Latest news with #StephenAtkinson
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Reform UK cost-cutting unit to scrutinise Lancashire County Council
Lancashire County Council is being scrutinised by a team from Reform UK which has modelled itself on Elon Musk's controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the leader Stephen Atkinson said the group - made up of software engineers, data analysts and forensic auditors - will help to root out wasteful spending so they can reinvest in frontline UK said the work will be carried out free of charge and will not be a drain on the council's Unions have warned the cost-cutting unit it will face a fight if it suggests sacking staff at the Reform-controlled authority. The party, which took control in May, hopes the DOGE-style audit will revitalise the council, which employs 32,500 told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It's important that we work collaboratively with our officers to look at the efficiencies that can be achieved and we are committed to doing this."We are confident we can deliver the savings and are well underway with the analysis. We expect the initial findings to be available over the next few weeks."We have been clear that we will be focusing our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference."Party leader Nigel Farage has said people working within Reform-controlled councils on climate change and diversity projects should should seek "alternative careers". 'Cupboards are bare' Asked if such staff in Lancashire should fear for their jobs, Atkinson said: "Staff know what our policies are – we will follow process, we will be respectful and we will be dignified, but we have an electoral mandate to deliver what we said we would do."Union leaders said they were sceptical of the plan. Mike Short, head of local government at UNISON, said: "Reform's auditors will find the cupboards are bare."People living in Reform-controlled local authorities want to know the vital services they rely upon will continue. That should be new councillors' top priority."Pete Billington, secretary of the Lancashire Association of Trades Union Councils, said the hundreds of millions of pounds saved during more than a decade of austerity rendered the DOGE process in Lancashire "meaningless".He added: "The only way they're going to [achieve their aim] is by sacking people and cutting services."I just can't see the unions taking any attempt to cut employment without a massive fight." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lancashire County Council's all-male cabinet 'a retrograde step'
The appointment of an all-male cabinet to Lancashire County Council by Reform UK has been described as "retrograde step" by opposition councillors. The new group was unveiled at the council's annual general meeting with all seven positions filled by Dowding of the Green Party said this was "disappointing" and the "first time since we moved to the cabinet system that there's been no women at that top table".But the move has been defended by Reform UK's newly ratified leader of the council, Stephen Atkinson, who said the cabinet line-up was chosen based on the "best people" available. Atkinson said: "Three of the councillors have experience so we had to have them."We had a blind process in terms of selection of the cabinet, where an academic looked at all the skills, qualifications, experiences and then looked at who were the best people."I don't think it should matter what your sex is, it should matter what your ability is."But Dowding said: "There's no single definition of merit, we know that women bring really important skills and experience and a different view." Reform UK took control of the council from Labour following local elections earlier this is the first time the party has been in charge at County Hall and the first time many of its councillors have been elected to has not ruled out women joining the cabinet in the said: "I'm sure that some of the ladies of the group will be useful in the future at the cabinet level, but when the skills are the right skills."
