Shetland Partnership Network Meeting Thursday 20th April 2023

The Shetland Partnership Network aims to help partners create a sense of shared ownership of community planning and to create a safe environment for open and honest conversations around the challenges and opportunities to tackle inequalities in Shetland. The Network brings together representatives of all community planning partners in Shetland and offers opportunities for information sharing, developing ideas and building relationships.

Initially, there was a recap of February’s meeting with an overview of what was covered: a look at the network’s identified priorities; strengths and opportunities which were collated from each partner; and feedback from the last event.

The session focussed on two themes – Shetland Partnership’s new delivery plan and the Shetland Climate Change Strategy, with presentations, discussion and opportunities for input.

A presentation on Shetland Partnership delivery planning was given. The purpose of the Delivery Plan is to set out improvement projects which deliver on the plan.  It is time to review the plan and learn from what worked and what did not work from the approach. A review has looked at current projects already out there which contribute to reducing inequalities (the Shetland Partnership Plan’s outcomes and targets) and where the Partnership can help to make a real difference. There has also been a look at progress made, an update on any risks and a look at the data for Shetland (how are we doing).

After a networking break, the approach to Shetland’s Climate Change Strategy was presented. The strategy aims to be a Place Based common vision for addressing climate change, both mitigation and adaptation. The steering group consists of partners from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, University of the Highlands and Islands, NHS Shetland, Shetland Islands Council, Visit Scotland, NatureScot and Shetland Recreational Trust. The structure of the strategy and action plan was shared as well as looking at why this is needed. It is hoped that Partners will sign up to the Shetland Climate Change Strategy.

In groups, Partners discussed any suggestions for amendments or additions to the approach and structure and looked at any potential issues to organisations signing up to the strategy. Groups then fed back to the Climate Change Team which will be used to help their work.

The next meeting of the Shetland Partnership Network will be held in June.