Former Fife finance director to help SIC

The recently-retired head of finance at Fife Council, Brian Lawrie, is to work alongside the SIC finance service.

He will be providing support as the council seeks to meet the finance targets set out in its improvement plan and the action plan following the audit of the council’s 2009-10 accounts.

Mr Lawrie, who retired from Fife Council in September, was described in an SIC press release as a widely-respected figure in Scottish local government. Previously in North East Fife District Council, he joined Fife Council in December 1995 as financial services manager and was appointed head of finance and asset management in September 2001.

In 2005, he was awarded the distinction of Public Sector Finance Director of the Year and was also the chairman of Scottish CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) finance directors section.

SIC chief executive Alistair Buchan said: “Getting in some extra support for the finance service is something that members have agreed will be important if we’re to deal with the challenges we face as a council.

“I think that we have a very dedicated, capable and hard working team in finance and this appointment in no way reflects on them. However, the Accounts Commission did recommend that the council improves its financial support and Audit Scotland have also commented on that recently when reporting on the financial accounts.

“Brian has a first-class track record in local government and I feel is the ideal person to work alongside the finance team. This can only help us to improve.”