Column: 'Building a fitter Tameside for all'

In her latest Reporter column, Tameside Council's Executive Leader, Cllr Brenda Warrington, discusses the recent Full Council meeting and preparations for Brexit.

Last Tuesday, we held the latest Full Council session of 2019 in the familiar surroundings of Guardsman Tony Downes House in Droylsden.

As the October 31 deadline for Britain’s exit from the EU draws closer, it’s clear that we are standing on the precipice of a fundamental and transformational shift as a country. 

Last week’s meeting gave us an opportunity to begin preparations to ensure that, when the winds of change come, places like Tameside will be able to make sure that change is for the better, for all of us.

An essential part of this is guaranteeing that we can deliver and improve the vital day-to-day services that our residents depend upon. 

During the meeting, I talked about Tameside Council receiving formal recognition as a Co-Operative Council, committing us to the values and principles of the wider co-operative movement. 

I also reiterated our support for the Local Government Association’s “Councils Can” campaign, and how it could be the beginning of a wider conversation about the relationship between Whitehall and town halls.

I think it’s important to highlight that the winds of change are blowing at a Greater Manchester level as well. 

At the beginning of last week I chaired a special meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to approve the launch of a public consultation on bringing our city region’s buses back under public control, which could lead to more regular bus services, with more affordable fares, at a better cost for local taxpayers. 

The consultation has been live since14th October, and I would encourage you all to make your voices heard.

Two motions were also discussed and passed unanimously.

The first threw our support behind the abolition of Section 21 notices, which are used by landlords to evict tenants from their homes for no reason and with short notice.

The second motion called for the removal of the bedroom tax for care leavers, helping them stand to on their own two feet and maybe paving the way for the bedroom tax to eventually be abolished completely.

I’m sure I’m not the only person that has become dismayed at the chaos and cruelty that has entered our national politics in recent years. 

I believe that we are showing that there is a way to do things differently, putting our faith in our residents to secure a co-operative Tameside, a prosperous Tameside and a better Tameside for us all.