News / SCT protest meeting
CAMPAIGN group Democracy for Shetland’s Charitable Trust has vowed to press ahead with plans to hold a public meeting after the trust voted in controversial changes to its constitution.
Spokesman for the group, Peter Hamilton, said Thursday’s decision showed the trust to be ignoring the views of the local authority, charities watchdog OSCR and the people of Shetland.
He said: “Yesterday afternoon’s meeting of Shetland Charitable Trust saw the appointee trustees voting to take control of the trust from June next year.
“This ignores the response provided by Shetland Islands Council which has plainly stated it does not wish to send councillor-trustees to the trust but instead wants to see trustees directly elected by the people of Shetland in a majority on the trust.”
Hamilton added that the meeting also saw trustees voting on their spending priorities without having first consulted with the people of Shetland.
“These decision all show Shetland Charitable Trust to be ignoring the public advice given by the chief executive of Scotland’s charity watchdog that the trust needs to ‘take into account the views of their beneficiaries and the reputation of their charity’.”
Democracy for Shetland’s Charitable Trust will hold a public meeting on Saturday 24 September at 10am at the Islesburgh Community Centre in Lerwick.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.