News / Council pay offer accepted, Sumburgh security fence and more …
COUNCIL staff in Scotland have voted to accept a new two-year pay offer from COSLA.
Members of Scotland’s biggest local government union, Unison, voted overwhelmingly to accept a deal worth four per cent this year and 3.5 per cent in 2026/27.
The union said the pay deal exceeds the current cost of living, as well as next year’s inflation forecasts.
UNISON Scotland local government committee chair Suzanne Gens said: “This pay deal is a crucial step in turning round cuts to council staff pay.
“It gives local government workers some financial security now they know their pay will be higher than inflation over the next couple of years.
“This has only been achieved because of the determination of council workers to demand better.”
YOUNG musicians from Shetland are set to head over to Finland this week to showcase their musical talent as part of an exchange project.
The switch comes between the Shetland Folk Festival and a folk music festival in Kaustinen.
Local traditional players Yelena Anderson, Ella Robertson, Liam Slater and Magnus Williamson will perform as part of a special Nordic collaboration celebrating tunes from various parts of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Shetland.
They will also play a Shetland set as well as joining up with Finnish counterparts after performing together in Shetland two months ago.
The Shetland and Finnish groups have been mentored by local piano star Amy Laurenson and Finnish fiddler Esko Järvelä, who will also both be performing at the festival.
Yelena, from Aith, said she was looking forward to the experience.
“We had such a great time with Esko and the Finnish exchange at Shetland Folk Festival and can’t wait to perform the pieces again in Kaustinen,” she said.
“We are very, very excited”.
Shetland Folk Festival Committee member Lewie Peterson has been supporting the Project, and said it was important to nurture Shetland’s young talent.
“While we always look to take the world’s music to the isles, our objective is always to provide a stage for Shetland traditional music and performers, and this project is a perfect example of that.
“We have connected with musicians and festival organisers in Kaustinen for a number of years now and it has many parallels with Shetland being a small rural community with a rich traditional heritage and global outlook.”
WORK IS currently underway to replace a security perimeter fence around the outside of Sumburgh Airport.
HIAL confirmed the new fence was currently under construction, and said it was expected to be completed by the end of August.
A spokesperson for the airport operator said the move would “maintain compliance with security requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority and ensure the safety of our operational teams.”
It added: “There will be no disruption to airport operations during the work”.
SHETLAND Arts is looking forward to what it calls an “unforgettable evening of poetry and storytelling” later this month from three award-winning poets.
Hollie McNish, Michael Pedersen and Roseanne Watt will come together at Mareel on Thursday 17 July for a special show.
It said McNish was a poet whose live shows are “not to be missed”.
“After a run of sold-out gigs up and down the UK, she is back with the paperback tour of the Sunday Times bestselling and Books are My Bag poetry book of the year, Lobsterand Other Things I’m Learning to Love,” the arts charity said.
“At Mareel, she will be joined by Scotland’s favourite Michael Pedersen, launching his magical debut novel Muckle Flugga, and local writer Roseanne Watt.”
Tickets for the show cost £16.50 and are available to purchase online through the Shetlad Arts website, in-person at the Mareel box office or by calling 01595 745500.
THE PEOPLE who make Shetland’s streets and businesses special will be celebrated as part of Scotland Loves Local week next month.
People Make Places is the theme for this year’s events, which take place from Saturday August 23, from Scotland Loves Local.
A week of activities, including social media campaigning and political visits, will highlight the importance of choosing to shop locally.
People from across Shetland are encouraged to take part, championing the message to think local and sharing stories about the people who make their places.
More information about how to get involved in Scotland Loves Local Week is available at www.lovelocal.scot or by emailing info@lovelocal.scot
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
