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BREAKING NEWS: Council boss Sandra Stewart to leave post following allegations of 'bullying and toxic' culture

It is understood Sandra Stewart - the chief executive of Tameside Council - will step down from her position following a crisis meeting.

The News comes after the Reporter published details of the report by the children's commissioner into the running of the council's children's services which revealed an atmosphere of toxic bullying in the local authority from management.

Just a day after the report she claimed the findings by commissioner Andy Couldrick were wrong and staff were happy in the department - despite revelations the council relied on a large number of agency social workers because qualified staff had quit in their droves.

It is believed Ms Stewart will spend the next few days negotiating any pay-off and the conditions of her departure.

Sources close to the council say leader Ged Cooney's position could also be vulnerable.

Ms Stewart was appointed chief executive in 2022, she had previously been borough solicitor.

She was appointed when her predecessor Steven Pleasant was forced to stand down following an ill-advised tweet.

Mr Pleasant had used his work account to express surprise a Conservative voter "had compassion and empathy".

Ms Stewart, who was the council's monitoring officer and head of governance and pensions, initially took on the top role for 12 months.

Since her appointment, she has been a divisive figure with critics claiming she had an attitude of 'my way or the highway'.

Members of the council's Labour group attended compulsory crisis talks today to discuss her future.

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