2012 Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council election

Elections to Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council were held on 3 May 2012. One third of the council was up for election, with each successful candidate to serve a four-year term of office, expiring in 2016.

22 seats were contested, including all 3 Bradshaw seats, following the resignation of Conservative married couple, Diane and Paul Brierley. The Labour Party won 14 seats, whilst the Conservatives won 7 seats and the Liberal Democrats 1 seat.

After the election, the composition of the council was as follows:
 * Labour 41
 * Conservative 16
 * Liberal Democrats 3

Council Composition
Prior to the election the composition of the council was:

After the election the composition of the council was:

L – Liberal Democrats

Bradshaw ward
All three seats were up for election. Dean stood again for election in 2014, Haslam in 2015, and Hall in 2016.