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Standards Commission for Scotland
18/01/2008
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, today announced the extension of the term of appointment of the Chief Investigating Officer to the Standards Commission for Scotland.
Two members of the Commission have been reappointed and a further member has received an extension to his term of appointment.
The Chief Investigating Officer is D Stuart Allan, who has been the Chief Investigating Officer since January 2002. Mr Allan brings a range of experience from local government, public bodies and the legal profession. He was Head of Law and Administration, Fife Regional Council and latterly Fife Council for 16 years and has been a solicitor for 35 years. He has represented the Council at courts, tribunals and public inquiries. He has also worked with a wide range of public bodies such as Scottish Enterprise, the former Water Authorities, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
The appointment will be extended for a period of two years and will run from January 18, 2008 to January 17, 2010. The Office of the Chief Investigating Officer is located in Rosyth.
Mr Allan's appointment has been extended due to his continued high level of performance in the role of Chief Investigating Officer. The post is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £38,485 (currently subject to review) for a time commitment of three days per week.
The two members who have been reappointed are:
John Dowson, who has been a member of the Standards Commission since January 18, 2005. Mr Dowson contributes a considerable experience gained through involvement with local government and public bodies to the Commission. He also has experience in both the private and voluntary sectors. He worked as councillor from 1988, initially for Nithsdale District Council and then Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council. He was leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council when he retired from office in 1999. He has also served on the boards of many public bodies including tourist boards and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. He is currently Regional Co-ordinator for Dumfries and Galloway Coalition of Disabled People and Vice Chairman of Loreburn Community Council. He is also a director of Vision Partnership Limited, a director of Public Participation Network Ltd. and Company Secretary with Town Dynamics Limited (Town Market Operators). Mr Dowson is an artist and designer by profession and has traded as an antique and fine art dealer for over 20 years in Dumfries.
Okain McLennan, who has been a member of the Standards Commission since 18 January 2005. Mr McLennan brings a wide range of experience from across the public sector and from the voluntary sector. He retired from the Civil Service in 2000, having worked in various capacities in the Benefit Agency Security Branch, Employment Service, Manpower Services Commission and HM Customs and Excise. Mr McLennan is a current Community Council member, and Chairman of Volunteering Highland. He is a caseworker for, and Secretary to, the Ross and Cromarty Branch of the Solders, Sailors and Airmen Families Association - Forces Help. Mr McLennan is secretary of Loch Achonachie Angling Club and holds a ministerial appointment as a Non-Executive member of NHS Highland Health Board, for which he receives an annual remuneration of £7,620.
These appointments will be for three years and will run from January 18, 2008 to January 17, 2011.
The member whose term of appointment has been extended is:
Albert Tait OBE, who has been a member of the Standards Commission since January 2002. Mr Tait brings an extensive range of managerial experience, accountancy and local government knowledge to the post. He is a qualified accountant and has over 30 years experience at senior management level in local government. His various roles involved regular contact with Councillors, Ministers and Members of Parliament. Mr Tait retired as Chief Executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) in January 2000. In his present role as a consultant he is currently fulfilling the duties of Director of Finance and Housing at Orkney Islands Council.
This appointment will be extended for a period of two years and will run from January 18, 2008 to January 17, 2010.
These appointments are based on the members' current high level of performance and ensure the retention of experienced members on the board. The posts are part-time and attract a remuneration of £5,417 for a time commitment of 2 days per month. The post holders hold no other public appointments other than stated above.