The woman vying to become the next council leader in Tameside

A Tameside councillor who left her a cabinet role last week has vowed to transform the scandal-hit authority in a bid to be named its new leader.

In a letter seeking support from Labour colleagues, Coun Eleanor Wills said the local authority needs a ‘culture reset’. It follows a tumultuous week, in which both Tameside Council’s chief executive and the council leader quit.. 

After leaving her position in charge of health and wellbeing, Coun Wills is has thrown her hat in the ring for the vacant top job – taking over from Coun Ged Cooney following his resignation.

It is not currently known how many other councilors have expressed interest in the position.

On October 8, it first 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. 

Over the next few days, it has been suggested that a new council leader will be brought in under the guidance of the national Labour Party. Labour confirmed last week that they had implemented a ‘campaign improvement board’ in Tameside to oversee the changes.

In her letter, Coun Wills has put cleaning up children’s services as her key priority. The Dukinfield & Stalybridge ward representative explained that ‘decisive action’ needs to be taken in order to stop the rot – which is directly impacting children.  

Her letter, directed towards her council peers, 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.”

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.