Council set for first female leader

DEPUTY . . . Councillor Jean Stretton

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OLDHAM Council looks set to get its first female leader as Councillor Arooj Shah emerged as a surprise candidate to battle with Jim McMahon’s deputy Jean Stretton for the role.

Mr McMahon, who became the new MP for Oldham West and Royton two weeks ago, is expected to stand down as Oldham Council leader next month, triggering a leadership election among Labour councillors.

The Chronicle understands the only candidates so far are councillors Shah and Stretton.

The two councillors are now believed to be canvassing colleagues for their support. Neither would comment.

Councillor Shah is a surprise candidate but has quickly become a popular figure in the council chamber.

A councillor for St Mary’s ward since 2012 she is already Cabinet member for performance and corporate governance, with responsibility for important areas such as customer service, communications and performance monitoring.

In 2013, Councillor Shah jointly won a Local Government Information Unit award when with fellow councillors Amanda Chadderton and Sean Fielding she was named Young Councillor of the Year.

Councillor Stretton is a veteran in the council chamber, having been councillor for Hollinwood since 2003 — where she has lived for more than 26 years.

She also made a quick impression, joining the Cabinet as member for housing after only a year as a member. She is now responsible for health and wellbeing and leads Oldham on the devolution of significant new health powers and a £6billion budget to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

She was appointed deputy leader of Oldham Council in June 2014.

She was named Community Champion of the Year in 2013 by LGiU to honour her efforts in setting up the Oldham Distress Fund and supporting the people of Shaw following the gas explosion that killed two-year-old Jamie Heaton and left dozens of people homeless in June, 2012.

Tomorrow evening will be Mr McMahon’s last full council meeting as leader.