Public appointment: Interim Chair appointment extended on the Accounts Commission for Scotland

The Minister for Local Government, Empowerment and Planning, Mr Fitzpatrick, today announced the extension to 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.

Extension

This extension will be for three months and will run from 1 October 2023 to 31 December 2023.

This extension is regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.

Remuneration

This extension 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 does not hold any other public appointments.

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.