A BOLTON union chief says she welcomes a ‘sea change’ at the council following the appointment of new chief executive Tony Oakman.

Andrea Egan assistant branch secretary for Bolton Unison, says members of the public sector union have been “gobsmacked” by the different approach from the new town hall chief.

Ms Egan said: “We have seen a complete turnaround under the new chief executive.

“We have gone to quite open relationship where, on the table, there will be a dialogue with us.

“We won’t always agree, we know that, but he has been true to his word.

“It’s encouraging that there’s a new guy in town and he wants to do things properly by engaging with trade unions which is the right thing to do.”

She said rank and file members have a favourable impression of Mr Oakman.

She said: “He has been welcomed by our members when for the last two years we have been stonewalled.

“We were gobsmacked, it’s refreshing."