24/5/2023

Published Barrhead News On Line

www.barrheadnews.com/

East Renfrewshire Council appoints new chief executive
18th May


By Gillian McPherson
Reporter

East Renfrewshire Council has appointed a new chief executive after a “rigorous” selection process.

Steven Quinn will join the local authority from his current position as director of children’s services at Renfrewshire Council.

Mr Quinn, who is expected to take up the role in the summer, will succeed Lorraine McMillan who is retiring after 15 years in the post.

Council leader Owen O’Donnell, who chaired the appointments committee, told the Barrhead News: “I’m delighted to be able to appoint Steven to the post of chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council.

“We had some excellent candidates but Steven stood out from what was a very talented field.

“I’m very much looking forward to working with Steven to help improve the lives of people across East Renfrewshire.”

Mr Quinn is a former Maths teacher and then was head teacher of schools in Ayrshire before taking on his current role at Renfrewshire Council in 2019, having previously been chief education officer there.

He will become only the fourth chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council ever when he begins the job.

He said: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining the team at East Renfrewshire Council and feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead such a progressive and ambitious council.

“With this role comes great responsibility, to staff, to elected members, to communities, to businesses, and to everyone who contributes to life in East Renfrewshire.

"My first priority is to meet everyone and to get to know the council, and I am committed to spending time listening and understanding to what is most important and how we best work together to continue to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

“Whilst there are undoubtedly challenges ahead, there are also great opportunities, and I believe council staff and communities play an essential role in shaping that future.

"I am really looking forward to this next chapter and honoured to have been appointed to the role of chief executive.”

Published The Herald On Line

Furious parents call for councillors to quit over £160m school scandal
20th May

By Andrew Learmonth
@andrewlearmonth
Journalist

THE OFFICIAL at the centre of a £160 million scandal in Renfrewshire has walked into a six-figure top job at a neighbouring council.


(You need subscription to read full article)

From Daily Record article below

'Concerns have been raised about Mr Quinn’s impending departure to East Renfrewshire Council, where he will become chief executive; a perceived lack of transparency over the fiasco; the state of planning for the new primary; and sufficiency of the high school extension.

A letter sent by Mr Kelly to senior officers and elected members added: “It is noted that Steven Quinn, who asked parents to give him the opportunity to earn their confidence, who assured parents he would ensure the schooling issue was resolved, is leaving for a new job in a new council area.'



Published Daily Record On Line

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/

Parents have 'no confidence' in council chiefs as group ends cooperation over Dargavel saga

Dargavel Primary School parent council released a blistering statement over the “horrendous historical error”.

ByJack Thomson
17:08, 23 MAY 2023

Parents have “no confidence” in council chiefs as the fallout from a school capacity saga – which could cost £75 million – intensifies in Renfrewshire.

Dargavel Primary School parent council released a blistering statement saying it will “cease cooperation” with the local authority over the “horrendous historical error” which saw the facility in Arrochar Drive, Bishopton, built too small.

he group believes there has been a lack of “urgency” to address the issues that have arisen from the debacle and has lost faith in chief executive Alan Russell, outgoing director of children’s services Steven Quinn and head of education Julie Calder.

Alan Kelly, parent council chair, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service : “People are talking about putting their house up for sale because it’s, ‘where are my kids going to go to school?’

“It’s really going to damage a community that should be growing, thriving and developing. It’s going to rip it to bits. I’m really, really concerned.”

Education bosses are planning a second primary school for Dargavel Village and an extension for the associated Park Mains High School.

The newbuild for 800 pupils could cost between £42m and £45m, while a secondary school expansion from 1,600 to 2,000 could set them back between £27m and £30m – a situation expected to require “prudential borrowing”.

Concerns have been raised about Mr Quinn’s impending departure to East Renfrewshire Council, where he will become chief executive; a perceived lack of transparency over the fiasco; the state of planning for the new primary; and sufficiency of the high school extension.

A letter sent by Mr Kelly to senior officers and elected members added: “It is noted that Steven Quinn, who asked parents to give him the opportunity to earn their confidence, who assured parents he would ensure the schooling issue was resolved, is leaving for a new job in a new council area.

“What more sign is needed that the council is in disarray? Sadly, many residents of Dargavel will be forced to do the same as Steven – move to a new council area – but one with suitable school provision and adequate leadership.

“Renfrewshire Council committed to engaging openly and transparently with us on the subject of roll concerns at Dargavel Primary School. This has not happened.

“The chief executive of Renfrewshire Council has been unable to share a project plan for the construction of the new school.

“That’s a basic requirement, that a competent authority, with adequate leadership would have.

