The interim leader of Warwickshire County Council has defended plans to bring in political assistants costing up to £190,000 per year in the face of outrage from other parties.
Councillor George Finch (Reform UK, Bedworth Central) confirmed he had instigated the proposals that will be considered by all councillors next week.
They would see the biggest three parties at Shire Hall – Reform, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives – have a dedicated council officer to “undertake research and provide administrative support to members of political groups in the discharge of any of their (council) functions”, although the Lib Dems have spoken out to object to the idea.
National legislation allows councils to employ up to three people, one for each of the council’s three biggest groups provided they have at least 10 per cent of the seats available.
Reform UK leader defends £190k-per-year plan to bring in political assistants at Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire World
Tag: Warwickshire
Council boss quits, leaving 18-year-old in charge
The recently elected leader of Warwickshire County Council has resigned, leaving his 18-year-old deputy in charge.
Reform UK councillor Rob Howard, who was in power for 41 days, said he had made the decision with “much regret”, citing health reasons were behind his departure.
Council boss quits, leaving 18-year-old in charge, BBC
As Reform UK take official command of Warwickshire County Council tomorrow (Friday) no-one has the faintest notion how the party will run the authority
REFORM UK will take official command of Warwickshire County Council tomorrow (Friday) with no-one having the faintest notion of how the party will run the authority.
Although people have a rough idea of Reform’s policies at a national level, the party did not issue a manifesto for the county council elections on 1st May.
As Reform UK take official command of Warwickshire County Council tomorrow (Friday) no-one has the faintest notion how the party will run the authority, stratford-herald.com (Paywall)
New Warwickshire councillor sorry after discovering he can’t represent Reform UK
A new Warwickshire county councillor has apologised for a “mistake” that means he will be unable to serve under the Reform UK banner for now.
Councillor Luke Shingler swept to a comfortable victory in Nuneaton’s Galley Common ward having been promoted as the Reform candidate until five days before the ballot.
He took to social media on the Saturday before the polls to tell residents he was not allowed to “run under a political organisation, party or movement due to my employment” but that it was too late to change ballot papers that linked him to Reform.
New Warwickshire councillor sorry after discovering he can’t represent Reform UK, warwickshireworld.com