Latest news with #WarwickshireCountyCouncil
BBC News
an hour ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Warwickshire residents give their view on the appointment of the UK's youngest council leader
For many Warwickshire residents, finding out a teenager is running their local council has come as a UK's George Finch officially became the UK's youngest council leader on Tuesday when, at 19 years old, he took charge of Warwickshire County BBC visited the streets of Warwick town centre to see what local reaction to the news was. Vic Mann told us he didn't think age was an issue: "I think that's fine, it brings a younger dimension to people in those sorts of positions."Do we know that the people that are there have previous experience anyway? I guess we've all got to learn somewhere, and it's a young head but it could be quite an interesting development."Geoffrey Manion labelled the appointment "crazy". He said: "He hasn't lived long enough to know what's what."At the end of the day, he's just not old enough. It's crazy, absolutely crazy." Pete Weston wasn't happy at the news, but not because of the leader's said: "Personally, I think it's awful because I don't like Reform and what they stand for. The fact that he's young doesn't matter, it's the fact he represents Reform."It's a time for young people to look after things. Our generation have made a right mess. But I don't think Reform is the way forward at all."His wife, Liz Weston, believes age is an issue. She said: "I have no problem with him being a councillor, but I have a big problem with him being the leader of the council."I just think you need more experience of life before you can take on such a position of responsibility. It wouldn't happen in any other walk of life, would it?"Yvonne Stanley said the news was "a little bit of a surprise". She said: "Fair play to him if he can do the job. Just because he's young doesn't mean to say that he's not capable."
Daily Mirror
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Who is Reform's George Finch? The teenager now in charge of a multi-million pound council budget
Alarm has been raised after 19-year-old George Finch was named leader of Warwickshire County Council weeks after a public spat over a Pride flag - and Reform was immediately accused of hypocracy Alarm has been raised after a 19-year-old Reform politician was put in charge of a cash-strapped council - and immediately agreed to splash £150,000 on advisors. George Finch was appointed at the helm of Warwickshire County Council after his predecessor quit having been in post for 41 days. Voters voiced concern about giving a teenager with no relevant experience so much power - particularly after he started a public spat over a Pride flag at the council. Labour MP Preet Gill said: "This is not work experience." Mr Finch, who served as interim council leader before his hotly-contested appointment, hit the headlines in June when he demanded a Progress Pride flag - showing support for the LGBTQ+ community - was removed. The council's chief executive, Monica Fogarty, refused to do so. The row prompted Nigel Farage to attack the public servant, suggesting she "should look for a new job". Following Mr Finch's appointment at a meeting picketed by protesters, Warwickshire's Reform group was accused of hypocrisy after agreeing to hire political advisors. This was despite pledging to cut wasteful spending. The council, which has an overall budget of £2billion currently faces an £87million defecit. Lib Dem councillor George Cowcher told The Guardian: 'These proposals are all about spending some money so they can have a chum in their group and I think that is not particularly helpful given the financial state of this council." And the Green Party's Sam Jones said: 'Reform have had a sniff of power, they're making it so clear that they never cared a jot for the will of their supporters. No to overpaid, unelected bureaucrats before the election, but yes to up to £150,000 of unfunded spending on political assistants now the campaigning is over.' Mr Finch, who told the BBC he had wanted to be a teacher but was put off by "socialist wokeism", said the leaders of all three big parties on the council - Reform, the Tories and the Lib Dems - would get a political assistant. This was because council officers had not shown enough imagination in past years, he claimed. He hit out at those anxious about his young age, saying: "All I see is age… I don't care about my age. Would people be questioning if there was a 70-year-old at the helm? Probably not. " Joe Biden, Donald Trump, presidents that are older – no-one questions it. But they're questioning someone who is 19." Ms Gill said voters in Warwickshire "frankly deserve better'. 'This is not work experience,' she told the BBC. 'This is not about learning on the job.' His appointment drew a mixed reaction from locals. One woman told Channel 4 news it was "ridiculous". She said: "Too young, no experience, big budget to deal with, a wide range of issues to cover. I just can't see that he would have the experience to do it." Another said: "I think 19-year-olds can be supported. They can be chaperoned and shepherded in those roles. But I think that also takes resources as well. Have we got the time and the money for that in this country? I don't think we have." However not everyone was against it. One young woman told the broadcaster: "I think it's good. I think we need new people to lead and I think it's going to be great for the country and the council."
