Public sector reform offers opportunities for Shetland, MSP says
LOCAL MSP Hannah Mary Goodlad says she believes a single authority model in the isles – merging the council and health board – could be a “massive step towards autonomy” for Shetland.
However she said there would be a “range of options” for how governance in Shetland looks in the future, including more bespoke models, amid wide-ranging public sector reform in Scotland.
Last week the Scottish Government announced plans to reduce the number of health boards in Scotland from 14 to two.
The idea of a ‘single authority’ model for the Scottish islands, where councils merge with health boards, is being pushed.
First minister John Swinney, however, said in parliament that this idea could be advanced “where it is desired”.
Speaking to Shetland News this week, SNP MSP Goodlad said there is a “window of opportunity” to modify a public sector in Scotland which she believes is no longer fit for purpose.
There has previously been pushback from the SIC on the idea of a single authority model, although the Western Isles appears more supportive.
The suggestion that “if it ain’t broke, why fix it” has been used by some in Shetland, but Goodlad said changes could enable more local decision-making.
“The solution that will be found I think could be one that takes Shetland more towards greater autonomy, and giving our elected representatives more control over things that really matter for folk in Shetland,” she said.
“So I get quite excited when I think about this change that is coming in terms of putting more decision-making back into local communities.
“In a Shetland context, and in an island context, there’s a real opportunity for the islands to lead the way in terms of showing Scotland how local decision-making can be brought closer to the communities.”
The feeling from some senior councillors, however, is that it is unclear what the government is proposing. Talks are planned, but a three-month schedule has been called “very tight”.
Goodlad, who is also Scotland’s public finance minister, said a tight timeline “sharpens the discussion”.
But she said it is also important to have talks prior to next year’s local government elections, because “if it is going to be a single island authority, [the] councillors that we are electing are going to be responsible for health”.
“People need to know that in order to be able cast their vote wisely. This could be a huge step up in terms of responsibility for our councillors, and folk need to be aware of that before we got to the polls in May.”
Goodlad, who was elected to parliament as Shetland’s first SNP MSP earlier this year, said if all parties are willing to find solutions, “three months is enough time”.
When asked if there is a chance of a more bespoke model rather than the single authority scheme, the MSP said “there absolutely could be”.
“This is not going to be imposed top down,” Goodlad added. “This government doesn’t have all the answers, but likewise, neither does any local authority have all the answers. This is a collaboration and this is making sure that we come together to find the right solution for Shetland.
“This is a government that understands what works in Aberdeen, what works in Edinburgh, does not work in Shetland and this is a government that really wants to work and get the right solution for Shetland, the right solution for Orkney and the right solution for the Western Isles.
“So let’s see – there’s a range of options that could be found here, and I really look forward to seeing where the discussions go.”
With question marks over how exactly health services will be run in Shetland in the future, Goodlad was also asked if the ongoing process could delay plans for a new Gilbert Bain Hospital.
“Regardless of what structure, the execution requires a new Gilbert Bain, and parties of all political persuasions can see that we need a new hospital, so that in my mind is the outcome that we need to focus on,” she said.
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