Also in the news / Catering success, care service consultation, NorthLink survey, Covid inquiry and more …
THE SIC’s catering team has won a national award for its work with local food supplies and food producers in Shetland, reducing food miles and supporting local producers.
Catering team leader Neil Beattie picked up the outstanding contribution to catering award at the Assist FM conference in Glasgow last week.
Shetland schools serve locally sourced milk, eggs and lamb. Fish is delivered fresh across the islands, and bread and rolls are supplied by local bakeries. Locally grown fruit and vegetables are also supplied to schools.
Shetland Islands Council spends over £650,000 annually on food and serves over 2,200 meals in schools each day during term time.
A NUMBER of public meetings “to help shape plans” for the controversial National Care Service will be held in Lerwick later this summer.
The SNP policy is fiercely opposed by local care provider Shetland Islands Council which fears the erosion of local standards and pay levels should social care services come under one national body.
Social care minister Maree Todd said: “There is general agreement that social care transformation will be of great benefit.
“This needs us all to have a shared understanding of what is working well and really focus on what’s needed to support people to thrive with the most suitable care for them. I would encourage everyone to be part of this conversation.”
There have been three meetings arranged to be held at the Islesburgh Community Centre on 16 and 17 August. Further details and how to register can be found here.
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart has received around 200 responses to her NorthLink booking survey in the first 24 hours since it went live on Tuesday.
The MSP wants to hear first-hand from islanders unable to book journeys during the height of summer and/or unable to plan ahead as booking beyond 30 September remains unavailable.
Speaking in parliament on Wednesday, Wishart said: “Many, many people have spoken to me in person about their struggle with booking the ferry to Aberdeen. The interaction with my online survey is proving this is a widespread issue with a big impact on people’s lives.
“The long term impact is on islanders’ confidence. People are saying that they can no longer continue to live here because they can’t get away at a time of their choosing.
“We need our lifeline ferry services to be fit for the 21st century with a booking system that caters to modern lifestyles.”
The survey can be found here.
ISLANDERS are being asked to share their experiences of the Covid pandemic as part of the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry.
A new website has been launched to allow people to a submit written or audio response.
The inquiry investigates the devolved government’s response to the health crisis over a three year period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022.
Head of the Let’s Be Heard project, Dr Alexandra Anderson, said: “Thousands of people have lost their lives, and many continue to be deeply impacted. Lessons people believe should be drawn from their experiences, both positive and negative, will be at the heart of the inquiry’s investigations.
“Our internal research team will analyse the experiences people share with us and produce a series of reports to help shape the inquiry’s investigations and inform its reporting and recommendations to Scottish ministers.”
SCOTTISH Water has been confirmed as the latest company to pledge its support for this summer’s Tall Ships Races, which will be held from 26 to 29 July.
The water company is the main sponsor for the Victoria Pier stage in Lerwick, which will host a variety of entertainment including an extensive programme of local and visiting musicians throughout the four-day event.
People enjoying the Tall Ships festivities will be able to stay hydrated using Scottish Water’s top-up tap at Burns Lane in the town centre.
Scottish Water’s regional corporate affairs manager Gavin Steel said the company was “really pleased to be part of such an important event for the whole community – and very much looking forward to it”.
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