Review of roles puts the hunt for replacement city directors on hold

Published on Friday 22 April 2011 15:15

THE hunt for replacements for two of the city council's biggest earners has been put on hold for a review that could see one of the posts being axed.

&#149 Directors Jim Inch, left, and Donald McGougan

Long-serving director of corporate services Jim Inch retires at the end of this month, and will be followed by director of finance Donald McGougan in June.

They are two of the council's highest earners, on annual salaries of more than 120,000, and have worked within local government for a combined period of nearly 80 years.

But council chief executive Sue Bruce has opted not to hunt for replacements as she assesses whether the number of council directors can be reduced.

Two existing members of staff have agreed to take on the director roles on a temporary basis for the next six months while the review is carried out.

It is thought that one of the options is to merge the two departments - which would result in a 120,513 salary saving from one of the director posts and could also potentially lead to other job cuts from within the two departments.

Councillor Andrew Burns, leader of the Labour group on the city council, said: "I welcome the fact that there is not a rush to fill these two upcoming vacancies.

"For the last three or four budgets, we have argued that the vast majority of corporate services and finance could be amalgamated. That has been resisted by the administration but if they are now looking at it then that is to be welcomed.

"It is not just the two director positions that could release savings - there are other services within the two departments that could be amalgamated. Finance and corporate services are both headquarter functions and I think it is definitely possible to look to amalgamate these. It is much better to do that than cut budgets for schools, teachers and other things like public toilets."

Mr Inch has been working within local government for 38 years since joining the old Edinburgh Corporation as a productivity services officer then working in a series of roles within the Lothian Regional Council and city council before becoming director of corporate services in 2002.

Mrs Bruce has recommended that David Jack, currently head of performance within the council's strategy and policy division, will take on the role of acting director of corporate services for up to six months.

Karen Kelly, currently head of financial services, will take on the acting director of finance role for up to six months when Mr McGougan retires in June.

Councillors will be asked to approve the interim arrangements at a meeting next week. Mrs Bruce said: "Their retirements provide an opportunity to review the departmental and service structures of the council in accordance with the instruction from the council's budget meeting on February 10.

"The council asked that a report be submitted by summer 2011 with proposals on the future shape and structure of the council with a view to ensuring that services best reflect the needs of users and that maximum value for money is achieved."

Council leader Jenny Dawe paid tribute to the work of Jim Inch ahead of his retirement. She said: "Jim's wealth of experience and comprehensive knowledge of council services and local government has been of immense value to the council in all of its periods of change and development."

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