Reform UK postpone June meetings at Nottinghamshire County Council for training — branded a “shambolic start” by the Conservative opposition who claim they’ve been cancelled

Council leaders have been criticised for calling off ‘key’ county council meetings.

Nottinghamshire County Council’s June schedule of meetings are said to have been axed by the newly-elected Reform UK administration, just weeks after they won the majority on the council.

Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Planning and Rights of Way Committee, and Governance and Ethics Committee meetings were scheduled this month.

These committees make decisions about issues such as road repairs and development, school support, and adult care.

However, Reform group leader and council leader Mick Barton has described the accusations of cancellations of the meetings as “totally incorrect”.

He said: “The meetings that were already in the diary was for the previous administration. We have a totally new administration now.

“The only meetings that have been postponed or moved are subject to specific training needs for the new members and chairman and vice-chairman.

“Planning and rights of way committee is a quasi-judicial committee with legal requirements and need formal training.

“Informal Cabinet meetings and all other meetings are still taking place.”

It has been confirmed by the county council that any planning applications due for decision in June’s meeting will be moved to July.

Leader of the Conservative group and main opposition Sam Smith, who represents Newark East on the council, described the decision as a “shambolic start” for the Reform administration.

He added: “Local residents were promised action, change and common sense. Instead, we’ve got silence, confusion and a complete absence of leadership.

“Scrapping every key meeting in their first full month in charge is not only reckless — it’s dangerous. This puts public services at risk and shows just how unprepared Reform really are. And, the boats are still coming up the Trent.”

According to Conservative opposition councillors, the move has left council officers and departments in ‘limbo’, with no political direction, no clear policy agenda, and no visible leadership.

At the first full council meeting on Thursday, May 22, newly appointed cabinet members were asked questions by opposition councillors from Conservative, Labour, and Broxtowe Independent Group councillors about their areas of responsibility.

In their responses, the Reform cabinet members said they ‘hadn’t been briefed’ on the issues raised — including solar farms and highways programmes — which the opposition have since described as having “no excuse” as they have “full access to senior officers who are available to support them”.

Mr Smith said: “They should be in their offices, speaking to officers, and getting to grips with their jobs. Instead, the car park is empty, and the council is effectively leaderless.

“This is what happens when you elect people who had no plan and no idea what the job involved.”

The council’s Reform UK group has been described as having “no strategy, no urgency, and no answers”.

“We will continue to do the job they won’t,” added Mr Smith.

“As the main opposition, we’re here to speak up for local residents, support council officers, and hold this Reform administration to account.”