Leader of crisis-hit council quits with 'immediate effect' after fresh wave of resignations

A Greater Manchester council leader has quit after a week which its chief executive resign and several councillors leave their roles.

Tameside council leader Ged Cooney has tendered his resignation with 'immediate effect' this morning (October 11). It comes after another damning report, this time by a government-appointed commissioner, into the local authority's failing children's services.

It follows the resignation of Sandra Stewart as the council's chief executive on Tuesday (October 8). Several councillors who served in the council's executive cabinet or as scrutiny panel chairs also quit their jobs this week while others refused offers of joining the top team.

READ MORE: A council in crisis as children suffer

The Manchester Evening News exclusively revealed last night (October 10) that the Labour Party is now sending in its own officials to fix the crisis-hit council. The move means the national party could pick the new leader, taking the decision away from local councillors.

Announcing his resignation on Friday (October 11), Coun Cooney 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."

The Droylsden West councillor became the council leader in May 2022 after taking over from Coun Brenda Warrington. During his tenure, the council's children's services was rated 'inadequate' again, leading to a government-appointed commissioner being sent in.

Last month, the government was told the authority doesn't have the 'capacity or capability' to improve children's services 'without oversight and support'. The council received an 'inadequate' rating from Ofsted in February, the second in five years. Some children were described as being 'at risk of harm'.

A commissioner's report to the government published in September - prompted by the 'persistent inadequacy' of children's services - was scathing. "There is... a reluctance to accept responsibility collectively and corporately for the long-term service failure," it read.

"The council, corporate and political, is quick to blame for failure: individuals, frontline staff, partners, advisors, government departments. There is far less reflection as to its own role to enable successful service delivery, know how services are performing, deliver tailored corporate support, or recognise its collective accountability.

"Children's services failure does not happen in a vacuum: high-performing councils deliver strong services."

The news of Coun Cooney's departure comes just days after the chief executive resigned. Oldham council's chief executive Harry Catherall is expected temporarily take over at Tameside within weeks while the local authority looks for a permanent replacement.