Council leader resigns with 18-year-old left in charge of £1.5bn local authority

Howard said it had been a "very difficult decision to take" but confirmed he would stay on as a councillor for Attleborough in Nuneaton.

Councillor Finch, who was elected in the Bedworth Central ward, will serve as interim leader until the council confirms a new leader in due course.

The outgoing leader had previously told the BBC he was "not intimidated" by the challenge of running a local authority with £1.5billion of assets and a revenue budget of about £500m.

Howard said: "This has been a very difficult decision to take.

"The role of leader is an extremely demanding role, and regretfully, my health challenges now prevent me from carrying out the role to the level and standard that I would wish.

"I am honoured and privileged to have held the role, even if only for a short time. I remain committed to my continued role working as a county councillor for the benefit of Warwickshire residents."

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Councillor Finch was a member of the Conservative Party for three months before switching to Reform. According to the council's website, he was named as the cabinet member for Children & Families.

In a statement, Finch said: "I extend my gratitude to Cllr Howard for his service to Warwickshire. I understand his reasons for taking the decision he has and look forward to working with him in the future.

“As interim leader I will ensure that this council is in steady hands until a new leader is elected by the group so that we can deliver meaningful results for Warwickshire.

"Our mission to deliver for residents remains unchanged.”

Writing in The New Reformer, Finch said: "My main principles are having integrity, honesty and respect.

"Too many people in today’s society lack these qualities, with these qualities one can push for anything in life.

"I’m not going to hide my ambition, which is to serve the people of the UK and if that’s through becoming an MP and representing constituents, advocating for their needs and wants in society."

Warwickshire County Council, which has alternated between a Conservative majority and no overall control since it was established in 1974, is under Reform control since the election on May 1.

However, despite securing 23 seats, Nigel Farage's party fell short of the 29 needed for a majority.

Alternative leadership nominations were made for Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse and Green councillor Jonathan Chilvers.

Howard won the support of 28 councillors in his selection as leader, while Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse won 15 votes and Green councillor Jonathan Chilvers 10, with one abstention.

In a statement released by Warwickshire Liberal Democrats, Roodhouse said Howard’s resignation was "regrettable, coming so soon after taking it on."

He said: "The instability in the leadership of the Conservative-backed Reform UK group is not good news. It’s especially unwelcome when there are so many challenges facing the council, such as Send provision, adult social care and big highways projects."