Interim Edinburgh Council boss set to leave after row over £160,000 salary

An interim Edinburgh Council boss is to leave his job less than a month after he started, after councillors criticised his £160,000 salary.

Alan Adams was brought in to lead the city’s adult social care services following the sudden resignation of Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership chief Judith Proctor in May.

Last week, a report was presented at a full council meeting which confirmed Mr Adams’ temporary appointment – but his six-figure wage raised eyebrows in the chamber.

Some councillors dubbed the sum “indefensible” at a time when social care services are on their knees due to a £47m budget gap and said due to it being a six-month, part-time role that it worked out at £403,000 full time equivalent – making it the highest-paid public sector role in Scotland.

Others said this comparison was “inappropriate” and that it was the “going rate” for senior officials hired externally however.

An email sent to councillors by Edinburgh City Council chief executive Andrew Kerr on June 8 said following discussions, Mr Adams’ contract would now be ending – less than a month after he accepted the role – for “a number of both professional and personal reasons”.

Mr Kerr said: “I am working with Alan in respect of closing down the main diagnostic task he has been undertaking to ensure that this is finalised before he leaves.

“Part of that consideration will consider how we facilitate the appropriate leadership for the social work aspects of this work and an appropriate response to the inspection report received recently on Adult Protection and Adult Social Work practice.”

An update on work to find replacement for both Mr Adams and Ms Proctor is set to be given to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board on June 13.