Tameside Council's chief executive to be replaced

Tameside Council's chief executive Sandra Stewart is to be replaced, it has been announced.

The council boss leaves after the borough's children's services department was described as having a 'toxic and bullying' culture and was rated 'inadequate' by watchdog Ofsted.

Tonight's announcement comes after the Reporter revealed last month she was to be axed from her six figure salary job.

In a letter to councillor, she claims stories in the press were 'defamatory' but has confirmed the council is seeking a new boss.

Instead of leading the council, she says, Ms Stewart will take on an enhanced role as chief executive at the Greater Manchester pension Fund.

Ms Stewart said in her letter to council members: "I have been proud to work for Tameside for 30 years and have put my heart and soul into delivering the best outcomes for the Borough.  

"As many of you will be aware I stepped into the Chief Executive job,  whilst we were at a challenging time in our improvement journey across the Council, whilst retaining my Director of Pensions role.  

"Since that time we have collectively delivered a great deal, a new corporate plan, and a new plan for growth including the Places for Everyone Housing Growth Plan as well as dealing with the post pandemic and the ongoing cost of living impacts on our most vulnerable.   

"Many of the projects across our towns are now starting to take shape and will provide new opportunities for growth and development benefiting residents and local businesses alike.   

"That said, we still have some big challenges ahead of us, with the recent publication of the Children’s Commissioner report, the appointment of a new long term commissioner and a strategic partner to help drive forward the children’s improvement journey.   

"I am pleased that we are in the final stages of recruiting a permanent Director of Childrens Service, which is a key appointment for the Council. 

 "Given all these complexities, I have agreed with the Leader that both the Chief Executive and Director of Pension roles are together now too big for one individual and cannot be given the full undivided attention needed. "Therefore, the Leader and I have agreed that I will become the Chief Executive of the £32 billion Greater Manchester Pension Fund to deal with the national agenda that Government is currently setting, and we will search for a new Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) to lead the Council through the next phase of improvement.

"The Council will be starting the permanent recruitment process over the coming weeks and in the meantime, to enable me to focus on the priorities at the Pension Fund, interim arrangements will be put in place to ensure we have a continuous Chief Executive and Place Based Lead for Tameside.   Further updates regarding arrangements in the short term will be provided in the coming days."