Depute Chief Executive Announces Retiral

With almost 43 years of public service, East Ayrshire Council’s Depute Chief Executive, Safer Communities, Chris McAleavey has announced his intention to retire from East Ayrshire Council. Chris has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in local government, which began in 1975 when, straight from school, he joined Renfrew District Council as a Housing Trainee. From there Chris went on to serve in a number of housing-relating posts with Renfrew District Council and Nithsdale District Council before joining Cumnock and Doon Valley District Council as Housing Manager in 1988.

He was appointed as Senior Depute Director of Housing for East Ayrshire Council in 1996 and has excelled in a number of promoted posts in the Council including Head of Homes (1999) and Head of Housing (2004). His remit as Head of Housing steadily increased over the years to include waste management, community safety, housing repairs and outdoor amenities. Chris was asked to undertake the role of Executive Director, Neighbourhood Services in 2013 and was appointed to his current role as Depute Chief Executive, Safer Communities, in 2015. In recent years he enjoyed a varied and extended portfolio as Depute Chief Executive, Safer Communities, with responsibility for Housing and Communities, Facilities and Property Management, Ayrshire Roads Alliance and Human Resources. Chief Executive Fiona Lees said: “Chris leaves behind an impressive legacy. Our housing portfolio has expanded, with over 1000 new affordable homes across general and community care needs in East Ayrshire, including the award winning Lilyhill Gardens in Kilmarnock. A further 600 new builds are planned over the next five years. “Under his watch we also launched the first East Ayrshire Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan in response to the introduction of new legislation. This has led to a transformation of our housing service with a commitment to refresh and modernise all of our houses. “Our housing Care and Repair Service has successfully matured from a small pilot in Dalmellington into an area-wide service co-ordinated by Shire Housing and our recycling targets are now among the best in the country as more and more residents get on board and we aim to do even better with our soon-to-go-live new trolley system. “Highly respected by our partners and emergency services, Chris led our emergency response to flooding in New Cumnock in 2014, working with Police Scotland, SEPA and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He was also strategic lead for our award winning Refugee Resettlement Programme which helped a number of Syrian families make East Ayrshire their home. “Chris has been a loyal and dedicated public servant council, working for the communities of East Ayrshire for many years and we wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.” Chris said: “I’m proud to have had the opportunity to serve the people of East Ayrshire. Throughout my time at the Council, I’ve enjoyed the privilege of meeting and working with many wonderful people who constantly go that extra mile to help others. “They impress and inspire and I’ll miss them. I wish everyone within East Ayrshire Council continued success and am confident that the Council is well placed to meet future challenges.” Chris will leave East Ayrshire Council in June 2018.