Edinburgh Sucks! | ‘Jobs for the boys’ in the Council

City Council

‘Jobs for the boys’ in the Council - Proof

By The Basa ⋅ July 4, 2005 ⋅

Yet again, an insider recruitment process to find the head of a major new council department has been exposed as an example of “jobs for the boys”.

Teflon Don Anderson is becoming more and more blatent at getting his gophers into the positions so that he can control them.

The city council has decided to “ring-fence” the recruitment for the director-designate for the new services for communities department, expected to be up and running next year.

The department will deal with road and pavement maintenance, parks, and environmental and consumer services functions at a more local level.

Lib Dem councillor Jenny Dawe said that closing off the recruitment process could stop the most suitable candidate getting the job.

“There is a strong argument that the fresh approach of an outside candidate, with no vested interest in any previous service constraints, might be just what is needed to provide strong leadership for a diverse range of employees and areas of work.

“A person appointed in open, democratic competition might well hold greater weight as a director than one selected from a small internal group, all in danger of seeing much of their job disappearing into the new department.”

“This council should be a model employer. Part of that involves making sure that there is a fair, open and accountable recruitment and selection process - What is being suggested in the report is none of these.”

Yet again, all the labour councillors who are meant to be the party of the people either have their heads in the sand or Teflon Don has told them yet again to keep their mouths shut when the press phones.

More Info: ‘Jobs for the boys’ row as city launches head hunt