THE leader of Bolton Council has thanked those who put their faith in him by re-electing him for another year in power at the town hall.

Cllr David Greenhalgh will serve as council leader for a second term following a vote at the virtual annual council meeting on Wednesday, which was for the first time held via video conference, keeping him in post until May 2021.

The Conservative cabinet remains unchanged with just one vacant post filled.

With no overall majority, the Tories relied on the votes of the Lib Dems, UKIP and the two hyper-local independent parties to stay in control at the council.

Cllr Greenhalgh said it is an “absolute honour” to continue as council leader.

He said: “I’m Bolton born and bred, and care deeply about this borough, the place, its heritage and its people.

“It comes with huge responsibility, but I believe I have around me a Conservative Group committed to delivering real change for the borough, who will govern in an open and transparent way with decisions going through the correct processes.

“We have put an end to inappropriate decisions made behind closed doors, with decisions quite rightly scrutinised.

“We will of course be dealing with COVID-19 and the unprecedented challenges the pandemic has created, but we remain determined to bring economic growth to the borough, with increased opportunities for residents from across all corners of the borough.

“We will continue to prioritise to look after our vulnerable children and adults, and above all aspire to create a borough where residents feel empowered, engaged, and enabled to achieve their full potential.

“Thank you to all those from other parties who once again put their faith in me.

“I will do my best and will do my absolute utmost not to give you any reason to doubt the trust you put in me.”

Labour is still the largest party with 22 councillors, but the Tories, who have 19, reached a deal with other parties allowing them to keep control of the council.

The Lib Dems have seven councillors, Farnworth and Kearsley First four, Horwich and Blackrod First Independents two and UKIP two.

One Conservative councillor has been temporarily suspended from the party.

There are currently two independent councillors and there is one empty seat.