Title

HUMAN RESOURCES

Management culture change after ashes scandal

The chief executive of Aberdeen City Council has vowed to implement a management ‘culture change’ in the wake of the baby ashes scandal.

The chief executive of Aberdeen City Council has vowed to implement a management ‘culture change' in the wake of the baby ashes scandal.

Hazlehead Crematorium in Aberdeen was found to be regularly cremating infants in the same chamber as adults, with parents told there were no ashes to give them.

A review into how operational and strategic responsibility had been managed at the crematorium will be presented to the council today.

However, chief executive Angela Scott said the review would be kept confidential for now due to data protection issues.

She said: ‘The review is part of an ongoing process which has not, as yet, reached a conclusion, and of necessity the detail set out in the initial findings will be shared with the members on a confidential basis.

‘The findings are currently under active consideration and any unauthorised disclosure would potentially breach fair employment practice under employment legislation and the Data Protection Act.'

Ms Scott said the council will be asked to formally accept the findings of both the National Cremation Investigation by Dame Elish and the Infant Cremation Commission. 

Dame Elish's review highlighted issues with the ‘culture of management practice and focus'. 

Ms Scott said: ‘Since 2014 I have been implementing a culture change programme that places the customer at the heart of how we deliver vital public services. 

‘We will change our recruitment processes and review all of our HR policies to ensure that this is placed at the very centre of what we do.'

HUMAN RESOURCES

The flawed rationale behind reorganisation

By John Mortimer | 08 September 2025

John Mortimer argues that the logic and mindset behind a report that has helped to shape the current drive for reorganisation misses out the true value creat...

HUMAN RESOURCES

New politics, new tensions

By Rob Whiteman | 02 September 2025

As Reform UK gathers this week for its annual conference, Rob Whiteman argues that with the party gaining control of some councils, local government must sup...

HUMAN RESOURCES

Making reform in Scotland the real thing

By Des Murray | 28 August 2025

As delegates gather for the Solace Scotland Conference 2025, Des Murray says progressing collectively calls for a whole place and whole system approach.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Fix the flawed children's funding formula

By Michael McVicker | 15 August 2025

Michael McVicker explains why the proposed children’s social care funding formula is unfit for purpose.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman