Also in the news / Swan anniversary, medical evacuation, business funding and more …
A NEW funding package worth nearly £5 million is being developed by the Scottish Government to support island businesses.
The government will establish a resilience fund to help address issues, such as travel disruption, that can have a disproportionate impact on people and businesses living and operating on islands.
How the fund operates will be discussed at the South Uist business impact group today (Tuesday) which will be attended by transport secretary Fiona Hyslop.
Islands secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We know that Scotland’s island communities face distinct challenges, not least in terms of their economic and social resilience.
“People and businesses require ferry services running reliably and frequently to support their livelihoods.
“An initial £4.4 million has been allocated to the new scheme and work within the Scottish Government will now proceed at pace to refine eligibility criteria with a view to supporting areas and sectors of most acute need.”
COUNCIL staff across Scotland are being balloted in the largest vote of its kind in recent years, the union UNISON has said.
The union added that the three per cent pay offer made recently by employers COSLA is “pitiful”.
It said household budgets remain under pressure, with inflation, rent, council tax and energy bills all set to rise.
Strike ballots are due to be issued on 1 May.
A FISHERMAN was airlifted to Lerwick this afternoon by the Sumburgh-based coastguard helicopter as part of a medical evacuation.
The Lerwick Lifeboat was also called out to the boat, which was located southeast of Sumburgh.
AN OPEN day is set to be held next month to celebrate the 125th anniversary of The Swan.
Trustees and crew will welcome people aboard the historic vessel at Hays’s Dock on Sunday 4 May.
The public will be given the chance to tour the boat between 10am and 4pm, to chat with crew and to share their own stories of experiences on board.
The open day coincides with the opening weekend of the exhibition hosted by Shetland Museum and Archives to mark the occasion.
The event is free and open to all, with full and half day sails also available between 1 and 5 May.
SHETLAND MSP Beatrice Wishart has joined Bowel Cancer UK’s #PassItOn campaign this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month (April).
Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland with over 4,000 people getting it each year.
“We learn more about different cancers everyday with new treatments and swifter diagnoses,” Wishart said.
“Nine in ten people survive bowel cancer when it is diagnosed in the earliest stages so it is important to get tested if invited or seek medical advice if you notice any symptoms such as blood, a change in bathroom habits or a lump or pain in your tummy.”
More information on symptoms can be found here.
SHETLAND’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) approved a joint strategic plan for health and social care for 2025-28 at a meeting last month.
It outlines the vision for the future delivery of local health and social care services, detailing how resources will be allocated.
IJB chair Natasha Cornick said: “The plan is written in plain language, with an Easy Read version also available.
“I am particularly proud of this, as it ensures that our information is transparent and accessible to everyone. It is essential that the public can easily understand what we are aiming to achieve, and making our documents accessible is something I am truly passionate about.”
She added: “The plan clearly outlines our goals, the challenges we face—whether they be budgetary, staffing, or the increasing demand for services—and how we intend to achieve our outcomes.”
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