Row as new education chief starts
EAST Lothian Council education spokesman Councillor Peter MacKenzie has defended the decision to appoint a man with no background in education as the local authority's new Head of Education.
Just hours after Richard Jennings took up the post on Monday August 23, opposition leader Willie Innes (Lab) told a meeting of the full council, at which Mr Jenning's appointment was officially ratified: "I was shocked when I heard that the criteria for the post had been altered and that people without a background in education had been invited to apply for the job.
"It has always been my opinion that the head of education should come from an education background.
"Given that there is a current rethinking going on, which seems to be concentrating more on the educational aspects of the role, the appointment seems wrong."
Position
Defending the appointment, Mr MacKenzie hit back: "The recruitment process is nothing if not rigorous and exhausting in detail.
"We spoke to a wide range of candidates and after deliberations were delighted to award the position to Mr Jennings. He has much to offer East Lothian, not least his head for detail and his analytical approach.
"It is obvious that he is a man driven by passion for public service and a commitment to the needs of children and young people. I welcome him and look forward to working with him in the years ahead."
Managers
Mr Jennings has been actively involved with the public sector in Scotland for nearly 10 years. As a partnership manager in Dumfries and Galloway, he was deeply involved with community planning and the development of public services. In his time at the Scottish Government Fast Stream, he developed a strong understanding of the mechanisms of government as a key member of delivery teams within the Office of the Permanent Secretary.
Over the last five years he is said to have developed strong relationships as an adviser to senior managers and elected members across Scotland and the UK as they seek to transform public services.
During the last two years he has worked on major change programmes across children's and education services with local authorities in Scotland.
Mr Jennings worked with his predecessor Maureen Jobson as adviser to the Education and Children's Services Service Review and Redesign team.
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Monday 21 May 2012
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