SIC HQ

MORE than ten council departments are set to relocate to the new Shetland islands Council headquarters, at the North Ness, following its official opening on Tuesday morning.

The move to the £7.3 million office block, built by local firm Hunter & Morrisons, will free up eight council offices around the town.

Moving into the new 3,000 square metres premises will improve and streamline the way the council works, according to SIC chief executive Alastair Buchan.

“The move is very much in line with our strategic thinking on creating a modern, efficient and dynamic council, and goes to the heart of the improvement work we have been progressing for the past 18 months.

“It’s interesting to note that rationalising the council office estate came up on numerous occasions during the recent public consultation exercise on the budgets.

“I’m aware that a move like this has been talked about for some time, so it is a real achievement for everyone involved to finally see it happening,” he said.

The moves to new offices will run over three consecutive weekends, beginning on 21 April.

First to move are capital services (currently at Greenhead), performance & improvement (currently at the Hillhead), human resources (currently at Hayfield) and executive services (currently at the Lerwick town hall).