Overview

• George Finch was confirmed as permanent leader on July 22 after a 23-23 tie with Liberal Democrat Jerry Roodhouse was broken by chair Ed Harris’s casting vote.
• At 19, he becomes the youngest council leader in UK history while inheriting responsibility for £1.5 billion in assets.
• Finch heads a Reform UK minority administration after the party emerged as the largest group without an overall majority in May’s local elections.
• His first proposals include allocating up to £190,000 for political advisers and advancing plans for road renewal and improved special educational needs support.
• Opposition councillors have questioned his experience and policy focus and the Conservative group’s abstentions enabled Reform to retain control.