| Alcohol to blame for majority of criminal justice cases |
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Eighty per cent of offences in Orkney dealt with by the criminal justice social work services are linked to use or misuse of alcohol.
Conversely, there are very low rates of opiate drug misuse and drug-related offending in the county - the lowest in Scotland.
The figures are detailed in the Northern Community Justice Authority's area plan, 2008-2001, for reducing reoffending and increasing public safety. |
| OIC to look into licensing fee assistance |
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The council is to look into providing financial support for rural shops that could face closure due to an increase in licensing costs.
The new fees - due to implemented in full by September 1, 2009 - will see businesses paying an increased renewal licence. The bill for some small rural operators could see a ten-fold increase from £86 to £800.
Councillor John Eccles said he would like to see the council help small businesses pay a part of the “initial fees”.
A report on the matter is due to be brought before councillors for the next development committee meeting in June. |
| Councillors not convinced by proposal to change brand name |
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Councillors have given a generally negative reaction to changing the name of "Orkney the Brand” to “Orkney Excels”.
Members at Thursday morning’s OIC development committee meeting were told the “Brand” title is considered “too restrictive and not reflective of the range of work being done”.
Councillor Jim Foubister said the Orkney the Brand title “is something that’s become universally realised throughout the country”, and felt changing the title “could cost a wee fortune”.
Councillor Bobby Leslie echoed his thoughts, and said he would like to know where the title came from. The councillors views will be discussed art the next meeting of the Orkney the Brand steering group. |
| MP and MSP seek meeting over Tesco plans |
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Orkney MP Alistair Carmichael and Orkney MSP Liam McArthur have sent a joint letter to Tesco Scotland management seeking an early meeting regarding Thursday’s announcement that Tesco is purchasing the Kirkwall Somerfield store.
Mr Carmichael said: “Liam and I are looking for an early meeting with Tesco management in Scotland to ensure there is a balance to be struck between protecting Orkney local businesses and suppliers and offering local people the same choice as is available in other parts of the country.
“My initial reaction is that the purchase of an existing supermarket on an existing site is probably preferable to the long rumoured construction of a new supermarket on an alternative site.” |
| Tesco purchase Kirkwall store |
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It was confirmed on Thursday morning that supermarket giants Tesco are due to take over Somerfield Ltd in Kirkwall in six weeks time.
Staff were informed of the move last night, but have been assured that their jobs are safe.
A spokesperson for Somerfield said that the move is in line with a strategy to concentrate on smaller community stores - as a result, several larger stores will be sold.
He said: "I can confirm that staff were informed yesterday that we have exchanged with Tesco.
"I understand that this will be in 45 days. Their employment will be transferred to the new owners. We would like to thank all the staff as well as our customers for all their support." |
| Councillors refuse Westray caravan scheme |
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Councillors have knocked back plans to build five self-catering tourist caravans on Westray.
A full planning application sought permission to erect five "static" caravans at the Sandihall area of the island.
But members of Wednesday's OIC planning committee decided against the proposals - despite recommendations from officials to back grant the plans. |
| Hjaltland coming out of service for repairs |
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The NorthLink ferry, Hjaltland, will be out of service on Wednesday, April 2, and Thursday, April 3.
The ship is out of commission while repairs are carried out on her stern vehicular loading ramp, which was damaged last week.
NorthLink chief executive, Bill Davidson, said: “We’d like to take this opportunity to extend our apologies to passengers for the inconvenience which this will cause.
“Hjaltland passengers are being offered places on Hrossey on the day before or the day after the cancelled sailings. On the days of the Hjaltland cancellations we can also offer passage on the freight vessel, Clare, to 12 passengers and their cars.” |
| Historic Scotland "free weekend" announced |
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 Historic Scotland’s annual free weekend will take place on April 12 and 13 – allowing visitors access to some of Orkney’s best-known historic sites completely free of charge.
Over the weekend, admission charges will be dropped at the Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, the Broch of Gurness, Hackness Battery, Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
Visitors will have the opportunity to sign-up for annual membership for Historic Scotland over the weekend, with a special offer of three months free. |
| Councillors back cash increase for Eday "try before you buy" property |
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Councillors have given their backing to an increased cash package to build a “gateway” house in Eday for families looking to “try before they buy” on the island.
A previous sum of £100,000 had been agreed to build a three-bedroom house, but delays in finding a site, acquiring the land and increased building costs has seen the projected costs soar to £150,000.
Convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, commented: “This is seen as a gateway house but also as a pilot. I would very much support putting extra money into this.” |
| Uniform policy proposed for council house rental charges |
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Council house tenants in Orkney are to be consulted over a uniform policy on rental charges.
A random selection of 12 two-bedroom houses in Kirkwall revealed 11 different rents, ranging from £46.53 up to £53.65.
A report before councillors at Tuesday¹s social work and housing committee meeting outlined a proposed policy that will achieve "rent harmonisation", based on a points system.
Councillors recommended undertaking a consultation exercise with tenants. |
| Small repairs budget increase backed |
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Councillors have given their backing to increasing the small repairs grant budget from £60,000 to £100,000 for 2008-2009.
Orkney Islands Council¹s assistant director of housing, John Richards, said it was the most successful project he had ever been involved with.
He told members of the Tueday¹s OIC social work and housing committee that "demand continues to grow" for the scheme. |
| Police urge motorists to take care in the snow |
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Police have urged motorists in the county to take care on the roads if the bad weather continues. K irkwall officers were busy all Tuesday morning helping stranded vehicles in the snow.
A spokesman from Kirkwall Police Station said: "If this weather continues, we would ask people to keep their speed down. If their vehicle does start to go into a skid, take their foot off the accelerator and keep steering straight.
"The main thing is speed, and we would just ask people to have a bit of common sense. We had one vehicle today which was in a snow-drift that was three feet deep," he added. |
| Sanday runner bound for Greece |
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Sanday-based ultra distance runner William Sichel heads for Greece for his first race of 2008 this week - the Athens International Ultramarathon Festival 24 Hour event on Thursday and Friday.
Approximately 40 runners will toe the line at 1pm (local time) at one of the Athens Olympic sites in Glyfada, near the Athens coast.
William said: “I’m really looking forward to having a good effort in a 24 hour race as I have never done one without problems before. Doing a good distance over 24 hours is one of the hardest things in ultra running as you just have to keep going all the time. I’d like to run further than I did in July last year, when I managed 134.5 miles to make the podium at the Austrian Championships.”
William’s website will carry updates on his race progress. |
| Strong winds damage Hjaltland |
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NorthLink’s ferry Hjaltland fell victim to the high winds on Friday night, sustaining damage while berthed in Aberdeen.
The vessel was alongside Jamiesons Quay when high winds caused the her to move ahead, parting one of the stern mooring ropes. The ferry’s rear loading ramp then made “heavy contact” with the shore ramp.
After inspection by regulatory authorities, the vessel was due to return to service yesterday, Sunday, when when only the bow loading ramp will be in use.
The bow ramp will be in sole use until repairs are made to the hydraulic rams which operate the stern ramp. |
| Police reminder over wintry conditions |
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Police are urging motorists to take care during the current spate of wintry weather.
A spokesman said: “Please keep your speed down, only make essential journeys and allow extra time for any journey undertaken.
“Also, make sure the vehicle is well-maintained, with a particular emphasis on tyres and lights.” |
| Strong winds blamed after bus leaves road |
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Police were called to a road accident in Tankerness on Friday afternoon.
High winds had blown a bus carrying ten passengers on to the verge, at Linkness, causing it to slide into a ditch.
There were no injuries and the passengers continued their journey using alternative transport. |
| Report to fiscal over Kirkwall incident |
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A report is to be submitted to the procurator fiscal after a 21-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The man was arrested for breach of the peace in West Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, after allegedly conducting himself in a disorderly manner.
He was kept in custody until sober and then released. |
| Top performance rating for OIC |
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Orkney Islands Council has been ranked first in Scotland in ten key performance indicators. The authority was in the top ten for 21 of the total indicators.
Every year the Accounts Commission asks all Scottish councils to record 82 statutory performance indicators relating to a variety of services and activities provided by all councils.
The full report can be accessed at www.orkney.gov.uk, while printed copies are available from the council reception, Kirkwall and Stromness Libraries or on request from customer services on 873535. |
| Take part in post office consultation urges council |
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The OIC is urging people to take part in the consultation on proposed post office closures in Orkney.
Earlier this month it was announced that four post offices in Orkney were earmarked for closure. These are Burray, Harray, Rendall and Swannay.
Particular issues that people may wish to consider are the increased distance of travel and the availability of public transport to reach alternative post office branches.
Any responses or comments on the proposals should be submitted no later than 17th April, 2008, to National Consultation Team, Post Office Ltd, FREEPOST CONSULTATION TEAM or by emailing consultation@postoffice.co.uk |
