Latest news with #JosephBoam
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
County council redirects net-zero cash to flood defences
A Reform UK council has reallocated £2m from an earmarked carbon reduction reserve to flood mitigation initiatives. Leicestershire County Council also approved a change in focus of its previously agreed net-zero action plan from reducing carbon emissions to climate adaptation and responding to severe weather events. Adam Tilbury, cabinet member for environment and flooding, told colleagues he "fully supports" moving the funds, saying the threat of flooding was "here and now". Conservative councillor Deborah Taylor warned in the coming years Parliament may expand the council's legal duties in tackling climate change and she could not see anything in the report that "mitigates this risk". In 2022 the previous administration set aside a £2m reserve to provide initial investment in carbon reduction initiatives and agreed a net-zero strategy to end Leicestershire's contribution to global warming by 2045. In February 2024, this was reassessed in light of the council's "increasingly constrained" financial position, and a target of 2050 to reach net-zero in the county was set, council documents addedDeputy leader of the council, Joseph Boam said: "I think it's absolutely great to see us starting to scrap the wasteful net stupid zero agenda."And instead putting the funding towards something that actually matters, like tackling flooding, which has been neglected for far too long in Leicestershire." 'Virtue signalling' Council documents said on 6 January, during an unnamed storm, significant rainfall led to the "worst flooding event" in recent history in to the authority, an estimated 900 properties across the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) region were flooded - including a confirmed 717 in Leicestershire. Reform UK councillor Harrison Fowler said: "UK authorities of all sizes like to parade their net-zero efforts around like some badge of honour."But in reality, it's nothing more than shallow virtue signalling and PR."Council documents prepared for the meeting said the role of local government in combating climate change had been "constrained by a lack of a clear legal duty as well as a lack of funding from the government".The documents said the Environmental Targets Bill was currently before Parliament, which aims to introduce a statutory objective requiring public bodies to contribute to the delivery of targets to address climate report added: "In summary, the proposal under consideration presently appears lawful. "However, the cabinet should have in mind that, in the coming years, Parliament may well expand the council's legal duties."
The Guardian
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Reform UK puts teenagers in charge of vital public services
Reform UK's local election wins have led to teenagers being put in charge of vital public services, including a 19-year-old who is overseeing children and family services while at university. Two months after the elections in which Nigel Farage's party took overall control of 10 councils, concerns have been raised about the experience of candidates who have been appointed to roles with wide-ranging responsibility. At Leicestershire county council, the Reform councillor Charles Pugsley, 19, has been made the cabinet member for children and family services. Pugsley's elevation has caused particular concern, as has that of Joseph Boam, a 22-year-old who has been made the deputy council leader and handed the adult social care portfolio, despite having previously expressed the view that 'depression isn't real'. Both are defenders of a Reform policy that would block the council from flying community emblems such as the Pride and disabled people's flags over council property. More than 100 social workers and other employees at the council have signed a letter condemning the policy, which they allege 'promotes exclusion and marginalisation'. According to the anti-extremism campaign group Hope Not Hate, a now deleted social media account appearing to belong to Boam had frequently retweeted and posted apparent praise for the misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate. Another claim on the same account that 'depression isn't real' raised concern among fellow councillors who have written to Reform's leader at Leicestershire. Boam has reportedly dismissed the allegation as 'fake news'. News of their appointments follow that of George Finch, 18, who has become the interim leader of the neighbouring Warwickshire county council a year after completing his A-levels. Their relative lack of experience has caused unease across the political divide. Deborah Taylor, a Conservative councillor and leader of the opposition who was the previous cabinet member for children and families in Leicestershire, questioned their qualifications to hold roles overseeing services that account for more than 70% of the council's £616m budget. 'I am a huge champion of young people and young councillors but what really concerns me is that new young councillors should be nurtured rather than being thrown in at the deep end to what can be a quite full-on role where there is exposure to some real trauma and difficult decisions,' she said. 'Rather than age, it's about political and life experience, whether that's as someone who has worked or even as a parent with knowledge of household pressures.' The concerns were echoed by social workers at the council. 'There is some confidence that much of what is being delivered can't be changed because it is statutory and underpinned by legislation. But there are areas where resources are being allocated on a 'spend to save' basis, such as early interventions for families who may, for example, have had multiple removals of children,' said one. 