Council spending - have YOUR say

Sound Hall - 3 November

Community planning key to delivering Shetland’s core public services

Better partnership working was the dominant issue at last night’s public meeting to discuss Council plans to cut £26 million from its budget over the next two years.

Around 45 people gathered in Lerwick’s Sound Hall for the session, which started with a presentation on the circumstances behind the authority’s current financial position, led by Councillors Betty Fullerton and Allan Wishart, Chief Executive Alistair Buchan and Head of Children’s Services Helen Budge. Several other councilors, officials and members of the town Community Council were also in the audience. 

Several people stressed the need for the Council to reach out to other local organisations to find new ways of delivering Shetland’s core public services. One person who had worked in the health service suggested money could be saved by sharing facilities and back office functions with other agencies, such as the NHS. The third sector - charities, voluntary organisations and other non-governmental agencies - was identified as another key player in this process.

Coordinator of the Moving On Project, Kelly Naulls, explained that her service, which helps disadvantaged people gain employment, has been successful in attracting funding from beyond Shetland due to its charitable status. She highlighted various other similarly constituted agencies as potential partners for the Council, and encouraged the panel not to view her sector as an easy target for cuts.

Picking up the point, Alistair Buchan stressed the need to revitalise the local community planning process. He explained that this is about public, private and voluntary organisations working together with communities to deliver services. A key element is Shetland’s Single Outcome Agreement, which states the priorities between central government, the Council and other agencies at a local level. The aim is to make it easier to tailor services to local circumstances and reduce bureaucracy. Mr Buchan added that if all the partners involved get the process right, the results could present ‘a massive opportunity for Shetland’.

Stressing the need to prioritise care, education and transport, former Lerwick Councillor Peter Malcolmson said the authority needs to ‘think out of the box’ when investing its reserves. He suggested that part of the reserve fund be made available to other local authorities as loans with a return guaranteed by central government. This, he argued, might be safer than relying on the volatile equity market, which has played a significant part in the reduction of the fund.

Another commenter suggested combining the community’s ambitions for fixed links and renewable energy developments. His idea would see the Council use some of its capital fund to facilitate a process whereby large utility companies would build a fixed link between Yell and Unst. In return, the Council would receive a proportion of the profits generated from a tidal energy development in the waterway between the two isles. This kind of project, he argued, could ensure a steady income for the authority and help provide employment opportunities.

Staffing was highlighted by chair of Lerwick Community Council, Jim Anderson, who encouraged the SIC to urgently implement a voluntary redundancy scheme. This, he argued, could aid a restructuring process whereby staff that chose to stay with the authority would move into posts directed toward core services. Councillor Jonathan Wills stressed that such as scheme should be followed in collaboration with trade unions. Mr Buchan took the points on board, saying that while voluntary redundancies for all staff could become an option, time must be taken to ensure they are carefully considered in line with the Council’s wider requirements.

One commenter said the Council must think about the effect of cuts in services and staff on the private sector. He said that if capital projects are reduced at the same time as staffing levels within the Council, the effects on the economy and job market could be severe. Director of Development Neil Grant responded, saying current and future developments in oil, gas, telecommunications and decommissioning, represented a positive outlook for the private sector in Shetland.

Expenditure on travel and subsistence was highlighted by a man who works in the video conferencing facility at the Shetland College. He believes the technology should be considered as ‘a serious contender to save a lot of money’ for the authority. He explained that video conferencing offers high-definition broadcasting to almost all parts of the country and could be used by councillors and officials instead of travelling south for meetings. He added that the facility can also provide opportunities for local organisations, such as schools and community groups. Councillor Wishart thanked the speaker for the suggestion, adding that the profile of the service should be raised in Shetland and beyond.

Some of the other issues covered on the night included whether the Council’s use of consultants had represented good value for money; how much cash might be generated if the authority were to sell off some of its buildings, and the need to engage with the whole community, especially young people, as the Have Your Say consultation progresses.

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

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