The council is facing a projected budget shortfall of up to £17 million next year as the national financial crisis bites, which means jobs will have to be cut and the quality of service provision will suffer, according to a stark report by depute chief executive Hazel Sutherland.

North Roe, Ollaberry, Urafirth, Olnafirth, Skeld, Happyhansel, Uyeasound. What have they all got in common? Rhetorical!

The front page main headline in last week’s Shetland Times almost sent an icy shiver down my spine. It read “Banks eager to lend lion’s share of £800 million for windfarm”.

Former SIC chief executive David Clark claimed today he inherited a “rudderless” local authority and warned that it would take a fresh set of elections before the council is able to move on from the damaging events of the past year.

The ugly dispute which led to the payoff to David Clark and tarnished Shetland Islands Council’s reputation could have been nipped in the bud had outside help been sought last year.

Senior council colleagues of assistant chief executive Willie Shannon sat and discussed deleting his job without his knowledge a month and a half before he learned his fate.

A group of Shetland swimmers took part in the six-day British Gas Scottish Open Championships last week, with the highlight being Felix Gifford of Delting Dolphins winning the junior 100 metres freestyle.

Shetland Wheelers cyclists struck gold last weekend by winning both the men’s and women’s Scottish 50-mile time trial championships.

Orkney Islands Council has agreed to let its chief executive Alistair Buchan leave after 13 years to take on the same role in Shetland on an interim basis.

Shetland Islands Council might have had to stump up £2 million in compensation to former chief executive David Clark because of the way he was publicly criticised by some councillors, the Accounts Commission inquiry heard this afternoon.