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A new era for Tameside has begun, as its new council chief executive officially starts following a year of turbulence. The exit of interim chief executive Harry Catherall marks a milestone in what has been a tumultuous 12 months for the borough. The local authority has undergone major surgery since Sandra Stewart quit her £184,767 salary job in October 2024. The ex council boss resigned following pressure relating to the council’s failing children’s services. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE The new chief executive, Emma Alexander, is the first permanent chief executive to be appointed since Ms Stewart’s exit last year. Ms Stewart’s resignation led to a litany of departures from the top jobs in the council – starting with former council leader Coun Ged Cooney. Coun Cooney stepped down as leader, alongside his deputies, following a number of resignations from his cabinet and other senior councillors. Although his successor Coun Eleanor Wills is still in post, it hasn’t been smooth sailing. A number of her cabinet members were embroiled in the ‘Trigger Me Timbers’ WhatsApp scandal, which led to another string of resignations. Following the leak of the Denton Labour groups WhatsApp messages, Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne was sacked as a junior health minister and suspended. Mr Gwynne is alleged to have made anti-Semitic slights and joked about a pensioner dying before an election after she raised concerns about bin collections. Tameside councillors Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton were among the 12 suspended Labour politicians and decided to step down from their cabinet positions in the wake of the headlines. Coun Reid has since seen the Labour whip restored, but Coun Naylor and Coun Newton have been expelled from the group. Back in July, council leader Coun Eleanor Wills hailed the moment the new chief executive was officially voted in at Dukinfield Town Hall as ‘the beginning of a renewed purpose’ for the borough. This week will be Ms Alexander’s first in office following Mr Catherall’s last day on Friday, October 24. In a poignant close to a remarkable career, the outgoing council boss reflected on his journey – from starting as a finance apprentice in Tameside 46 years ago, to proudly launching the borough’s new commitment to recruit 50 apprentices annually through the Train Tameside 500 campaign. Mr Catherall said: “Returning to serve the borough where I live and where my career began has been deeply meaningful. “Spending my last day launching our apprenticeship pledge is a full-circle moment I’ll never forget. “My original apprentice contract is the one employment document I’ve kept throughout my career and I’m proud that as a council we are committed to investing in young people and giving back to the community in a way that gave me my start.” Join our Traffic and Travel WhatsApp group HERE With extensive experience and a clear vision for the future, it is hoped Ms Alexander can build on the progress made and lead Tameside into its next chapter. Council leader Eleanor Wills added: “Working alongside Harry for my first year as leader has been a privilege. He has been a strength, a mentor and a friend. I will miss him immensely but remain forever grateful for his influence here in Tameside. “He has guided us with expertise, passion and deep personal commitment to Tameside through an important period of transition. His diligence and experience have left a lasting mark on this authority and put us in a strong position for moving forward and driving further improvement. “Thank you Harry and we wish you well.”
