63 candidates target 20 council seats

A TOTAL of 63 candidates will battle it out for 20 seats up for grabs in next month’s local council elections.

Labour, which has an eight-seat majority on Oldham Council, will field a candidate in each of the 20 borough wards, as will the Liberal Democrats.

A total of 17 candidates will stand for the Conservatives, two for the Respect Party, and one a piece for both the Green Party and the UK Independence Party.

There are two independent candidates.

Notable changes will see Tory councillor John Hudson contest Saddleworth South, instead of his current Chadderton Central seat.

Likewise, Diane Williamson (Lib-Dem) will vie for a place in Crompton instead of fighting her current seat in Royton South, while Conservative councillor Paul Martin is giving up his Failsworth East seat to contest Chadderton North.

The Mayor of Oldham, Saddleworth South Lib-Dem councillor Richard Knowles, is among those standing down at this election. Also leaving the council are fellow Lib-Dem councillors Ann Wingate and Mike Buckley and Conservatives Ian Barker and Jack Hulme.

Of the 20 seats available, the Liberal Democrats, who lost control of the council last year, are defending 11, Labour five and the Conservatives four.

Four candidates will fight for a spot on Saddleworth Parish Council to replace the late councillor Ken Hulme, who died in February.

For the full list of nominations get the printed edition of the Chronicle or sign up to to the eChron and iChron editions - click the eChron tab on the home page.