Tameside Reporter • 5th August 2025

Benefits bill changes 'shouldn't be looked at in isolation', Tameside MP says

MP Jonathan Reynolds has spoken out after the government's U-turn on its benefits bill, which will see Pip claimants better protected and some universal credit cuts reversed.

The MP for Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley, Longdendale and Dukinfield described the current benefits system as 'not fit for purpose', and has welcomed the government's most recent changes to its original proposals.

The Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill was voted in by Parliament on Tuesday (1st July). It...

Tameside Reporter • 5th August 2025

Tameside Council recommends new chief executive

A new permanent chief executive has been recommended for appointment at Tameside Council.

Emma Alexander currently works as managing director at Derbyshire County Council, and was recommended for the role at Tameside this week.

She has previously worked at neighbouring Oldham MBC until 2016 as executive director of corporate and commercial services and Trafford MBC until 2009 as corporate director.

Her appointment will be subject to a meeting next week (15th July), with the council hopeful sh...

Tameside Reporter • 5th August 2025

Tameside Council announces £1.5 million SEND investment

Tameside Council has announced they will be investing £1.5 million into SEND education across the borough.

The investment will see an additional 133 school places opened up to students with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) in Tameside.

The plan was approved following a public consultation, and the first phase will take effect from September of this year.

An inspection of SEND services for children in Tameside was released last week, with Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission...

Tameside Reporter • 5th August 2025

Senior member of Tameside Council to shift to Warrington

The interim chief executive, who first joined Tameside Council to assist after the loss of their previous CEO, has landed a government role helping other struggling councils.

Harry Catherall was appointed as a ministerial envoy via a letter sent by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government this week.

The revelation came as Tameside Council announced that a new candidate had been put forward for the role of chief executive, which Catherall temporarily took over after previous CEO Sa...

Glossop Chronicle • 5th August 2025

The new permanent chief executive of Tameside Council on a salary of £195,000

Emma Alexander was approved as the new Chief Executive of Tameside Council at a full council meeting held this week.

Emma Alexander currently works as managing director at Derbyshire County Council, and was recommended for the role at Tameside last week.

Now, after a successful council meeting on Tuesday (15th July), she is officially set to start her role in November.

After previously working at both Oldham and Trafford Councils, Alexander’s new role will see her take over in overseeing issu...

Glossop Chronicle • 5th August 2025

Council managing director sets sights on Tameside

Derbyshire County Council managing director Emma Alexander has been recommended for a senior role a Tameside Council.

Emma first joined Derbyshire County Council in September 2017 as Executive Director for Commissioning Communities and Policy. In January 2021, she became Managing Executive Director before being appointed as permanent Managing Director in December that same year.

Tameside Council announced she has been recommended for the position of Chief Executive at the council, nine months...

The Northern Quota • 30th October 2024

Modern slavery 'major cause for concern' in construction and care industries

Instances of modern-day slavery have been ‘on the rise’ within the construction and care industries in Manchester, with the Deputy Mayor also outlining concern for young charity workers, a conference heard.


The conference, held on world Anti-Slavery Day (18 October) in Manchester’s HOME Gallery, saw deputy mayor Kate Green joined by various experts to discuss Greater Manchester’s response to instances of modern-day slavery.


Speaking at the panel, Angela Hughes – governance manager at Speed...

The Northern Quota • 7th May 2024

Deputy city council leader ousted by Workers’ Party in Longsight

Labour’s Luthfur Rahman, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, has lost his council seat to Workers’ Party of Britain candidate Shabas Sarwar after he won 2,444 votes – beating Labour by 185.


It comes after the WPB took control of a further two seats in Rochdale following the 2024 local elections.


Following the election outcome, Councillor Sarwar said he was ‘proud’ of his achievement as someone “new to the political arena” and that he believed the vote had been decided by his party’s...

The Northern Quota • 22nd April 2024

Mayoral elections: Greater Manchester candidates agree ‘a set of standards’ should be placed on student accommodation after election

Current Labour mayor Andy Burnham and the Liberal Democrats’ Jake Austin have confirmed student accommodation would be included on the Good Landlord Charter if they are elected in the upcoming mayoral election.


The proposed Good Landlord Charter would put more responsibility on landlords to provide good-quality housing conditions for tenants. It would also give tenants the right to request a property check if they believe their housing conditions to be unsafe.


The promises came in the late...