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Lancashire County Council Labour group 'reeling from shock'
The new leader of the Labour group on Lancashire County Council believes County Hall is in for a "very bumpy road" under the new Reform UK-led Clifford was speaking after his party lost 27 seats in the recent council elections, including that of the previous leader, Matthew Tomlinson. Reform UK took 53 seats while the Conservatives were left with eight, down by 40 seats."The results actually came as a huge shock for myself," said Clifford, who retained Clayton with Whittle seat by just 91 votes over his Reform UK rival. 'Holding to account' Reform announced on Monday that councillor Stephen Atkinson will be their new leader, and his role as council leader will be ratified on 22 May, at a full council meeting. Clifford said: "Many of the things that have been said by Reform cannot be done at a local level, its purely the job for the government."He said Labour "will be holding them to account" on "every decision"."I am waiting to see what they can do at Lancashire, we need to see what their policies are locally," he said. "I imagine it will be a very bumpy road."Clifford said the Reform councillors were "a whole new group of people" who would have to develop a "group dynamic" as they started to work together."They're going to have to take things very carefully or they will find they are going to make some huge mistakes," he added that he did not feel his own party's performance was down to any failure on a local level. "There seems to be an issue around messaging. "We have done some fantastic things that the public just haven't realised and that's been a real shame actually, because we just lost so many great councillors and it was a very disappointing result."How long Lancashire County Council will continue in its current form is unclear, as the government has ordered the existing 15 councils in the county to reorganise themselves into fewer authorities. "Whilst there was a rush for local government reorganisation Lancashire is not in the priority group," Clifford said."I do believe, personally, we're now at the back of the queue. "So we will wait and see what happens next. "But the Labour Party will be there to fight, whatever election comes along, whatever local government reorganisation takes place."Former Conservative Stephen Atkinson, the Reform UK leader of the authority, said on Monday that his party would "be looking to focus our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference".He added: "I'm also very much looking forward to working with officers as we build a better future for our county." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Reform UK announce new leader of county council
The new leader of Lancashire County Council will be Reform UK's councillor Stephen Atkinson. The party took control of the authority after winning 53 of the 84 seats at the local elections on 1 May. Atkinson, who was leader of Ribble Valley Council before defecting from the Conservatives, was elected to the county council to represent Ribble Valley South West with 2,174 votes. The 55-year-old said: "I am passionate about Lancashire and can't wait to start working to ensure the council delivers excellent services for all our residents." Born in Lancashire, the self-trained engineer started his first business venture with his brother at the age of 21. They now run an educational furniture business as well as invest in commercial and industrial properties in the county. Atkinson, who is married with two sons, describes himself as a devoted family man. He said: "Together with my fellow councillors I will be looking to focus our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference. "I'm also very much looking forward to working with officers as we build a better future for our county." Atkinson is expected to be ratified as council leader at a meeting of the full council on 22 May, Lancashire County Council said. County Councillor Simon Evans, member for Skelmersdale Central, was elected deputy leader of the Reform UK group and is also expected to be ratified at the meeting along with councillors selected to form the cabinet. Reform's sweep to victory at the local elections saw it take the seats of the leaders of both the Conservative and Labour groups. Conservative council leader Philippa Williamson lost her seat to Reform's Graham Dalton by 29 votes, and Labour leader Matthew Tomlinson had his seat taken off him by Hannah Whalley by 440 votes. The Conservatives had previously held the council with 46 seats since 2017 having won the election then and again in 2021. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. Reform set to elect new county council leader Reform UK take control of Lancashire County Council Council staff warned 'join union' after Reform win Lancashire County Council
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stephen Atkinson elected as Reform leader of Lancashire County Council
The new leader of Lancashire County Council will be Reform UK's councillor Stephen party took control of the authority after winning 53 of the 84 seats at the local elections on 1 who was leader of Ribble Valley Council before defecting from the Conservatives, was elected to the county council to represent Ribble Valley South West with 2,174 55-year-old said: "I am passionate about Lancashire and can't wait to start working to ensure the council delivers excellent services for all our residents." Born in Lancashire, the self-trained engineer started his first business venture with his brother at the age of now run an educational furniture business as well as invest in commercial and industrial properties in the county. 'Make a difference' Atkinson, who is married with two sons, describes himself as a devoted family said: "Together with my fellow councillors I will be looking to focus our policies on what is most important to residents so we can make a real difference."I'm also very much looking forward to working with officers as we build a better future for our county."Atkinson is expected to be ratified as council leader at a meeting of the full council on 22 May, Lancashire County Council Councillor Simon Evans, member for Skelmersdale Central, was elected deputy leader of the Reform UK group and is also expected to be ratified at the meeting along with councillors selected to form the sweep to victory at the local elections saw it take the seats of the leaders of both the Conservative and Labour council leader Philippa Williamson lost her seat to Reform's Graham Dalton by 29 votes, and Labour leader Matthew Tomlinson had his seat taken off him by Hannah Whalley by 440 Conservatives had previously held the council with 46 seats since 2017 having won the election then and again in 2021. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
