News / Resistance to remote working
COUNCILLORS in Shetland have urged officers to work harder dispersing more local authority jobs from Lerwick to rural areas.
Outgoing North Isles member Laura Baisley said it required the “supreme will of political power” to overcome prejudices and the resilience from middle management towards remote working.
During the final meeting of Shetland Islands Council prior to the election in May, she echoed sentiments from Shetland Central member David Sandison who had questioned why it is taking so long to make progress on an issue “vital for the rural economy of Shetland”.
Mrs Baisley also proposed celebrating a “remote worker champion” to raise the profile of council workers not travelling daily to a Lerwick office or workshop.
The comments came in response to a report from chief executive Alistair Buchan on the council’s progress in implementing its improvement programme, following the damning report by the Accounts Commission in 2010.
Mr Buchan said that the challenges faced by the council had been greater than initially thought, particularly in the areas of financial planning and governance restructuring.
Presenting his draft improvement plan for the next five years, Mr Buchan said: “The council is also clear that while we have achieved a very considerable amount in a short space of time, there is still some way to go, and that improvement activity must be continued into the new council.”
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.