Tameside MPs speak out after council chief executive’s resignation

TAMESIDE’S three MPs believe the resignation of the council’s chief executive will mean better times.

As The Correspondent detailed, Sandra Stewart has quit the £186,692-a-year role – after claims of a ‘toxic’ and ‘bullying’ culture were made – to become chief executive of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund.

And Jonathan Reynolds, Angela Rayner and Andrew Gwynne have not exactly said they are sorry to see her go.

In a joint statement, the Stalybridge and Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne and Gorton and Denton Labour representatives spelled out why the departure may spark improvements.

And they revealed they called for change in the wake of a recent demining report into the authority’s ‘inadequate’ children’s services department by government-appointed commissioner Andy Couldrick.

They said: “As Members of Parliament for Tameside, myself, Angela Rayner and Andrew Gwynne welcome the resignation of the former chief executive Sandra Stewart.

“The recent commissioner’s report into Tameside Council’s children’s services revealed unacceptable working practices and conditions for staff at the council.

“In our view, this has been to detriment of delivering the services our constituents need and expect.

“Since the publication of the report, we have made clear that a change of corporate leadership was required.

“Tameside now has the opportunity to move forward and we embrace the chance to do so.”

After the resignation was confirmed following a meeting of Tameside’s full council on Tuesday, October 8, the hunt is on for a replacement.

It is believed director of resources Ashley Hughes is likely to step up to the role in an acting capacity while a permanent successor is found.

Speculation surrounding Ms Stewart’s future was rife since Mr Couldrick’s report and her comments at a subsequent scrutiny panel.

She said: “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 to lead the council through the next phase of improvement.

“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.

“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.

“I am incredibly proud of all the work you all do day in and day out to make the borough a better place where everyone can achieve their hopes and ambitions.”