Some voters are heading to the polls on May 1 for this year’s local elections.
This is when residents can choose which councillors they want to represent their area, and can have a big impact on town halls up and down the country.
It also offers voters the chance to put their views forward on how things are being run, and what they want to change.
In Salford there are no local elections in 2025, but votes are taking place in other parts of the country.
Usually, council wards are represented by three councillors, elected on staggered terms. That means there is an election in three years out of every four, and the remaining year is known as a ‘fallow year’, when no elections take place.
Last year, several elections took place in Salford, including local elections, the Greater Manchester mayoral election, and the July general election all happening.
Salford has a total of 60 council seats, and 49 are controlled by Labour, seven are held by the Conservatives, two are Lib Dem in Salford Quays, one independent councillor, and one former Labour councillor sitting as an ‘Independent Socialist.’
The city mayor Paul Dennett is part of the Labour group.
In May 2024, Mr Dennett won a third term as Salford city mayor, and Labour retained its strong overall majority in Salford.
The count was not without drama though, with the Lib Dems securing a second council seat in Salford Quays, and Labour winning a seat from the Conservatives in Worsley and Westwood Park.
After the local elections, the two Lib Dem councillors and independent member Andrew Walters formed the Unwhipped group, and the three now sit together in the council chamber.
The next local elections in Salford are due to take place in May 2026.
