Latest news with #MickBarton
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Reform UK councils in ‘shambles' as newly elected councillors fail to show up
Reform UK gained control of nine councils and minority control in three more in May's local elections, but opposition councillors claim the party's organisation and productivity have been a "shambles" since. Across the 12 Reform -controlled councils, 33 meetings have been cancelled or postponed in the first nine weeks since the election, and at least 21 Reform councillors have missed their first meetings. In Kent, nine out of 22 scheduled meetings have been cancelled since the election, including legally required meetings like the governance and audit committee. An opposition councillor in Kent, Rich Lehmann, said the cancellations were "shocking" and questioned Reform 's ability to lead the council, while Sam Smith, leader of the Conservatives in Nottinghamshire, called the start "shambolic." Reform UK councillors have reportedly cancelled meetings to reschedule them when more prepared, while Nottinghamshire Council's new Reform leader Mick Barton dismissed the criticisms as "political rhetoric from the opposition."
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Reform-led councils in ‘shambles' since local elections, opponents claim
Reform UK gained control of nine councils and minority control in three more in May's local elections, but opposition councillors claim the party's organisation and productivity have been a "shambles" since. Across the 12 Reform-controlled councils, 33 meetings have been cancelled or postponed in the first nine weeks since the election, and at least 21 Reform councillors have missed their first meetings. In Kent, nine out of 22 scheduled meetings have been cancelled since the election, including legally required meetings like the governance and audit committee. Kent County Council said some meetings, such as planning committees, were scheduled on an 'if required' basis, and were cancelled because there were no applications requiring an immediate decision. Nottinghamshire Council's new Reform leader Mick Barton dismissed the criticisms as "political rhetoric from the opposition."
BBC News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Calls for Nottinghamshire County Council to move back to old HQ
Labour has called for Nottinghamshire County Council to move back to its former council officially relocated to Oak House near Hucknall in March under the Conservatives, who argued County Hall was too costly to UK has since taken charge of the authority at the local elections, and the new council leader has expressed an interest in holding meetings at the old base in West Bridgford.A motion due to be discussed at the first full meeting of the new administration next week says County Hall is "recognisable to residents across the county and is easily visited by hundreds of members of the public each month, thanks to its location and excellent transport links". "In comparison, Oak House is a costly and unsuitable replacement as the civic centre of Nottinghamshire, located remotely and without sufficient transport links," it says. The motion, tabled by Labour group leader Penny Gowland, would commit the council to exploring how County Hall could be maintained as the passed, the authority would also look at options to dispose of Oak House or lease some of the space, "the proceeds of which can be used to fund other areas of council business".Speaking earlier this week, incoming council leader Mick Barton said he had asked if next week's meeting could be held "at this magnificent council chamber" [County Hall], but was told the microphone system had already been moved to Oak House."I shall be looking at the whole raft moving forward of where we feel we need to be based," he group leader and former council leader Sam Smith said it would cost about £50m to keep County Hall functional."When proposing the motion next week, Labour will have to set out what libraries they propose to close, which waste recycling centres they'll close, what roads and pavements they will not resurface and what schools they will not build in order to fund the £50m renovation," he for the future of County Hall have never been confirmed, but it has previously been suggested it could be turned into housing, restaurants and 22 May meeting, due to be held at Oak House, will also see Barton formally confirmed as the authority's new leader.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Who is new county council leader Mick Barton?
"Don't get me wrong, it's daunting, but I know I can deliver and do the job."Two weeks ago, Mick Barton had never been elected as a Nottinghamshire County he is not only part of the group that has taken charge, but also its leader.A former mineworker, he once worked alongside the Reform MP for Ashfield, Lee Anderson. "We were both coalface workers. Now we're in the same political party. Who'd have thought that back then?" Barton went on to become a car sales executive before setting up his own business in was first elected to Mansfield District Council in 2003 and has spent most of his political career as part of the Mansfield Independents, but joined Reform along with two colleagues last the district council, he's held cabinet roles with responsibility for areas such as planning and licensing."I think I've done my apprenticeship," he told county council, however, is a very different an upper tier authority, it has responsibility for the so called "big-ticket" services such as social care and road maintenance. As a newcomer to the council, some may naturally question whether Barton has the experience for such a big job."They'll have to judge me over the next 12 months, 24 months, 36 months and four years," he said."But it's not just about me, it's about the people I'm working with, and cross-party as well. We'll be looking for support from the other parties in the chamber." What will Reform's approach be to running the council? Nigel Farage has suggested Reform would look to emulate Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, and said he wanted to "reduce the scale of local government back to what it ought to be".So, can we expect a Nottinghamshire equivalent of "Doge"?"Before we make any decision, we'll look at every single detail. We will look to improve people's lives in Nottinghamshire," Barton told me."It doesn't seem like you're able to say where the money's going to be found?" I asked."I can't, I've only been in the job 30 minutes," he answered."Until I see all the detail, I can't give you details of where we're going to save the money but obviously we want to save money."He gave similar responses to questions over whether council workers will be allowed to work from home and if he will look cut back on net zero initiatives - two areas which senior party figures have already commented on."Sorry to sound like a stuck record," he added. "Until I sit down with my cabinet and all 39 people I've been elected with - and I'm sure we'll get some direction from head office - until we sit down, I can't give you any definitive answer." He did, however, raise further questions over where the council's headquarters will be in the the Conservatives, the authority relocated to Oak House near Hucknall in since the move, multiple meetings, the election results, and indeed the interview I conducted with Barton, have all been held at the old base at County told me he has asked if the first full meeting of the new administration could be held "at this magnificent council chamber", but was told the microphone system has already been moved to Oak House."I shall be looking at the whole raft moving forward of where we feel we need to be based," he added he is opposed to unitary councils, which Nottinghamshire could be transformed into under government plans."I think it's better off keeping stuff locally, without sucking it up into one big authority, but I'm sure people will try and convince me and my group over the next six months or twelve months as to why this unitary thing needs to go forward," he refused to comment on the resignation of one of Reform's councillors a matter of days after being elected, but said he is confident others in the group will not follow is set to be formally confirmed as leader of the county council at a full council meeting next week.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK names new leader of Nottinghamshire County Council
Mick Barton has been named as the new leader of Nottinghamshire County was chosen from among Reform UK councillors at a group meeting on follows the party taking control of the authority at the local has been a councillor on Mansfield District Council since 2003 but was elected to the county council for the first time earlier this month. He comfortably won a seat in the Mansfield East division, taking it from the was previously part of the Mansfield Independents on the district council, but joined Reform along with two colleagues last is set to be formally confirmed as leader of the county council at a full council meeting next by-elections are also set to be contested in the coming for the Mansfield North division was postponed after the death of candidate, Karen Seymour.A further by-election will take place in Newark West after the successful Reform candidate stepped down a matter of days after being elected.
