Council / Idea of single authority model raises concern
CONCERN has been raised in the council chamber about the idea of a ‘single authority model’ being explored in Shetland in the future.
The idea of a single authority model, something which has been promoted by the Scottish Government, would potentially see a number of public services – such as council, health and housing – move under one organisation.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) chief executive Maggie Sandison said it is not something the local authority wishes to take forward at this stage.
The topic is set to be added to the SIC’s risk register.
It has gained interest from some other local authorities, such as the Western Isles.
The council there has previously said there could be a number of benefits to a single authority model in the Western Isles – saying it could offer opportunities for “safeguarding public services, enhancing democratic oversight, making the islands even more attractive as places to live and work, whilst stimulating economic sustainability and reversing depopulation”.
The Western Isles’ council says services there “can be and mostly are undertaken locally, but the decision-making on their direction and resourcing is often determined elsewhere and at other times not practically accountable to the local public”.
At a meeting of the full Shetland Islands Council last week, however, SIC leader Emma Macdonald questioned if the single authority model topic needs to be placed on the council’s risk register given the increasing interest elsewhere.
Sandison replied: “The interest in single authority model is increasing I would agree at national level.
“I think that it is being seen as a strand of public sector reform and we’ve seen some particular interest from ministers in trying to push forward with that.
“In terms of the discussions about what that means for Shetland, I think we’ve been very clear that the exploration of this is not something that the council wanted to take forward at this time and we would watch other local authorities proceed.
“I do think there is a risk that if this is the only strand of public sector reform that is being pursued, that it may be applied more widely than just the interested local authorities.
“My feeling is it’s known that Shetland isn’t involved at the moment but we shouldn’t ignore the fact that if it’s pushed forward in other areas it may have a knock on impact on us.”
Meanwhile integration joint board vice-chair John Fraser also voiced concern about the idea.
He said he has made it clear in meetings with people like the COSLA spokesperson for health and social care that there is “no appetite within Shetland” at the moment to pursue such a model.
The Western Isles’ council said in a report last year that, in its view, a local “whole system” model should result in improved decision-making “as there would be better local knowledge of what is required, and the existing strengths and weaknesses of the local system”.
It said there could be greater integration in approaches to service provision, expand democracy and accountability and make better use of declining budgets.
Speaking after Wednesday’s meeting, Macdonald said a key concern was around whether Scottish Government decides it is the best solution for all the islands.
“We have always maintained that we feel the value in having strong voices in all our local organisations is more important,” she said.
“We work well with other stakeholders here in Shetland and think having the ability to each speak as individual organisations who are all focused on Shetland thriving is the best solution for us.
“Our Shetland Community Planning partnership is clearly focused on ensuring we work collaboratively to help improve the outcomes for our communities but we don’t feel we need structural reform to achieve this.
“I do think we need to watch with interest the work that is taking place on this subject and if there are benefits we can consider these in future but without the need to go as far as entire system changes.”
In its recent national islands plan update for 2024, the Scottish Government said single authority models will “streamline and strengthen local governance arrangements to improve outcomes and help ensure long-term financial sustainability”.
“Meetings have been held with councils, health boards and integration joint boards in the Western Isles, Orkney and Argyll and Bute to explore proposals for deeper integration of key services,” it added.
“This work will continue at pace through 2025 with all relevant partners.”
Meanwhile cold water was recently poured over the idea from Scottish Labour of merging health boards together – such as bringing Orkney, Shetland, Highland, Western Isles and Grampian into one.
NHS Shetland chairman Gary Robinson said the proposal would deflect from the real issues of service delivery and cutting waiting times.
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