Shetland Islands Council leader Cluness made an OBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours list

Shetland Islands Council convener Sandy Cluness has been made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Mr Cluness, 68, who has led the SIC for the last seven years, received the award for services to the community in Shetland.

A former trainee journalist, solicitor, procurator fiscal and reporter to the children’s panel, Mr Cluness has been a councillor on and off since the 1970s.

He was returned unopposed for the Lerwick North Central ward in May 2003 and defeated Bill Manson by 14 votes to eight to become convener.

At the last SIC election in 2007 Mr Cluness was one of the three councillors elected for the Lerwick North ward, along with Allan Wishart and Caroline Miller.

He was unanimously re-elected convener and said recently he intended to serve the full term, which ends in 2012, and then retire. Mr Cluness’ second period as convener has coincided with one of the most turbulent times in the council’s history.