The first elections to Tameside Council were held on Thursday, 10 May 1973. This was a new council created to replace the municipal boroughs of Ashton-under-Lyne, Dukinfield, Hyde, Mossley, and Stalybridge, and the urban districts of Audenshaw, Denton, Droylesden, and Longdendale. This election would create the entire 54-member council, which would shadow its predecessor councils before taking over their functions on 1 April 1974, as specified in the Local Government Act 1972. Each 1st-placed candidate would serve a five-year term of office, expiring in 1978. Each 2nd-placed candidate would serve a three-year term of office, expiring in 1976. Each 3rd-placed candidate would serve a two-year term of office, expiring in 1975.
The Labour Party won overall control of the council.