The Orkney economy is unique in Scotland. It is stronger and more diverse than most rural economies, but it has significant challenges too. Unemployment may be low, but so are wages in some areas such as the North Isles, and the recruitment and retention of staff remains a serious barrier for many sectors. COVID has had a serious detrimental impact on the hospitality and tourism sectors, and we applaud the recent use of strategic reserves through a Business Hardship Fund to shore up local businesses through this difficult period. But more is required to support local businesses, large and small, in the medium/long-term to ensure that future economic growth is both sustainable and benefits our communities. There are potentially large and exciting developments on the immediate horizon, such as the development of the offshore wind sector which holds much potential with the need for the installation and servicing of as many as 1,700 offshore turbines producing as much as 3 GW of renewable energy. We are equally supportive of Flotta transitioning to a Green Hydrogen hub.

We will:

• Prioritise the development of the offshore wind and tidal/wave sectors through the development of the Scapa Deep Water Quay in particular to ensure that Orkney benefits from this key part of the green transition ahead.

• Prioritise the skilling up of young people for careers in renewables and related supply chains and re-skill employees in the oil & gas sector as part of a Just Transition to green hydrogen and other renewable fuels.

• Work with existing partners such as HIE and the Kirkwall BID to expand the Orkney workforce to fill employment gaps and skills shortages.

• Develop an entrepreneurial hub of small premises rented on short term contracts at preferential rates to stimulate and support business start-ups.

• Support the growth of cooperative style businesses.

• Foster a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration between Orkney Islands Council and local businesses. Orkney is at its best when we all work together.

Housing is one of the most critical issues in Orkney. The provision of housing is a crucial element of sustaining any community, but particularly so in island communities. At present there are capacity constraints on building new houses, and problems with the supply of both private and leased properties. There is a waiting list of over 800 people in the social housing sector, and seasonal conflicts with supply due to tourism demand in the private sector. We know that people and students who wish to move to Orkney to work or study struggle to find housing.

We will:

• Prioritise housing in the next local plan to increase supply and support innovative sustainable housing which is carbon neutral.

• Housing developments should incorporate greenspace, community areas, local amenities, colour, and active travel measures.

• Support further development of co-housing projects for older residents in the local plan such as the pioneering development in St. Margaret’s Hope.

• Make it easier to build, especially in rural areas where land is comparatively cheaper, in the next local development plan.

• Develop student housing in Stromness and Kirkwall in association with Heriot Watt, Robert Gordon, UHI, and other universities.

• Scope the potential for district heat networks in Orkney to provide even lower cost heating not at upfront cost to individuals as is the case with heat pumps

• We will implement the short-term let licensing and regulatory powers shortly to be available to Orkney Islands Council to balance the needs of young people and other employees who cannot access housing, with the needs of the tourism sector.

• Green Ministers and MSPs have pledged to improve tenants’ rights within the lifetime of the current Parliament, and we will liaise with colleagues to ensure that such legislation is island-proofed and benefits Orkney tenants.

Tourism is important to Orkney and pre-COVID attracted some half a million visitors each year contributing £50 million+ to the local economy. For years now however the policy of mass growth has gone unchecked and urgently needs revision to ensure sustainable management. Tourism growth has been sudden and massive for Orkney, with many communities subsequently feeling overwhelmed. Greens will encourage sustainable tourism which supports, instead of overwhelms, the local community. We will push for a review of the capacity and scale of tourism, including the social and environmental costs. Furthermore, stronger environmental controls on the impact of cruise ships on the sea, air quality, and on communities, is urgently needed. Likewise, so is better infrastructure to support tourism, such as road maintenance, public toilets, visitor information hubs, and waste disposal facilities.

We will:

• With local partners ensure that the Orkney Tourism Strategy develops a long-term plan for the sustainable development of tourism in Orkney including careful management of tourist volume to optimise cruise vessel visits and day tours.

• Introduce green requirements for visiting cruise liners and work towards the elimination of climate and environmental damage arising from port calls by visiting vessels.

• Investigate ship, passenger excursion, visitor and resident experiences of tourism, as well as any infrastructural and locational impacts.

• Ensure that the World Heritage Site in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney is managed well and sustainably and supports the long-term development and security of archaeology research in Orkney.

• Engage with communities to produce local Place Plans that manage tourism sustainably.

• Consult local views on and the potential of a ‘tourist tax’, the power to implement which will soon be available to Orkney Islands Council. These funds should be ring fenced for investment in local community infrastructure and initiatives so that the benefits of tourism reach all sectors of the Orkney community.