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Message from the Chief Executive - Bad Weather Thanks

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Message from the Chief Executive - Bad Weather Thanks

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If you create documents and information for internal or external audiences you need to follow our brand guidelines.

What brand guidelines?

In 2022 we launched our first brand guidelines and templates to help you create recognisable, consistent and professional information.

Over the last couple of years we have taken onboard your feedback and added more colours and fonts for you to use. The latest version of the guidelines and templates can be found at www.orkney.gov.uk/brand

The design in the templates is just a guide, you are free to come up with your own design elements or adjust them in-line with the brand guidelines. If you are working with an external designer ensure that they have a copy of the brand guidelines and follow them as part of your agreement with them.

What about accessibility?

It's easier than you think. No training is required all you need to do is follow the 5 easy steps poster which you can print and display in your workplace.

Useful tips:

Always start with a template - they are setup with all of the correct styles and colours for you.

The main set of dark colours can be used as backgrounds with white text on top or as a text colour on a white background. The two lighter sets of colours can be used in your design but not as a text colour.

Use graphics and photos to help explain your text but make sure you have permission to use them first!

Keep it simple - avoid complicated and wordy text. It is always better to keep it as short as possible.

If you need help or have any questions please email digital.comms@orkney.gov.uk. We will also be having a drop-in session for anyone who wants more information or to get some practical advice about using the templates, design software (canva.com) or accessibility.

Drop-in Session: Thursday 13 February, 10am - 4pm, NS&I Meeting Room 2, School Place

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Brand and Accessibility - what is it all about?

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All the latest Orkney Islands Council's staff news items and press releases from the Communications Team.

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Tomorrow we will officially publish the results from our Budget Challenge survey which launched at the end of last year.

1077 members of our community took the opportunity to respond to the consultation - many more than responded in previous years - indicative of an increased understanding from the public of the financial challenge our organisation is facing and the value that our community place, not only on council services, but also on having their say on what happens with those services.

Elected members have been provided with the survey results and at our annual budget setting meeting on 25 February will be considering a range of proposals - including the level at which we set our Council Tax from 1 April this year.

Key findings were:

A significant proportion said they'd be in favour of Orkney Islands Council generating more income - through increasing council tax or charging more for some services.

47% of the 1077 members of the community who responded to the consultation said they'd be in favour of higher council tax increases in order to protect community services.

In addition, 72% had either agreed or strongly agreed that the Council should increase direct charges for some services.

You can get early sight of the full report here. The report sets out the overall response to each of the proposals that were presented - including a breakdown between mainland and ferry-linked isles responses - as well as a summary of the comments which were made on each.

Should you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your line manager to discuss them.

The results will be published online at www.orkney.gov.uk/budgetsurvey from tomorrow morning.

Kind regards

Oliver

Oliver D Reid

Chief Executive

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All the latest Orkney Islands Council's staff news items and press releases from the Communications Team.

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Here you will find all the latest news from across our services. You can also interact with any the items by reacting or commenting. We will be updating it regularly so be sure to check back often.