Council’s concern atvacant positions
A councillor has voiced concerns that there are too many vacant posts at East Ayrshire Council as a management restructure is on the way.
George Mair said he is worried about the number of officers acting up and fears it could all come to a head.
The council’s depute chief executive job is unfilled after Alex McPhee left.
The role of head of finance and ICT is being temporarily carried out by Joe McLachlan.
Councillor Mair (Labour) said: “I’m becoming increasing concerned about the number of officers acting up. We have lost colleagues in planning and environmental health.
“I am concerned it is going to come to a head. I’m concerned about the vacancies.”
A management shake-up was due to take place last financial year but was delayed because of the pandemic.
Council boss Fiona Lees recently retired to be replaced by new chief executive Eddie Fraser in January.
Mr Fraser was formerly director of the health and social care partnership with Craig McArthur hired to take his place.
Mr Fraser now faces the task of appointing new faces to various roles.
In response to Councillor Mair’s concerns, chief governance officer David Mitchell said a revised management restructure report will be put forward to councillors between August and September.
Councillor Mair said Mr Fraser as new council boss has a “tremendous task” dealing with “so many vacancies.”
He stressed his comments bore no criticism of Mr Fraser while Mr Mitchell pointed out Mr Fraser is “taking stock” of the situation and “talking to colleagues.”
Governance & scrutiny committee chair, Labour’s Barry Douglas, said: “I hear George’s concerns but ultimately we need to get it right.”
Commenting on other vacancies, Councillor Douglas said there is an interim head of planning and economic development and an interim head of housing.
A council paper submitted to the committee said COVID-19 had “delayed” the review of the management structure at chief officer level.
It added that the new chief executive was in the process of considering a new management structure that will “meet the future service needs and the objectives” of a post-Covid council.