This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7396715.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Chief executive stands down early | |
| (9 minutes later) | |
| Aberdeen City Council's chief executive said he is to retire early, as a probe into council finances got under way. | Aberdeen City Council's chief executive said he is to retire early, as a probe into council finances got under way. |
| Douglas Paterson said: "This seems to me to be the right thing to do." | Douglas Paterson said: "This seems to me to be the right thing to do." |
| He made the announcement as a probe into Aberdeen City Council by Scotland's spending watchdog began on Tuesday. | He made the announcement as a probe into Aberdeen City Council by Scotland's spending watchdog began on Tuesday. |
| The Accounts Commission will hear first hand from the council to gain "a greater understanding" of its difficulties at the two-day hearing. | |
| Mr Paterson said: "After 12 years at the helm of Scotland's 'third city' we are at a moment in time which just seems right for me to hand over the reins and allow someone to bring a fresh impetus to one of the best jobs in Scotland and drive the council forward. | |
| "I had planned to retire in just over a year's time. | |
| "However, the fact that we are due to review progress later this year and we will also have the findings of the Accounts Commission hearing it would be best for the council and the new chief executive for him or her to be part of that process now." | |
| He explained: "I feel therefore that we are at a moment in time where my standing aside slightly earlier than I had always planned allows the new incumbent a clear, uninterrupted run at the job and allows him or her, with the support of the new management team, the chance to inject a fresh impetus and build on what has been achieved to date. | |
| "I wish to emphasise that my decision to request early retirement is solely in order to benefit the council and the people of Aberdeen. | |
| "As I say I have enjoyed my time as chief executive as in any job it has had its moments but the highs far outweigh the lows." | |
| 'With regret' | |
| Council leader Kate Dean said: "As leader of the administration I will be recommending to the council that we approve our chief executive's request for early retirement although I do this with considerable regret. | |
| "Having spoken to Douglas personally this morning I fully understand the reasons behind his thinking. | |
| "It is a mark of the man's integrity that he puts the City of Aberdeen and the council ahead of himself by retiring slightly earlier than he had planned." | |
| The Accounts Commission hearing follows the Controller of Audit's report on best value and community planning at the council highlighting concerns. | |
| Publish findings | |
| The Town House hearing is open to the public. Among the witnesses will be the council leader and chief executive, and union and voluntary sector representatives. | |
| Issues expected to be raised include its financial position and the pace of improvement in achieving the council's vision. | |
| The commission will report after the evidence-gathering session before publishing its findings, which could include recommendations to Aberdeen City Council and Scottish ministers. | |
| The council's current £27m of cutbacks have led to weeks of public protests. |