SOLAR names North Ayrshire legal chief as president

The Head of Democratic and Administration Services at North Ayrshire Council has become President of the Society of Local Authority Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR).

Andrew Fraser began his career as a solicitor at Central Regional Council in Stirling 30 years ago. He then worked in Irvine for almost 19 years, first with Cunninghame District Council, before moving on to North Ayrshire Council.

He subsequently spent four years as Head of Legal, Democratic and Regulatory Services at West Dunbartonshire Council, before returning to North Ayrshire for his current role in January 2013.

SOLAR was originally the professional organisation for council solicitors and democratic services staff in Scotland, but now includes members from other disciplines, including freedom of information and licensing standards officers.

The organisation has enjoyed close links with both Solicitors in Local Government and the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors, which recently joined forces to form Lawyers in Local Government.

Fraser, who took up the post at the recent SOLAR conference in Dundee, said: “I am delighted to have been appointed President of SOLAR at a particularly challenging time, when there is much debate on the role and future of local government.”