'It would be like Pep managing City one day and United the next'

COUNCIL CHIEF IS SET TO TAKE OVER RUNNING OF CRISIS-HIT NEIGHBOURS

- CHARLOTTE HALL

OLDHAM council have agreed to plans for their CEO to take the reins at its crisis-ridden neighbours despite some councillors' fears it won't work.

Tameside Council has been rocked in recent weeks following a slew of resignations in light of a damning report to the government about the state of its children's services.

Both the council's chief executive, Sandra Stewart and leader, Ged Cooney, quit their roles. While the authority has since appointed a new leader, a council meeting was called to scrutinise the proposal for Oldham's chief executive, Harry Catherall, to 'timeshare' between both councils.

Mr Catherall was headhunted by Tameside Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority after he oversaw the improvement of Oldham's children's services.

He would be employed by Tameside four days a week while maintaining his role for one day a week in Oldham.