Looking back on the week: first minister visit, GP drop-in, council tax

IT HAS been an another busy news week in Shetland, which kicked off with a visit from first minister John Swinney.

Over the last week Shetland News published 33 news stories, three round-ups, a review and seven letters, although we have been at reduced capacity due to annual leave.

Swinney’s visit to Shetland was naturally a focus at the start of the week, with the media getting their visit opportunity to speak to first minister outside Sullom Voe Terminal on Monday.

We headed up to the terminal where he spoke to us about the challenge the UK Government’s energy profits levy places on companies like SVT operator EnQuest, while he also encouraged the council to get into the “spirit” of the ‘World Cup bank holiday’.

The next day Swinney was in Lerwick to announce plans to open a walk-in GP clinic, which will be part of a one-year pilot scheme.

The issue of the Scalloway Pool closure was also brought back into the limelight – with a petition handed over to operator Shetland Recreational Trust before its chairman David Thomson spoke to the media.

Pool petition handed into SRT as contact between trusts expected

While the first minister – who also spoke at a public event at Mareel – grabbed the limelight at the start of the week, Wednesday was all about the council.

Elected members set the council tax rate at 7.3 per cent for the upcoming financial year – with leader Emma Macdonald losing in a vote to go for 5.3 per cent – while Swinney’s encouragement had little effect as councillors kicked out the World Cup bank holiday idea, particularly as the estimated cost was £140,000.

But earlier in the day the UK Government’s Insolvency Service highlighted how SIC convener Andrea Manson had been disqualified from company directorship relating to Mid Brae Inn Limited – something which she said was “very sad and embarrassed” about.

Elsewhere Shetland’s connectivity issues from damaged subsea cables got an airing at a Westminster committee meeting, with a key view being that broadband providers like TalkTalk, Vodafone and Sky “absolutely failed island communities” during disruption last year.

Energy is never far away from the news and over the last week we ran stories on HVDC cable surveys, a telecoms cable to the Rosebank oil field, revised plans for the Mossy Hill wind farm, community benefit and progress on the Neshion energy park.

Artists meanwhile opened up to Shetland News about their views on the rise of AI in this feature, while we also heard about a suicide prevention charity’s aim to set up a branch in Shetland to give men a safe space to talk.

One of the more unusual stories of the week was getting an insight into plans for an outdoor activity centre in Brae which could offer everything from axe throwing to paddle boarding.

And as Up Helly Aa season continues it was Cullivoe’s turn in the limelight, with Stephen Saunders enjoying his time as guizer jarl.

Cullivoe jarl ready to show off ‘crazy’ suit idea as festival fires up

Thanks for all your support this week, with Shetland News continuing to provide news and views free of charge. Remember that if you like what we do and feel able to, you can become a supporter here.

More stories from the week:

• Affordable housing and fixed links included in new national Islands Plan

• Young people invited to apply to take part in ‘life changing’ Tall Ships Races

• Scord Quarry extension could enable realignment of main road – but only years down the line

• Aid campaign seeks donations of medicine and food for Cuban people

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