Election date for Ken successor

SADDLEWORTH voters will go to the polls in May to elect a replacement parish councillor for the late Ken Hulme.

Delph ward, which includes Denshaw, will vote for candidates on the same day as the local elections — Thursday, May 3.

Under election rules, more than 10 local residents have to request a by-election, otherwise current parish councillors could co-opt a new councillor. Enough request were made so the vacancy will be officially announced on Tuesday, March 27, after which candidates must submit their names before noon on Wednesday, April 4.

Councillor Hulme, vice-chairman of the parish council, died in the Royal Oldham Hospital after a short illness on Friday February 3. Fellow parish councillors paid tribute to him at the most recent parish council meeting, describing him as “a real character”. It has yet to be decided who will be the new vice-chairman.