Letters / Fingers crossed for 2013
Sandy McMillan asks for the total cost of the six-strong delegation to London to chase the housing debt (What were the costs? SN, 28Dec).
Assuming an estimated total cost of £8,000, this would have been about 1/5,000th of what the UK government owes Shetland for the housing debt. If the lobbying is fully successful £40 million minus £8,000 still leaves a healthy sum to help meet Shetland’s housing needs.
Alternatively the council had the option to send a less impressive delegation, signaling the issue was not one of huge importance, and, if unsuccessful, wait for heaven knows how long until the Lib-Dems are again in government.
Those with criticism of the current council would do well to remember the previous one.
The big issue for Shetland is if there can be a secure return to a more appropriate local politics in which the grand schemes of the few don’t obscure the needs of the many.
Knee-jerk council bashing won’t help. Fingers crossed for 2013!
Peter Hamilton
Berlin
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