Stirling Council’s chief executive has U-turned on her decision to quit the job - just weeks after it was announced she had tendered her resignation.
The council announced in December that Carol Beattie intended to stand down after more than four years in the role.
Ms Beattie had said it was time to “seek another big challenge” but pledged to remain in post until the end of June, by which time a new chief executive was expected to be appointed.
However, this week councillors agreed to grant her request to stay put.
Ms Beattie said: “After a period of reflection, it is clear to me that the challenge I am looking for remains in Stirling.
“We have huge budget challenges to face but also great opportunities to grasp, such as realising the potential of our City Region Deal or capitalising on the momentum of our recent City of Culture bid.”
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An appointments panel of senior Stirling councillors met on Monday to consider her request to withdraw her resignation and remain in post as chief executive of the authority.
The panel unanimously agreed to the request and cancelled the recruitment process with immediate effect.
Stirling Council leader Councillor Chris Kane said: “Carol approached the panel with a view to remaining in post and in our conversations, it was abundantly clear that she still has a passion for Stirling and a grasp of the challenges and opportunities we face.
“Carol’s leadership skills and her track record in recent years protecting vital council services in the face of budget cuts and pandemic pressures have been invaluable and the panel were unanimous in their support of Carol remaining in post.
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with Carol in the years ahead.”
A council spokesperson said Ms Beattie had played “a key role in many aspiring initiatives for Stirling including the City Region Deal”.
