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Councillors prepare for major shake-up of key posts

Aberdeen City Council
Aberdeen City Council

A major reshuffle of Aberdeen City Council’s political administration will be agreed today after a period of behind-the-scenes deal-making on top-paying posts.

A restructuring of the authority has led to a reduction in the number of committees, which prompted the shake-up of key personnel.

Some members who held positions of power – as conveners or vice-conveners at a higher pay grade of up to £12,000 above the standard allowance of £16,000 – faced being cut adrift.

Leaders of the ruling Labour group would not disclose details last night, but a source said that enough had been done to stave off any potential revolt among disgruntled members.

Leader Jenny Laing will step down as education convener, a role that could be filled by Angela Taylor, who recently became deputy group leader just two years after being elected for the first time.

Former schoolteacher Neil Cooney, one of those who faced losing a convenership, has been tipped to take the helm of the new communities, housing and infrastructure committee.

The wide-ranging remit will cover thorny issues such as the provision of travellers sites, urgently required housing, roads maintenance, the location of new recycling plants as well as all of the authority’s enterprise and economic development work.

Former leader Barney Crockett will lose his convenership of the defunct enterprise, strategic planning and infrastructure committee, but is expected to be named convener of the pensions committee.

Sources last night also suggested that social care and well-being convener Len Ironside could drop down to a vice-convener role in the education and children’s services committee.

Conservative Alan Donnelly has been told he will remain convener of the petitions committee, but is not expected to be granted a senior councillor allowance.

It is anticipated that Labour’s Willie Young will retain control over the powerful finance, policy and resources committee.

Fellow Labour councillor Scott Carle, the last convener of the Grampian Joint Fire and Rescue Board, is understood to be in line to be convener of licensing.

That would leave former Conservative group leader Fraser Forsyth without a senior councillor role and facing a significant pay cut.

Labour group secretary Mr Young would not comment last night, but said a motion on the matter would be brought to the full council meeting today.