Leader George Finch has suggested "there will be some changes" to the Reform UK cabinet that leads Warwickshire County Council this week.

It was announced a month ago that the Reform UK councillors had been voted back in to lead his party's group at Shire Hall, meaning he will continue in a hotseat that gives him the final say on selecting Warwickshire's cabinet – the panel of councillors who oversee major service areas.

Including the leader, Reform has run with a nine-strong cabinet – county council rules state anywhere between two and 10 can be appointed – since taking charge in May 2025.

While cabinet members can be changed at any time, annual council meetings tend to be the time for tweaks and we already know that Cllr James Crocker is set to become deputy leader, replacing Cllr Stephen Shaw.

It was said at the time that the change would allow Cllr Shaw to "focus exclusively" on his property and finance portfolio while balancing work commitments, seemingly pointing to his continued presence at the top table.

However, it appears someone will be making way – and at Cllr Finch's behest rather than their own choice – with Cllr Crocker set to be assigned a portfolio as well as being second in command.

Stating that it would be announced at Thursday's (May 14) annual full council, Cllr Finch told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "I am not willing to talk about which one he has yet but he will be stepping into the cabinet."

The leader also has scope to alter portfolios, potentially merging roles or separating them out to reduce or increase the number of cabinet positions.

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Asked whether the roles, tweaked in 2025 to create nine instead of the 10 posts that the Conservatives had, would look the same as they do now, Cllr Finch said: "There will be some changes. I'm planning all that with the cabinet, officers and the chief executive, that is all to come.

"We will look at the cabinet reshuffle when it comes to it and there will be an announcement."

He argued it would be unfair to point out who could make way but confirmed that no one had resigned or signalled their intent to resign from cabinet, despite suggestions from a political rival in a recent decision-making meeting that under-fire portfolio holder for transport and planning Cllr Jennifer Warren had "tried to resign twice".

That comment came from Cllr Scott Cameron who then urged Cllr Warren to "make it third time lucky for the benefit of Warwickshire residents".

Cllr Finch said: "I like to speak to everyone about it and see what they think. It is not a one-man band but if someone was to go, yes, that would be down to me (as opposed to any resignations).

"Everyone in the cabinet has done a tremendous job over the past year, it has been difficult finding our feet, working with officers, working with other councillors.

"It has been turbulent at times with big decisions like Great Alne (Primary School's closure), the budget, there have been some heavy-hitting things.

"I am proud of every single cabinet member, they have worked extremely hard in what they do and hats off to them.

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"I genuinely can't wait for year two. I am really excited about what that means for the people of Warwickshire."

Asked what is in the pipeline, Cllr Finch said there were two elements that he could not disclose yet, adding: "The highways maintenance contract officially starts in May and people will see huge changes.

"We came in and redid the contract and that comes into effect. I have been working on it with Jennifer Warren, (Councillor) Stuart Green (Reform UK, Kingsbury, cabinet support on transport and planning) and officers.

"You will see changes. When I am in the car, when I am walking, canvassing, I take photos and report the problems I see. There needs to be communication on it, definitely."