Freight failings force fish markets to close – delaying exports worth six-figure sums

Freight disruption has forced the closure of Shetland’s fish markets – harming exports worth a six-figure sum.

Sound Service Station to go on the market

The owners of Sound Service Station have signalled their intention to sell the popular shop, to spend more time with their young family.

Harbour workers wait for improved offer as walkout looms

An overtime ban from 12 Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) shore workers is set to go ahead on Wednesday, after “crunch day” negotiations failed to find a solution.

The LPA and union Unite met last Thursday in an attempt to end the planned industrial action, but regional officer John Clark said those talks had not been successful.

He said that, unless an improved offer arrived from the LPA on Tuesday, the workers would be walking out at 12.01am on Wednesday morning.

“They need to come back very quickly,” he said.

“It’s disappointing, the time that it’s taken to get something sorted out.

“It’s just been too slow for my members. We need something hard and fast to take back to them.”

The dozen workers, which consists of engineers, electricians, joiners and general operatives, are seeking improvements to pay and terms and conditions.

They are the only LPA staff to currently be paid hourly rather than salaried, but Mr Clark said Unite and the LPA had agreed to move them over to salaries as part of the current discussions.

Moraig Lyall elected as environment and transport chairwoman

Moraig Lyall has been elected as the chairwoman of the council’s new environment and transport committee.

Mrs Lyall had been nominated alongside Robbie McGregor and won on a secret ballot 11-10.

Emma Macdonald appointed as SIC’s new leader

Emma Macdonald has been appointed as the new leader of the SIC.

Members voted in a secret ballot as the second item of business at their first official meeting.

The nominees were Mrs Macdonald and Stephen Leask. Mrs Macdonald won 11-9 votes.

Mrs Macdonald, who was previously depute leader, said she was “hard working, motivated and positive”.

“More importantly, I’m extremely passionate about local government and local decision making.”

Mr Leask said he would seek to foster an “open door policy”.

He said he would welcome the valuable experience of existing members and the innovative contributions of new councillors.

After being voted in, Mrs Macdonald nominated Gary Robinson to be depute leader.

The role requires its holder to provide “political leadership and direction”.

It is the most senior position within the council commanding a salary of £32,622.

Prior to the meeting, rumours about who might be putting themselves forward included Mr Leask, Mrs Macdonald and Ryan Thomson, although Mr Thomson later confirmed he had withdrawn.

The role was previously held by Steven Coutts, who stood down from the council at the end of the last term.

Pure Energy at centre of major waste-to-hydrogen plan

Pure Energy is at the centre of major plans which could revolutionise the way road vehicles are powered.

The Unst-based body is part of significant proposals to develop waste-to-hydrogen production technology.

Pure is one of three organisations to have partnered with Wales-based Compact Syngas Solutions (CSS), which has secured almost £300,000 in government funding.

Plans are now in place to forge ahead with a bid to make low-emission hydrogen fuel a reality for vehicles.

It’s hoped the project could use waste that would normally end up being sent to landfill.

The only exhaust emissions from hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are warm air and water, and CSS are also in the process of developing carbon capture technology for the gasification process to reduce emissions even further.

The project aims to demonstrate that low carbon hydrogen can be produced economically and efficiently.

The hydrogen produced by the modular unit being developed could also be used by power plants in areas detached from mainstream energy grids.