Press Release
10th October 2012
Shetland Partnership - 'joined up working' for public organisations
The Shetland Partnership Board has appointed its first office-bearers. The Partnership gives public organisations like the Council, NHS Shetland, the emergency services and the voluntary sector an opportunity to work together to plan and deliver better services across the isles.
The Board’s Chairman is Ian Kinniburgh from NHS Shetland, while Leader of Shetland Islands Council Gary Robinson has been elected to the role of Vice Chairman.
Future meetings are expected to focus on issues such as the integration of health and social care around the isles, and the streamlining of national police and fire & rescue services.
Mr. Kinniburgh says it’s a critical time for public bodies to co-ordinate their planning for the future: “Eighteen months ago the people of Shetland were invited to give their views on the issues that were important to them. They made it clear that we needed to be better at making decisions, and make better use of the joint resources available to all the partners so that people would continue to want to live, work and enjoy being in Shetland.
The Partnership Board is committed to making this happen, and the new arrangements will help the partners to hold each other to account for delivering the improved ways of communicating, planning and working that are essential for sustaining our community into the future.”
Vice-Chairman Gary Robinson says he believes the approach can help all those involved make savings, by allowing more co-ordinated use of resources: “There’s tremendous pressure on funding for all public services, and the Partnership is a way for organisations to work more closely together to make sure every effort is made to make the most of our resources.”
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Every area in Scotland is required by the government to have a Community Planning Partnership; the Shetland Partnership Board is made up of:
Leader, Convener and Chief Executive of Shetland Islands Council
Chair and Chief Executive of NHS Shetland
Member Northern Joint Police Board
Member Highlands and Islands Fire Board
Chair of ZetTrans
Chair and Chief Executive of Shetland Charitable Trust
Chair and Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Shetland
Chair of the Performance Group
ASCC nominee – to be appointed at next ASCC meeting
Business representatives – to be appointed
Youth representatives – Shetland’s two MYSPs
Scottish Government
Shetland Partnership Board meetings are open to the public and the media – the next meeting is scheduled for 13th November 2012 at 10am in the Chamber, Town Hall, Lerwick - details can be found at http://www.shetland.gov.uk/coins/allCommittees.asp?sort=1