Orkney council’s new chief executive to start on January 23

The incoming chief executive of Orkney Council is due to take up the role on January 23, according to his predecessor John Mundell.

During a meeting of the council’s policy and resources committee on Tuesday, Mr Mundell was quizzed by councillors about the handover.

The start date for Mr Reid is slightly later than the islands council hoped. According to Mr Mundell this is because Mr Reid’s current employer, Renfrewshire Council, isn’t releasing him as early as they hoped.

Mr Mundell himself is due to leave Orkney Council at the end of January. While he said this would only leave a week for a handover period, he will make himself “available as necessary”.

Councillor Steven Heddle thanked the outgoing chief executive of Orkney council for his “long fortitude and putting up with us for all this time”.

New Orkney Council chief executive arriving later than expected

Mr Heddle went on to ask about the handover period.

Mr Mundell said: “The contract has now been signed and I’ve had discussions with him about the handover.

“My contract ends at the end of January, which leaves a week.

“Having said that, I will make myself available over the time beyond that point, if necessary.

“We’re working to ensure the appropriate support arrangements are in place.

Councillor Leslie Manson asked for some reassurances about the new chief executive’s start with the council.

He asked if arrangements were in place in the case that Orkney council’s new chief executive needed more than a week for the handover.

Mr Mundell said they were indeed and he has already begun sending him information.

Mr Manson said he didn’t want “any necessary induction transition” to be held up by bureaucracy.

He added: “I would hope that there’s some level of delegation to allow the necessary transition to take place.”

The new chief executive will be thrown into the deep end as the council is to consider some major issues at the start of next year.

Council leader James Stockan said the council pointed out that the council will be looking at budget opportunities for the Scapa Deep Water Quay project in January.

Mr Stockan said: “There are some issues for this council to deal with. We must make sure the new chief exec is up to speed as quickly as possible.”

Oliver Reid was named as John Mundell’s successor on November 2nd.

His appointment came after the council held four rounds of recruitment to find a new chief executive. The first three cost the council over £20,000 and saw 58 candidates turned away.