SIC appoints capital programme chief

SHETLAND Islands Council has appointed a new head of capital programming to help the oil rich authority manage its ambitious spending plans.

Robert Sinclair, who currently works in the SIC’s capital programmes service, has been involved in a variety of major council building projects in the past six years, including Uyeasound pier, Sumburgh airport’s runway extension and the controversial plans for a new Anderson High School, in Lerwick.

The post was initially suggested by SIC chief executive Dave Clark shortly after he joined the council in June last year, but it took until December to agree the move after it became entangled with concerns about the treatment of assistant chief executive Willie Shannon.

Mr Shannon had taken on the job of managing the capital programme as part of his overall remit, but when Mr Clark decided to create the new post he also “deleted” Mr Shannon’s job without proper consultation, sparking a furore in the town hall.

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SIC convener Sandy Cluness welcomed the appointment, saying Mr Sinclair had beaten a number of “very high calibre applicants”.

Mr Cluness said: “I am pleased that we’ve filled this important role. The experience Robert brings of large-scale capital project management in Shetland will equip him well to deliver on his very challenging brief.”

Mr Sinclair, who starts work next week, will be responsible for developing a five year capital programme, embedding a new “gateway” system for prioritising projects and improving the purchasing process to get better value for money.

He is to report directly to the chief executive, however Mr Clark is currently on leave while councillors decide how best to end their working relationship with him.