Tameside Council Chief Executive

A Statement from Sandra Stewart to all staff said:

“I have been proud to work for Tameside for 30 years and have put my heart and soul into delivering the best outcomes for the Borough. I stepped into the Chief Executive job, whilst we were at a challenging time in our improvement journey across the Council, whilst retaining my Director of Pensions role.

“Since that time we have collectively delivered a great deal, a new corporate plan, and a new plan for growth including the Places for Everyone Housing Growth Plan as well as dealing with the post pandemic and the ongoing cost of living impacts on our most vulnerable. Many of the projects across our towns are now starting to take shape and will provide new opportunities for growth and development benefiting residents and local businesses alike.   

“That said, we still have some big challenges ahead of us, with the recent publication of the Children’s Commissioner report, the appointment of a new long term commissioner and a strategic partner to help drive forward the children’s improvement journey. I am pleased that we are in the final stages of recruiting a permanent Director of Childrens Service, which is a key appointment for the Council. 

“In addition, there is an enormous agenda from the new Government, particularly in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the Greater Manchester Mayor has announced on 23 September 2024 a new Portfolio for Pensions as part of the Combined Authority’s push for growth which can be read here  

“Given all these complexities, I have agreed with the Leader that both the Chief Executive and Director of Pension roles are together now too big for one individual and cannot be given the full undivided attention needed. Therefore, the Leader and I have agreed that I will become the Chief Executive of the £32 billion Greater Manchester Pension Fund to deal with the national agenda that Government is currently setting, and we will search for a new Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service) to lead the Council through the next phase of improvement.

“The Council will be starting the permanent recruitment process over the coming weeks and in the meantime, to enable me to focus on the priorities at the Pension Fund, interim arrangements will be put in place to ensure we have a continuous Chief Executive and Place Based Lead for Tameside. Further updates regarding arrangements in the short term will be provided in the coming days.   

“We also can’t lose sight of the fact that ensuring ordinary people working in public sector jobs serving their communities, get to live out their retirement years with security and dignity is a noble cause. There is nothing more important than safeguarding the deferred pay, which are the pensions of our public sector workers, whilst balancing the need to ensure that they are affordable and sustainable to the employers and taxpayers alike and I will do everything I can in my new role to safeguard workers’ pensions whilst achieving growth for Greater Manchester.

“Can I thank you all for your continuing support and committed service, which is enabling us collectively to address our challenges and deliver the services and outcomes our residents need.

"I am incredibly proud of all the work you all do day in and day out to make the Borough a better place where everyone can achieve their hopes and ambitions.”