EXCLUSIVE
TAMESIDE Council leader, Cllr Brenda Warrington, is set to have a challenge from one of her senior colleagues, Cllr Ged Cooney.
The Correspondent understands from Labour sources the Droylsden West representative has secured the required support to formally launch a bid to take charge.
And it is believed Cllr Warrington’s ‘I will be on the bulldozer’ comment in relation to the controversial Godley Green Garden Village development is seen by many as the final straw.
Insiders have revealed papers have now been formally lodged and the current head is aware of the forthcoming challenge.
One source told The Correspondent there has been discontent among Tameside’s ruling Labour group for some time.
But the bulldozer comment at February’s meeting of the full council is being regarded by many as the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Cllr Warrington said: “Godley Green, I make no mistake, I will be on that first bulldozer and that is a promise.
“I will be on that bulldozer that actually starts to dig up ready to build houses on Godley Green and believe me it will be rammed down your throat. It really will.”
Sources say the language used was insensitive, especially given the current public feeling towards the Godley Green development, which would see 2.150 homes built in Hyde.
And it is understood the required number of sitting councillors, 26, have indicated their support for Cllr Cooney, current executive member for housing, planning and employment.
Neither councillor is up for election this year but privately, a number of candidates this year admit the comments have not helped as opponents, particularly the Conservatives, look to make gains.
The Correspondent told how 29 formal complaints were made over the bulldozer comment.
Main reasons for complaints included Cllr Warrington’s use of language, arguing she had breached councillors’ code of conduct.
One described her tone as, ‘not befitting of a local councillor’ and described the way she acted as ‘insensitive and damaging.’
Despite the formal complaints, borough solicitor Sandra Stewart ruled there is no case to answer.
“Councillors should be able to express their opinions and concerns in forceful terms,” she stated.
“The code is not intended to stifle the expressions of passion and frustration that often accompany discussions about local authority business.
“Accordingly having considered your complaint, I have determined this is not a matter falling with the jurisdiction set out by the Localism Act 2011.
“Whilst Cllr Warrington’s comments may have offended you and many others, they are not in breach of the statutory Code of Conduct as they fall within legitimate freedom of expression and need to be heard and understood in the context of the whole meeting.
“Accordingly, I do not intend to take this matter any further.”
Cllr Warrington explained her comment by saying: “The opposition’s creation of Brenda the Bulldozer shows their disrespect for something which deserves serious debate.
“After four years of personal abuse and harassment on this matter, I aimed my comments at those councillors who have been personally abusive, disrespectful and disingenuous in this debate.
“Clearly my comments were never directed at anyone else and any attempt by the opposition to suggest this is the case is a further example of their twisting of the facts.
“Godley Green is the only way to meet the government-imposed target. I commit to making it a genuinely sustainable village community.”
Watching the video all the Executive cabinet and those on the back benches cheered and laughed when Cllr Warrington said it, very hypocritical to now criticise and that criticism has only come about since they realised it upset voters,
They are all as bad as each other. Cooney will be no different than Warrington – although she is a biased and poor leader let alone Councillor. They will all follow orders sheepishly to try and protect their status and incomes.
Labour have failed Tameside residents for years, but their attitude towards the Clean Air Zone should be the final nail in their coffin. They obviously did not understand what they were signing us all up for which proves that they didn’t research the subject before following Andy Burnham like sheep! They should never be allowed to represent the local residents again!
I have always supported Labour in local elections, but will not anymore. Councillor Warringtons comments were insensitive and make it sound like Godley Green is a done deal, when planning permission hadn’t even been agreed. It shows that Labour councillors are not doing what the majority of their constituents are asking them to do, which is build on brown sites first and save green belt.
Using such negative and unworthy comments is insulting to me, one of the electorate. I was under the impression that the council consisted of more than one person who makes decisions, particularly before due process is complete. From information published regarding the loan of funds to other authorities it would seem that we have been in possession of substantial amounts of money, yet the council plead poverty and increase rates and costs of operation. It would be nice to think that they are capable of managing money efficiently but due to the apparent lack of transparency, I have my doubts. Conservatives are not perfect, but they do seem to invest time and energy into the community and that’s where it counts. I will vote Conservative and would like to give them a fighting chance and move away from nursery school politics, I stopped playing with building site toys many years ago.
I have nothing but respect for Mrs warrington , I can see some people don’t like her verbal language, but I always think say it as it is , to build houses on land which has very little use other then walking your dogs ,is not a argument to stop progress, and creat a housing estate, as for not caring , I’ve been in touch with mrs warrington on a number of occasions, and found her very professional in handling ( and sorting my problems out very efficiently) I’ve noticed the roads and streets are kept clean, can’t fault her , even though I don’t vote labour
The woman is a disgrace
I can’t belive your comment, about very little use other than for walking our dogs. It’s filled with wildlife, badgers, newts, bats, foxes, deers, hedgehogs and horses.. There is a wonderful riding school where our children learn how to ride horses, which is being put under a compulsory order to sell. There are trees that are cleaning the air.
Warrington wants to get rid of all this and build a housing estate, that will cause more emissions, traffic jams, unemployment, lack of GPS and Dentists.
Why are we not building on brown sites, does it have anything to do with the fact that the proposed houses on Godley Green will bring in more council tax, as they will be bigger and out of the price range for our children?
The council majority needs to change to get a level playing field.
Cooney is just Brenda Warrington without the wig and dress. He is also on that same bulldozer that Brenda is on to destroy Godley green. Shameside needs to get rid of Warrington , Cooney and the other Cronies. Tameside needs a new start with new councillors who listen to the people they are supposed to represent. Instead of doing what they want. Hypocritical Bullies the lot of them .