Councillors have agreed the first steps to finding a replacement for Aberdeenshire Council’s outgoing chief executive.
Colin Mackenzie announced his retirement last week after six years at the helm of the local authority and four decades in local government.
Yesterday, members of the policy and resources committee agreed a special appointments committee should be set up to help find a replacement as “expeditiously” as possible.
The committee – to be made up of 11 councillors – will consider the applications, make a shortlist for assessment and interview, meet the candidates informally and be involved in the interview process.
The council’s leader and deputy leader, Jim Gifford and Martin Kitts-Hayes, and party group leaders Karen Clark, Alison Evison, Hamish Vernal and Norman Smith were all put forward yesterday.
Independent councillor Paul Johnston will also be on the committee, along with three SNP councillors to be selected by Mr Vernal.
The policy and resources committee ruled out using external headhunters to find Mr Mackenzie’s replacement, although the appointments group will be assisted by a chief executive from another local authority and a senior officer from community planning.
The proposals will be discussed at full council meeting later this month.
If approved by the 68 members on September 25, the job will be formally advertised in the following days.
Announcing his retirement last week, former social worker Mr Mackenzie said: “I’ve worked in local government now for 41 and a bit years and I think it’s time to hang up my boots and let someone else come in and take over what is an excellently performing council.
“The temptation is to stay on and on and on, but I felt that, given where I am in my life, this was the right time to go.
“I’ll miss the job tremendously.”