Karl Johnson became leader of Wakefield Council after Reform UK won 58 of the 63 available seats in May's local elections, ending decades of Labour majority rule. One hundred days into the administration, the council has focused on road maintenance and reversed the city's climate emergency declaration.
Johnson, a businessman and musician who previously served as a Conservative councillor, was elected to lead the Reform group within days of the election count on 8 May. He became council leader 10 days later.
Road markings and city centre improvements
At May's first council meeting, Johnson announced plans to double the budget for road markings by "repurposing Net Zero funding". He claims to have found the additional money from "waste" under the previous administration, increasing the budget from £41,000 to £82,000.
Road markings and surfaces have been laid across the city centre, and the council has washed down paving and removed graffiti. Road markings across the district will now be reviewed.
Climate emergency reversed
Wakefield Council declared a climate emergency seven years ago with a goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. Johnson tabled a motion to axe the declaration in June, despite having backed it as a Conservative councillor in 2019.
Johnson said the decision is "a very popular policy" and will save "hundreds of thousands of pounds" that can be redirected to other services residents need. Green Party councillor Kate Dodd opposed the motion.
Party changes
Two Reform councillors, Steve Lewis and Rhys Carr, have left the party to sit as independents. A third councillor, Nick Farmer, has been suspended by the party.
