Oldham Council Faces Deadlock, Potential £1.2k Daily Costs for Taxpayers
Oldham Council is still at deadlock, and taxpayers could foot £1.2k-a-day bill
Manchester Evening News
Image: Manchester Evening News
Oldham Council is in a political deadlock following the 2026 local elections, with no party holding a majority. If unresolved, taxpayers could incur costs of £1,200 per day for a commissioner to oversee council functions, as the government monitors the situation. A new mayor is urgently needed for the council to function legally.
- 01Following the 2026 local elections, Labour lost eight seats, leaving Reform UK as the second largest party with 16 councillors.
- 02The council is unable to appoint a new leader or mayor, which is essential for legal governance.
- 03Previous council deadlocks in the UK have led to costly interventions, with Liverpool paying a lead commissioner £1,200 daily.
- 04The government is closely monitoring the Oldham situation, which could lead to commissioners being appointed if no resolution is found.
- 05Experts warn that the deadlock could drag on due to the presence of new parties like Reform UK, complicating negotiations.
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Oldham Council is currently experiencing a significant political deadlock following the 2026 local elections, where Labour lost eight seats, leaving Reform UK as the second largest party. No party has a majority, with 31 seats needed for control. The council is unable to appoint a new mayor or leader, which hampers its ability to conduct legal business. If the deadlock continues, taxpayers may face costs of £1,200 per day for a commissioner to oversee council functions. Historical precedents show that similar situations in councils like Liverpool and Sefton have led to costly interventions. The UK government is monitoring Oldham's situation closely, and experts suggest that if the deadlock persists, commissioners may be appointed to restore governance. This would represent a significant failure of local democracy, as local councils are meant to be run by elected officials. The next meeting to address the deadlock is scheduled for June 15.
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The ongoing deadlock may delay important council decisions and policies, affecting local governance and services.
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