Oldham Council confirms first female leader

Oldham Council has confirmed the appointment of its first ever female leader. Councillor Jean Stretton was approved at an extraordinary meeting of full council on 27 January, after...

Oldham Council has confirmed the appointment of its first ever female leader. Councillor Jean Stretton was approved at an extraordinary meeting of full council on 27 January, after being provisionally selected for the role by the ruling Labour group earlier in the month.

Cllr Stretton replaces Jim McMahon OBE, whose administration led Oldham in its transition to a co-operative council. Cllr McMahon stepped aside to focus on his duties as the new MP for Oldham West and Royton following a parliamentary by-election in December, but retains his Oldham Council seat as one of three ward members for Failsworth East.

Jim McMahon
Jim McMahon

First elected as a ward councillor for Hollingwood in 2003, Cllr Stretton has held cabinet member posts covering co-operatives, housing and neighbourhoods, health and wellbeing, town centres, culture and tourism. In 2013, she was named Community Champion of the Year at the Councillor Achievement Awards for what judges called her “inspiring work to help her community in Oldham recover” following a gas explosion in Shaw.

She is also chair of Oldham Credit Union and a supporter of Oldham Foodbank.

Accepting the nominations, Cllr Stretton praised the work of Jim McMahon’s administration and delivered the firm message that “the work goes on”, highlighting the regeneration projects underway and planned for the future.

She added that being Oldham Council’s first female leader would not define her leadership and she would represent every district and cause.

“I am an Oldhamer born and bred. I want what’s best for this town, for its people and for our young people growing up,” she said.

“I am not afraid of hard work and I’m not afraid of a challenge. I will represent every Oldhamer – regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, race, creed, class or background.”

Cllr Stretton added: “With courage, determination and teamwork – with all of us doing our bit – Oldham can overcome anything that is thrown at us.”

Councillor Abdul Jabbar’s has been confirmed as Oldham Council’s new Deputy Leader. The Labour ward councillor has helped establish Oldham as a leader in public sector finance and led on its low carbon and energy saving agenda.

In this article


Join the Conversation