Reform UK’s George Finch, 19, becomes Warwickshire council leader

Warwickshire County Council has formally appointed a teenager to run the £2bn local authority.

Reform’s George Finch, 19, has become the youngest permanent council leader in the UK during the vote at the council’s Shire Hall headquarters in Warwick on Tuesday.

The election was not straightforward as, while Reform is the largest party on the council, it does not hold an overall majority, with the group previously relying on votes from Conservative councillors.

However, the Conservative members abstained from the final round of voting, leading to a tie with the Liberal Democrat nominee, Jerry Roodhouse, that was ultimately broken by Reform’s Edward Harris – the council’s chairman.

The election was needed after his predecessor Rob Howard quit the role just 41 days into the job – citing health reasons – and Finch took over as interim leader.

Speaking as he voted to install Finch as leader, Harris said he was “disappointed and excited at the same time”.

“It [the tie] is not something I take lightly at all, and something I would rather not have happened,” the chairman added.

The 19-year-old will oversee a budget of half-a-billion pounds, along with council assets worth £1.5bn.

Speaking outside Shire Hall on Tuesday, Finch said he was “delighted” to be elected leader.

“The Lib Dems and the Conservatives are finished, Reform are in and we will create fresh innovative change for people of Warwickshire.”

The 19-year-old said the council faced an £87m deficit this year, which would grow to £187m in the next 12 months.

He added that the county was experiencing a “special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) crisis”, however Reform would be “looking for a deep-rooted solution”.

Finch said he had a sister with SEND and he understood the “sticking points” that families experienced.

The new leader declined to answer any questions.

Roodhouse, who had been supported by Green and Labour councillors, said: “Democracy was done today, but it was also a sad day as all political groups could have come together to ensure residents get frontline services”.

He added that the Liberal Democrats would “work hard now for all residents” and “hold Reform to account”.

Jonathan Chilvers, Green Party group leader, said he was “disappointed” that the vote did not lead to a cross-party unity administration.

“With no party having a majority, that would have been the fairest reflection of what people voted for,” Chilvers said.