Director of Communities and Families resigns from council

Executive Director of Communities and Families, Alistair Gaw, has intimated his resignation to The City of Edinburgh Council today.

The Director, who was part of the Corporate Leadership Team and one of the most highly paid officers at the council, cites ‘personal reasons’ for his departure.

Mr Gaw has been with the council since 2011 and has been Executive Director Communities and Families at The City of Edinburgh Council since 2016.

This position is one in which a council officer earns over £100,000 a year. Mr Gaw oversaw the closure of 17 schools in Edinburgh in April 2016. He also headed up the arrangements to seamlessly continue education for the children decanted from their own schools while buildings were investigated.

This followed an incident at Oxgangs Primary School where an external wall collapsed. Professor John Cole led an independent report into the dangerous building defects, and Mr Gaw was very much involved in that process along with Chief Executive, Andrew Kerr.

This is one of the most important areas of council services with responsibility for schools, from early years to secondary schools, and also those children in residential care.

A former President of Social Work Scotland, Mr Gaw enjoyed a long and successful career in public service, spanning over 30 years, with spells in both local and central government. He previously worked with Fife Council as Head of Service, Children and Families and Criminal Justice Social Work, and attained an MBA at Edinburgh Napier University following previous studies at The University of Edinburgh.

He has most recently been overseeing the new St Crispin’s school taking shape at Burdiehouse. 

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Alistair has been a key member of the Council’s Leadership Team for the past four years, and the Council  for nine years, making a huge contribution to our pledge of giving every child in Edinburgh the best start in life. I want to thank Alistair for his dedicated commitment to public service – and to young people across Scotland. I wish him our very best wishes for the future.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “I’ve known Alistair since he joined the Council in 2011 and worked closely with him when I was acting Convener for Education, Children and Families. He’s been responsible for many improvements for our young people across the city and I wish him well for the future.”