At the annual general meeting of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Edward Harris was elected as chair, Councillor Dale Keeling was elected as vice-chair, and Councillor Rob Howard was appointed as leader of the council. Councillors also approved appointments to committees and other bodies, received the annual report on the use of urgency and call-in procedures, reviewed the overview and scrutiny annual report, and approved amendments to contract standing orders.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair

Councillor Edward Harris was elected as chair of the council, with 29 votes to Councillor Sarah Bode's 25.

Councillor Dale Keeling was then elected as vice-chair of the council, with 29 votes to Councillor Kate Rolfe's 14 and Councillor Judy Falp's 11.

Appointment of Leader of the Council

Councillor Rob Howard was appointed leader of the council with 28 votes. Councillor Jerry Roodhouse received 15 votes and Councillor Jonathan Chilvers received 10 votes, with one abstention. Councillor George Finch nominated Councillor Howard for the position, while Councillor Bode nominated Councillor Roodhouse, and Councillor Will Roberts nominated Councillor Chilvers.

Councillor Roberts criticised the Reform group leader, Councillor Howard, for being absent from the meeting, and questioned what his policies would be:

As an absent group leader with equally absent policies of how he is going to run things in Warwickshire. How will Warwickshire reform councillors run the council? Will Nigel Farage be pulling the strings, ordering every move with his rhetoric from above, stop the boats, cancel next zero and sack the staff?

Councillor Keith Kondakor seconded the nomination of Councillor Chilvers, highlighting his experience with the council's budget.

Appointments to Committees and Other Bodies

The council approved appointments to various committees and other bodies. Councillor George Finch moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Michael Bannister. Councillor Sarah Feeney noted that Councillor John Holland should be the Labour representative on the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC). There was also a query about the number of people listed for Communities OSC, with Councillor Judy Falp moving to the Children and Young People's OSC. Councillor Keith Kondakor suggested a five-minute recess to allow officers to check the numbers. After the recess, the recommendations were moved to a vote and carried, with one abstention.

Annual Monitor of Use of the Urgency and Call-in Procedures

The council received and considered the Annual Monitor of Use of the Urgency and Call-in Procedures for May 2024 to April 2025. There were no call-ins during the period, but there were twelve instances of the use of the consent to urgency procedure, an increase of one from the previous year. Councillor Yusuf Dahmash moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick. The council voted to approve the report, with one abstention.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report

The council reviewed the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report - 2024/2025. Councillor Warwick moved the recommendation, which was seconded. Councillor Keith Kondakor commented on the report, particularly regarding the Seven Trent scrutiny on the communities and the fire cuts to Nuneaton. Councillor Andy Crump responded, stating that the budget for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service had been increased and that there had been a massive consultation on the matter. Councillor Warwick thanked the officers for their input into scrutiny and echoed the comments from Councillor Crump. The council voted to approve the report.

Amendments to the Contract Standing Orders

The council approved the amendments to the Contract Standing Orders. Councillor Yusuf Dahmash moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Adrian Warwick. Councillor Keith Kondakor raised concerns about contracts where there had been an unlimited liability left with the council. Councillor Warwick stated that the amendments were a realignment to go with national policy. The council voted to approve the amendments. The Contract Standing Orders are the council's rules for buying and supplying goods, works, or services and for disposing of assets other than property.

The amendments were required to ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.