Imagining Shetland’s futures

WHAT does Shetland need to do to “get a grip”? A big question that needs some serious thinking about!

Shetland Islands Council in conjunction with the Shetland Community Planning Partnership are in the process of doing just that and have embarked on what is called a scenario planning process.

Over the past couple of months nearly 700 people across Shetland have been interviewed with the result that their views and visions have influenced four very different scenarios of what the future might hold for these islands.

Written-up by local writer Malachy Tallack, the four “scenarios” are:

“Keep on Nappin” – there’s been poor local decision making, but a good economic balance exists;
“Got’n a Grip” – there’s been strong local decision making and a good economic balance ;
“In a Right Slester” – there’s been poor decision making and a weak economic balance; and
“Joost da Wye o’ It” – there’s been strong local decision making, but a lack of economic balance.

As of today, the Shetland News will run weekly news pages that correspond and reflect Shetland in the year 2031 based on each of the individual scenarios.

The first one ‘In a Right Slester’ is available on the left hand sidebar of the genuine Shetland News website.

All this is intended to stimulate debate in the community in the hope that as many people as possible will participate in and contribute to the exercise by either contacting Shetland Islands Council online or offline (see below) or by submitting letters to the Shetland News.

The council’s policy manager Emma Perring said: “This is a very serious task that potentially affects everyone, so we want to develop a conversation with as many people as possible to get their thoughts on the scenarios and what these different futures would mean to them.” 

Help keep Shetland’s news open to everyone

Good local journalism takes time, care and people on the ground. Membership helps us keep reporting the stories that matter to Shetland — and keep them free for everyone to read. Members get a weekly newsletter created especially for them, local ads only, and can bookmark stories and join the conversation in the comments.

Already a member? Sign in.

£3 per month Billed on or shortly after the 26th of each month. Cancel anytime. £5 per month Billed on or shortly after the 26th of each month. Cancel anytime. £10 per month Billed on or shortly after the 26th of each month. Cancel anytime. Choose another amount Explore all membership options. Choose between monthly, quarterly, annual or one-off payments.

Continue Back to article

 

She added: “We’re asking people to get in touch with their thoughts on the following questions:
•         What do you think of the scenarios? What would these different futures mean to you?
•         What does Shetland need to do to ensure a positive future?
•         What actions need to be in place to ensure we have both strong local decision making and good economic balance?
•         What does Shetland need to do to “Get a Grip”?

Responses can be sent to:

Email: communityplanning@shetland.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Imagining-Shetlands-Futures/120059078087041 or search for ‘Imagining Shetland’s Future
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ShetCommunity
WordPress: http://shetlandcommunityplan.wordpress.com/
Letter: Town Hall (Scenario Planning), Lerwick, ZE1 0HB
Phone: (01595) 743728
The closing date for comments is 16 September 2011.

For more information on the work so far and how to get involved, please go to:  http://communityplanning.shetland.org