Council leader Rowley's two jobs "unsustainable"

by DOUG COLLIE

The leader of Scottish Borders Council has placed himself in an 'unsustainable position' by deciding to take on a second high profile publicly funded job which has the potential to create conflicts of interest, it has been claimed.

There was considerable surprise both inside and outside the council after this week's editions of local newspapers carried stories about Councillor Mark Rowley's appointment as Strategy Manager - Tourism for South of Scotland Enterprise [SoSE], the economic development agency for Scottish Borders and Dumfries & Galloway.

When the post was advertised last November the vacancy had a £6,300 a month salary tag (more than £75,000 a year) although there is no indication of how much Mr Rowley will be paid. The leadership role at SBC carries an allowance of £36,000, and is regarded by many of his fellow councillors as a full-time position.

For the last 25 years and more Mr Rowley has been in public relations employment with a collection of five-star hotel and restaurant businesses in Edinburgh.

He told the Southern Reporter and the Border Telegraph: “Leaving that position has been a huge emotional wrench, but the opportunity to bring the experience of decades of working in tourism at the highest level to work for tourism in the Scottish Borders and the South of Scotland would be a missed opportunity. I hope it will allow me to roll up my sleeves and deliver in a different way for the Borders"

Mr Rowley is also quoted as saying: “My commitment to the Borders and south of Scotland is a constant 24/7 one – I don’t think I’ve ever been challenged on that. I’m supporting our region every day, that won’t change.”

Mr Rowley has also given up his portfolio position as the local authority’s executive member for economic regeneration and finance – a responsibility now in the hands of Jedburgh councillor Scott Hamilton.

According the local weeklies Mr Rowley believes having a permanent full-time job and a council role are far from incompatible – and encouraged people of all ages and all walks of life to consider it ahead of May’s Local Elections.

But his 'two job' philosophy is certainly not shared by Councillor Stuart Bell (SNP), the leader of the opposition group at SBC,

He told Not Just Sheep & Rugby: “I have a lot of time for Councillor Rowley, I find him to be intelligent, empathic and energetic.  But I really cannot understand how he can be both Leader of Scottish Borders Council, and take on a job as Strategy Manager, Tourism for SOSE.  They are both big jobs.

“I have told Councillor Rowley that I think he is putting himself in an unsustainable position. 

“Firstly because there is a lot of work involved in being an ordinary Councillor - not least in terms of helping constituents, and interacting with communities in a ward. But when the responsibilities of Leader of the Council are added; together that’s a full-time job.  I think it is unsustainable to take on the senior tourism role with SOSE, whilst still being a Councillor and the Council Leader - something will inevitably suffer.  Whilst it is Mr Rowley’s prerogative to decided to take on all three tasks, it could be the public interest that suffers.

Mr Bell warned of "a potential two-way conflict of interest."  

He explained: “On the one hand the Leader of the Council cannot wholly divorce himself, or herself, from all of the functions and responsibilities of the other members of the Council’s elected Executive.  Economic development - with tourism at the heart of it - impinges on so many of the Council’s activities that it is just abstract theory to imagine there can be ‘Chinese walls’ keeping the Leader away from decisions where he might be prejudiced because of his SOSE job." 

For example, said Mr Bell, if there was to be a decision by the Council, or the Executive, about financing public toilets -  which he (Mr Bell) thought an essential public service -  would the Council Leader have to keep out of any debate.. because of the risk that tourists might use the public toilets?

And Mr Bell continued: “But the problem cuts the other way too.  If, for example, the new SOSE Tourism Strategy Manager makes any decision - say on investment priorities - that benefits the Scottish Borders; how will the public, or elected representatives, in Dumfries and Galloway get reassurance that Mr Rowley’s opinions and actions were impartial and not influenced by his role as Leader of the Borders Council?

“Whichever way I consider Mr Rowley’s desire to be both the Leader of our Council, and the SOSE Tourism Strategy Manager I conclude that - notwithstanding Mark’s considerable abilities - the combination of jobs is unsustainable; and I feel it is unsupportable.”

The Strategic Manager - Tourism job advertisements included the following passage of text: "Tourism is thriving in the south of Scotland, and you’re a proven expert. A strategist working within the Visitor Economy, you’ll be inspired by the chance to shape plans for the South of Scotland’s future. As part of our new and growing organisation, you’ll do something amazing for the region – all while enjoying the benefits of flexible working options and a supportive culture."

And it added: "Your task will be to develop our policies and strategic approach for Tourism and the Visitor Economy. It’s a chance to advise colleagues working directly with businesses and communities within the sector, as well as those working on tourism projects and programmes. At the same time, you’ll work with the Scottish Government to influence and inform broader tourism policy."

Not Just Sheep & Rugby twice asked Councillor Rowley for comment about his new post before the news broke on newspaper websites, but he did not respond.