The local authority for Shetland, the Shetland Islands Council was established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. It came as a successor to the former councils of Lerwick Town and Zetland County.
The Shetland Islands Council functions in the areas of Community Development, Environmental Health, Organizational Development, Housing, Economic Development, Port and Harbours, etc. The administrative headquarters of Shetland Islands Council is located at Lerwick. The council has permission to collect Council Tax.
The council is composed of 22 independent members, who are elected from seven wards in Shetland. The area is spread over a total of 567 square miles. Emma MacDonald, Independent since 23 May 2022, is the leader of the council. She acts as an ambassador of the council and represents the council at various events.
Cities in Shetland Islands Council |
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| Council | City | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shetland Islands | Yell | 60.55 | -1.06 |
| Shetland Islands | Brae | 60.39 | -1.35 |
| Shetland Islands | Scalloway | 60.13 | -1.28 |