New political composition and appointments for 2026/27

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has confirmed its political composition and committee appointments for the 2026/27 municipal year following last night’s Annual Council meeting.

The local elections on Thursday 7 May moved the authority to a position of no overall control. The Labour group, which is the largest group on the Council, will continue leading the Council as a minority administration with a Leader and Executive Board model of governance.  

The political make-up of the Council is now as follows:

• Labour group – 21 councillors (including 1 Independent)
• 4BwD independent group – 16 councillors
• Reform UK group – 9 councillors
• Conservative group – 5 councillors

The Council will continue to operate through collaborative, cross-party working where appropriate to take decisions in the best interests of residents.

Councillor Phil Riley will continue as Leader of the Council and Chair of the Executive Board, supported by Deputy Leaders Councillor Quesir Mahmood and Councillor Julie Gunn.

There has also been little change to the Executive Board members, who have been confirmed as:

• Adults Social Care and Health – Councillor Jackie Floyd  

• Children, Young People and Education – Councillor Julie Gunn 

• Housing and Public Health – Councillor Damian Talbot 

• Environment and Communities – Councillor Jim Casey 

• Growth and Development – Councillor Quesir Mahmood 

• Finance and Governance – Councillor Vicky McGurk 

• Digital and Customer Services – Councillor Zamir Khan  
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• Opposition Member – Councillor Mustafa Desai

Also at Annual Council on 21 May, committee chairs, vice-chairs and memberships were agreed, reflecting the political composition to ensure fair representation across all groups in the Council’s governance structures.

Councillors have been appointed to a wide range of overview and scrutiny committees, regulatory committees and boards, enabling councillors from all political groups to contribute to the development, oversight and accountability of Council services.

You can find details of all Blackburn with Darwen Council Executive Members, Committee chairs and members online. 

Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Riley, said:

Blackburn with Darwen is a politically diverse borough, and that diversity is reflected in our Council composition. While no single party holds overall control, we remain committed to working constructively across political lines to deliver the best possible outcomes for our residents.

The elections in Blackburn with Darwen on Thursday 7 May were to elect a third of the total of 51 local ward councillors. So 17 councillors were elected from the 51 seats – one in each ward of the borough – in the usual arrangement of election by thirds.