A trio of senior staff members are to leave their roles at the city council.
Richard Ellis, acting deputy chief executive, short term contract has expired while Ciaran Monaghan, head of the chief executive’s office, and Ewan Sutherland, head of HR, are going under voluntary redundancy and early retirement schemes.
Last night chief executive Angela Scott praised the leaving staff for their “long and distinguished service to the organisation”.
But opposition SNP group leader Stephen Flynn pointed the finger of blame at the “toxic political environment” for the departures and said he expected more to come.
In recent years there has been an exodus from the city council including former head of communications Takki Sulaiman and infrastructure chief Pete Leonard.
Mr Flynn said: “I think we have seen that this council has struggled to retain staff but also to attract staff given we have had a number of positions go unfilled.
“I think a big part of this is the politically toxic nature of the former administration and now the current one where there seems to be little improvement.
“If I was a civil servant I would have reservations about working for such an administration.”
But council finance convener Douglas Lumsden said: “Two of the senior officials leaving are doing so under the voluntary severance and early retirement scheme.
“This should not come as a surprise to members of the SNP opposition group, who themselves supported the scheme during the budget process back in March.
“The two officials leaving as part of this scheme have over 60 years’ service between them and should be thanked for the commitment they have given to Aberdeen City Council.”
Chief executive Angela Scott said: “Ciaran Monaghan, head of service in the office of Chief Executive, and Ewan Sutherland, head of HR and customer services, will both leave Aberdeen City Council.
“Ciaran and Ewan have given long and distinguished service to the organisation, with more than 60 years between them.
“They have played key roles in their areas of expertise as well as in the Council as a whole. I must express my sincere gratitude for their dedication and professionalism throughout my time as Chief Executive and their time with Aberdeen City Council.”
