ANNEX D: Local Partnership Bodies

SIC Forums

Shetland Islands Council has established a number of Forums, which share the objective of reviewing and developing policies, taking account of wider influences on the economy and society of Shetland, fostering partnership working, providing advice to the Council and informing the wider community about the evolution of Council policy.

The SIC Forums meet in public.  Their membership comprises SIC Councillors and officials, representatives of public agencies and, as appropriate, private sector or community representatives. 

Although the LEF is likely to have an interest at some point in the work of the SIC Education Forum and the SIC Transport Forum, the most immediate link is with the SIC Economic Development Forum, whose overall role is -

"To provide a mechanism for discussion and consultation on all matters relating to economic development in Shetland."

The LEF has invited the Council to clarify the relationship between the activities of its Economic Development Forum and those of the LEF.  Meanwhile, close co-ordination is being assured through the active participation in the work of the LEF by the Chairman of the SIC Economic Development Forum.

Shetland Islands Partnership

Shetland Islands Partnership was established as one of the network of Rural Partnerships, following proposals set out in the Rural Policy White Paper of 1995.  Its objective is -
"To act as a cohesive force to help communities become or remain economically and socially sustainable in modern circumstances".

Members are -

  • Association of Community Councils
  • Hjaltland Housing Association
  • Scottish Natural Heritage
  • Shetland Amenity Trust
  • Shetland Arts Trust
  • Shetland Careers Partnership 
  • Shetland Community Enterprise Network
  • Shetland Council for Social Service 
  • HIE Shetland
  • Shetland Islands Council
  • Shetland Youth Forum

As noted in the Action Plan, the Shetland Islands Partnership has also been used as a vehicle to undertake a number of other tasks, including delivery of the New Deal programme and co-ordination of the Local Learning Partnership.

The work of the Partnership is seen to complement that of the LEF, since its economic focus is more on the community than on the business sector.  However, useful co-ordination is provided through the presence on the LEF of the Partnership's Administrator.

Shetland Community Planning Board

As noted in the Action Plan, the Community Planning Board includes two organisations prominent in the LEF (Shetland Islands Council and HIE Shetland) and a clear alignment between the work of the two bodies has been recognised.  Arrangements have been made for the LEF to keep in close touch with those responsible for guiding the Community Planning process.

Shetland Community Learning Strategy Group

The Community Learning Strategy in Shetland, together with the component Community Learning Plans, is being guided by a broadly based partnership including representatives of a number of SIC Departments, HIE Shetland, Shetland College, the Careers Service and the voluntary and community sectors.

The LEF would plan to develop more direct links with this partnership in future phases of its work, when the focus moves to the local skills strategy underpinning economic development.