Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions at the Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council meeting on 7 October 2025. The meeting will cover a range of topics, including updates from executive members, contract procedure rules, and essential learning programmes for elected members. The council will also review minutes from various committee meetings, including the Executive Cabinet and Standards Committee.

Contract Procedure Rules Update

The council is scheduled to discuss proposed changes to its Contract Procedure Rules. These rules govern how the council procures goods, works and services. The proposed changes are to ensure that the CPR's are up to date with current legislation including the Procurement Act 2023.

Key changes to be discussed include:

• Updates to procurement objectives to reflect the principles of the Procurement Act 2023, including delivering value for money and maximising public benefit.
• Introducing a 'Mini-PID' form for procurement activity below £25,000.
• Replacing the term 'Most Economically Advantageous Tender' (MEAT) with 'Most Advantageous Tender' (MAT).
• Introducing the use of Direct Awards, to reflect the language used in the Procurement Act.
• Inserting new modification grounds, based on the modification grounds available under the Procurement Act 2023.
• A new Schedule 1 for Tameside MBC only, requiring direct awards, exemptions and modifications to be noted by the Council's Audit Committee.

The report pack notes that failure to update the Contract Procedure Rules could expose the council to legal challenges.

Essential Learning Programme for Elected Members

The council is scheduled to discuss a report regarding essential learning for elected members¹. The report proposes the addition of e-learning modules to the Member Development Programme, covering areas such as:

• Equality and diversity
• Cyber security
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Health and safety
• Prevent²
• Sexual harassment in the workplace
• Safeguarding awareness
• Unconscious bias

The report pack states that these interactive modules would allow councillors to access content anytime, anywhere through a self-paced format . Councillors will be given log-on details and guidance, with drop-in sessions available for support. The report pack also notes that the Standards Committee supported this proposal at its meeting on 25 September 2025.

Executive Member Updates

The council is scheduled to receive both written and verbal updates from executive members on their respective portfolios. The written updates cover a range of topics, including:

• Councillor Eleanor Wills, Executive Leader, will provide an update on engaging with residents through 'Cabinet in Community' events and the development of a Borough Plan.
• Councillor Andrew McLaren, Deputy Leader (Growth, Housing and Homelessness), will discuss the refreshed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the creation of an Empty Homes Team, and increasing the supply of temporary accommodation.
• Councillor Tafheen Sharif, First Deputy (Population Health & Well-Being), will provide updates on workplace health checks, suicide prevention initiatives, and a youth vaping campaign.
• Councillor John Taylor, Executive Member (Adult Social Care and Inclusivity), will discuss the Adults Early Support and Advice Hub (ESAH) and the opening of Birch Lea Park, a new housing with care scheme in Hattersley.
• Councillor Teresa Smith, Executive Member (Children and Families), will provide an update on the reduction of agency workers in children's social care and engagement with children and young people through the Corporate Parenting Board.
• Councillor Laura Boyle, Executive Member (Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods), will report on the work of the Trading Standards team.
• Councillor Hugh Roderick, Executive Member (Finance and Resources), will discuss the 2026/27 budget planning, a workforce update, capital programme progress, and the council meeting the Royal British Legion's 'Credit Their Service' campaign requirements.
• Councillor Leanne Feeley, Executive Member (Lifelong Learning and Culture), will provide updates on museums, local studies and archives, libraries, arts and engagement, and lifelong learning initiatives.
• Councillor Stephen Homer, Executive Member (Towns, Transport and Connectivity), will discuss the car parking review and the draft Electric Vehicle Infrastructure strategy.

Minutes from Executive Cabinet Meetings

The council is scheduled to review the minutes from the Executive Cabinet meetings held on 30 July, 27 August, and 24 September 2025. Key items discussed in these meetings included:

• The Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-2027.
• Children's Services Commissioning Intentions 2025-2027.
• Uplifts to Public Health Contracts.
• Moving Traffic Enforcement.
• Route to Market – Park Bridge Centre.
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Homes England Revenue Funding 2025/26.
• Ashton Regeneration Partnership.
• Enforcement Agent Contract.
• Building Control and Technical Support Service Review.
• Draft Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2025 – 2030.
• Public Health Commissioning Intentions (August) 2025-2026.
• Revenue Monitoring P3 2025-26.
• Capital Monitoring P3 2025-26.
• Environment and Climate Emergency Working Group Minutes.
• Corporate Performance Reporting: Quarter 1 2025/26.
• Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
• Proposed Article 4 Direction for Small Houses in Multiple Occupation.
• SEND Home to School and Vulnerable Adult Transport - Procurement of New Framework Contract.
• Proposal to Declare Assets Surplus to Requirements (Batch 6).
• Tameside Cultural Strategy.
• Sale of Land at Grafton Street, Hyde.
• Proposed Sale of the Former Droylsden Library and Lock Keepers Sites, Droylsden.

Minutes from the Standards Committee

The council is scheduled to receive the minutes from the Standards Committee meeting held on 25 September 2025. The committee discussed a local resolution regarding a complaint about a Facebook post by Councillor Liam Billington, as well as a members' training programme.

Minutes from the Democratic Processes Working Group

The council is scheduled to receive the minutes from the Democratic Processes Working Group held on 22 September 2025. The group discussed the Contract Procedure Rules and a postal vote refresh. Regarding the postal vote refresh, members were reminded that the Elections Act 2022 requires all existing postal voters to reapply before 31 January 2026.