THE FUTURE of the leader of Warwickshire County Council hangs in the balance.
Nineteen year-old Coun George Finch, who was appointed to the top position at WCC last summer, is facing a vote of no confidence after being accused of bringing the authority “into disrepute”.
Green Party councillors have called for a vote on Coun Finch’s position at the next full council meeting on Tuesday March 17, amid suggestions the Reform UK councillor has “abused the office of leader”.
Warwickshire Green Party group leader Coun Jonathan Chilvers said the motion had been submitted due to incidents including a dispute with police over their handling of a case involving the rape of a 12 year-old girl, and a row with the council’s chief executive, Monica Fogarty, over Pride flags.
Coun Chilvers continued: “George Finch has abused the office of leader of the council and time and again brought Warwickshire into disrepute.
“His repeated attacks on staff, partner institutions and use of his role for constant cheap and nasty political points scoring is unacceptable and violates rule of law, democratic norms and basic decency.”
If the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and Restore Britain councillors support the motion of no confidence as expected, Coun Finch’s future will be in the hands of the Conservative group on the council.
If they support the motion or abstain, Reform would not have the numbers necessary to keep Coun Finch in post.
Coun Finch responded that the move was a political stunt with people more interested in removing him than in offering any serious alternative.
He continued: “We have already passed our budget and have also put forward our draft Council Plan through Cabinet, ready for engagement with the public. This administration has a direction, a programme for government and a clear focus on delivery.
“Those trying to remove me have offered no alternative Council Plan and no credible answer to what replaces the work already under way.
“Warwickshire does not need a coalition of chaos between the Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and Restore Britain. It needs stable leadership, a clear direction and an administration focused on delivery.
“I was elected to lead this council, and that is exactly what I will continue to do.”
