Fund worth £20m to deliver for wider community

The £20 million UK Government fund given to Kirkwall is for the benefit of all of Orkney, according to secretary of state for levelling up, Michael Gove.

Speaking before a meeting of the Islands Forum, held this week in Anglesey, Mr Gove said he did not want to “establish an arbitrary perimeter” between Kirkwall and the rest of the county.

Talking to The Orcadian, Mr Gove said money from the UK Government’s Long-Term Plan for Towns should deliver for the wider Orkney community.

“Kirkwall qualifies on so many grounds, but we also want to be sure that investment in Kirkwall can benefit Orkney over all,” Mr Gove added.

The key thing about the investment, he said, was that it should be lead at a local level not run from Westminster or Holyrood.

The Orkney Towns Board, which will decide how the fund is spent over the next ten years, is in the process of being selected.

As well as a chairperson, it include MP, Alistair Carmichael, a senior representative from the police, and at least two Orkney islands councillors.

Further information about the group is expected at the end of this month.