Reform UK unveil '10 pledges' for Wakefield including tackling potholes and Ridings review
Karl Johnson also announced plans to give young people a “brighter future” and to improve adult social care services as he outlined his new Reform UK administration’s 10 key priorities
Wakefield Council’s leader has pledged to examine the authority’s finances, crack down on potholes and carry out an “in-depth review” of proposals to demolish The Ridings Shopping Centre.
Karl Johnson also announced plans to give young people a “brighter future” and to improve adult social care services as he outlined his new Reform UK administration’s 10 key priorities for the district.
Johnson took over as council leader in May after his party’s huge victory in the local elections when they won 58 out of 63 council seats.
Labour had run the council since it was established 52 years ago but were left with just one councillor.
Johnson told a full council meeting that his cabinet had “spent time looking under the bonnet” since taking office last month.
He said: “What do residents want? They want the basics done right and an end to being overlooked and taken for granted.
“Our new administration has hit the ground running to set the direction that we intend to take.”
“Members will have already seen some of the early decisions we have taken to invest in important priorities, reduce spending on things that the council could simply not afford and bring common sense back to local decision making.”
Earlier this month, Reform announced it would cut the council’s school uniform fund by £1.3m by making support available only to “those who need it most”, including children eligible for free school meals and families experiencing hardship.
The new scheme is expected to cost about £700,000 and replaces a £2m scheme approved by the previous Labour administration to provide all school children with free uniform vouchers.
Days after becoming leader, Coun Johnson also announced plans to save the council £51,000 by no longer paying allowances to deputy cabinet members.
He said: “We are doing things more professionally and focussing on things that make the lives of our residents simpler and easier.
“Part of that professionalism is setting out a clear, deliverable, long term plan that puts local people first, rather than focussing on the pointless political squabbling of the past.”
Outlining the pledges, Coun Johnson said: “Each priority has equal billing and is something that has been raised on the doorsteps.
“We are going to be relentless in tackling waste and improving efficiency across the council.”
Coun Johnson said a new programme would deliver “a root and branch review” of all local authority expenditure.
He added: “We are going to be transparent. A key part of this will be reviewing the council’s debt level and making sure we collect the money we are owed.”
The meeting was told improvements would also be made to the district’s road network.
“Everyone who uses our roads is going to see fewer potholes, better road markings and general improvements to our highway infrastructure,” Coun Johnson said.
Other priorities outlined by the leader included plans to improve the management of the city and town centres, as well as launching a new economic growth plan to support local investment.
Coun Johnson said there would be an “in-depth review” of regeneration plans for Wakefield city centre and Castleford town centre.
Wakefield’s so-called Cathedral Quarter masterplan includes demolishing The Ridings Shopping Centre and four high-rise tower blocks.
Senior Labour councillors agreed to buy the ageing mall earlier this year for £11m so it could be flattened to make way for new homes, leisure facilities and event spaces.
Coun Johnson said: “Anything we do needs to bring the people and businesses affected along with us and it can’t be rushed.
“That’s something we are committed to.”
Councillors were also told a “new model of integrated neighbourhood management” would be introduced to help people have more say in local public services.
Coun Johnson added: “Over 52 years of hurt by the Labour Party has come to an end and we are going to bring a new and positive vision and future to the district.”
The full list of Wakefield Council’s new Reform administration priorities includes:
– Launching a budget efficiency programme to review all council spending
– Invest in the district’s roads to tackle potholes and improve the general condition of highways.
– Improving the management of the city and town centres to create welcoming, clean and safe places to visit.
– Launching a new economic growth plan to support investment into the district.
– Developing a new approach to give young people not in employment, education or training a brighter future.
– Focussing on environmental maintenance to make every part of the district a great place to live.
– Rolling out a new model of integrated neighbourhood management to help local people have more say in local public services.
– Carrying out an in-depth review of the Cathedral Quarter masterplan and plans for Castleford town centre regeneration.
– Undeclaring a climate emergency and focussing on energy efficiency and cost of living interventions that provide practical help to residents.
– Accelerating the transformation of adult social care to improve care for older and vulnerable adults