While congratulating his colleagues on their appointments, he added: “Obviously now there will be a period of consolidation. I am conscious of everything I said about inclusiveness and openness and I will work hard with my colleagues to [...]]]> The newly elected convener of Orkney Islands Council, Councillor Steven Heddle, has described his appointment as “humbling”.

While congratulating his colleagues on their appointments, he added: “Obviously now there will be a period of consolidation. I am conscious of everything I said about inclusiveness and openness and I will work hard with my colleagues to achieve these aims.

“I would like to pay tribute to Councillor Hagan for everything he has done over the last nine years. This morning when I woke up I just had to live up to being Steven Heddle, now I have to live up to being Steven Heddle and Stephen Hagan. It is a daunting prospect.”

The new vice-convener, Jim Foubister, added: “The immediate future will involve a lot of difficult decisions with a reduced budget and increased demand. The council will need to work together to provide the best services within limited resources.”

The next full meeting of the council is due to take place on July 12.

Appeal judges in Edinburgh today, Wednesday,  heard that Black Watch sergeant Michael Ross, 33, felt he had been treated unfairly by police investigating the Mumutaz [...]]]> An army sniper, jailed for life for gunning down waiter Shamsudden Mahmood in an Indian restaurant in Kirkwall, has been refused permission to take his case to the Supreme Court.

Appeal judges in Edinburgh today, Wednesday,  heard that Black Watch sergeant Michael Ross, 33, felt he had been treated unfairly by police investigating the Mumutaz Indian Restaurant murder in June, 1994.

Defence advocate Chris Shead said when they questioned Ross, who was 15 at the time, they did not take his age into consideration.

The use of evidence gleaned from the interviews might have made his trial, years later, unfair and breached his human rights, said the lawyer.

However, Lord Hamilton, sitting with Lords Carloway and Bonomy refused to sanction an approach to the higher court.

“We are not satisfied this is  a case in which we can grant leave to appeal to the Supreme Court,” he said.

He takes over from North Isles councillor Stephen Hagan who has held the post for the last nine years, after a vote of 11-10.

He was elected by fellow councillors at the first statutory [...]]]> Kirkwall East councillor Steven Heddle has been voted in as the new convener of Orkney Islands Council, by just one vote.

He takes over from North Isles councillor Stephen Hagan who has held the post for the last nine years, after a vote of 11-10.

He was elected by fellow councillors at the first statutory meeting of the new council since the election, which is taking place this morning.

Councillor Heddle was nominated by David Tullock and seconded by Jack Moodie, while councillor Hagan was proposed by Andrew Drever and seconded by Harvey Johnston.

There then followed a secret ballot to decide the outcome, with councillor Heddle winning by the narrowest of margins.

The new vice-convenver of the OIC is East Mainland councillor Jim Foubister who takes over the role from Stromness and South Isles councillor James Stockan, who did not stand for the post.

The position was also contested by councillors Alistair Gordon and Janice Annal who were also nominated.

Councillor Foubister beat Alistair Gordon in a 11-10 vote after Janice Annal failed to gain enough votes in the first round.

The architectural and quantity surveying business will now be run from its office in Thurso.

On Tuesday, Pentarq director, Alan Gray, stressed all existing contracts would be honoured and that the firm [...]]]> A lack of chartered professional staff is being blamed for Pentarq’s plans to close its Kirkwall office, with the loss of eight jobs.

The architectural and quantity surveying business will now be run from its office in Thurso.

On Tuesday, Pentarq director, Alan Gray, stressed all existing contracts would be honoured and that the firm will continue to do business throughout the Highlands and Islands.

The office closure stems from the firm’s problem in recruiting and retaining chartered professionals.

Over the past three years, three surveyors have left the firm. Although attempts were made to fill the vacancies, these proved unsuccessful.

Two representatives will be elected onto the committee following an OIC meeting on June 1, at 10.30am.

Names of representatives who wish to be present at [...]]]> Orkney Islands Council is calling for nominations from representatives of churches, or denominational bodies, to stand on the council’s education, leisure and housing committee for the next five years.

Two representatives will be elected onto the committee following an OIC meeting on June 1, at 10.30am.

Names of representatives who wish to be present at the vote, or to stand for election, should be lodged with the OIC chief executive by May 25.

The register of bodies entitled to participate in the nomination and voting process will be available at www.orkney.gov.uk from May 17 to 24.

The events, which attracted sell out crowds last year help to promote home-grown musical talent, and raise money for a different charity each time.

This week, the bill comprises the Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society; Jacqui [...]]]> A run of eight Orcadian summer concerts will take place at The Reel, the first beginning tonight at 8pm.

The events, which attracted sell out crowds last year help to promote home-grown musical talent, and raise money for a different charity each time.

This week, the bill comprises the Orkney Strathspey and Reel Society; Jacqui Smith from Stronsay (fiddle); Bruce Mainland (voice and guitar) and Dave Morrison and the Polkadots (voice. guitar and band). Proceeds will go to Crossroads Orkney.

Last year, the total raised by the concerts was £2,500.

Bruce Mainland said: “It is hoped that we can build on the huge success of last year’s events, and this year’s concerts promise to be as good if not better.”

All proceeds from tonight’s concert go to Crossroads Orkney. Tickets are still available in advance at The Reel and at the door, priced £5 and £3. Doors open at 7.30pm.

The Rovers v Holm clash will go ahead, but will be played on the artificial pitch in Stromness, while the Kirkwall United v Thorfinn game is to be played in [...]]]> This evening’s Orkney Cheese ‘A’ League matches between Dounby and Stromness and Rendall and Hotspurs have been postponed, due to a lack of playable pitches.

