News / Final chance to have say on charitable trust reform
A PUBLIC consultation on Shetland Charitable Trust’s latest governance proposals – which have been labelled “undemocratic” by critics – ends this week.
Thursday (23 February) is the final deadline for anyone who wants to tell Scotland’s charity regulator OSCR their thoughts on the plans, which could result in the £230m fund no longer having any elected representatives.
Trustees approved the plans, which would in theory result in 11 appointed trustees being joined by four councillor-trustees put forward by Shetland Islands Council, despite calls from the SIC, trust vice-chairman Jonathan Wills, local MSP Tavish Scott and others for a majority of trustees to be directly elected.
However, there remains uncertainty even if the plans are approved given that, last June, the SIC indicated it no longer wished to nominate any councillors to sit on the charitable trust’s board.
The reforms are a continuation of efforts to place clear blue water between the local authority and the trust, decision-making having been at risk of being paralysed by councillors’ perceived conflicts of interest.
Until 2012 the trust consisted of 22 councillor-trustees alongside, somewhat anomalously, the Anderson High School head teacher and Shetland’s lord lieutenant. That was diluted to a balance of seven councillor-trustees and eight appointed trustees.
- You can write to the charity regulator at OSCR – Charity Reorganisation, 2nd Floor, Quadrant House, Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD1 4NY or by emailing info@oscr.org.uk.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.