ITV News
2 days ago
- Politics
- ITV News
Reform UK teenager elected leader of Warwickshire County Council
A Reform UK -led council has a new leader, thought to be the youngest ever in the UK at 19 years old. Cllr George Finch was formally elected as the leader of Warwickshire County Council on Tuesday, 22 July. He will now oversee a local authority with £1.5bn of assets and a revenue budget of around £500m. Cllr Finch, who is from Nuneaton, represents the Bedworth Central ward. He had been selected as interim council leader after Cllr Rob Howard stepped down from his post just 41 days into the job. In a statement, the outgoing leader cited "health challenges" and said it was a "very difficult decision" but he would continue to work as a county councillor. The Liberal Democrats nominated their group leader, Jerry Roodhouse, to lead the council. He heads the second-largest group. One Liberal Democrat councillor expressed frustration, saying residents were 'horrified' that the Reform UK council had not presented an agenda and was instead 'posturing" about what flag flies over the council offices, rather than addressing the real issues affecting people's lives. Reform UK councillors backed Cllr Finch, saying they had only been in charge of the council for two months and were not rushing to announce on 'policy, policy, policy.' One Reform UK councillor said: 'We've come in from scratch and we're not going to make decisions on day one. When we are ready, you will get the policies.' At one point, Cllr Finch struggled to vote for himself after his microphone failed to work. The Conservatives put forward their leader, Adrian Warwick. One of his councillors criticised Reform UK, saying they had 'retired from the cricket match as soon as they were elected.' He added: 'This is not a moment for experimentation. It is one for experienced leadership.' The Green Party leader nominated himself, acknowledging the complex political maths in the chamber. 'This isn't a game,' he said, also quoting Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings and calling for a unitary caretaker administration with seats for all parties. After the first round of voting, no one received an overall majority. Cllr Finch led with 23 votes, followed by Cllr Roodhouse with 16 votes. Cllr Warwick received 9 votes and the Green Party leader, Cllr Chilvers, received 7 votes and was eliminated. After a second round of voting, both Cllr Finch and Cllr Roodhouse were tied on 23 votes. Cllr Warwick was eliminated. Cllr Finch won on the vote of the chair, who is also a Reform councillor.
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Independent
How an 18-year-old was selected to run a major county council
Reform UK has selected 18-year-old George Finch to permanently lead Warwickshire County Council, which manages £1.5bn in assets and a £500m budget. Labour MPs Preet Gill and Rachel Taylor have criticised the appointment, stating that the people of Warwickshire deserve better and questioning Finch's lack of experience for such a significant role. Finch's selection follows the resignation of the previous Reform leader, Rob Howard, who stepped down just weeks after being elected, citing health challenges. The party has experienced recent internal instability, with other newly elected councillors resigning or causing controversy shortly after the local elections. Despite earlier surges, recent by-election losses and a slight decline in national polling figures suggest that Reform's momentum may be slowing.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Warwickshire County Council apologises for SEND communication failings
A council has apologised for communication issues over changes to mandatory training for councillors around children with special educational needs. Nigel Minns, Warwickshire County Council's executive director for children and young people, acknowledged that, while the training had been produced with help from families involved, the language used in communications might have led councillors to believe otherwise. The new Reform UK administration was not involved in the changes, which began before the May councillors unanimously committed to annual training in the wake of a public storm over comments made by three councillors during a scrutiny meeting. However in June 2025, concerns were raised when the in-person, co-produced sessions appeared to be replaced with online modules.A council communication on 2 June described the online training as "mandatory," with extra sessions "offered" to relevant councillors. This led to confusion, with several councillors believing the online course was the only requirement. Mr Minns later clarified that co-produced training remains mandatory for cabinet and committee members - and open to all officer denied any intent to drop co-produced training, admitting the communication could have been clearer. "It is unfortunate that our communication with councillors wasn't clearer and I am happy to accept responsibility for that," he whether he would go as far as to apologise, he added: "I am sorry if we gave the impression that the training wasn't going to take place and certainly, if that has caused an erosion of trust then I am sorry about that."This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
