New cohort of community councillors but many vacancies remain

EIGHT people across Shetland have become community councillors following the recent by-election – but many seats still remain unfilled.

There will also be a vote in Fetlar after two people put themselves forward for the island’s one vacancy.

The Delting Community Council, which had three vacancies, has a new member in Katherine Maggs.

Andrew Emmerson and Shayne McLeod have joined Lerwick Community Council.

Graeme Garrick and Linda Nicholson are new members of Sandwick Community Council, which still has three vacancies remaining.

Charles Hodge and Martin Randall have become community councillors in Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale, while Julia Lyth has joined the Yell Community Council.

In Fetlar Roy Buckland and James Smythe will vie for one vacancy, with a postal ballot due to take place.

But due to insufficient nominations, many vacancies still remain on community councils across the isles.

A total of 18 seats remain unfilled, with most vacancies found in Dunrossness and Sandwick at three each.

Bressay, Burra and Trondra, Delting, Gulberwick, Quarff and Cunningsburgh, Lerwick, Scalloway, Tingwall, Whiteness and Weisdale, Unst and Whalsay all have vacancies.

Anyone interested in being co-opted to the remaining vacancies should contact the clerk or chair of the relevant community council.