Speaking during today’s full Council debate on changes to the Council’s management structure, Depute Leader Councillor Michael Veitch said:
“A more efficient Council is a key plank of this Administration’s Council Plan, and I trust that all members would share our ambition to make the Council’s structures as stream-lined and efficient as possible.
“To that end, I very strongly welcome these proposed changes to the Chief Officer Structure, and am very grateful to the Chief Executive for her work in developing the proposal before us today.
“I especially welcome the bringing together of Mr Shearer’s responsibilities with the Services for Communities portfolios. Policy areas such as transport, economic development and tourism are strongly inter-connected, and I am therefore confident that this proposal will enhance our ability to deliver better outcomes for the communities we serve.
“I congratulate Mr McCrorie and Ms Patterson on being nominated for the expanded roles of Depute Chief Executives, and I have no doubt whatsoever that they will continue to offer the sterling levels of leadership to which we have become accustomed.
“I pay sincere tribute to Mr Ledingham for the contribution has made to this local authority over the years, and wish him well in his new role. I also welcome Mr Small to his new post and look forward to working with him in the years ahead.”