Also in the news / SCT budget, sheep scab consultation and more…
CHARITIES supported by Shetland Charitable Trust (SCT) will benefit from grants of up to £9 million next year, is has been confirmed.
Trustees at last Wednesday’s board meeting heard that the invested funds stood at £390 million last week, up from £377.9 million at the end of September.
The agreed £9 million grant payout will help keep 28 local charitable services running, including the rural care centres, leisure centres and swimming pools, heritage services, cinema and arts venue, a variety of support services and small voluntary organisations.
The main change to SCT’s spending plans for next year is the revising of its capital grant scheme which funds repairs and improvements to major public buildings.
The £12m fund was expected to be spent over three years with £6.8m earmarked for 2024.
But increased building costs and difficulties getting the work done in Shetland has disrupted the plans.
A CONSULTATION on changes to sheep scab legislation is set to be undertaken in Shetland.
An amendment to the regulations is required to ensure effective treatment of sheep scab on all imported sheep as determined by the authorised veterinary surgeon, councillors were informed at a meeting on Monday.
A report to elected members said currently the only effective treatment is plunge dipping.
An exemption is also being proposed for sheep imported to Shetland which move direct to slaughter.
THE LONG running pay dispute which closed schools across Scotland including Shetland has been brought to an end after UNISON members voted to accept an improved pay offer.
Announcing the results of the ballot UNISON, warned local government organisation COSLA and the Scottish Government that it expects the promises to tackle low pay to be delivered.
UNISON Scotland’s head of local government Johanna Baxter said: “This deal is long overdue and was hard fought for by UNISON members.
“COSLA urgently need to review the bargaining process to ensure that future pay negotiations progress quickly and with as little disruption as possible.”
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