News / SIC clears staff to attend protest march
SHETLAND Islands Council’s chief executive has quashed widespread rumours that council staff have been ordered to boycott Saturday’s march through Lerwick opposing school closures.
Social media this week has seen much speculation about emails from on high advising staff to steer clear of the event.
However on Thursday SIC chief executive Mark Boden confirmed that no such order had been issued.
“We can not and should not restrict council employees from attending this event, so it is OK for employees to attend this event,” he said.
However he stressed that any staff who do go along will be doing so in their capacity as private individuals and not as council employees.
The council will also expect staff to behave according to the council’s code of conduct.
The march has been organised by local campaign group Communities United for Rural Education (CURE) as a celebration of rural schools.
It is timed two days ahead of a crucial debate in the council chamber that will decide on the future of education at Sandwick junior high school, which education officials are recommending become an S1 and S2 only institution.
Communities from across the isles who are battling the council’s plans to reduce the size of the islands’ rural junior high schools in Sandwick, Aith, Whalsay, Yell and Unst and close primary schools in Sandness, Urafirth, North Roe and Burravoe are expected to turn out in force.
The march through central Lerwick will start at the Market Cross at 11am and go up Commercial Street to Baroc, before turning right down the Esplanade and back to Market Cross.
Organisers advise Commercial Street will be closed for vehicle access between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Access to the Fort Car Park is still permitted but may be restricted as the march goes past.
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