More reform required (John N Hunter)
As a former employee of the Shetland Charitable Trust I have taken a keen interest in the proposals for its reform. The only options available are those that fit into the legal framework that OSCR is the guardian of.
Returning the trust’s assets to the SIC is impossible under present legislation. The only options are for the reformed trust to change its constitution again.
When the present reform proposals were shown to OSCR it could only comment on whether the proposals met the requirements of charity law; it could not comment on whether it was best for Shetland. It would be open to considering a revised constitution in a year’s time and again would only comment on whether it met trust law.
I consider the proposal for Shetland people to boycott the appointment process to be incredibly short-sighted. What we need to do is for as many local people to apply to be trustees and for those appointed to press for a new constitution allowing for elected trustees. It is your money – you should decide how it is spent.
John N Hunter
Nordia,
East Voe,
Scalloway.
Vic Thomas
I couldn’t endorse John Hunters opinion & comments more fully. Anyone foolish enough to suggest or to boycott the appointment process clearly wants to have an unwinable confrontation with the regulatory body OSCR and once again place the Trust in a highly risky situation.
Get on with the appointments and revisit the issue of proper elections when it can be done properly and not the undemocratic rigged system that the SIC conducted.