News / Trust must “actively support” partner agencies
SHETLAND Islands Council convener Malcolm Bell says the isles’ charitable trust needs to embrace other partners and agencies more actively after the local authority voted to cut its ties with the trust’s board.
At its latest meeting on Thursday morning, the trust agreed to “adopt and support” Shetland Partnership’s local outcomes improvement plan for the next four years.
Bell, who currently sits on the trust’s board, said he was “delighted” to see the item on the agenda just one day after the SIC unanimously voted against putting forward councillors in the future as trustees.
He said the charitable trust, which was previously controlled by the council, needs to be seen to be “actively supporting” other partners.
“As we unpick the historical bonds that tie us to the council, it’s important that we build new bonds of partnership,” Bell said.
He added that the trust is “more than just a funding body” akin to organisations like the National Lottery.
“Full participation will answer some questions about how we engage with the public and partners,” Bell said.
The local outcomes improvement plan acts a blueprint for how the multi-agency partnership board will strive to improve the fortunes of the Shetland community in areas such as health and economic development through to 2020.
The SIC is one of the key members of Shetland partnership alongside the likes of the NHS and the emergency services.
Bell said it was important for Shetland to “pull together” in a time when the country is suffering from the effects of austerity and potential implications of the recent decision to pull out of the EU.
Amanda Westlake echoed Bell’s views and said it is “imperative” to work together “for what is best for Shetland”.
Drew Ratter added that the trust must still be regarded as a “fully independent body”.
Vice chairman Jonathan Wills meanwhile said the duty of the trust must not be “diluted or confused” by “well-meaning but vague statements” such as the ones contained in the report.
Bell responded: “It’s about pooling resources with other agencies to get more bang for our buck for the Shetland community.”
Chairman Bobby Hunter replied by saying that whatever benefits Shetland the most should be supported.
“We’re all trying our best for Shetland,” he said. “If the right thing is being co-ordinated by community planning, then so be it.”
Wills attempted to amend the motion by changing the words “adopt and support” to “endorse”.
However, the suggestion was shot down the other trustees before it was passed, much to Wills’ frustration.
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