New Tameside Council leader names cabinet

TAMESIDE Council’s new leader has chosen her cabinet as she looks to bring change.

Cllr Eleanor Wills’ appointment by a national Labour Party campaign improvement board is set to be confirmed at an extraordinary meeting of the authority on Thursday, October 24.

Now her team, which will look to implement what is needed after ‘unacceptable working practices’ were cited as a ‘culture change’ is sought, can be named.

The board made two further appointments – Cllr Andrew McClaren as deputy leader and Cllr Jack Homer as chief whip.

Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Eleanor Wills and Jonathan Reynolds MP

But Cllr Wills has nominated her team, with renamed roles, many new faces and some keeping the position they held under Cllr Ged Cooney.

Cllr McClaren also has the executive cabinet position for growth, housing and homelessness, while Cllr Tafheen Sharif is first deputy, as well as executive member for population health and wellbeing.

Cllr Teresa Smith remains as head of the renamed children and families – with Cllr Claire Reid named at children’s improvement and corporate vision – and Cllr Stephen Homer having the towns, transport and connectivity brief.

Environmental services and neighbourhoods goes to Cllr Laura Boyle as Cllr John Taylor stays at adult social care and inclusivity.

Cllr Jack Naylor, who held a cabinet role under Cllr Cooney, has landed the task at finance and resources.

Cllr Wills, who has also named assistant cabinet members, takes charge politically after a period of chaos, which saw several resignations, including those of Cllr Cooney and chief executive, Sandra Stewart, following a scathing report into the council’s children’s services department by government-appointed commissioner Andy Couldrick.

Neighbouring Oldham’s non-political head Harry Catherall is set to fill that void, at least for the interim.

The new appointment has been welcomed, both by council colleagues and Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds

And when announcing her candidacy, Cllr Wills outlined her aims, including how the ruling Labour group must ‘embrace change’ and ‘reset the culture’ for staff.

She said: “I believe now is the time for fresh leadership – time for a new generation to take the council forward and rebuild trust with our residents.

“There is nothing more important than the work Tameside Council does in protecting the most vulnerable children and young people in our community – and Tameside Council has failed them.

“It is time for decisive action. Working closely with the Commissioner, our strategic partners and our three MPs, we must accept the report, embrace change, and take bold steps to rebuild confidence in our service.

“I was so sad when the Commissioner highlighted that Tameside Council was a ‘toxic’ place to work.

“Tameside Council’s staff is its most valuable asset. We need to reset the culture, empower hard-working employees and lead by example.

“When they succeed – Tameside succeeds.

“We need to look at ourselves too.

“Tameside Labour Group used to be a campaigning machine – one that our Labour colleagues across the region were envious of. Sadly, in recent times, our standards have declined.

“We need to attract new, talented candidates for the future, we need to increase and improve our campaign activities and we need to review and modernise our own processes.

“We really do have so much talent and enthusiasm within our group to improve our services for the better.

“And we need to move on and put old rivalries aside. I would lead by example. This is an opportunity to draw a line and move forward for the sake of our residents – for the sake of our children.

“So, whilst the challenge ahead is huge, so is the opportunity.”

One Reply to “New Tameside Council leader names cabinet”

Comments are closed.