Reformed trust prepares for first meeting

For the first time in its 35-year history appointed trustees will outnumber councillor trustees when Shetland Charitable Trust meets on Thursday morning.

Eight appointed trustees will join seven councillors at the inaugral session of the newly-reconstituted SCT.

Previously the trust, responsible for investing and spending Shetland’s oil disturbance income, had comprised up to 22 councillors and two independents.
The meeting will mark the end of a difficult period for the trust.

Reforms to the trust’s governance were initiated to satisfy charities regulator OSCR that there is clear separation between the trust and council. The new arrangement has been approved by OSCR.

The appointed trustees, selected by a panel chaired by former Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland Karen Carlton, are: Betty Fullerton, Catherine Hughson, Bobby Hunter, Ian Kinniburgh, Keith Massey, Stephen Morgan, Ian Napier and James Smith.

The councillor trustees are: Malcolm Bell, Peter Campbell, Robert Henderson, Andrea Manson, Drew Ratter, George Smith and Jonathan Wills.

One of the new trust’s first tasks will be to set a “strategic direction” to ensure funds are sustained for the benefit of future generations.

SCT chief executive Dr Ann Black said: “It is a significant milestone in the development of Shetland Charitable Trust.

“We welcome the new trustees, who will put the best interests of the trust first.

“The newly reformed trust will work to shape SCT’s future in difficult economic times so that it can enhance the quality of life for Shetland’s inhabitants for many years to come.”
The meeting will appoint a new chairman and vice-chariman and will also consider the SCT’s recommended budget of £10.48 million for 2013/14.

SCT spends more than £10 million a year funding local groups and projects, including the recreational, amenity and arts trusts, rural care centres and 17 voluntary groups. It is also a 45 per cent shareholder in the controversial 103-turbine Viking Energy windfarm project.

For more on the new trustees click here.

NO COMMENTS

Add Your Comment

Add Your Comment

Please note, it is the policy of The Shetland Times to publish comments and letters from named individuals only. Both forename and surname are required.

Comments are moderated. Contributors must observe normal standards of decency and tolerance for the opinions of others.

The views expressed are those of contributors and not of The Shetland Times.

The Shetland Times reserves the right to decline or remove any contribution without notice or stating reason.

Comments are limited to 200 words but please email longer articles or letters to editorial@shetlandtimes.co.uk for consideration and include a daytime telephone number and your address. If emailing information in confidence please put "Not for publication" in both the subject line and at the top of the main message.

200 words left

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

logo

Get Latest News in Your Inbox

Join the The Shetland Times mailing list to get one daily email update at midday on what's happening in Shetland.