Reform leader, 19, bids to head second council

The youngest council leader in the UK has taken a step towards becoming head of a second council.

Reform UK's George Finch, 19, was already the leader of Warwickshire County Council. He has also been chosen as the leader of the Reform UK group in Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and took the council's Bede seat at last week's local elections.

Reform UK was the largest group on Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council following Thursday's local elections. Finch said the next step was to put forward a proposal for Reform UK to govern as a minority administration. The council meets on 20 May.

Reform UK has 15 seats on the council, Labour has 11, the Conservatives have nine and the Green Party has three.

Finch pledged to deliver a "bright future" for the borough if he is installed as leader.

"Once this proposal is accepted at full council later this month, we will start delivering real, noticeable change for the people of Nuneaton and Bedworth," he said.

Labour previously led the council but suffered heavy losses last Thursday, including losing the seat of leader Steve Hey.

No party won an overall majority at the election and Finch said his party would not seek the support of other parties to gain full control of the council. Instead, Reform UK aims to govern as a minority administration.

Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.