The Bolton Council has appointed a new leadership team following recent local elections. At the authority’s annual meeting on May 20, 2026, Cllr Akhtar Zaman was elected as the new Leader of the Council.
Cllr Zaman, who has served as a councillor for the Queens Park and Central ward since 2002, previously acted as Deputy Leader. He steps into the role of leader following the defeat of Nick Peel, who lost his seat in the May 7 local elections after serving as a councillor for 26 years.
Alongside the appointment of Cllr Zaman, Martin Donaghy has been named the new Deputy Leader of the council. Cllr Donaghy previously held the position of Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, a role that has now been taken over by Cllr Rabiya Jiva as part of a wider cabinet reshuffle.
The leadership changes follow the local elections, where Labour maintained its position as the largest party on the 60-seat council with 20 seats, despite losing five seats overall. Reform UK also secured gains in the election, currently holding 10 seats.
Residents looking to identify their specific ward councillors or seeking further information on local representation can visit the Bolton Council website.
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