TAMESIDE Council leader Cllr Gerald Cooney has quit after a number of resignations damaged his position.
As The Correspondent detailed on Thursday, October 10, four members of the ruling Labour group left their roles, with another rejecting a cabinet position.
It is understood at least two more stepped down late that night as the platform of the man at the top was swiped from under his feet.
Now Cllr Cooney has decided enough is enough after realising his camp is split on the back of a damning report into the ‘inadequate’ children’s services department by government-appointed commissioner Andy Couldrick.
In an email to councillors, sent on Friday, October 11, he said: “As of this morning, I have tendered my resignation as leader of Tameside Labour Group with immediate effect to the chair and secretary of Tameside Labour Group.

“Following the report of children’s services by the commissioner, in order for children’s services to turn around, it can only be done with the full support of all council members working together to achieve excellence.
“Clearly due to the events of the last few weeks following the issuing of the report, it is clear I do not have that support.
“Therefore, in order for children’s services to achieve excellence it has to be done with a new Leader that has the support of all Tameside members.
“I wish them well in achieving excellence.”
Labour’s national party is sending in a campaign improvement board to the stricken authority, citing ‘unacceptable working practices’ and demanding a ‘culture change.’
It will now pick a new leader following Cllr Cooney’s decision, not sitting councillors as normal.
A number of councillors are likely to put themselves forward after the head stepped down days after chief executive Sandra Stewart’s resignation following Mr Couldrick’s claims of a ‘toxic’ and ‘bullying’ culture – a decision the borough’s three MPs, Angela Rayner, Jonathan Reynolds and Andrew Gwynne, said they ‘welcomed.’
The Correspondent also understands noises about a leadership challenge had been growing within the ruling group for some time.
And in their resignation addresses, those leaving pointed to change being needed and a lack of confidence it would come under the now former leader.
Cllrs Jack Naylor, George Newton, Claire Reid and Hugh Roderick all resigned from their roles on Thursday, October 10.
Two more – Cllrs Eleanor Wills and John Taylor – were sacked, with one announced replacement, Cllr Tafheen Sharif, rejecting the position.
And the national party is stepping in, with a spokesperson saying: “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.”
That decision comes as Tameside Council is likely to bring in neighbouring Oldham Council’s chief executive Harry Catherall on an interim basis.
A timescale for when a new executive leader will be in place is not yet known.
Well done for keeping us very up to date.
As a former chair of Social Services I was very sad to learn of the state of Children’s Services and I hope every effort is made to dramatically improve the services
Hurrah!
The clowns are out, now bring in the real leaders.
He Should never have had the job in the first place …
Tafheen Shariff needs to be our new leader
Bring back Brenda Warrington.
She had everything the former leader didn’t – integrity, honesty, and commitment to the staff, fellow councillors and residents.
She also really offended a lot of her constituents about her uncaring attitude to the proposed Godley Green housing estate.
No to Ms Warrington.
I bet councillor Warrington had a wry smile when all this nonsense was developing.
Ged Clooney gone from a position he was not qualified for how did he last that long why do we allow no marks to represent voters and be placed in such a responsible position ?
Now let’s get rid of the three stooges Rayner, Starmer,and Burnham = Have no experience . Have no common sense , and worst of all as no dress sense or of logic or forsight.
We need long standing labour councillors and MP s in office to us their no confidence vote because these leaders are going to drag you all down.
#voteRoy
Is that you Sandra Stewart?
No money for a crumbling hospital but all the money in the box for some guy who wants to win a war
Ged Cooney I believe holds the position of being Angela Rayners agent so with this in mind ,can we ask if Angela Rayner? had any input in electing or putting forward Mr Clooney for the position, he has resigned from and it s clear from the inspectors poor results he had no experience in managing such an important roll which needs a person with a proven background in child care and protection and the results confirm this to be true ?
This practice seems to be the habit of this new labour government electing the wrong candidate with no experience after the budget results, the no confidence vote will be raised or we are in big trouble.