Vote aims to end council deadlock

A leaderless council facing the threat of government intervention could finally end weeks of political deadlock.

Oldham councillors will vote on Wednesday on proposals to split responsibilities across political groups.

It follows a series of failed attempts to form an administration after no party won an overall majority at May's local elections.

The council has been operating without a political leader for six weeks after negotiations between political groups failed to produce an administration.

Oldham Council chief executive, Shelley Kipling, said: "The proposals being considered represent a strengthening of the governance arrangements already in place.

"They provide greater transparency, stronger democratic oversight and clear political engagement, while ensuring decisions can continue to be taken effectively and in the best interests of Oldham."

She added: "Our absolute priority is ensuring residents continue to receive the services and support they rely on every day while we work towards a longer-term political solution."

If agreed at the full council meeting, the leaders of the four biggest groups - Labour (18), Reform UK (16), the Oldham Group (10) and the Lib Dems (6) - will each oversee an important area of the council.

These would be Resources (Lib Dems), Place (Labour), Children and Young People (Reform), and Health and Adult Care (Oldham Group).

However, the deal is meant as an "interim" arrangement, with groups still asked to meet once a month to try to agree on a long-term leader, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

In the meantime, these council bosses will not have any executive powers, meaning they won't be able to direct officers or embark on any new schemes.

Currently, decisions are being delegated to council officers and published online afterwards.

Elected members and the public have been unable to weigh-in in the same way they usually would, meaning much of the council's business is taking place behind closed doors.

While most of the executive power would remain with the council's chief executive, the proposed system would allow for greater political and public scrutiny of the decision-making process, according to a report published on the full council's meeting agenda.

The lack of political leadership has raised concerns that the government could intervene and impose commissioners on the local authority.

The council's legal officer had previously warned there could be "significant" financial costs coming down the line if that happened.

Commissioners being imposed due to a political quarrel, such as has arisen in Oldham, is thought to be a first and could cost £1,200 or more a day.

The developments come as Oldham's Reform UK group has confirmed a change in leadership. Councillor Lewis Quigg has resigned from his post as group boss which he has held since September 2025.

He said on Oldham Reform's Facebook page: "I will continue to serve as ward councillor for Royton North and will support Reform UK in any way I can."

He has been replaced by councillor Mark Wilkinson.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.