Council / SIC leader says ‘fairness rather than autonomy’ discussed with Scottish Government
THE COUNCIL’s political leader Emma MacDonald has issued a word of caution after first minister John Swinney claimed talks over handing more powers to the local authority had “intensified”.
Responding to Shetland News while away, MacDonald said devolving further powers to local level would need to come with additional resources.
“I would just have an element of caution about local government being given further autonomy if it isn’t also given the financial resources to deliver on it,” she said.
“Local governments are facing significant demand pressures and if more responsibilities come our way without the ability to fund them, we won’t be in any better position.”
During his two-day visit to the isles Swinney expressed a desire to see Shetland Islands Council being able to “determine the issues that matter to the people of Shetland”.
The move by the first minister surprised many in the islands and, asked during a public event on Wednesday event what discussions had taken place with the council, he said: “I think decisions are best taken by the people closer to the decision matter.
“I want to make sure there is the flexibility and the autonomy to make sure that is the case.”
Hinting at the potential advantages of the ‘single authority model’, which could see a move towards merging councils and health boards in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles, Swinney described an example while visiting Orkney recently.
He said while discussing delayed discharges from Kirkwall hospital he met with representatives from three different public service organisations, in a community of just 20,000 people.
Macdonald said the council had “some engagement” with the first minister through a joint meeting with the Western Isles Council and Orkney islands council last week.
She said the discussion held with the Scottish Government was around fairness rather than autonomy.
“Some of this discussion was around more return for our islands based on how much we contribute to the Scottish economy and the wider UK economy,” she said.
“Our discussions have been based on fairness and equality. I would not have described them as being focused on autonomy.
“I did discuss the strength of feeling within the community around how much we have contributed to renewable energy and the sense of unfairness being experienced by those who are struggling to heat their homes.
“We also discussed ScotWind revenues and the impact offshore wind developments will have with the onshore infrastructure.
“There needs to be a fairness about how these revenues are distributed and a need for host communities to benefit, allowing them to invest in strategic infrastructure.”
‘Intensifying discussions’ over greater island autonomy, first minister says
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