheel whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.