Party priorities

Nigel Farage's visit provided the backdrop for the new Reform cabinet at Lancashire County Council to set out some of their priorities for the first time. Here's a flavour of what they told their national party leader to expect from the early-days administration at County Hall.

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On potholes...

Cabinet member for highways Warren Goldsworthy said the authority had not previously been basing its recording of - and response to - potholes on the actual number that exist on the county's roads.

“We have vehicles that travel every single road in Lancashire, every week [or] if not, every fortnight, “he explained.

Asked by Nigel Farage about the road repair work the county council contracts out to a third party, County Coun Goldsworthy said that while a deal agreed last year did “cut costs considerably”, he was “yet to determine” whether it was the best arrangement.

“Although these potholes should have a guaranteed period of two years, the contract only stipulates six months. If they're not confident enough to give it the two years, that would make me ask the question as to why that is,” County Coun Goldsworthy said.