it is easy to see the governing strategy at play in the proposed appointments to senior responsibilities in the new political management of Argyll and Bute Council.
The key roles of strategic finance and economic development are kept as close as possible to the heart of the old Alliance of Independent Councillors, whose group leader is now back as Council Leader – and who, under Councillor Duncan Macintyre, control the so-called Argyll and Bute for Change Alliance that is the senior coalition partner.
The hot potatoes of education and the care services are firmly in the hands of their partners in coalition – aka the flak-takers – the Argyll, Lomond and the Isles Group.
Two of the four Area Committees are pragmatically disposed of with no regard whatsoever to their ability to operate as they need to do.
The appointments to the chairs of the Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee and the Bute and Cowal Area Committee are equally breathtaking in their abdication of responsibility.
The only difference between these two appointments is that one was expected - because the political deal was done and known, while the other seems a numbing act of retribution on Oban for its business community’s wish not to see Councillor Duncan Macintyre back in the role.
Bute and Cowal is home to the two most troubled of Argyll’s larger towns, Dunoon and Rothesay. We have dealt with the situation in Oban Lorn and the Isles in a separate article.
Neither of the appointments made to these Area Committee Chairs is defensible in terms of responsible governance – and there were capable alternatives in either case.
Argyll First, with only three councillors and having left its founding principles on the mat, has emerged with the award of two senior appointments. One of these is a fully Ruritanian invention whose title begins with a wholly disembodied ‘Improvement’ – of what exactly?
Planning, Protective Services and Licensing has been split into two senior jobs to meet the demands of the sharing of the spoils.
Lord love them, they seem to think that adding the word ‘strategic’ to any job title somehow confers upon the post-holder the strategic capability this council so eminently lacks.
And yes, the ventriloquist’s dummies are back with the return of the pedestrian – but realistic - title of ‘Spokesperson’ for the senior portfolios.
Details
- Len Scoullar: Provost
- Dick Walsh: Council Leader and Spokesperson for Strategic Finance
- Ellen Morton: Depute Council Leader
- Gary Mulvaney: Deputy for Strategic Finance
- Duncan Macintyre: Spokesperson for European Affairs and Sustainable Economic Growth
- Maurice Corry: Deputy for European Affairs and Sustainable Economic Growth
- Aileen Morton: Spokesperson for Education, Lifelong Learning & Strategic IT
- John McAlpine: Deputy for Education, Lifelong Learning & Strategic IT
- Vivien Dance: Spokesperson for Environment, Renewables and Strategic Tourism
- Roddy McCuish: Deputy for Environment, Renewables and Strategic Tourism
- Donald Kelly: Spokesperson for Improvement, Human Resources, Customer Support and Facility Services
- Bruce Marshall: Deputy for Improvement, Human Resources, Customer Support and Facility Services
- Dougie Philand: Spokesperson for Adult Care
- Rory Colville: Spokesperson for Community, Culture and Strategic Housing
- Iain Angus Macdonald: Deputy for Community, Culture and Strategic Housing
- Mary Jean Devon: Spokesperson for Children’s and Family Services
- James McQueen: Deputy for Children’s and Family Services [Is this a first for the battler?]
- David Kinniburgh: Chair, Planning matters at Planning, Protective Services an Licensing Committee
- Rory Colville: Chair Licensing matters at Planning, Protective Services an Licensing Committee
- Robert E Macintyre: Chair, Bute and Cowal Area Committee
- Bruce Marshall: Vice Chair, Bute and Cowal Area Committee
- Alistair Macdougall, Chair, Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee
- Elaine Robertson: Vice Chair, Oban, Lorn and the Isles Area Committee
- Rory Colville: Chair, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee
- Donald Macmillan: Vice Chair, Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands Area Committee
- Gary Mulvaney: Chair, Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee
- George Freeman: Vice Chair, Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee
