"It’s a big thing they’re getting wrong": Residents of crisis-hit council speak out after brutal report sparks chaos

Dark clouds overhead and the impending downpour surely due any minute - the weather in Stalybridge reflects the sombre mood currently hanging over the town hall.

Much like the town centre's civic hall building, which is in the midst of a £19m restoration project, Tameside council's hierarchy is currently in disrepair. Last week, its chief executive, Sandra Stewart, tendered her resignation and was quickly followed by leader Coun Ged Cooney just three days later.

The two leaders stepped down following pressure for change amid a scathing commissioners report into children’s services, currently rated ‘inadequate' by Ofsted. A government commissioner published a brutal assessment of the children’s services department last month.

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The council was told repeatedly it was failing those most vulnerable - with social workers overstretched, children living in 'neglect' for too long and some youngsters in care being put in 'unsuitable' accommodation. The commissioner's report also highlighted a 'toxic culture' pervading through the services.

Amid a scene of political chaos in the town hall, the national Labour party were forced to bring in a 'campaign improvement board' to make changes, welcomed by the borough's three MPs.

But despite the turbulence, a number of people the Manchester Evening News spoke to on Stalybridge high street said they were unaware about what was unfolding a mere two miles down the road in Ashton's council offices.

“Don’t know, don’t care,” one dog walker exclaimed as he walked by the canal.

One pensioner strolling down Melbourne Street added: “I’m not that bothered about what happens in town hall. Things will happen but