George Finch proudly poses with Nigel Farage (Image: George Finch/X)
An 18-year-old has been left in charge of a local council with a budget of ￡414 million after the leader resigned. George Finch is now the interim leader of Reform-led Warwickshire County Council. It is due to spend ￡414 million on services this financial year, including ￡194 million on education and ￡250 million on social care.
Reform took control of Warwickshire after becoming the larget party on the council in May’s local elections but the council leader, Coun Rob Howard, has resigned after just five weeks for health reasons. It means Coun Finch, who was the deputy leader, is now in charge until a new permanent leader is chosen.
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In a statement shared on the county council website on Wednesday, Mr Howard said: “This has been a very difficult decision to take.
“The role of leader is an extremely demanding role and regretfully my health challenges now prevent me from carrying out the role to the level and standard that I would wish.
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“I am honoured and privileged to have held the role, even if only for a short time.
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“I remain committed to my continued role working as a county councillor for the benefit of Warwickshire residents.”
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Warwickshire County Council, which has alternated between a Conservative majority and no overall control since it was established in 1974, is under Reform control since the election on May 1.
However, despite securing 23 seats ,the party fell short of the 29 needed for a majority.
Alternative leadership nominations were made for Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse and Green councillor Jonathan Chilvers.
Mr Howard won the support of 28 councillors in his selection as leader, while Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse won 15 votes and Green councillor Jonathan Chilvers 10, with one abstention.
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In a statement released by Warwickshire Liberal Democrats, Mr Roodhouse said Mr Howard’s resignation was “regrettable, coming so soon after taking it on”.
He said: “The instability in the leadership of the Conservative-backed Reform UK group is not good news.
“It’s especially unwelcome when there are so many challenges facing the council, such as Send provision, adult social care and big highways projects.”