Oldham Council failed to elect a Leader of the Council, resulting in a continued governance deadlock. Following the failure to appoint a leader, the Monitoring Officer will notify the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Statutory Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Council considered a statutory report from the Monitoring Officer, Alex Bougatef, Director of Legal Services, concerning the ongoing failure to elect a Leader and form an administration. The report highlighted that this situation was unlawful and had persisted since the Annual Meeting on 20 May 2026, impacting the Council's ability to operate its governance framework. The Monitoring Officer's opinion was that the prolonged omission had impaired the operation of the Council's adopted governance model and justified reporting the matter to the Secretary of State. Councillors Shah, Quigg, Ghafoor, Al-Hamdani, Sharp, Williamson, E. Taylor, Chauhan, Byrne, Harkness, P. Taylor, Akhtar, and Murphy addressed the Council regarding the report. Ultimately, the Council resolved to receive and note the Monitoring Officer's report and acknowledge the breach of its constitution and relevant legislation.

Leader of the Council

Following the consideration of the Monitoring Officer's report, the Council proceeded to elect a Leader. Several amendments were proposed and debated.

• Amendment 7, moved by Councillor Brian Hobin and seconded by Councillor Lisa Navesey, proposed suspending council procedure rules to nominate Councillor Hobin as Leader. This amendment was lost.
• Amendment 1, moved by Councillor Arooj Shah and seconded by Councillor Elaine Taylor, proposed appointing Councillor Shah as Leader and allowing the Labour Group to form a minority administration. This amendment was lost.
• Amendment 2, moved by Councillor Lewis Quigg and seconded by Councillor Paul Robinson, proposed appointing Councillor Quigg as Leader. Councillors P. Taylor, Kenyon, Eyre, and Chauhan spoke on this amendment. Councillor Quigg exercised his right of reply. This amendment was lost.
• Amendment 3, moved by Councillor Robert Barnes and seconded by Councillor Gary Tarbuck, was debated, with Councillors Sharp, Hobin, E. Taylor, and Ghafoor speaking. A closure motion was carried, and the amendment was subsequently lost.
• Amendment 4, moved by Councillor Robert Jackson and seconded by Councillor Mark Ruthven, was debated, with Councillors Quigg, E. Taylor, and Hobin speaking. A closure motion was carried, and the amendment was lost.
• Amendment 5, moved by Councillor Mark Kenyon and seconded by Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, was debated, with Councillors P. Taylor, Hobin, and E. Taylor speaking. Councillor Kenyon exercised his right of reply. This amendment was lost.
• Amendment 6, moved by Councillor Kamran Ghafoor and seconded by Councillor Sam Al-Hamdani, was debated, with Councillors Hobin, E. Taylor, Shah, and Barnes speaking. Councillor Ghafoor exercised his right of reply. This amendment was lost.

As all amendments were lost, the Mayor, Councillor Byrne, stated that the Monitoring Officer would notify the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.