Saddleworth Parish Council was formed in 1974 as a successor to the Saddleworth Urban District Council. The Council achieved Quality Parish Council Status in June 2005, this enables the Parish Council, in co-operation with Oldham MBC to assume responsibility for some services within the Saddleworth Area.

The Parish Council has 20 elected Members of the Council, every four years all the Parish Councillors have to stand for re-election. The Council usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month.

The Council maintains the Civic Hall and Parish Cemetery. The Parish Council has several Committees to conduct the Council’s business. The activities of the Council are funded through a precept included in the Council Tax collected by Oldham MBC, the precept for 2007/2008 for a Band D property is £17.50.

The Council is consulted on all planning applications in the Saddleworth Parish Council area. The Planning Committee consists of all twenty councillors and usually meets on the second Monday of the month. The date may vary to work in with the Oldham MBC Planning Committee meetings. The meetings are open to the public, who may, with prior approval, speak for, or against, a particular application for two minutes. Plans are available for inspection during the afternoon on the meeting until 5 pm and from 7 pm until the meeting commences at 7.30 pm.

The Conservation Areas Advisory Committee meet before each Planning Committee. The Committtee is made up of people with an interest in and knowledge of Saddleworth, they consider all planning applications for listed buildings and those in the conservation area. Their recommendations are discussed at the Planning Committee.

The Council has been working in partnership with Groundwork Oldham & Rochdale to remove Himalayan Balsam in the Saddleworth area. Assistance has been provided by the Oldham Countryside Service, Peak District Park and local Community groups.

The Special Projects sub-committee makes donations to a number of worthy causes in Saddleworth. The Committee is also responsible for the Saddleworth in Bloom and Saddleworth Illumination competitions.

The Council produces an annual Saddleworth News & Views magazine that is delivered to 12,000 properties across Saddleworth.. Three newsletters are also produced and distributed locally via libraries, post offices etc.