Wigan Council has the biggest impact on Wiganers’ day-to-day lives. It sets your council tax. It controls bin collections and recycling, roads, potholes, street lighting, libraries, parks, leisure centres, social care for adults and children, local planning permission, council housing and homelessness support, schools administration (though not school curriculum), licensing, environmental health and local regeneration projects.
It is not responsible for the NHS, welfare benefits, immigration,
national taxation (income tax, VAT, national insurance), railways and
most policing powers. That is the part responsibility of Wigan’s elected MPs that serve in the House of Commons.
It has 75 elected representatives. Representatives are elected in cycles of 25 per year. They serve 4 years terms. Parties need a 38 seats to form a majority.
Current composition
The Labour Party currently form the majority government. Labour sets your council tax and controls the powers listed above.
Seats following the 2026 English local elections:
Labour: 42 | Reform: 25 | Independent: 5 | Independent Network: 3
