Reform councillor who made “unprofessional and inappropriate comments” to head adult social care services
Cabinet reshuffle comes just days after latest on the future of care homes and day centres was announced by Lancashire County Council
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Lancashire Lead,
One of the over-riding stories throughout Reform’s tenure at County Hall since May last year has been the future of a number of care homes and day centres across Lancashire.
The administration say it is crucial to, errr reform, the service while opposition groups, campaigners and MPs have been furious about how the consultation and proposals were brought forward. Now the cabinet member who was overseeing it has stepped back, just days after he brought forward a new proposal for getting a hold of the financial challenge of adult social care in the county.
He’s being replaced by a fellow Reform councillor who hasn’t been shy of making headlines during his time also in the cabinet and spending some time on the side-lines due to leaked WhatsApp messages. Tom Pickup will take on the brief and his leader says the use of AI that Pickup brings to the role will be crucial - an interesting comment given the very human level of care that is needed. The challenges with adult social care are not unique to Lancashire, it is where one of the largest portions of council tax goes to, and the county, like everywhere, has an increasingly ageing population.
How those people who have lived and worked in Lancashire, in many cases for all their lives, are treated with dignity, respect and care is something that cuts across the political spectrum and there are no easy answers given the staffing, resources and facilities needed. It may come to define how Stephen Atkinson and co are remembered for their time in charge.
Luke’s followed every turn of the care homes debate, from protests, to angry council meetings and sub-committees, with the assistance of the ever-superb Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Faulkner, and others too. It is a story which will not be going away anytime soon, and we shall see if Cllr Tom picks up where Cllr Dalton left off or pursues a different path.
Lancashire briefing
🕵️ Reform UK has been given an important role at Pendle Council after the dramatic local elections, as key positions are decided including the borough’s new Independent and Lib-Dem leadership. Amid the heightened political atmosphere, councillors have called for unity around a shared commitment to serve all Pendle communities. And there was also a tribute to ex-council leader David Whipp, who lost his borough seat in the May elections. Marion Atkinson, an opposition Reform councillor, will run an influential Pendle accounts and audit committee. She represents Colne’s Vivary Bridge ward and was elected in 2025. A retired employment law consultant, she is also a county councillor. Before this year’s local elections, she was the only Reform councillor at Pendle. But now she has now been joined by Nathan McCollum, Michael Waddington, Alan Whitehead and Glenn Whittaker. See the full story from Robbie Macdonald at LancsLive.
💰 Lancashire County Council is facing questions over the way it pays local businesses - after one firm revealed it is owed more than £465,000 by the local authority. KeyPlus, based in Burnley, manages security at more than 500 buildings for County Hall including schools, nurseries and community buildings. Their chief exec and founder Brian Curran has gone public, speaking to Michael Taylor at TheBusinessDesk North West about the late charges and the late payments which have been going on for years and pre-date the Reform administration, although he says things have certainly not improved. He’s written to the Small Business Commissioner Emma Jones calling on her to investigate.
🏊 The death of 12-year-old Junior Slater in the River Ribble at Ribchester has shocked the county in this week’s heatwave, and he is one of 12 people to die in water-related incidents. Nearly £15,000 has been raised to support his family following the tragedy on Tuesday. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service told Blog Preston: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the Junior Slater who sadly died in the River Ribble at Ribchester. This is a heart-breaking tragedy, and our sympathies are also with everyone who has been affected by what has happened. At times like this, it is important that we remind people just how dangerous open water can be. Rivers, lakes, reservoirs and the coast can look inviting, particularly during warm weather and school holidays, but cold water shock, strong currents, hidden hazards and sudden changes in depth can quickly put lives at risk. We know this message is especially difficult following such a tragic incident, but anything we can do to prevent another family experiencing this kind of loss is vitally important.” You can see water safety advice from the fire service and also from the RNLI. Lancashire-based Doing It For Dylan also have extensive resources on water safety, the organisation was established by the mother of Dylan Ramsay after he drowned in a quarry near Chorley in 2011. She has been campaigning ever since to try and educate young people on the dangers of open water swimming. Please do share with people, particularly young people, you know.
📝 And finally, one of the county’s longest-serving and most respected journalists has scribbled his shorthand for the final time. It is farewell to the Lancashire Telegraph’s Bill Jacobs. He finished up a very eventful career as the Local Democracy Reporter at the Blackburn-based title and has been covering councils at the East of the county, plus plenty more. The Telegraph has published some fantastic memories of his 47 years in local journalism remembered. All the very best Bill from all of us at The Lancashire Lead. And thank you.
Have a story you think we should be featuring? Story tips and info are always welcome to luke@thelead.uk
Reform councillor who made “unprofessional and inappropriate comments” to head adult social care services
By Paul Faulkner
The politician in charge of adult care services in Lancashire has stepped down from the role – just days after launching what he described as a “pivotal” project to modernise the system.
Graham Dalton quit as the cabinet member for adult social care at Lancashire County Council having fired the starting gun on an overhaul that he said would change the current set-up “for the better”.
No reason has been given for his decision, but the leader of the Reform UK-run authority, Stephen Atkinson, paid tribute to what he said was the departing portfolio holder’s “exceptional dedication”.
County Cllr Tom Pickup has taken over the post, relinquishing his previous position as lead member for finance and resources. Cllr Pickup is no stranger to readers of The Lancashire Lead, as we broke the story of his suspension from Reform in November last year.
During County Cllr Dalton’s year-long stint at the top table at County Hall, he led a controversial review into the future of five county council-run care homes and five day centres, amid concern over the poor condition of their buildings. The potential closure of the services sparked protests and petitions – although the authority insisted no pre-determined decisions had been made.
Following a public consultation – during which the cabinet member urged respondents to “be emotional” in making the case for the facilities in their existing form – it was ultimately decided all of the homes would remain open, along with the three day centres that are currently operational.
Last Tuesday (19th May), County Cllr Dalton – who will continue to represent his Lancaster Rural North division – won the support of cabinet colleagues to embark on work to develop a new ‘model of care’ for all of the adult care services that the county council delivers directly or commissions from other providers. He stepped down later in the week, meaning the task – which is due to be completed by September – will now be overseen by his successor.
