‘We needed the staff so I employed them’

A row erupted over the appointment of two temporary workers by the boss of Renfrew District Council.

Chiefexecutive William McIntosh was under attack in December 1980 for hiring staff without telling councillors.

And now officials in all departments were told that they must notify the council committees before any temporary or part-time staff were employed.

The man behind the attack was Councillor Edward Conway, leader of the controlling Labour group.

He was furious about the employment of the two workers to help with council house sales.

And he flatly denied that the issue hid another attempt by Labour to hinder the sale of homes.

He said:“We have absolutely no intention of delaying council house sales to tenants.

“In fact, we have now agreed to keep on the two members of staff involved in this matter for another month.”

And the councillor admitted that the chief executive had the authority to employ the extra staff before the new council order.

Mr McIntosh said the two extra staff were necessary to cope with additional work caused by applications for the sale of council houses.

“It is my responsibility to carry out the council’s policies as effectively and efficiently as I can,”he said.

“I thought the staff were necessary – so I employed them.”