Living and working in Shetland really isn’t like anywhere else, and Shetland Islands Council plays an integral role in its communities, economy and infrastructure. Our performance directly affects every person who lives on, or visits, our islands.

Delivering services to a population of just 22,500, Shetland Islands Council is one of the UK’s smallest local authorities; we also have the distinction of being the most remote.

The Council is developing a modern, competent workforce and establishing a strong culture of corporate focus and performance management, led by high performing chief officers, designed to inspire the confidence of employees and the wider Shetland Community. We have recently completed an extensive review of our organisational structure and management competencies, and we are confident that we have the right blend of talent and experience in place, supported by training and professional development, to deliver our ambitious plans.

It will come as no surprise that like all other councils, driving efficiencies is at the forefront of our agenda. The Council has to achieve substantial financial savings over the coming years and we have set out a clear path that will enable us to achieve this. But we are equally committed to continual improvement and community engagement. We will continually review how we deliver services to identify opportunities for improvement and to ensure that our priorities match those of our community. 

The Council works with a range of partner organisations, both from and beyond the islands to design and deliver the most appropriate solutions for our unique geographical setting. Partnership working will continue to be an intrinsic part of the Council’s strategy as we look to harness the knowledge and resources of other organisations to create seamless, efficient and sustainable solutions for Shetland.

The Council is a major employer in the local economy with over 2,000 staff, so we have a dual responsibility to many people in our community who are both taxpayers and employees. There is a strong sense of local pride in Shetland and this can be seen in the loyalty and commitment of our staff, across all services. We will continue to support and develop our staff’s potential, supporting their professional development and encouraging their contribution to the Shetland economy.