Press Release
Finance Management Arrangements
Following Graham Johnston’s early retirement, Hazel Sutherland will take on responsibility for the Finance Service, on an interim basis. Hazel is the Council’s most senior qualified accountant, having qualified with the Council through a traineeship at the start of her career. Hazel will take on this responsibility in addition to her existing role as Executive Director of Education and Social Care. The Chief Executive is committed to undertaking a review of the Council’s management structure, as part of the Corporate Improvement Action Plan, so this arrangement will be in place until the new structure is agreed and implemented.
Hazel said, “I am pleased to have been offered the opportunity to focus on managing the Council’s finances. There are considerable challenges ahead, which have been well documented, as well as many opportunities to continue to deliver good and efficient services for this community. I hope that my combined experience of finance and front line service delivery will mean that I can help the Council to find ways to become more efficient. I think it’s really important that the public understands the Council’s finances and the choices, which it has on how and where to spend money. I’m looking forward to having that discussion with the local community”.
Chief Executive, Alistair Buchan said, "I am very pleased that Hazel has agreed to take on this responsibility. Along with maintaining the good progress we are making on financial management I know that Hazel will contribute her own particular skills and ideas to the process. I look forward to working closely with her and her team as we continue to address the huge financial challenges facing us."