An ex-cabinet member who was defeated in the May local elections is to stand for Labour following the death of former council leader Jean Stretton.
Hannah Roberts has been chosen to stand for the Labour Party at the forthcoming by-election for the Hollinwood council seat on November 17. It follows the unexpected death of the authority’s first female leader Councillor Stretton last month.
She had represented the Hollinwood ward for 19 years in two stretches on the council, and led the town hall from 2016 to 2018.
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Ms Roberts had been a Labour councillor for Royton North from 2014 to May of this year, where she was defeated by Conservative Lewis Quigg. She had been the cabinet member for housing before losing her seat, overseeing projects like the development of a ‘Mills Strategy’ assessing how the borough’s dilapidated industrial mills could be used to deliver new homes.
Following her selection, Ms Roberts said: “Jean worked tirelessly for Hollinwood and was a popular councillor. She helped many local residents as well as supporting the work of the Oldham Credit Union and the Food Bank which have both made a real difference to many residents.
“I am honoured to have been chosen by Hollinwood Labour as their candidate, but I am truly sorry that the by election is taking place after her death.”
Nominations for people who wish to stand in the by-election must be delivered to the returning office at the Civic Centre no later than 4pm on Friday, October 21.
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