Ex-borough solicitor becomes permanent chief executive at North West council

Tameside Borough Council has appointed its former Borough Solicitor, Sandra Stewart, as its Chief Executive on a permanent basis.

Stewart, who joined Tameside Council in 1994 and rose to become Borough Solicitor and Deputy Chief Executive, assumed the role of Chief Executive on an interim basis in June of this year.

She was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and has practised administrative and public law, advocacy, children, construction, employment, and planning law.

During her almost three-decade stint at Tameside, she has spent time as the council's Director of Governance and Pension Fund Director.

Stewart became Deputy Chief Executive in June of this year after her predecessor, Steven Pleasant, left the council over a derogatory social media post about the Conservative party.

A tweet published on Pleasant's official council Twitter account said of a Conservative voter interviewed on television: "She was good. Tory voter with compassion and empathy for others. Who knew!!"

As then monitoring officer, Stewart published a report on Pleasant's online activity, which concluded he should not have appeared to have tried to affect public support for a political party as the chief executive is politically restricted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Stewart's permanent appointment was unanimously approved at a full council meeting held on 6 December.

She is set to continue as director of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund and take over as electoral registration officer and returning officer for local, parliamentary and other elections and referendums.

Stewart will also be responsible for the integration of health and care in Tameside as a place-based lead for health and care integration. "As such she heads integrated care as part of national changes to the way the NHS and local authorities support people's health and social care," a council statement on her appointment noted.

Commenting on her appointment, Stewart said: "I am proud to have worked for Tameside for more than 25 years and feel honoured to have been appointed to the role on a permanent basis."

She added: "I am passionate about Tameside and will continue to work with the elected council leadership, the council senior leadership team and partners to deliver the very best we can for the borough and our residents. I am committed to ensuring that what we do every day will make it a better place for everyone to live, learn and work."

Adam Carey