CONCERNS have been expressed Warwickshire County Council is descending into chaos following the resignation of its leader after just 41 days and leaving an 18-year-old in his place.
Coun Rob Howard announced he was resigning on Wednesday June 25 due to “health challenges”.
The leader of the Reform party, which became the largest party at WCC at the recent local elections, said in a statement: “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. I am honoured and privileged to have held the role, even if only for a short time. I remain committed to my continued role working as a county councillor for the benefit of Warwickshire residents.”
Current deputy leader, 18-year-old Coun George Finch, will serve as interim leader until WCC confirms a new leader in due course.
MP for Warwick and Leamington, Matt Western has spoken out since Coun Howard’s resignation.
He told the Observer: “It is only eight weeks since the local elections and it appears that the council is already descending into chaos. He (Coun Howard) spent the first three weeks on holiday, and it took almost a whole month for a partial cabinet to be appointed and a further two weeks for the remaining post to be filled. Now we see a change of leader barely a month after initial appointment.
“I fear that the chaotic running of the council by Reform is leaving Warwickshire residents let down. If they can barely appoint a leader or cabinet, I highly doubt they can run a council or address the problems that Warwickshire desperately needs sorting. Residents are being disrespected and disregarded. Running a council isn’t a game and must be treated with the seriousness residents deserve.”
Mr Western also expressed his concerns about leaving the running of WCC temporarily in the hands of an 18-year-old.
He continued: “I am all for young people getting involved in politics and believe their voices and viewpoints are invaluable. Young people use council services, and we need young people telling us what they and their peers need support with. However, I fear an 18-year-old as interim leader of the council risks throwing them in the deep end and it will be residents who pay the price.
“He understandably has no experience of local government nor running an organisation of this size and as many of us in similar circumstances would, will find it an incredibly steep learning curve with plenty of mistakes along the way. As I say, running a council with a £500 million budget is not the place to learn on the job.
“We need serious, committed leadership and supporting cabinet running the council and I fear we do not have that and can well imagine the public rapidly losing confidence in their new council.”
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