Reform UK has reshuffled its cabinet members for education following the resignation of one councillor for “personal reasons”.
Councillor Alan Graves, Derbyshire County Council’s Reform leader, has appointed Cllr Simon Mabbott (Ilkeston South & Kirk Hallam) as cabinet member for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and education.
Meanwhile, Cllr Paul Maginnis (Sawley) has been appointed as support cabinet member for the same education brief.
This follows the resignation of Cllr Jack Bradley (Long Eaton North) from the cabinet and council for “personal reasons”, with a by-election to be held in due course.
Cllr Mabbott’s appointment comes three months after he was drafted into the support cabinet member position due to the former postholder – Cllr Charlotte Gates (Swanwick & Riddings) – “struggling to get to meetings” due to her day job as an SEND teacher, seven weeks into the role.
She has since been demoted from her roles on the planning committee and appointments and conditions of service committee.
Cllr Mabbott has left his roles as audit committee chairman and resources scrutiny committee member in order to take the promotion to the cabinet.
The appointment of Cllr Maginnnis to the support cabinet member role comes just five days after he resigned from the opposition Conservative Group to join Reform UK, five months on from the local elections.
This was linked to disagreement with “failures” on immigration and “woke ideology” nationally and being made to feel like an eccentric for having the views he has locally, saying local leadership were “liberals who want power”.
He argued that he got elected in May – by 17 votes – “despite” being a Conservative, not because he was a Conservative.
Cllr Mabbott said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the team at DCC, schools and families to support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
“It’s such an important area and I’m truly humbled to have been given the opportunity to make a difference.
“Alongside this I’ll also be focusing on post-16 education and apprenticeships, helping to ensure that young people across Derbyshire have access to the right opportunities, skills and support as they move into further education, training or employment.
“I’ve already begun work and my goal is to try and help every young person reach their full potential.”
Last month, Cllr Mabbott was heavily criticised by Labour MP Naz Shah for “far-right dog-whistle politics” for comments he made in relation to her wearing a hijab and swearing on a Quran.
Cllr Maginnis said: “I have spent a career supporting hundreds of young people into education and employment, including many with additional needs.
“We face a huge challenge as DCC has struggled for years on this issue but Simon and I will try our best to turn things around.
“ This is a big challenge but we are up to it.”
Cllr Maginnis said key priorities identified for the service include improving communication with parents and carers; reducing the wait for education, health and care plan assessments; increasing SEND placements in schools; transport for children to schools; filling the SEND caseworker staff shortage; and increasing post-16 opportunities for SEND children;
Council leader Cllr Graves welcomed the appointment, saying: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of Simon Mabbott as the cabinet member for SEND and education, as the former SEND cabinet support member he is ideal to move up into that position.
“His life experience will certainly bring a fresh approach to the education portfolio.
“To ensure that the support for SEND was not lost, I did ask for any experienced councillors in that field to put themselves forward and I was pleased to learn about Paul Maginnis’ current knowledge in this area.
“The breadth of experience and knowledge within my group is wide and gives me confidence that residents of Derbyshire can rely on.”
