TWO senior members of Trafford Council have resigned with immediate effect, including chief executive Theresa Grant.

The shock resignations come only weeks after Labour took over leadership of Trafford Council for the first time in 14 years.

Mrs Grant, chief executive of Trafford Council, and corporate director Joanne Hyde, will both leave their posts with immediate effect.

Mrs Grant said her decision follows the establishment of the Labour administration and the appointment of Andrew Western as leader of the Council.

She said: "As Chief Executive of Trafford Council and having worked at Trafford for the last nine years, I am enormously proud of the work we have done together to make Trafford one of the best Councils in the Country.

"Following the recent elections and the establishment of Trafford’s new administration and leader, it is now time for me to move on to new opportunities.

"I wish all of my friends and colleagues in Greater Manchester, at Trafford Council, Trafford CCG and all of our residents and stakeholders, the very best for the future and thank you all for your help and support over the last nine years. I wish you every success for the future."

Leader of Trafford Council, Cllr Andrew Western, responded to the resignations by thanking Mrs Grant for her work over the past nine years.

He said: "On behalf of Trafford Council I would like to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of Theresa during her time with the Council.

"She has played a significant role in shaping the agenda to support the regeneration and growth of Trafford as well as the successful implementation of many initiatives to improve the services provided by the Council, and for this we are very grateful. We would all like to wish Theresa every success in the future."

Trafford Council confirmed that Jill Colbert, council director for children, families and wellbeing, will step up to cover duties and responsibilities of the chief executive until a permanent replacement is appointed.

But it is understood that Jill Colbert will also vacate the role within the next few weeks to take up a new job in Sunderland.

The departing Mrs Grant has also been responsible for the borough’s clinical commissioning group (CCG) since April. Temporary measures have been put in place to enable Anthony Hassall from Salford CCG to assume the role of interim accountable officer for Trafford CCG.

He will be supported in day-to-day responsibilities by Trafford’s corporate director of commissioning, Sara Radcliffe.

Joanne Hyde, corporate director for transformation and resources, also confirmed her resignation in a statement closely resembling Theresa Grant's. The statement, issued on Mrs Hyde's behalf, said the senior officer was also leaving due to the change in leadership at the Council.

It reads: "Joanne is stepping down from her role with Trafford Council. As corporate director for four years and HR director for four years before that, Joanne can be very proud of what she has achieved in helping to make Trafford one of the best councils in the country.

"Following the recent elections and the establishment of Trafford’s new administration and leader, she believes it is time for her to move on to new opportunities and challenges.

"Joanne wishes all of her friends and colleagues in Greater Manchester, at Trafford Council, Trafford CCG and all of our residents and stakeholders, the very best for the future."

"She expresses her thanks for your help and support over the last eight years and wishes you every success for the future."

Cllr Western said: "On behalf of Trafford Council I would like to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of Joanne during her time with the Council.

"She has played a significant role in shaping the agenda to support the regeneration and growth of Trafford as well as the successful implementation of many initiatives to improve the services provided by the Council, and for this we are very grateful.

"We would all like to wish Joanne every success in the future."