Voters make strong showing

More than half of Shetland’s electorate decided on the future direction of the local authority for the next five years.

Almost 10,000 votes were cast, representing around 55% of the electorate, a healthy turnout compared with other parts of the country.

Old councillors standing again fared better than some expected, with nine former members being reelected with varying degrees of success.

Caroline Miller and Jim Henrywill not be returning to the chamber.

Allison Duncan gained the most votes with 685 first preferences in Shetland South and new face Malcolm Bell won the biggest percentage of his vote in Lerwick North.

The council will hold its first meeting on May 23 when the senior positions will be divided out and that will be a decision left to the councillors themselves.

In 2007 Sandy Cluness fared poorly in the public vote but retained his position as convener, so yesterday’s poll may have little bearing on the final shape of the committees that will decide Shetland’s fate.

The major issues are budget cuts, including school closures, and the future of the Viking Energy project as the council still controls 22 of the 24 seats on the trust board as it squares up to a decision on further investment in the controversial project.

Less than half of the councillors are guaranteed to support the windfarm project, but only six declare outright opposition.