South Ayrshire Council chief feeling positive

Aug 22 2008 by Stuart Wilson

HE’S the man entrusted with guiding South Ayrshire Council through troubled waters.

And David Anderson has made a pretty good start.

True, the past year has been a rocky road for the political movers and shakers at Ayr’s county buildings.

A controversial budget in the wake of heavy debts heaped public pressure on elected members.

But behind the scenes, Mr Anderson, the new chief executive, has been making steady strides in the right direction.

Finances which last year lurched worryingly into the red have been steadied and, a report from Audit Scotland says the mood should now be optimistic.

“Public service is not an easy thing to deliver on,” admits the new man at the helm.

“All local authorities have their problems and we are no different, but there’s a positive feeling among the workforce and elected members about our future.

“Perhaps we can work harder to get the reasons across for some of our decisions and, with the best will in the world, we won’t always get it right.

“The quality of decision-making is improving, but we’ll never be complacent.

The 50-year-old chief exec made his move from East Dunbartonshire council in April, where he held the post of corporate director.

And he admitted: “I’m not your traditional chief executive who comes from the background of a solicitor or accountant, for example.

“My experience has been based in social work, housing and education. and I come from the world of service delivery.

“I wouldn’t say that gives me an advantage, but it’s important to draw on all of these aspects for the role.”

But does Mr Anderson, a man with eight years of work in Ayrshire’s councils already behind him, accept this as his biggest challenge to date?

“The task is big wherever you go in local government,” he admits.

“I don’t want to look back on the past and whatever financial issues there may have been here.

“I’m not underplaying the financial challenges, but we’re on top of our game in knowing what the challenges are.

“My job is to focus on the internal role of the council and its day to day operation, and I enjoy working with the elected members.

“I look around South Ayrshire and see the potential – especially next year with the Open coming to Turnberry and the year of the Homecoming. This is a chance for us to capitalise, not only next year, but for years to come and make the most of our tourism benefits.

“I also see the regeneration of Ayr town centre as an important focus of the years ahead and we must return the town to where it belongs.”

He added: “The demands of the public in South Ayrshire are growing – rightly so – but I believe this council is on the right track to delivering.”