About Me
Lancashire County Councillor for Padiham and Burnley West. Lead Member for Finance and Resources.
Tom Pickup
I grew up in this area and I care deeply about its future. Like many residents, I watched council tax bills climb year after year while potholes multiplied, bins got missed, and the answers from County Hall never quite added up. I decided to stop complaining and start doing something about it.
In May 2025, Lancashire voted for change. Decisively. Reform won 53 of 84 seats, the largest majority any party has held at County Hall. As Lead Member for Finance and Resources, I inherited a £28 million overspend, £350 million in concealed bond losses, and a savings programme that had collapsed from 91% delivery to just 48%. We’ve turned it around: the lowest council tax rise in 12 years, a balanced budget, and all five care homes saved.
I was elected in 2025 on a Reform UK ticket, standing on a simple promise: transparency, accountability, and putting residents first. I don't do politics-as-usual. I ask the awkward questions, I dig into the numbers, and I publish what I find, because the people paying the bills have a right to know where their money goes.
When I'm not at County Hall or in committee meetings, you'll find me out in the community talking to the people I represent. My door is always open, and I'm always happy to hear from residents of Padiham and Burnley West.
Key Milestones
Elected to Lancashire County Council
Won the Padiham and Burnley West division for Reform UK, joining the largest Reform group on any county council in England with 53 seats.
Appointed Lead Member for Finance & Resources
Appointed to the cabinet as Lead Member for Finance and Resources at Lancashire County Council, overseeing the council's £986 million budget and financial strategy.
Launched Councillor Website
Built this website to provide a direct, transparent line of communication between me and the residents I represent. No spin, no jargon.
Delivered Reform’s First Budget
Balanced a £1.33 billion budget with the lowest council tax rise in 12 years (3.80%). Identified £62 million in savings and corrected a £28 million inherited overspend, all without cutting front-line services.
Saved All Five Care Homes
Inherited a Conservative consultation to close five county care homes. Listened to over 1,600 residents and reversed course, keeping all five open with new investment pledged.
Community Engagement
Committed to holding regular surgeries and being available to residents. Your concerns drive my work at County Hall, from road repairs to planning issues to scrutinising budgets.
What I’ve Achieved
Lowest CT Rise in 12 Years
The Conservatives raised council tax to the maximum in 7 of 8 years. Reform’s first budget broke that pattern, saving households £17.55 each versus the Tory approach.
Inherited Overspend Corrected
We inherited a £28 million overspend forecast. Through targeted action, not cuts to front-line services, we’ve reduced it to £6.1 million and falling.
Care Homes Saved
Inherited a consultation to close them. Listened to 1,600+ residents. Kept all five open with new investment pledged, because elderly care isn’t a line to cut.
Budget Oversight
As Lead Member for Finance & Resources, overseeing Lancashire County Council’s entire annual budget on behalf of residents.
Awarded to Burnley Arts
As Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the charity, distributed grants to 15 local arts organisations serving the community.
My Priorities
Radical Transparency
Open data, public scrutiny, and no backroom deals. Every council decision should be visible to the people who pay for it. I publish my findings, share the data, and invite challenge.
Accountable Governance
Councillors and officers should answer to residents, not the other way round. I challenge complacency, question spending decisions, and hold the executive to account in every meeting.
Data-Driven Decisions
Gut feeling and party loyalty shouldn't drive council policy. I use real data to understand problems, measure performance, and propose solutions. The numbers don't lie.
Residents First
Every decision I make starts with one question: is this good for the people of Padiham and Burnley West? I'm not here for a career in politics. I'm here to serve my community.
Reform at Lancashire County Council
When the Conservatives left County Hall, they left behind a mess: a £28 million overspend, savings delivery that had collapsed from 91% to 48%, council tax raised to the legal maximum in 7 of 8 years, and £350 million in bond losses they never transparently reported.
In less than a year, Reform has delivered the lowest council tax rise in 12 years, identified £62 million in savings, corrected the inherited overspend, saved all five county care homes, and stopped councillors collecting salaries for pension fund directorships. The 2026/27 budget is balanced at £1.33 billion, without cutting front-line services.
This is what happens when you put people who care about value for money in charge of the public purse. Lancashire voted for change, and change is being delivered.
Data Verified
- LCC Budget Book 2026/27
- LCC Cabinet Reports
- GOV.UK MHCLG Data
Accessibility Statement
This website aims to be accessible to as many people as possible, in line with WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines. The site is built with semantic HTML, supports keyboard navigation, provides sufficient colour contrast, and respects user preferences for reduced motion.
If you encounter any accessibility issues or have suggestions for improvement, please get in touch. I take accessibility seriously and will work to resolve any barriers as quickly as possible.