The Rovers v Holm clash will go ahead, but will be played on the artificial pitch in Stromness, while the Kirkwall United v Thorfinn game is to be played in Burray.

Councillor Stephen Hagan has been convener for the past nine years, and intimated following his re-election that he would be willing to stand again if [...]]]> Kirkwall East councillor Steven Heddle has signalled his intention to stand for the convenership of Orkney Islands Council — which will be decided at tomorrow’s meeting of the full council.

Councillor Stephen Hagan has been convener for the past nine years, and intimated following his re-election that he would be willing to stand again if nominated.

Councillor Heddle said in a statement today: “I’m standing because I sincerely believe I can do a good job for this council and for Orkney, and ultimately a better job.”

“Stephen Hagan has been an able convener for the last nine years, but of course there are other able people in the Orkney Islands Council who could also be good conveners. A number of them have stood aside as challengers to support me, and I am humbled that they have done this.

“My pitch is straightforward: the council leadership needs to be more inclusive and focussed on the new priorities we will collectively decide; our communication internally and externally must continue to improve; and we need new energy and new ideas to be applied to our old problems.”

Councillor Heddle’s stance has been endorsed by the Orkney Manifesto Group, made up of councillors Alistair Gordon, John Richards and Bill Stout.

A group statement said: “In talks with Councillor Heddle he has confirmed his general acceptance of the key policy proposals set out in our pre-election manifesto.

“We have agreed to cast our votes for Councillor Heddle as a group, not only because of this support, but also because we believe he will bring a number of personal strengths to the role of convener.

“We are impressed by his commitment to inclusiveness, teamwork and communication in the management of council business. We also believe he has a clear vision for the future of Orkney and will excel as an ambassador and determined advocate for these islands.”

A draft constitution is available in advance for anyone who would like to read it. It is hoped to adopt the constitution and elect office-bearers and [...]]]> There will be a public meeting for anyone interested in being involved with establishing the Orkney ICT Forum, at 5.45pm on Tuesday, May 15, in the Orkney Club.

A draft constitution is available in advance for anyone who would like to read it. It is hoped to adopt the constitution and elect office-bearers and a committee at the meeting.

The aim is to form a committee which represents as broad a spectrum as possible of web developers, ICT professionals, and communications people — including journalists and others using social media in their work — and it is hoped to involve people active in these fields from all islands and parishes where there is interest.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times along the affected areas of Victoria Street and Church Road, Stromness.

Meanwhile, visitors to Stromness can still take advantage of [...]]]> Church Road in Stromness will be closed from today, Monday, May 14, until May 25 to enable the completion of the current phase of the repaving works.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times along the affected areas of Victoria Street and Church Road, Stromness.

Meanwhile, visitors to Stromness can still take advantage of free parking in Stromness town centre on Saturdays.

Parking charges at the Ferry Road and pierhead car parks have been suspended on Saturdays up to and including May 26 while the town’s repaving work is completed, ending with the area outside the Commercial Hotel.

Is is understood the basis of Streamline Shipping’s legal challenge the service it was offering was superior to that proposed by the preferred-bidder Serco Ltd.

The [...]]]> The signing of a six-year contract to run the lifeline ferry service to the Northern Isles has been stalled after one of the other bidders lodged a legal challenge.

Is is understood the basis of Streamline Shipping’s legal challenge the service it was offering was superior to that proposed by the preferred-bidder Serco Ltd.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that a legal challenge has been lodged and that until this has been resolved, the contract cannot be finalised.

Meanwhile, NorthLink Ferries has confirmed it is in “continuing discussions” with the Scottish Government to clarify certain aspects of the procurement process which saw ministers announce that the contract was to be awarded to Serco.

A spokesman said: “Today we seek to reassure customers that we will continue to provide our high quality ferry service to the islands for as long as it takes to resolve the current issues”.

He added: “Also, we wish to put on record our appreciation of the ongoing commitment of staff as they continue to meet customer needs during this period of uncertainty”.

Customers are reminded that this office is “by appointment only”.

Appointments can be made by calling Marian Ashburn on 850854.

The library is one of only five in the country in the running for the title, which is one category of The Bookseller Industry Awards 2012.

Winners of the award will be announced [...]]]> The Orkney Library and Archive will find out on Monday whether it has won the prestigious title of Library of the Year award.

The library is one of only five in the country in the running for the title, which is one category of The Bookseller Industry Awards 2012.

Winners of the award will be announced at an event in London on Monday.

Members will decide on who they wish to see in charge of the four council committees — development and infrastructure, planning, education, leisure and housing and monitoring an [...]]]> A statutory meeting of the full council is due to go ahead on Wednesday to appoint the convener, vice-convener and committee chairmen from the recently elected councillors.

Members will decide on who they wish to see in charge of the four council committees — development and infrastructure, planning, education, leisure and housing and monitoring an audit.

Four members will also be appointed to Orkney Health and Care.

The competition is open to all activity classes for under fives including music classes, baby yoga and massage, exercise, swimming, singing and signing.

Last year over a million mums cast their votes as [...]]]> Orkney’s pre-school activity clubs and classes are being asked to show they are “class acts” by entering the UK’s biggest parenting awards.

The competition is open to all activity classes for under fives including music classes, baby yoga and massage, exercise, swimming, singing and signing.

Last year over a million mums cast their votes as part of the awards on parenting website Netmums.com.

And this year local editor Emma Maxwell wants Orkney’s classes to be recognised nationally.

Winning businesses will be honoured on the site which has three million users every month and get a special certificate to display in their classes.

Nominations are open now until May 14 on Netmums.com.

A local shortlist will be available from May 21 for mums to vote for the final winners.

To nominate go to Netmums.com and look for pre-school classes awards.