Aberdeen and Shetland Islands councils have struck a deal to share a key member of their senior management teams.
Shetland’s new senior finance officer is to be Steve Whyte, Aberdeen’s head of finance.
Mr Whyte will share his time between the two authorities, providing financial leadership, overseeing projects and attending council meetings in Lerwick and Aberdeen.
The councils said there will be no additional costs as savings will be made through the joint appointment, some of which will cover the costs of flights and overnight accommodation.
The agreement is expected to improve working relationships between the two local authorities by providing access to shared expertise and specialist knowledge.
For example Shetland Islands Council (SIC), which has benefited financially from oil revenues, has significant investment knowledge, while Aberdeen, as a much larger authority, has staff with expertise in areas that a small authority cannot be expected to have.
Mr Whyte, who has worked for Aberdeen since 1996, replaces James Gray, who is widely credited with sorting out Shetland’s finances after almost three years in post.
SIC leader Gary Robinson said he was “very pleased” to have someone of Mr Whyte’s calibre managing the council’s finances.
“James Gray has done an excellent job in helping to shape our financial strategies and he will be a hard act to follow,” he said.
“Experienced public sector finance officers are not easy to find, and I look forward to working with Steve to continue the progress we have made in recent years.
“I have no doubt that this new relationship with Aberdeen City Council will prove beneficial to both organisations.”
Aberdeen council leader Jenny Laing said: Aberdeen City Council considered the matter very carefully and saw that it could bring big benefits to both councils, in terms of sharing knowledge and expertise.
“Steve has performed a key role in managing the city council’s finances effectively and efficiently over a number of years in a difficult economic climate and I am sure Shetland will reap similar benefits under his expert fiscal management.”