Jitters over Mareel, but it is still on budget and on time

Councillors have voiced concern that the Mareel project is using too much money from its contingency budget.

Head of economic development Neil Grant told the development committee that the contingency money, originally £311,700, was now down to £82,000. However savings of £80,000 had been identified, bringing the contingency back up to £162,000.

The use of the contingency could be a “cause for concern”, said Mr Grant, and could lead to problems at the end of the project.

According to council papers, the contingency money went on the additional cost of external cladding, increased cost of audio visual equipment and other contractural costs.

In spite of that the project is still on budget, said Mr Grant, and although there was a slight delay in its timescale it is only a matter of a few weeks.

Councillors decided to press Shetland Arts to reduce the level of contingency spend.