Council / Council to hold drop-in events asking public for views on future services
DATES have been announced for public drop-in sessions that will see the council asking the public for its views on its future activities.
Shetland Islands Council’s political leaders, chief executive Maggie Sandison and local ward councillors will meet with people across the isles at the drop-in sessions.
The sessions are to allow the public to tell the SIC what it wants its priorities to be going forward, as the council plans for its future activities and services.
Each session will run from late afternoon till early evening, starting in Cunningsburgh next week, before continuing until the new year.
The sessions are as follows, all running from 4.30-7.30pm (apart from Baltasound):
- Monday 10 November – Cunningsburgh Hall
- Monday 24 November – Brae High School
- Tuesday 25 November – Scalloway Primary School
- Monday 1 December – Aith Junior High School
- Wednesday 10 December – Lerwick Town Hall
- Thursday 11 December – Baltasound Hall (3pm-6pm)
- Tuesday 16 December – Bressay Hall
Dates in Mid Yell and Whalsay are to be confirmed for January 2026. An online session will also be arranged for Foula, Fair Isle, Skerries, Papa Stour and Fetlar.
Each session will ask people what helps their community to thrive, what role should the council play in making that happen, and: “If your community is a place of positive wellbeing – what does that look like for you?”
For anyone who finds it difficult to attend and who would like to share their thoughts on these three issues, a dedicated email address has been set up – CommunityConversation@shetland.gov.uk
Council chief executive Sandison said the local authority was “trying as much as possible to get around all our communities”.
“Our intention is to involve the community as much as possible in planning for the coming years.
“We regularly update our corporate plan, and this is an opportunity to bring focus to bear on the issues which are most important to individuals, families and community groups.
“We’re running these quite informally – it’s a chance to drop by, chat with myself and elected members, and share your thoughts on what makes your community thrive, and what the council can do to support that.”
It comes as the council’s current corporate plan, entitled Our Ambition, comes to an end next year.
The document, which had run from 2021-2026, is currently being developed by councillors for the next five years to set out the SIC’s vision and priorities for this period.
Sandison told Shetland News in October that while the strategy is “for the council”, it was “important that it is shaped by the views and priorities of our community”.
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