Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, has raised further concerns around the impact of the “chaos” at Leicestershire County Council cabinet, and its potential impact on services such as social care and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision.
Reform Councillors took control of Leicestershire County Council in May, but within only five months two cabinet members, one of whom was also Deputy Leader, had already abandoned their positions.
Following the election Cllr Joseph Boam was swiftly appointed cabinet member for adult social care and Deputy Council Leader, but was removed from both positions in August over disagreement about the proposed expansion of Leicester City’s boundaries.
Cllr Helen Butler, lead member for finance and resources, resigned her position at the start of October.
Leicestershire County Council, which manages an annual budget of over £600 million, is responsible for the administration of local services such as social care and education, the maintenance of roads and provision of public transport.
Questions have been raised over the Reform group’s plan for social care, as over 70% of the County Council's budget is spent on providing support and provision to residents.
Local Government reforms being pushed through by the Labour Government would see areas such as Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with a two-tier council structure merge to become a unitary authority.
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Luke Evans MP said “We in Leicestershire have three, if not four, plans for our reorganisation, with no agreement. We also have a county council run by Reform, which has already had not one but two reshuffles, losing its cabinet leads for social services and finance.
“While 70% of its budget is spent on social services and special educational needs and disabilities, what assurances can the Government give me that my constituents will get those services, and that those services will be protected, when there already seems to be chaos in the council?”
Following his question in the House of Commons, Dr Evans added “My fundamental concern lies with making sure my constituents get the services they so desperately need. This is thrown into jeopardy with the ongoing machinations of personality clashes at the top of the Reform council leadership.
“There are huge organisational and financial changes coming, with a Labour Government forcing through not only Local Government reorganisation but a 50% reduction in the staffing structures that support the NHS. These are concerning times.
“The leadership must step up and provide a direction on how they are going to solve these challenges.”
Cllr Deborah Taylor, Leader of the Conservative Group at Leicestershire County Council, said “This is the second cabinet reshuffle in five months, and it exposes a far wider problem at County Hall.
“Shuffling responsibilities around simply masks the uncomfortable reality: the Leader has yet to put forward a credible plan to address the county’s pressing financial and service challenges.
“When you add Local Government reorganisation to that pot, you come out with a recipe for disaster.
“The people of Leicestershire will be the ones that will feel the effort of this chaos.”
