Council suspends under-fire official

Brian Devlin, who earns more than £120,000 a year as director of land and environmental services, is at the centre of an investigation into a number of areas of potential concern, including the awarding of contracts.

Insiders say that concerns have also been raised about Mr Devlin’s general conduct and his performance in the City Chambers.

A thorough internal investigation has already begun but it is not yet known when it will be completed.

A council spokesman said: “The executive director for land and environmental services has been suspended on a precautionary basis, pending an internal investigation. There will be no further comment while that investigation takes place.”

Assistant director George Gillespie will assume day-to-day operational responsibility for the service.

In March, it was revealed Mr Devlin had been signed off sick amid claims morale among senior officers is low.

In 2011, he was appointed as head of one of Scotland’s largest council teams, and was placed in charge of about 3,000 staff responsible for everything from cleansing, bin collection, parks and roads to environmental health and trading standards.

Mr Devlin had previously served as both director of regeneration services and as the director of environment at Stirling Council.

He was also business director with civil engineering and support services giant Amey, with responsibility for strategic planning across Scotland.

When he was appointed, Mr Devlin said: “I have been responsible for very similar services in previous jobs but I am well aware that what sets Glasgow apart is not only the scale of the operation but also the expectations that we will be bold and take a lead in meeting the many challenges public services face, while delivering better for communities.”
Mr Devlin, who is originally from North Lanarkshire, is a Fellow of the Institute of Management and a regular speaker at conferences on public sector policy and service improvement.