CHRIS McAleavey, East Ayrshire Council’s deputy chief executive, safer communities, has announced his retirement in June 2018.

With over 40 years of public service, Chris has decided to call time on his career having been with East Ayrshire since it was formed in 1996.

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.”

The council’s chief executive, Fiona Lees, paid tribute to her colleague. She said: “Chris leaves behind an impressive legacy. Our housing portfolio has expanded, with over 1,000 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 began his career 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, Nithsdale and Cumnock and Doon Valley District Councils.

He was appointed as senior depute director of housing for East Ayrshire in 1996 earning promotions to head of homes (1999) and head of housing (2004).

Chris was asked to undertake the role of executive director, neighbourhood services in 2013 and was appointed to his current role in 2015.