Orkney Islands Council

Council leader Heather Woodbridge says the rise was about finding the right balance.

For an average band D property, the increase means an annual bill of £1,573.76, up from £1,430.69.

Orkney is one of three Scottish island authorities making decisions on its rates.

Locals have raised concerns about the plan to lock the gates of the causeway during stormy weather.

The Orkney Native Wildlife Project has spent nearly £8m trapping thousands of stoats since 2019.

The authority will freeze council tax if additional government funding can be used without restrictions.

Heather Woodbridge, who is 29, also becomes the first woman to lead Orkney Islands Council.

James Stockan is leaving the role after 20 years as a councillor in Scotland's smallest local authority.