Information Bulletin
21 April 2005
Scottish Parliament to permit Individual Transport Partnerships
Shetland Islands Council is now making arrangements for its own Transport Authority following this week's decision by the relevant committee of the Scottish Parliament to permit the creation of individual transport partnerships. Welcoming this opportunity, the Convener of Shetland Islands Council said that he was delighted that Tavish Scott had played his part in persuading the Transport Minister of the total absurdity of including the islands in a statutory Highlands and Islands Partnership. "This is potentially the most important piece of legislation affecting the islands which has been before the Scottish Parliament since its inception", said Mr Cluness. "Almost every aspect of living here is affected by transport issues of some kind or another, and the prospect of crucial decisions of policy and expenditure being taken by a regional authority would have been totally unacceptable to the Shetland Community."
Councillor Jim Irvine, Chairman of the Council's Infrastructure Committee, said that the Council's plans for its own Transport Authority were well advanced, and would be based on the example of Dumfries and Galloway, which Tavish Scott had indicated would be the best way forward. "Our Partnership will not just be composed of Councillors" said Mr Irvine, "but will also include transport users and other interested parties. While we are delighted that the threat of formal involvement with the proposed Highland and Islands Authority has now been lifted, we remain committed to working voluntarily with both that body and also the new North East Authority on matters of mutual interest."
Ends…..