Finance chief to take dual role with Shetland Islands and Aberdeen City

Shetland Islands Council has announced it is to share its senior finance officer with Aberdeen City.

Steve Whyte, who is currently head of finance in the Granite City, will be jointly employed by both local authorities.

Whyte will share his time between the two authorities, providing financial leadership to both, overseeing projects, and attending council meetings in Lerwick and Aberdeen as required.

I have no doubt that this new relationship with Aberdeen City Council will prove beneficial to both organisations

The councils have said there will be no additional cost to either local authority, as savings will be made through the joint appointment, some of which will cover the costs of additional flights and overnight accommodation.

Gary Robinson, leader of Shetland Islands Council, said: "I am very pleased that we will have someone of Steve Whyte's calibre to manage the council's financial affairs. James Gray has done an excellent job in helping to shape our financial strategies and he will be a hard act to follow. Experienced public sector finance officers are not easy to find, and I look forward to working with Steve to continue the progress we have made in recent years. I have no doubt that this new relationship with Aberdeen City Council will prove beneficial to both organisations."

The local authorities have stated they hope the arrangement will bring the working relationship between the two closer and provide access to shared expertise and specialist knowledge.

Whyte has been employed with Aberdeen City Council since it was formed in 1996 and worked previously for its predecessor, Grampian Regional Council. He originally joined the council as a trainee accountant and worked his way up through the organisation to be appointed head of finance at the end of 2013.

Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: "I am delighted that Steve Whyte will be taking on this complementary dual role as the chief financial administrator for both local authorities. Aberdeen City Council considered the matter very carefully and saw that it could bring big benefits to both councils, in terms of sharing knowledge and expertise. Steve has performed a key role in managing the city council's finances effectively and efficiently over a number of years in a difficult economic climate and I am sure Shetland will reap similar benefits under his expert fiscal management."

A similar system has been in place since 2010 between Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils. They agreed to provide education and social services in partnership when heads of service posts for education and social services happened to become vacant at the same time in the two councils. Two new heads of service were appointed, each with responsibility for their service across both council areas.