WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has appointed a cabinet member for DOGE.
Reform’s Nik Price will be tasked with “modernising operations and driving efficiency” at the authority.
But the role has already been criticised as being “another highly paid position” that could be scrapped to save money.
Councillor Price, the member for Bromsgrove West, was today announced as cabinet member for strategic delivery, operations, governance and efficiency (DOGE).
He said: “Worcestershire County Council is facing a financial emergency, a situation we inherited and which we are dealing with.
“This role is about strengthening how the council delivers day to day, modernising operations and driving efficiency so services work better for residents.
Conservative councillor Seb James said: “Today’s appointment is a glaring example of a weak leader desperately surrounding herself with loyal allies rather than delivering for residents.
“Reform claims to champion savings, yet instead of cutting an oversized cabinet, they’ve created another highly paid position - ironically tasked with finding cost savings. The most obvious saving? Scrap this role entirely.
“This administration is obsessed with toeing national party lines while ignoring the real issues facing our community.
“Reform promised bold change, but what we’ve seen is waste, complacency, and political self-preservation. Residents deserve leadership that puts them first - not a revolving door of party loyalists.
“We challenge the new appointee to break free from the Reform status quo and work across party lines. So far, this cabinet has failed to deliver collaboration, failed to deliver savings, and failed to deliver for residents. Enough is enough.”
