Councillor Sam Smith has been re-elected as the Conservatives Leader at Nottinghamshire County Council and new Leader of the Opposition at Nottinghamshire County Council following Reform taking control of the authority following the recent local elections.
He also represents Trent Valley for Gedling Borough Council
Smith said he has ‘serious concerns’ about their leadership.
“Just weeks into their term, the new Reform administration at Nottinghamshire County Council has cancelled all council-run committee meetings for the entire month of June—sparking serious concerns about leadership, accountability, and the future of local services.
“The decision halts key functions of the Council, including meetings of the Cabinet, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Planning and Rights of Way Committee, and Governance and Ethics Committee. These committees are responsible for decisions that directly affect local residents—on everything from road repairs and development plans to school support and adult care.
“According to Conservative opposition councillors, the move has left council officers and departments in limbo, with no political direction, no clear policy agenda, and no visible leadership from those elected to provide it.
Smith described it as “a shambolic start from Reform,”
“Local residents were promised action, change and common sense,” he said.
“Instead, we’ve got silence, confusion and a complete absence of leadership. Scrapping every key meeting in their first full month in charge is not only reckless—it’s dangerous. This puts public services at risk and shows just how unprepared Reform really are. And, the boats are still coming up the Trent!”
“At the first Full Council meeting on Thursday, May 22, newly appointed Cabinet Members were asked basic questions about their areas of responsibility. Not one was able to give a clear answer. Instead, they claimed they hadn’t been briefed—despite having full access to senior officers who are available to support them.
“There’s no excuse for this.
“They should be in their offices, speaking to officers, and getting to grips with their jobs. Instead, the car park is empty, and the Council is effectively leaderless. This is what happens when you elect people who had no plan and no idea what the job involved.”
“Council staff and officers, who work hard behind the scenes to keep local services running, are now left waiting for decisions that aren’t being made. Without Cabinet meetings or scrutiny committees, important issues are being delayed, and residents are paying the price.
“Reform’s campaign was full of bold promises—but the reality is already falling apart. There’s no strategy, no urgency, and no answers. It’s becoming clearer by the day: they weren’t ready for this responsibility.
“We will continue to do the job they won’t,” added Cllr Smith.
“As the main opposition, we’re here to speak up for local residents, support council officers, and hold this Reform administration to account.”
reform have no plans yet for Arnold let us here and we will back you and support our town like tom randall and you should get him in you’re party
Totally agree with Sam here. Reform haven’t a clue – an in fact, neither have their voters, who seem to think there are thousands of boats heading down the Trent from overseas and they can sort it out.
Sam Smith – bad loser
Sam loooooooooser
What are the plans for Arnold? We have the best town and is our capital and our London yet nothing has been said about what they want to do with Arnold donor waist money on Carlton or Nevo spend on t here as this is what people want and tourists come here
You for real? I find Reform bizarre – but not bizarre enough to be sat plotting some agenda to just focus on Arnold.. In another comment you said you wanted a town farm and Cineworld!!! Madness. Bring back Woolworts too!
Reform did not cancel the meeting. It was the previous council who cancelled it before Reform got in.
There waiting for nigel to tell them what to do but he’s to busy making money to be bothered about normal working class people.
These delays were pre-planned and signed off well in advance to meet essential training requirements. They were implemented under the previous administration, led by Sam Smith. Now, we could chalk this up to a case of political amnesia—but let’s be honest: there’s a by-election on the horizon, and the Conservatives are clearly scrambling to claw back votes. This is the same party that lost its way and, in doing so, sold the British people short—something they now seem weirdly obsessed with defending.