News / In brief for 12 September 2011
Pension office saved
NORTHERN Isles MP Alistair Carmichael has welcomed news that the Pension Service has scrapped plans for the closure of local offices and outreach services in Orkney and Shetland.
In July, the Pensions Service announced plans for the closure of local offices with responsibility for contact visits being passed to offices on the mainland.
This move was delayed after Mr Carmichael had expressed concerns over the impact that this could have on vulnerable individuals in the Northern Isles.
Senior Pension Service management confirmed on Monday that offices in Lerwick and Kirkwall offices were to remain open, with one full time member of staff in each office continuing to provide the range of services available at present.
The suggestion that these services could have been provided by staff travelling from mainland Scotland was never a realistic one.
“It took some time and trouble to explain to them the realities of the geography they were dealing with but to their credit they now accept this and have changed their minds,” Mr Carmichael said.
Tavish on student travel
SHETLAND MSP Tavish Scott has expressed his concern over changes in the way travel expenses are being dealt with as part of student loans awarded by the Student Award Agency.
New rules, effective this academic year, see support for student travel costs included within the student loan rather than being reimbursed separately.
Mr Scott said on Monday that such a change amounted to discrimination against Shetland students.
“This move is unfair. It removes what was the only additional SAAS contribution towards the extra expense suffered by students living in remote areas of Scotland.
“With living costs and fuel prices going up, this change in the rules comes at a time when our university students need to stretch their budgets even more than in previous years. I expect the government to think again,” he said.
Althing programme
THE Althing debating group kicks off their winter programme on Saturday 24 September with a very topical debate on the pros and cons of this summer’s riots in England.
Speaking for the motion ‘There is no excuse for rioting’ are Chris Bunyan and Andy Holt, and opposing them will be Kat Brack and Gordon Dargie.
The other topics covered over the winter months are:
– Religion and education don’t mix;
– Shetland’s future lies in an independent Scotland;
– Modern life is making us stupid; and
– The rainy day has come – the reserves are there for spending.
A spokesman said that the group was always looking for people interested in speaking at its debates. Further information can be obtained from the group’s chairwoman Florence Grains on 01595 840 243.
All the debates take place in the Tingwall School starting at 7.30pm.
Charitable trust grants
SHETLAND Charitable Trust has awarded a total of 38 grants totalling £44,567 to local voluntary organisations as well as individuals assisting with travel costs, projects and annual running costs.
The largest grant of almost £10,000 was awarded to the Brae Youth Centre to help cover annual running costs.
Other beneficiaries were Vunk Fest (£2,830) to help cover the cost of this year’s festival, as well as the Shetland Jazz Club to help them laying on four gigs during the 2011/12 season.
The total cost of all these projects was £106,600.08 with funding of £62,033.08 being secured from other sources, a spokeswoman for the trust said.
A full list of beneficiaries can be found at: www.shetlandcharitabletrust.co.uk
HIAL success
HIGHLANDS and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) has had another successful year despite difficult economic conditions and a reduction in its revenue budget of £1 million, the company said.
Publishing its annual report for 2010/11 on Monday, HIAL said business growth at Sumburgh Airport continued to be driven by the oil and gas industry.
In its report, HIAL also highlighted the cooperation between the airport operator and the Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service to build a new state of the art fire training facility at Sumburgh.
“This is primarily to provide Compartment Fire Behavioural Training but it is a multi-rig facility and can be used for all types of Breathing Apparatus Training with potential to be used by industries other than aviation and Local Authority Fire Service,” HIAL said.
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