Annual Report 2025/26 - Delivery Plan Implementation and Next Steps

During 2025/26:

• The Shetland Place-Based Approach Implementation Plan was developed and approved by the Shetland Partnership’s Management and Leadership Team. Building on the previously agreed framework, the Plan sets out a practical and proportionate approach to embedding place-based working across the Shetland Partnership and its partners.
• The Implementation Plan aligns place-based working with the development of the next Shetland Partnership Plan, Locality Planning, Local Place Plans and wider community planning activity. This approach is intended to strengthen existing work rather than create additional structures or reporting requirements.
• Work has increasingly focused on applying place-based principles through community planning activity. This has included supporting Locality Planning processes, Islands with Small Populations work, and discussions with communities and partners around local priorities and opportunities.
• Updated locality-level evidence was considered by the Management and Leadership Team in January 2026. This identified consistently poorer outcomes across a number of indicators in Lerwick & Bressay and led to agreement to explore these issues further with community bodies and partners through the wider Place-Based Approach.
• Community Plans, Locality Plans and other place-based activity have continued to be reviewed and mapped to improve understanding of existing priorities, identify opportunities for collaboration, and reduce duplication across services and communities.

Next steps will include continuing implementation of the approved Plan, developing practical tools and supporting guidance, building knowledge and confidence amongst partners, and ensuring that the development of the next Shetland Partnership Plan and Locality Plans continues to be informed by local evidence, lived experience and community priorities.

Related case study: Sandwick Local Place Plan.