Politics / First minister flies in for a busy day of meetings
FIRST Minister John Swinney is set to arrive in Shetland on Sunday for a packed programme of engagements on Monday including attending a meeting of the Convention of the Highlands and Islands, to be held at Mareel.
During his visit to the isles, the first minister will also tour the Lerwick fish market, hold talks with fishing industry leaders, meet representatives from UHI Shetland and visit the Anderson High School.
He will join his ministerial colleagues Kate Forbes, the deputy first minister, and housing minister Paul McLennan at the Convention of the Highlands and Islands that brings together the Scottish Government, local authorities and public bodies.
Focussing on housing the convention will visit the Staneyhill construction site in Lerwick, which has received. £19.8 million from the Scottish Government’s housing infrastructure fund and will create more than 300 mainly affordable new homes over the next 10 years.
Photo: Chris Cope/Shetland News
Speaking ahead of travelling north, Swinney said: “Since becoming first minister, I have been clear the focus of my government will be on ending child poverty, building prosperity, improving our public services, and protecting the planet. To realise these ambitions, we have to work in partnership, and across boundaries.
“People and businesses across the Highlands and Islands face some unique challenges, but also have the potential and ambition to capitalise on the skills, innovation and natural assets held in abundance right across the region.
“Having previously chaired the Convention of the Highlands and Islands for many years, I understand its value and look forward to continuing to work closely with our economic agencies, local authorities and communities to ensure we solve problems, and deliver solutions, together.”
The convention meets twice a year and meetings are open to the public.
The last Convention of the Highlands and Islands was held in March in Moray where the focus was on the national islands plan and on creating of green ports.
The first minister was due to visit Shetland at the end of May, but his plane was unable to land at Sumburgh due to fog.
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