New Reform leader of Wakefield Council pledges to ‘put money where our mouth is’
New leader Karl Johnson also pledged to “spend less on politics and more on local services” during his first speech in charge of the authority.
The new leader of Wakefield Council said his Reform administration would be “putting our money where our mouth is” as he promised to deliver change for the district’s residents.
Karl Johnson also pledged to “spend less on politics and more on local services” during his first speech in charge of the authority.
Coun Johnson was elected as the council’s first non-Labour Party leader on Wednesday (May 20) following a dramatic power shift after Reform won 58 out of 63 seats at the local elections earlier this month.
Speaking in the council chamber at the city’s County Hall, he said: “Wakefield has suffered from years of decline due to poor decision-making, a lack of ambition, and weak leadership from the previous administration.
“My commitment today is that we’re not going to make promises we can’t keep.
“We’re not going to pretend we can sort everything out overnight.
“We’re not going to spend money on things that the council can’t afford.
“But we are going to deliver lasting change that people can have faith in.”
Labour had continuously controlled the council since 1974 but now holds only one seat.
The Liberal Democrats have two seats and the Conservatives and the Green Party each have one seat.
Coun Johnson outlined a number of planned changes, including reducing spending on the council’s commitment to becoming a net zero authority and reviewing its housing allocation policy.
The meeting was also told residents would continue to be consulted over plans put in place by the previous council leadership to demolish The Ridings Shopping Centre.
Coun Johnson said: “Our new team will bring action, fresh thinking and leadership that is accountable to local people.
“We will do things differently, put local people first and work hard every day to make their lives easier.”
The new cabinet members were also revealed at the meeting.
They include deputy leader John Thomas taking on the portfolio for resources and property, Dr Ansar Hayat the brief for adults and health, and Matthew Caton becoming the cabinet member for children and young people.
Julian Carter takes charge of neighbourhood services, Lukasz Borcz becomes portfolio holder for culture and sport, and Keith Anderson portfolio holder for highways, transport and planning.
Andrew Wakefield is the new portfolio holder for strategic housing, skills and business growth, Rebecca Webster portfolio holder for safer stronger communities and Matthew Pinder for district regeneration and regional growth.
Coun Johnson said: “The appointments we’re making are based on skills and experience, not on politics and personalities.
“We’ve reviewed CVs and based decisions on what councillors can contribute to our district.
“Everyone, in every role, will be judged on performance and delivery every few months. Effectively we’re all on short-term contracts.”
The meeting was told allowances had been scrapped for deputy cabinet members, which had “reduced spending on local politicians by £50,000 on day one.”
Coun Johnson said the first decision taken by the new leadership was to double the budget for road markings, which he described as a “practical decision that will visibly improve our district for everyone who lives and works here.”
Plans are also in place to reverse the council’s 2019 decision to declare a climate emergency.
Coun Johnson said: “Our approach will be focused on delivery and getting the basics right.
“We are going to be practical and focus on everyday things that make the lives of our residents easier.
“No more gesture politics, short-term gimmicks or political slogans.
“We should be conducting business in this chamber professionally and not focusing on things the council has no control over.
“The council can influence things like energy efficiency and the support we provide to people on the cost of living.
“That’s where our attention should be to make people’s lives easier.
“Our residents want us to spend less on politics and more on local services, so we’re putting our money where our mouth is.”
Earlier this year, senior Labour councillors agreed to buy The Ridings Shopping Centre for just over £11m.
The acquisition paved the way for the ageing mall to be demolished to allow for a multi-million pound regeneration programme for the city centre.
Commenting on the future of the scheme, Coun Johnson said: “We all want to see regeneration and investment into our city and our towns.
“That’s very important, but it needs to be something that works for our residents and businesses.
“So we will be consulting everyone about the future later in the year.
“Members can expect more practical decisions like these to deliver change over the next few weeks.”
Ending his speech, the new leader said: “This is a turning point for our district.
“We don’t underestimate the responsibility we have and the opportunity that’s ahead of us now.
“Real, meaningful change will take time. But we’re determined to make it happen.
“The wasting of your hard-earned money will come to an end.
“We will do things differently.
“Together we will bring the change that our residents deserve.
“And the work starts now to make the Wakefield district a better place – because you’re worth it.”