Councillor Sean Bagguley Appointed as Staffordshire County Council’s New Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

Staffordshire County Council has appointed Reform UK Councillor Sean Bagguley to the pivotal role of Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, overseeing the authority’s budget, contracts, and performance metrics.   The move comes after former cabinet member Cllr Chris Large stepped down due to a family bereavement.

Bagguley, who represents the Stone Rural North division, was elected to the council in May 2025.  Prior to his cabinet appointment, he served on the audit and standards committee, pensions panel, and two overview and scrutiny committees.  His professional background includes a career as a marine engineer officer followed by 30 years in the financial services and investment management sector.

In a statement from Reform UK, Bagguley expressed his enthusiasm for the role: “I am honoured to take on this important role, leading the Cabinet’s ongoing commitment to efficiency and driving value for money across council services. I’m under no illusion that this will be easy – council budgets are stretched – but we will be creative and innovative to drive maximum value from the Staffordshire pound.”

A county council spokesperson highlighted Bagguley’s qualifications, noting that he brings “valuable insight” from his committee work and extensive financial experience to ensure effective stewardship of public funds.

The appointment occurs amid Reform UK’s growing influence at SCC, where Acting Leader Martin Murray recently touted a balanced budget achieved in just nine months, including investments of £5.5 million in children’s services, £15 million in highways, £18 million in countryside initiatives, and £5 million in libraries.   Murray emphasized potential for further savings, contrasting it with financial challenges faced by other councils.

Reform UK framed the appointment as a step toward “competence over complacency,” aligning with their pledge to deliver value for residents. As SCC navigates tight budgets, Bagguley’s role will be crucial in maintaining financial health while supporting key services.