Cllr George Finch's first speech as Warwickshire County Council leader

Cllr George Finch's first speech as Warwickshire County Council leader.

Transcript

00:00We are delighted to be elected as the leader of Warwickshire County Council.

00:04The people of Warwickshire spoke on May 1st, electing 22 reformed councillors.

00:09We are committed with honesty, integrity and respect to the residents

00:14to ensure that the people of Warwickshire have the best future

00:18and to ensure that the people have the best way forward.

00:22Today, the Warwickshire County Council have elected a new leader.

00:27For the last two months, we have been implementing a Warwickshire Road Renewal Plan

00:32which will save money and ensure that the people of Warwickshire

00:35have the best route forward with potholes and road repairs.

00:41Today, we also found that there is a SEND crisis in Warwickshire.

00:47There is an £87 million deficit in Warwickshire County Council

00:51and next year it will increase to £187 million.

00:55We have to find an innovative, fresh way to move forward

00:59and that is what the people elected on May 2nd.

01:03The Lib Dems and the Conservatives are finished, reform are in

01:08and we will create fresh, innovative change for the people of Warwickshire.

01:13I have a sister with SEND and I understand the sticking points

01:16to the families' experience.

01:18I say to you today that we will not be looking at it with a stick-in-plaster approach

01:23which has been done by the Labour Government and other councils across the country.

01:27We will be looking at these with a deep-rooted solution

01:31and we will do what is best for the people of Warwickshire.

01:35What do you say to people who say you don't have any questions?

01:36I will not be taking any questions today.

01:38Do you have enough life experience for this?

01:40You've got a big job on your hands, haven't you?

01:41Should you be spending £190,000 on political assistance, Councillor Finch?