Council spending - have YOUR say

Baltasound Hall - 9 November

Don't cut ferries say Unst residents

Over 100 members of the public gathered in the Baltasound Hall last night to give their views on how the Council should save £26 million from its budget over the next two years.

Ferries formed the core of the discussion, which began with a presentation on the authority’s current financial position, led by Councillors Betty Fullerton and Cecil Smith, Director of Infrastructure Services Phil Crossland and Head of Finance Hazel Sutherland.

An Unst-based businessman stressed that any cuts to the North Isles ferry service ‘would seriously harm’ private sector enterprise in the area. Another person said Isles residents rely on the current timetable to take advantage of commercial developments on mainland Shetland, such as work at the Total Gas Plant. A third speaker echoed this argument, saying it would be destructive to impose any reductions at a time when the Council is keen to attract more private sector companies to Shetland and encourage more people to live and work in the Isles. A fourth commenter added that if job cuts in the public sector were added to the mix, the local employment market would become over-saturated, with people in the North Isles unable to compete with those on mainland Shetland.

Service levels were questioned in comments on whether or not the Council has a statutory duty to provide ferry services. The panel explained that, in the absence of a viable commercial operation, the Council is required under Scottish legislation to provide a certain level of provision, for which it receives 48% of its current ferries budget from central government. The level of this statutory duty is, however, augmented with extra spending from the Council’s reserves, which allows the authority to deliver the current timetable.

Sourcing the 4.5 million litres of fuel required to run the ferries each year was mentioned by several people, with the panel encouraged to look again at finding cheaper ways of procuring marine diesel. Another commenter queried whether locally-sourced bio-fuel might be a viable alternative. In her scheme, the authority would acquire used cooking oil from Shetland’s various takeaway food outlets and restaurants, which would then be converted into transport fuel.

Staffing was raised by a person who asked why the Yellsound vessels are manned overnight. Another bemoaned the illumination of the ferry terminals at night, saying money could easily be saved by switching the lights off when services have ended. Mr Crossland replied, saying these and many other issues were being considered under a current review of the ferry service. Councilor Smith added that the Unst Community Council will be consulted in any discussions about changing timetable.

The forthcoming closure of the Uyeasound School was highlighted in several comments. People said this will hit the Unst community hard and must be taken into account when the Council decides how to prioritise spending.

Community care was the focus of a question on whether the Council should charge for services in the future. It would take a significant change in mindset, the commenter argued, but might be the only viable option in a climate where Shetland’s ageing population is expected to rise. He said that people in their 50s and 60s today were more affluent than the current elderly population, and therefore will be more able to pay for care if and when they need it.

Many other savings suggestions were offered on the night. These included, selling Council land and buildings to make way for housing developments; ending lavish spending on capital projects; and better planning between departments to stop Lerwick-based Council workers heading north for routine maintenance jobs that could be done by workers in the Isles.

Written by Jordan Ogg.

Click here for a full transcript of the meeting

If you have a savings suggestion for the council please email: savings@shetland.gov.uk

or write to: