What exactly are Reform's plans for county council after landslide victory?

DESPITE resounding success for Reform UK across Derbyshire, surging to two-thirds control of the county council, the question remains - what are they going to do and how?

- By EDDIE BISKNELL

These are the same questions now being debated by the successful 42 county councillors elected in a landslide across all parts of the county, in a series of local groups only formalised in the last couple of months.

Reform councillors said at the election counts that the votes for their party were as a result of frustration at the Conservatives and Labour being perceived to have failed to fulfil promises - so the pressure will be on Reform to not make the same mistake.

However, there was no Derbyshire election manifesto or key Derbyshire-specific pledges put out by the local branches.

Instead, there are some general pitches from the national party and some detail from a number of the successful candidates, but much of it is associated with national Government responsibilities or the duties of borough and district councils - not the county.

In lieu of a manifesto, the Reform national team said the Derbyshire councillors would “lower council tax”, “fix potholes” and “invest in services”.

It said a “British-style DOGE” (department of government efficiency) would be set up. Cllr Sam Redfern, successful Reform candidate in the Hilton division in South Derbyshire, said in a letter to residents that his priorities include “fixing all potholes” and “social housing for local people”.

Social housing is not within the duties of the county council but is within the responsibilities of the district council, which can provide social housing itself and create agreements for homebuilders to provide them as part of new schemes.