New leader of scandal-hit council appointed after week of resignations and chaos

Tameside Council has appointed a new leader who has vowed to make ‘a culture reset’ following shock resignations last week.

Coun Eleanor Wills has been confirmed as the new Labour leader in Tameside. A letter sent out to Labour members explaining her application to become the new Tameside Labour leader has been successful, which the Labour group have now verified.

The former cabinet has called for a 'culture reset' in the local authority and to transform the failing children’s services.

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This follows a tumultuous week, in which both Tameside Council's chief executive and the council leader quit.

There is expected to be a crunch meeting of the Labour group later today where it is expected the incoming leader will seek support from the group. The next steps would see Coun Wills officially voted in as council leader at a meeting scheduled for next Thursday (October 24) at Guardsman Tony Downes House, Droylsden.

The letter, sent out this morning (October 17), read: “Yesterday I was interviewed for the role of leader of Tameside Labour and I have subsequently been notified that my application has been successful.

“As I said in my email to Tuesday: ‘whilst the challenge ahead is huge, so is the opportunity. With the support and talents of everybody in this group, we can and must improve and transform services for our children and residents.

“I’ll have more to say at this evening’s Labour Group meeting and look forward to speaking with you.”

A spokesperson for Tameside Labour said: “We are pleased to announce that councillor Eleanor Wills is the new leader of Tameside Council. Coun Wills brings years of experience at Tameside where she has served as a dedicated councillor for the local area.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank former Leader Ged Cooney and former deputy Leaders, Bill Fairfoull and Jacqueline North, for their dedicated service.”

Children’s services, run by Tameside Council, are currently rated ‘inadequate' by Ofsted. A government commissioner published a scathing assessment of the children’s services department last month.

The council was told repeatedly it was failing those most vulnerable - with social workers overstretched, children living in 'neglect' for too long and some youngsters in care being put in 'unsuitable' accommodation. All three Labour MPs have highlighted the changing of culture and improvement of this service is of paramount importance.

And on October 8, it emerged that ex-boss of the paid service, Sandra Stewart, had quit amid criticism of the council for failings in children’s services. Just three days later, Coun Ged Cooney stepped down as leader, alongside his deputies, following a number of resignations from his cabinet and other senior councillors.

'It is time for action'

On Tuesday, Coun Wills officially announced her intention to take over the reins from Coun Cooney. The national Labour Party’s 'campaign improvement board', who were brought into Tameside to oversee the leadership changes, will have played a significant role in the proceedings.

In her letter promoting her leadership bid on Tuesday, Coun Wills put cleaning up children’s services as her key priority. The Dukinfield & Stalybridge ward representative explained that ‘decisive action’ needs to be taken.

Her letter, sent on October 15, read: “I wanted to let you know that I have just submitted my application for Leader of Tameside Labour Group. 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. I hope to have your support in taking advantage of that opportunity.”