A by-election is set to replace a Bolton councillor who will be resigning to join one of the region’s main health bodies.

Cllr Ebrahim Adia, a former deputy leader of Bolton Labour, says stepping down has been a 'difficult' decision but he feels that becoming deputy chair of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board means he can no longer 'do justice' to his role on the council.

He will start his new role on September 1 with the by-election to replace him in his Rumworth ward yet to be announced.

Cllr Adia, who has represented Rumworth since 2002, said: “I have accepted a new role at Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board from 1 September 2022.  

“Along with my substantive professional role as Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Leadership at the University of Central Lancashire it means that I will struggle to do justice to my role as an elected member.  

“It was a difficult decision as representing the people of Rumworth has always been an honour and a privilege.

“I want to wish my constituents and my colleagues in the Labour Group at Bolton Council the very best for the future, and to thank them for the support they have always shown me.”

Cllr Adia fought his last election in Rumworth in 2019, winning by a majority of 2,161

The election to replace him will be held once he formally submits his resignation to the chief executive of Bolton Council.

In last May’s elections, Labour’s Abdul Atcha won the Rumworth seat with a majority of 720 over second place Conservative candidate Ayyub Patel.

Labour Leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “Ebrahim has been an outstanding representative of the Labour Party for many years, and we will all miss his expertise and in-depth knowledge on many issues.

“He has been a positive and loyal member of the group and the council, and I want to thank him for the support he has shown me and previous leaders throughout the years.

"Ebrahim should be very proud of the achievements that he has made since 2002 both for his constituents and for the wider Bolton family.”