EXCLUSIVE
TAMESIDE Council is set for a shake-up with the creation of a new Independent group as disaffected former Labour members link up with Cllr Kaleel Khan.
Former leader Cllr Ged Cooney will head the constituted band of six, which also includes Cllrs Ann and Barrie Holland, Gary Ferguson and Vincent Ricci.
Five of the six feel like they have been hard done to by their former party – two for reasons connected to the Trigger Me Timbers WhatsApp group.
Droylsden West Cllrs Holland, ward colleagues of Cllr Cooney, feel aggrieved over Ann not being selected to stand in May’s local elections, while Barrie quit after the being suspended.
And Longdendale’s Cllr Ferguson left in April 2025 in protest at the government’s proposals to overhaul the welfare system.
Now the group is set to make its bow at the meeting of Tameside’s full council on Monday, March 2.
The report into the standards sub-committee hearing into Trigger Me Timbers, over which Denton North East Cllr Ricci received a formal waring – for speaking to the BBC, is likely to be a focus.
In a statement, the new group, which officially replaces the old one but does not include Stalybridge North’s Cllr Steven Barton, said: “This is the first time in the borough’s history that Independent councillors have come together in this way under a shared commitment to put community interests before party politics.
“Our main objective is simple: to put our communities and our towns first, always.
“This is an exciting and unprecedented moment for Tameside. We believe local democracy is strongest when councillors are accountable directly to the communities they serve, not party machines.
“Each Independent councillor will remain fully independent in their own ward, accountable directly to their residents and guided by local priorities.”
The new group will submit its first budget amendment, which it says is ‘focused on ensuring investment is directed back into the neighbourhood services that matter most, to local people ‘at the council’s meeting.
It adds: “We believe local people should decide where their council tax money is spent — not the ruling party.”
Cllr Khan, who will be deputy leader, explained his decision to stand side s head of the Independents.
The St Peter’s ward representative said: “Councillor Ged Cooney, with his history, experience and previous leadership as leader of Tameside’s Labour-run council, is best placed to lead this new group.
“This decision is to put our town first above party politics for the residents of Tameside.”