Neil Wilby Media

A petition to oust Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council’s beleaguered and now disgraced chief executive, Harry Catherall, has been launched by a well known and respected local political commentator, Jackie Schofield.

It is written in her usual measured, forensic style and is a brutal take-down of a public official well past his sell-by date.

“On Monday 20th May 2024, it emerged that the Chief Executive of Oldham Council, was discovered appearing to get involved in political negotiations between the Labour Group and members of the Shaw and Crompton Independents (Cllrs Marc Hince and Lisa Navesey and Parish Cllr Lee Navesey). The purpose of the meeting was to organise the retention of power for a Labour administration to whom the electorate of the town have sent a very clear message over the last 3 years. 

“During this meeting, at least one elected member who was not present was discussed, along with a member of the public. This is wholly unacceptable, and it is the belief of the undersigned that this level of collusion with Arooj Shah’s Labour group constitutes a complete contempt for the residents of Oldham, if not gross misconduct in public office. Due to Mr Catherall’s silence on the issue, it is our belief that he has brought the council into disrepute.

“Instead, attention has been deflected onto the whistleblower, who is now being targeted and vilified for doing what was right for the people of this borough, protecting their interests and exposing the wrongdoing that seems to take place right at the very top of OMBC. 

“Mr Catherall, if you are reading this, your position is completely untenable. You work for us, the public, not the Labour group, as it would seem. Hopefully you will see the number of people in agreement with this and do the right thing, before formal action is taken to remove you.

“This is a man who has shown himself to be disrespectful to democratically elected members, both in the council chamber and in the corridors of the civic building itself, through his back room negotiations with the local Labour group and lack of assistance to non-Labour councillors, at times even being blatantly rude to them.

“This apparent interference resulted in a political arrangement with an ‘Independent’ councillor who has been fully complicit with some of the very worst abuse of elected members. A man who thinks it’s appropriate to dress up as a Nazi at a community event and shouts ‘Sieg Heil’ in Shaw and Crompton Parish Council meetings. Unfit to be a councillor, let alone Chair of Planning, Mr Hince’s behaviour regularly brings the council into disrepute. Mr Catherall needs to take responsibility for this.

“Harry Catherall has let the people of Oldham down. He has lost the trust of both the public and their elected representatives. We expect and demand more from our highest paid employee, and do not believe that he can or should stay in post.

“The Chief Executive is paid a six figure salary to remain impartial. It seems very clear that this is not happening. The residents of Oldham have lost all faith in Harry Catherall, and this petition demands his immediate removal, or resignation, from a position of trust that in our opinion he has completely compromised by his own actions.”

Those wishing to add their name to the petition can do so at this weblink.

A source in the Oldham Labour Group says their Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah, is ‘furious that a petition has been launched against her friend’.

Another senior Labour source says Harry Catherall is once again looking for the exit door having announced his retirement last May and then backtracked on that decision.

One Conservative Party councillor, when asked if Harry should be disciplined said: “Would anyone be able tell the difference if he was suspended or ‘working’?”

The Liberal Democrats and The Oldham Group, the other two main opposition parties on the Council were approached for comment.

Arooj Shah and Harry Catherall have been offered right of reply.

UPDATE:

The Council says that no rules had been broken. Members of the executive team are invited to political negotiations to give technical advice and Mr Catherall attended several other meetings between different political groups, according to their spokesperson.

Cllr Shah added: “With all due respect this petition is a waste of everybody’s time.

“The chief executive attended a meeting between myself and other elected members to offer technical advice.

“I know, as well as other elected members do, that the chief executive had similar meetings with other group leaders and their representatives during the time between the elections and Annual Council because that is what his job entails.

The LibDems, The Oldham Group and Harry Catherall have declined to comment.

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Page last updated: Monday 10th June, 2024 at 0845 hours

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