First Chairman of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is appointed
Pat Watters will be the first Chair of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham announced today.
Mr Watters will work closely with Chief Officer Alasdair Hay to lead and shape the new service. He will also work closely with the Chief Officer, government and other partners to ensure a smooth transition to the new service, which aims to go live on April 1, 2013.
A respected figure in Scottish public life, Mr Watters was President of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities from 2001 to 2012, and a councillor in South Lanarkshire for 30 years.
Ms Cunningham said: “I am pleased to appoint Pat Watters as the first Chair of the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He demonstrated strong experience of delivering change – not least from his time as COSLA President – and this will provide invaluable to help ensure a smooth transition to the new service.
“He also recognised the importance of strong accountability and strategic governance, as well as understanding the role of a strong Chair in challenging and supporting the Chief Officer. His experience in public life – as well as his leadership and communication skills – will be crucial in working with Alasdair Hay to shape the new service.”
Mr Watters said: “I welcome the opportunity to take on this role and work with the Chief Officer to ensure the service continues to perform strongly and ensure communities in all parts of Scotland are safe. While the new service will safeguard frontline services, we also have an opportunity to do more – we can work together to build a fire and rescue service which delivers improvements which make a real difference to communities.
“Firefighters and staff will have a crucial role to play in the new service, and I will ensure we utilise their skills, expertise and ability to the full to shape and the deliver the new Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. And, above all, we will engage constructively with communities and local authorities in all parts of Scotland to ensure they all feel the benefits of reform.”
This appointment will be for three years and from September 2012. It is part-time and attracts a remuneration of £430 a day for a time commitment of between 15 to 20 days per month until April 1, 2013. For the first full year, the time commitment is expected to be at least 10 days per month but no more than 15.
