Neil Wilby Media

A controversial council chief executive, who heads up what many regard as the worst run local authority in the country, is set to face searching questions and a no confidence vote from his own elected Members.

Harry Catherall, whose laziness, ineptitude, self-serving and ethical and professional deficit, seeps into every corner of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council, is reported by the regional press to be heading for neighbouring Tameside Council on a temporary contract following mass resignations of both political leaders and senior paid officers at the Ashton-under-Lyne based authority. Triggered by an adverse Children’s Services rating of ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted.

‘Sir Harry’, as he is widely dubbed, would, apart from being a Tameside resident, seem a bizarre choice to sort out any council’s problems, given the present state of Oldham and the low regard in which he is held by many local councillors.

In an email sent by Conservative councillor, Lewis Quigg, himself never far from controversy, to the Mayor of Oldham last Friday afternoon (11th October), Dr Zahid Chauhan OBE, seeks an extraordinary Council meeting by way of Section 4a, Rule 3 of Council Procedure Rules to debate the announcement of Harry Catherall’s departure.

About which, and in typical autocratic style, Council Leader Arooj Shah, a close friend of her chief executive, has kept both the public and Opposition councillors in the dark. Not even the Group Leaders of the Opposition Parties were consulted.

This is the Motion, in full, put to the Mayor:

“It is extremely concerning given the Chief Executive of Oldham Council has already had his working hours with Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council reduced, and it seems is set to oversee Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council also.

“Councillors deserve answers as to what is going on and to end the flip flopping of a Chief Executive who doesn’t know whether he is coming or going. Oldham Council isn’t in a good place right now and it is clear our financial situation is less than robust. It therefore requires honest answers from Mr Catherall and the Leader of the Council as to whether he is staying or going.

“Oldham deserves a full time Chief Executive, who will focus on the matters at hand in Oldham.

“The Leader of the Council Arooj Shah needs to explain why she thinks this is a good idea to the full Council. It is apparent we are facing our own issues which deserve the attention of the most senior officer in the Council.

“This Council resolves to:

“1. Seek urgent clarification from Mr Harry Catherall and request that he explain his working arrangements to elected members and what role he will play in the running of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council.

“2. That Mr Catherall will take questions from elected members for as long as is necessary, suspending the necessary standing orders to allow him to do so.

“3. That a separate vote of confidence will be immediately had following the vote upon this motion, in Mr Harry Catherall continuing as Chief Executive of Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council.”

Several Civic Centre sources have confirmed that an Extraordinary meeting will be called and the necessary summons is likely to be issued this week.

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Page last updated: Monday 14th October, 2024 at 0845 hours

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