“Noting that there is no land agreed, no design, no budget, and now it seems not even a project plan, we have no confidence that the new school will be opened by August 2026.”

Criticism was also directed at SNP council leader Iain Nicolson, who the group felt had politicised the issue when making comments about the legacy of Labour PFI school building at Thursday’s education board, and convener Emma Rodden for not intervening.

“It is our recommendation that Iain Nicolson and Emma Rodden consider their positions due to their behaviour,” the letter said.

A council spokesperson said: “We understand this is a very worrying situation for Dargavel parents and carers and we wish to continue to work with the parent council to progress a solution as quickly as possible.

“We fully acknowledge and understand their frustration.

“Once the problem was identified, we acted immediately to put the right governance in place, commissioned an external review to fully understand and learn from the historical circumstances and have apologised for not addressing community concerns earlier.

“None of the senior officers who contributed to the significant school roll error remain with the council, and the current team are fully committed to working with the parent council and getting it right for the children and families of Dargavel and
Bishopton.”

The spokesperson added: “Officers are progressing the delivery of new school buildings at a significant pace.

“We have full confidence in our plans to increase primary and secondary provision to meet the revised, projected demand, and remain committed to a strategic review of secondary provision in the area.”

26/05/2023

Published Barrhead News On Line

Parents fume as Steven Quinn accepts chief executive role
5 hrs ago


By Gillian McPherson
Reporter

Parents left fuming over a costly blunder that saw a school being built 'too small' have fired a parting shot at a senior Renfrewshire Council officer as he prepares to take on the top job in a neighbouring local authority.

Steven Quinn, who is currently director of children’s services in Renfrewshire but will become chief executive at East Renfrewshire Council later this summer, is under fire over capacity issues at Dargavel Primary, in Bishopton.

An error by Renfrewshire Council meant the initial roll for the school was predicted to be around 430 but should have been 1,100.

A new primary will now have to be built, costing up to £45million, while extending nearby Park Mains High to accommodate another 400 pupils will add between £27m and £30m to the bill.

That means the upfront cost could be as high as £75m.

To fix the problem, councillors have agreed “prudential borrowing,” to be paid back at £4m a year, with officials admitting that repayments could last for 40 years.

That may mean the overall bill will reach a staggering £160m.

Renfrewshire Council has stressed that none of the senior officers who contributed to the error are still employed by the local authority.

However, Dargavel Primary School Parent Council has criticised Mr Quinn for jumping ship to East Renfrewshire before a solution to the Dargavel capacity problem has been put in place.

In a letter sent to councillors and senior officers in Renfrewshire, parent council chairman Allan Kelly said: "It is noted that Steven Quinn, who asked parents to give him the opportunity to earn their confidence, who assured parents he would ensure the schooling issue was resolved, is leaving for a new job in a new council area.

“What more sign is needed that the council is in disarray?

“Sadly, many residents of Dargavel will be forced to do the same as Steven – move to a new council area – but one with suitable school provision and adequate leadership."

A spokesperson for Renfrewshire Council said: “None of the senior officers who contributed to the significant school roll error remain with the council and the current team are fully committed to working with the parent council and getting it right for the children and families of Dargavel and Bishopton.”

East Renfrewshire Council has said Mr Quinn was selected as its new chief executive after a “rigorous” selection process.

A spokesperson added: "The appointments committee consisted of administration and opposition councillors.

"We note the statement from Renfrewshire Council making it clear that none of the senior officers who contributed to the school roll error remain with the council."

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Perhaps Chief Executive Steven Quinn should be the first person to apply and attend !

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26/1/2024

Post on ERC facebook page -

www.facebook.com/eastrenfrewshirecouncil/?locale=en_GB

The Community Hub East Ren
1 d ·
Are you over 19 years old?

Do you struggle with Maths?

Would you like to increase your confidence with numbers?

Join us and connect with the Adult Learning Services team from East Renfrewshire Council to explore the exciting new Multiply project offering FREE courses in East Renfrewshire.

Multiply Project's Drop-In Sessions!
📆Wednesday, 31st January, 2 - 4 pm, at the Foundry, Barrhead
📆Friday, 2nd February, 10:45 – 12:30 pm at The Dunterlie Resource Centre, Barrhead

Staff members from The Adult Learning Team and The Community Hub will provide additional information on available courses and volunteering opportunities.

Come along and learn more about FREE numeracy courses available to adults aged 19 and over in East Renfrewshire.

Interested in volunteering?

Come along and speak to a Community Hub staff member to learn more about volunteering with The Multiply Project.

Don't miss out on this chance to expand your horizons! See you there!