Council / SIC on the lookout for new finance chief
SHETLAND Islands Council is recruiting for a new finance manager in what is a key appointment for the local authority.
The current postholder Jamie Manson was appointed back in 2018, but he is now moving on.
The salary for the role sits at between £80,716 and £84,737.
The job advert explains that the postholder will be the lead financial advisor to elected members.
It adds that they would play a “decisive role in shaping [the council’s] strategic approach to current opportunities, and planning to meet future challenges”.
Manson said he was moving on to new challenges.
“I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to live up here and spend the last four years in this role,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed working alongside elected members and colleagues focused on delivering for the benefit of Shetland.
“It’s been a challenging role at times, but one that has been incredibly rewarding along the way. I wish the council all the best as it tackles the challenges that lie ahead.”
Council leader Emma Macdonald said: “I’m very sorry to see Jamie leave us, and wish him all the very best for the future.
“I’m sure my colleagues in this and past councils would join me in thanking him for the excellent work he has done for us over the past four years. The process for recruiting his replacement is now underway.”
It comes at a time when Shetland Islands Council continues to be deemed “unsustainable” financially, although recently there have been some recent grounds for optimism.
Unaudited annual accounts presented to a council meeting last week showed a underspend of £9.4 million in 2021/22 – but with £9.7 million required to be carried forward into the current financial year, the SIC effectively overspent by £300,000.
There have been repeated warnings that the council needs to be proactive in addressing financial pressures over the short to medium term.
But a recent report compiled by Audit Scotland on the council ruled that the SIC has been “slow to improve its plans for financial sustainability”.
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