By-election to be contested after second candidate comes forward

Andrew Hall.

The Shetland North seat will be contested for the first time in seven years after a second candidate announced his intention to stand in the upcoming by-election.

Andrew Hall, who lives in Brae, has thrown his hat into the ring.

It follows the announcement that NHS Shetland’s vice-chairwoman Natasha Cornick would also be standing for the vacant seat.

With at least two candidates on the ballot paper, it means the Shetland North electorate will get to vote for their council representative for the first time since the 2017 election.

Every election since has had too few candidates to go to the vote.

Mr Hall has lived in Shetland since his family moved from Leeds in 1980.

He has worked in the SIC’s finance department for 38 years – but says he will resign if elected.

The candidate lives with his wife Barbara on her family croft, where their two sons grew up.

He has been involved in the administration of several agricultural groups and has helped out with other local groups including Delting Football Club,  Delting Dolphins, Delting Marina Users Association, Brae Men’s Night and Delting Up Helly A’.

He was “honoured” to be Delting Jarl in 2018.

Mr Hall highlighted some of the key issues for the ward including the new Brae Campus, school transport, housing, road safety, and the council”s relationship with Sulom Voe Terminal.

For more information, visit Andrew Hall for Shetland North Ward on Facebook.

The by-election which will take place on Thursday, 23rd January.