Cooney still 'in charge' despite resignation as Tameside Council leader

A new leader could be installed to run scandal-hit Tameside Council in the coming days after days of chaos rocked the local authority.

Both the chief executive and the council leader resigned last week. News first emerged on October 8 that ex-boss of the paid service, Sandra Stewart, had quit amid criticism of the council for failings in children’s services. 

Just three days later, Cllr Ged Cooney stepped down as leader, alongside his deputies, following a number of resignations from his cabinet and other senior councillors. Now, a new political leader could be in place by the end of the week, the LDRS understands.

In their resignation letters, both Ms Stewart and Cllr Cooney cited improving children’s services, currently rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted, as being of paramount importance. A government commissioner published a scathing assessment of the children’s services department last month.

This criticism was just the latest in a decade-long list of warnings from watchdogs. The council was told repeatedly it was failing those most vulnerable – with social workers overstretched, children living in ‘neglect’ for too long and some youngsters in care being put in ‘unsuitable’ accommodation.

Over the next few days, it has been suggested that a new council leader will be brought in under the guidance of the national Labour party. Labour confirmed last week that they had implemented a ‘campaign improvement board’ in Tameside to oversee the changes.

It is understood the Labour party will have heavy involvement over the appointment of the next council leader. 

A Labour spokesperson said: “Due to the unacceptable working practices at Tameside Labour Group, Labour have taken the decision to implement a campaign improvement board to bring about the culture change the group requires with immediate effect.”

For legal reasons, the council can’t be without a political leader or paid services boss, so in a private hearing at the latest town hall meeting, director of resources, Ashley Hughes, stepped up to the role of chief executive. It is understood that Oldham Council chief executive Harry Catherall, who oversaw improvements in children’s services at his local authority, will soon take over temporarily while a permanent replacement is found.

Until a new council leader is brought in, Cllr Cooney technically remains in post despite his resignation on Friday.

A Tameside Council spokesperson said: “As a council, we are going through a period of change, but we have all the statutory officers required to ensure the delivery of services for our residents. This includes an acting chief executive. We remain absolutely focused on improving our children’s services and recently appointed an interim director of children’s services.

“Here in Greater Manchester, we have a system of mutual aid to ensure councils support each other in times of transition. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority is working with us to put in place robust interim arrangements as we progress to the permanent recruitment of the chief executive of the council. We will provide further updates on any progress at the appropriate time.”