Elections to Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council were held on in May 1976. The Conservatives retained control of the Council.
23 seats were contested, with 16 being won by the Conservative Party and 7 by the Labour Party.
Ernie Crook was the sitting Conservative Councillor in the Church East and North Ward, but was re-elected as an Independent Conservative due to an internal selection dispute. However he took the Conservative Party whip soon after. Therefore, this seat is regarded as a Conservative hold rather than a loss.
After the election, the composition of the Council was