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A look back at events of 2004
November
- November saw a proposal for the construction of one giant organisation
- with a single budget - running almost all of Orkney's key public services.
It was suggested by some councillors that this could be the best way
forward for the islands.
It could result in 2,400 employees - about a quarter of Orkney's total
workforce - being paid by one single body, incorporating OIC, NHS Orkney,
and, possibly, Orkney Enterprise.
The suggestion by OIC convener, Councillor Stephen Hagan, could safeguard
the "survivability" of Orkney, currently in light of Scottish
Executive efficiency proposals.
- The number of sex offenders being supervised in Orkney has seen a
"sharp rise" in the past year. The revelation included some
in the "new" category of internet offenders - but the actual
number of offenders remains a closely guarded secret.
- In November, The Orcadian revealed that convincing fake identification
cards were being bought off the Internet by youths in Orkney, for as
little as £10.
Hotels and bars throughout the county were sent letters warning them
to to be on the lookout for the fakes, after recovering one from a 16-year-old.
- VisitOrkney revealed that it is "business as usual for 2005"
after a radical shake up of the national tourist board raised fears
that the county could lose its independent visitor organisation. The
future structure of Scotland's new tourism network was unveiled by the
Scottish Executive and VisitScotland in November, and their aim is to
increase revenues by 50 per cent during the next ten years.
- Kirkwall Grammar School was earmarked as no longer being fit for purpose
by OIC education committee members who also hinted that a new school
could cost up to £35 million.
- The Orkney annual sports awards was another success this year, which
saw youngster Adam Bews and veteran Adrian Askew each scoop two awards.
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