Council chief executive retires

Mr Whitefield (59), is one of the longest-served chief executives in Scotland, having been appointed in 2000.

Announcing his retirement in an email, he said: “I am enormously proud to have had the privilege of serving North Lanarkshire Council as chief executive over the last 15 years and have now decided to leave local government service in October.

“Since my appointment I have worked as hard as I can to develop the organisation to be one which is forward thinking and constantly committed to providing the highest quality of service.

“Despite the exceptional financial pressures we have faced since 2010, our Service and People First programme has enabled the Council to maintain a positive focus on delivering and developing services.

“The last two years have been particularly demanding and, having resolved a number of major issues over that period, the time is now right to pass responsibility to my successor to take the Council forward.

“Finally I will be forever indebted to so many people, both within and without North Lanarkshire Council, for their unstinting support and commitment during my time as chief executive.”

Councillor Jim McCabe, leader of the council, commented: “The most striking thing about Gavin is is 100 per cent commitment to everything he does and that’s certainly true of his time as chief executive.

“I was elected leader in 1998 and Gavin came in as chief executive in 2000.

“We faced some serious challenges as a council and we have overcome them.”