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So there we have it a public exhibition and meeting next week to let us know the plans for the Old AHS and Hostel site. Possibly I'm being my usual suspicious self but fear this will be a ploy to make us feel that we have some involvement should we make the time to attend any of those meetings,when in reality the powers that be have probably decided by now what is really going to happen anyway. Still I might go along anyway,curiosity killed the cat and satisfaction apparently brought it back

The new Partnership Plan seems to be a very positive thing http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/16910-partnership-plan-a-platform-for-innovation I just had a look at the actual document and was pleasantly surprised at some of the stats about how Shetland compares with other locations. It's worth a read https://www.shetland.gov.uk/communityplanning/ShetlandPartnership.asp

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/16629-concern-over-number-of-off-licences-in-town I'm not a "drinker" , but organistaions(?) like this tend to raise my hackles a bit. Just who "elected/empowered" them and why does the Licensing Board feel that they need to consult(?) them as opposed to consulting(?) the wider population as a whole ? Are Licensing Rules to be decided on opinion pieces ? I'm not advocating a licensing "free for all", but I do feel that certain semi-official bodies should not be given a hearing to spout "opinions" that the rest of us do not have. We already have a "minimum unit price" on alcohol to punish discourage those who are addicted to the stuff and want to get off on cheap "rocket fuel" type drinks. Now it seems that certain bodies also want to punish(?) those who like a casual(?) drink (or two) by attempting to limit the places they can obtain them. Alcoholic drinks have been around for thousands of years, and for much of that time, were the only safe(?) way to absorb liquid without risk of infection. From the article; "the forum said the number of off-licence premises per head of population "gives rise to concern and could be construed as overprovision". An OPINION with no supporting evidence. "NHS Shetland had already expressed its view that there are too many off-licence premises in Lerwick," Another OPINION, and just WHAT has it got to do with NHS Shetland ? "The forum features a range of representatives, from the industry to the NHS and the police." I wonder why there are no members of the general public, and why don't we get a "say" in it ? "the current level of off sales premises within Lerwick appear to have a negative impact to the health of the local population," Yet more OPINION without any supporting evidence. "Should the board agree with the submitted evidence they may conclude that there is overprovision and include this in the licensing policy statement." And now they are attempting to present OPINIONS as evidence.. "health board's report showed that alcohol is "too easily available in Shetland"" Tell that to Tesco and the Co-op who both have aisles full of the stuff. "Figures showed that there are 46 off trades per 10,000 people in Shetland, with the national average 11.6." Oh whoopie. Now they are trying to compare a "rural" community with much larger population centres. "The NHS report said that there is on average four deaths per year in Shetland directly attributable to alcohol, while in 2016/17 there were 140 alcohol related hospital discharges." A sad figure indeed but, I wonder how that relates to the "national average" quoted above ? "In addition to the off sales and supermarkets, Lerwick's pool of licensed premises also includes two public halls, five hotels, five pubs, 11 restaurants and four nightclubs." So, which of the above do they wish to shut down ? "there is a strong link between the availability of alcohol and alcohol related harm," Must have gone to university to come up with that one but, please define "alcohol related harm". "Those objectives are: preventing crime and disorder, securing public safety, preventing public nuisance, protecting and improving public health and protecting children from harm." So, licencees are now expected to be policemen and social workers.. Hmmm. "national body Alcohol Focus Scotland expressed concern over the licensing hours for Lerwick Up Helly Aa." Looks like they also want to take a pop at Up Helly Aa.. Will it never end ?

After whats been on the radio this morning what are your feelings on the trust being run by councillors. Personally I think we should have it run by independant trusties with perhaps a couple of token councillors. But I widna greet if there were no councillors on it at all. What think you?

I'm interested in the Moorfield Estate in Brae, where anecdotally there are issues around the condition of houses in relation to damp/ventilation/heating/insulation, Council repairs, and potential impacts on health. There have been previous efforts in local media and online to bring attention to this, but I don't know to what extent these have been successful. If anyone can shed any light on the matter, is willing to share their experience, or can provide any supporting evidence, I'd really appreciate it. Being able to put together the full picture would be a strong footing from which to make progress.

FORMER Shetland Islands Council chief executive Alistair Buchan has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list for 2014. http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/8703-cbe-for-buchan

How can da SIC justify closing country schools and spend multi millions on a new school in lerwick. I have nothing against lerwick but it seems cuts come from outwith lerwick every time this has to stop. If you want to get in contact with me about this matter please Tel Garry on :01806566275

This makes for worrying reading - http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7306-road-crisis-ahead - all the major roads in Shetland hitting "the end of their serviceable life at the same time" That'll no be cheap!

With all the cuts and complaints about the Council, I would like to heap praise for a change - at least on one group of employees. Having strolled through the Jubilee Flower Park on King Harald Street yesterday, it made me proud to see the spring flowers showing colour, all beautifully planted. In addition, the lawn edges are immaculately trimmed, the paths are weed free, the bowling green is nicely cut and there is hardly a weed to be seen anywhere in the park. It is a pity that more people do not venture into this "hidden" jewel in Lerwick and appreciate the work done by the few staff.

I hear that the SIC have agreed a report ceasing SIC funded rural youth clubs and stopping winter buses in rural areas. I imagine this will reduce rural employment. No word of cutbacks in da toon.

I was wondering if anyone knew where to find figures for Total Revenue vs Total Expenditure for the Shetland Islands Council for say the last 15 years? Is this available? I would love to see graphically how the two relate, and at what point the SIC started to spend above its revenue. Being able to see something like the graph below would be really useful: http://extranea.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/uk-debt-continues-to-grow1.gif

Not that far to go before the Christmas and New Year holidays yet I notice that the SIC website is not yet showing the holiday arrangements for the two services that matter to me most........the library and the rubbish collection services. I am sure other people have different priorities but maybe the council needs reminding that this is the age of the internet. But full credit to the ferries department who have published their details.

Reading the Shetland Times (page 7) one week after the ferry consultation in Bressay I was amazed to see that the SIC are still looking into the possability of building tunnels to Bressay, Whalsay, Unst and Yell at the cost of over £230 million. How can they even contamplate this when they are over £30 million in debt and are looking at cutting the Bressay ferry down from a five man crew to a four man crew? Or the possability of reducing the amount of Ferry runs not only cutbacks to Bressay but cutbacks to other islands Ferrys aswell Am I missing something here or does this sound to you as it sounds to me - totally insane