What is the secret of West Dunbartonshire Council? There must be something in the water there, for in a remarkable run recently, three key national appointments have gone to senior staff at the council.
Neil McKechnie, head of educational development, is the first person in charge of the new services for children unit in HMIE; Alexis Jay, its director of social work, has been appointed Scotland’s chief social work inspector; and Jackie McCaig, the council’s staff development officer for child protection, is the Catholic Church’s choice as national child protection co-ordinator. Let’s hope this raid on talent can be spread to some of the other local authorities. Surely they must have some to spare?