Public appointment: Interim Chair appointed to the Accounts Commission for Scotland

The Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning, Mr Fitzpatrick, today announced the appointment of Ronnie Hinds as interim Chair of the Accounts Commission for Scotland.

Interim Chair 

Ronnie Hinds is former Chief Executive of Fife Council and since his retirement in 2013, he has held a number of public positions, including Chair of Boundaries Scotland and lead Non-Executive Director with the Scottish Government. Ronnie was Deputy Chair of the Accounts Commission  for four years from October 2014 and served as acting Chair for two years until standing down in June 2019. He was also Controller of Audit from 2000 until 2002. Ronnie believes that his experience, particularly his previous roles with the Accounts Commission and Audit Scotland, provide him with appropriate knowledge and skills to fulfil the position of Interim Chair of the Accounts Commission for Scotland.

Appointment

This appointment will be for four months and will run from 6 June 2023 to 30 September 2023.

This appointment is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This appointment is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £352.12 per day for a time commitment of 10.5 days per month.

Other ministerial appointments

Ronnie Hinds is Chair of Boundaries Scotland for which he receives remuneration of £347 per day, for a time commitment of up to two days per month. He is due to retire from that position on 31 May.

Political activity

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.  However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees’ political activity within the last five years (if there is any to be declared) to be made public.  

Ronnie Hinds has had no political activity within the last five years.

Background

The Accounts Commission is the public body responsible for reporting on the performance and spending within Scotland’s 32 councils, 30 Integration Joint Boards and other local government joint boards.

The Accounts Commission plays a significant role in Scottish public life, providing independent assurance to citizens about their local councils’ use of public money and about how these councils are performing. The Commission holds councils and joint boards to account and ensure that they provide best value for their communities. The Commission operates independently of councils and of the Scottish Government, and reports in public.