Tributes have been paid to East Renfrewshire Council’s retiring chief executive who was praised for “strong leadership” during the covid pandemic.
Lorraine McMillan will step down after 15 years in the role next Friday (July 7) and attended her final full council meeting on Wednesday (June 28).
Council leader Owen O’Donnell thanked the retiring chief executive for her “wonderful contribution”. “Lorraine’s efforts have undoubtedly helped this council cement its position as one of the best run councils in Scotland,” he said.
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“More importantly than that she has improved the lives of people across East Renfrewshire.”
Cllr O’Donnell said there was a long list of achievements during Ms McMillan’s time with the council. Highlights include new schools, nurseries and family centres, new council homes and the “delivery of City Deal projects such as the Greenlaw Works Business Centre”, he added.
“Education is a service East Renfrewshire is renowned for and your time as chief executive has seen a transformation of our school estate to match the ambition of our talented and engaged young people.”
The council leader said Ms McMillan wasn’t only interested in “attainment and impressive new buildings” as her “proudest achievements” related to work to “improve the life experiences of those in care”.
"She provided strong leadership during what I’m sure was the most difficult time of her professional life as the huge challenges presented by covid took hold,” he added.
“Staff worked round the clock often whilst having to cope with their own loved ones falling ill. The pride felt by everyone in local government at what they were able to contribute was shared by Lorraine who marshalled our response.”
During his time as council leader, he said he has quickly come to have “complete trust in Lorraine and recognise that here is a chief executive of the highest integrity”. He said the chief executive has embodied the council's values of ambition, kindness and trust “day in, day out”.
Provost Mary Montague said Ms McMillan has tackled challenges throughout her career with “humility and kindness”. “With Lorraine, it has never been about her. It has always been about teamwork and what is best for the people of East Renfrewshire.”
She said Ms McMillan was only the fifth woman to become a council chief executive in Scotland when she was appointed in 2008, and described her as a “trailblazer” for “women who have followed her into senior positions”.
The chief executive said: “I think few people realise the caring part of what we do in councils and that so many of our services are focused on helping people when they are at their most vulnerable.
“It’s the work with our care experienced young people which I am so pleased to see. I’ve seen our care experienced young people grow and develop and it’s just so exciting to see that.
“The work we do in homelessness, the work we do with refugees, the work we do with our very youngest people in our family centres and nurseries. I always get great joy going there.”
Ms McMillan added: “We also do a lot of emergency planning. Chief executives spend a lot of time training for emergencies and they hope they manage to retire before that emergency happens.
“I didn’t but I am very glad of all the training I went through in preparation for it. I will never forget that experience [the pandemic] but I was glad to be here to do what I could at that time.”
She thanked her colleagues across the council, who she said lived by the values of “ambition, kindness and trust” everyday, and councillors for “putting your trust in me 15 years ago”.
“Given that I came in here as chief executive never having worked in a council before, it was a brave decision,” she added. I’m very glad you made that decision. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my 15 years, there have been many tough times, many stressful times but also many joyful times.
“I think from now on what I will remember are the joyful times.”
East Renfrewshire Council has appointed Steven Quinn as its new chief executive, who will join from his current role as director of children’s services at Renfrewshire Council.
