John Ross is an award-winning journalist and former Editor of Orkney Today and Living Orkney Magazine. He has a 34-year experience in public service – from being Leader of Scottish Borders Council and Provost of Hawick to his eight years as Chair of NHS Orkney and the past five years as an Orkney Islands Councillor.

John Ross says, "Over the past five years as your councillor I have done my best. I added spice to the mix and tried to be as transparent and accessible as possible working tirelessly within Kirkwall East to assist those with problems, putting communities first, fighting for the rights of young people and urged the council to become a lot more open and accountable to its electorate.

There have been successes - Papdale Community Park, Bignold Park, the Harbour Front, Nursery provision and support for the developments of renewables that I hope will bring about a more sustainable future for Orkney, but there is still much to do most notably in tackling our fuel poverty crisis. The council still needs to improve the way it communicates with those it represents, become more forceful in fighting its case on the national stage - particularly on ferry funding and on the cash distribution to us from the centre - and be more of an enabler to others."