Council spending - have YOUR say

Brae Hall - 2 November

Community Care in focus at Brae meeting

The cost and provision of community care, education and transport were the recurring issues at last night’s public meeting in Brae to discuss the Council’s plans to cut £26 million from its budget over the next two years.

Around 25 people attended the session, which started with a briefing on the detail behind the authority’s financial situation, led by Councillors Josie Simpson and Cecil Smith, Director of Community Care, Christine Ferguson and Head of Finance, Hazel Sutherland. Several other councillors and senior officials were also present.

A former care worker gave an insight into the difficulties involved in providing home care services in Shetland’s rural areas. She explained how her visits to clients had often required journeys of 84 miles per day, which resulted in 5 hours working against 3 hours of travel time. She acknowledged that the situation is difficult to resolve due to the dispersed nature of Shetland’s communities, but suggested the Council follow a more parish-based approach to the recruitment of care staff. Christine Ferguson said the authority was looking at several options in this area, some of which involved closer working with the NHS and independent care providers.

One commenter encouraged the panel to focus spending on Shetland’s ‘core priorities’, which he identified as care, education and transport. He said these services must be delivered equally across the Isles and put ahead of more ‘frivolous’ ambitions, such as carbon reduction and business development. These may be good things to aim for when money is available to pay for them, but given the authority’s difficult financial position, he felt that such projects should be put on hold for the meantime. In response, Director of Infrastructure Services, Phil Crossland said the authority has to be mindful of national government targets on carbon reduction, which would result in tax implications if overlooked.

Council buildings and their running costs then came under the spotlight. One person asked if it was necessary for ferry terminals to be illuminated at night when services had ended. Another commenter asked what plans were in place for the Scalloway school secondary department, and what the authority proposes to do with the Uyeasound primary school when it closes later in the year. Responding to these comments, Director of Children’s Services, Helen Budge, said the authority will soon look at options for these facilities. Phil Crossland added that the Council does not want to be spending money on the maintenance of empty buildings.

The tug boats at Sullom Voe were the focus for a question on whether it was necessary to have 6 in operation. The commenter, who worked at the port for 24 years, believed that an adequate service could be provided at much less cost with fewer vessels. Phil Crossland acknowledged the point and said work was ongoing to reduce the fleet.

School transport was raised by a person who suggested looking again at the service in light of recent improvements to roads and pavements. Children’s activities were also highlighted by a commenter who said there was a huge over-provision throughout Shetland, especially in the summer months when many events clashed. Helen Budge explained that current policy dictates how many miles pupils are expected to travel before they are entitled to a school bus; however, she added that routes and expectations may have be revisited. Mrs Budge also said she will look into how the Council could better plan activities for young people.

The Council’s use of consultants was raised by a commenter who asked the panel to explain why they were being used at a time when there is great pressure to cut costs.  Councillor Simpson responded, saying that consultants had represented ‘money well spent’ by helping the authority reorganise its political and management structures in only six months, where otherwise the process may have taken a year to complete.

The final comment focused on the ultimate outcome of the Have Your Say consultation, querying whether the panel felt confident that, when identified, such large spending cuts would be approved by the full council. Councillors Simpson and Smith were unequivocal in their responses, saying they are committed to making the tough decisions and will work hard to achieve a consensus among elected members

Many other suggestions were offered on the night, included ending spending on the Lerwick fireworks display; giving the public more of a breakdown on what the Council spends on cultural services; increasing job opportunities for young people, and reducing the number of letters the authority sends through the post.

Written by Jordan Ogg.

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