'It's an area where that spending has really paid off and there would be great concern about that being tinkered with or even cut.' Julia Ross, the chair of the British Association of Social Workers, said: 'Lead members for children's and adults' social services in local authorities are very important roles that carry the responsibility of handling hundreds of millions of pounds. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion 'While we recognise and value the fresh perspectives that youth often brings, ideally, candidates should have experience in administrating such complex departments, as well as a working knowledge of their statutory duty to support what are often the most vulnerable people in our society.' Pugsley and Boam have come into their roles as Reform has pledged to deliver Elon Musk-style efficiency savings at councils even though many services have been cut to the bone over recent years. Neither responded to requests to comment although they have used their X accounts to answer critics. 'Some say I'm young. I say that's exactly what this role needs. I understand the challenges young people face today because I've been there. Now I'm making sure young voices are heard,' Pugsley tweeted. But this was questioned. Naomi Bottomley, a Green councillor, said: 'I know that Charles Pugsley has alluded to the idea that he knows more about what children need because he is young. But he also went to a private school and is a landlord, so I'm not sure he has quite the same experience as many vulnerable young people.' Pugsley, a computer science student at Nottingham University, is registered at Companies House as a director of two companies that list their business as the letting or operating of real estate. He and Boam, along with Finch in Warwickshire, also reflect a drive by Farage to leverage support among gen Z voters, with the party's popularity surging among 18- to 24-year-old men. Preet Gill, a Birmingham Labour MP who has voiced concern about Finch's role as leader at Warwickshire, said the appointments indicated how Reform would approach government. 'It's a carbon copy of the way in which Farage operates. They have made a lot of noise from performance politics and from being disruptive, rather than actually saying or doing anything of substance when it comes to delivery, or knowing how to deliver adult social care or children's services.'
The Independent
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Reform UK under fire for putting teenagers in charge of vital public services
Reform UK is under fire for letting teenagers run vital public services after storming to power in councils across the country in May's local elections. The party has been criticised for letting 18-year-old George Finch run Warwickshire County Council, which has a budget of around £500m and assets of £1.5bn. Now, some two months after it took over 10 councils in the local elections, it has emerged a slew of other high profile roles have been taken on by teenagers. On Leicestershire County Council, Reform councillor Charles Pugsley, 19, has been made the cabinet member for children and family services, The Guardian reported. Meanwhile, 22-year-old Joseph Boam has been made deputy council leader and put in charge of adult social care, having previously claimed that 'depression isn't real', the paper revealed. Both youngsters are reportedly opposed to councils flying flags in support of the LGBT+ community and disabled people's rights, one of Reform's first policies rolled out across local authorities. Campaigners Hope Not Hate claimed Mr Boam had posted praise for misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate on a now-deactivated social media account. The same account contained the 'depression isn't real' remark, with fellow councillor's complaining to Reform's leader in Leicestershire. Mr Boam has described the allegations as 'fake news'. A Conservative councillor and leader of the opposition on Leicestershire County Council expressed unease at the appointment of the pair in such high profile roles. Deborah Taylor told The Guardian: 'I am a huge champion of young people and young councillors but what really concerns me is that new young councillors should be nurtured rather than being thrown in at the deep end to what can be a quite full-on role where there is exposure to some real trauma and difficult decisions.' One social worker at the council told the paper: 'There is some confidence that much of what is being delivered can't be changed because it is statutory and underpinned by legislation. But there are areas were resources are being allocated on a 'spend to save' basis, such as early interventions for families who may, for example, have had multiple removals of children.' The British Association of Social Workers said the roles are 'very important' and oversee hundreds of millions of pounds in spending. Chair Julia Ross said she recognises the value of fresh perspectives, candidates for such roles should be experienced in running complex departments and a knowledge of their duties supporting some of the most vulnerable in society. Responding to critics who have questioned his age, Mr Pugsley said on X: 'Some say I'm young. I say that's exactly what this role needs. 'I understand the challenges young people face today because I've been there. Now I'm making sure young voices are heard.' But Green councillor Naomi Bottomley hit back, adding: 'He also went to a private school and is a landlord, so I'm not sure he has quite the same experience as many vulnerable young people.' Mr Finch took over as leader of Warwickshire County Council after his predecessor Rob Howard quit within weeks of being elected. Mr Howard cited health challenges preventing him from 'carrying out the role to the level and standard that I would wish'. The change means Mr Finch, a former member of the Conservative Party, is now responsible for the council, with £1.5bn of assets and a budget of around £500m. In an interview with The Telegraph after taking over, Mr Finch vowed to take on 'the blob' and pointed out that ' Mike Tyson was the youngest heavyweight boxer of the world', aged 20.
The Guardian
05-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Reform puts teenagers in charge of vital public services
Reform UK's local election wins have seen teenagers left in charge of vital public services, including a 19-year-old who is overseeing children and family services while still at university. Two months on from the elections in which Nigel Farage's party took overall control of 10 councils, concerns have been raised about the experience of candidates who have been appointed to roles with wide-ranging responsibility. At Leicestershire county council, Reform councillor Charles Pugsley, 19, has been made the cabinet member for children and family services. Pugsley's elevation has caused particular concern, as has that of Joseph Boam, a 22-year-old who has been made the deputy council leader and handed the adult social care portfolio, despite having previously expressed the view that 'depression isn't real'. Both are defenders of a Reform policy that would block the council from flying community emblems such as the Pride and disabled people's flags over council property. More than 100 social workers and other employees at the council have now signed a letter condemning the policy, which they allege 'promotes exclusion and marginalisation'. According to the anti-extremism campaign group, Hope Not Hate, an account appearing to belong to Boam had frequently retweeted and posted apparent praise for the misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate from a now deleted social media account. Another claim on the same account that 'depression isn't real' sparked concern among fellow councillors who have written to Reform's leader at Leicestershire. Boam has reportedly dismissed the allegation as 'fake news'. News of their appointment follow that of George Finch, 18, who has become the interim leader of the neighbouring Warwickshire county council just a year after completing his A-levels. Their relative lack of experience has caused unease across the political divide. Deborah Taylor, a Conservative councillor and leader of the opposition who was the previous cabinet member for children and families in Leicestershire, questioned their qualifications to hold roles overseeing services that account for more than 70% of the council's £616m budget. 'I am a huge champion of young people and young councillors but what really concerns me is that new young councillors should be nurtured rather than being thrown in at the deep end to what can be a quite full-on role where there is exposure to some real trauma and difficult decisions,' she said. 'Rather than age, it's about political and life experience, whether that's as someone has worked or even as a parent with knowledge of household pressures.' The concerns were echoed by social workers at the council. 'There is some confidence that much of what is being delivered can't be changed because it is statutory and underpinned by legislation. But there are areas were resources are being allocated on a 'spend to save' basis, such as early interventions for families who may, for example, have had multiple removals of children,' said one. 'It's an area where that spending has really paid off and there would be great concern about that being tinkered with or even cut.' Julia Ross, chair of the British Association of Social Workers, said: 'Lead members for children's and adults' social services in local authorities are very important roles that carry the responsibility of handling hundreds of millions of pounds. 'While we recognise and value the fresh perspectives that youth often brings, ideally, candidates should have experience in administrating such complex departments, as well as a working knowledge of their statutory duty to support, what are often, the most vulnerable people in our society.' Pugsley and Boam have come into their roles as Reform has pledged to deliver Elon Musk-style 'Doge' efficiency savings at councils even though many services have been cut to the bone over recent years. Neither responded to invitations to comment although they have used their X accounts to answer critics. 'Some say I'm young. I say that's exactly what this role needs. I understand the challenges young people face today because I've been there. Now I'm making sure young voices are heard,' Pugsley tweeted. But this was questioned. Naomi Bottomley, a Green councillor, said: 'I know that Charles Pugsley has alluded to the idea that he knows more about what children need because he is young. But he also went to a private school and is a landlord, so I'm not sure he has quite the same experience as many vulnerable young people.' Pugsley, a computer science student at Nottingham University, is registered at Companies House as a director of two companies that list their business as the letting or operating of real estate. He and Boam, along with Finch in Warwickshire, also reflect a drive by Nigel Farage to leverage support among gen Z voters, with the party's popularity surging among 18- to 24-year-old men. Preet Gill, a Birmingham Labour MP who has voiced concern about Finch's role as leader at Warwickshire, said that the appointments indicated how Reform would approach government. 'It's a carbon copy of the way in which Farage operates. They have made a lot of noise from performance politics and from being disruptive, rather than actually saying or doing anything of substance when it comes to delivery, or knowing how to deliver adult social care or children's services.'
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
County awaits political future after elections
The dust has far from settled after this month's elections to Leicestershire County Council. Reform UK took 25 seats - not quite enough to take overall control at County Hall but enough to end the Conservatives' 24-year grip on power there. The Tories, now numbering 15, said on 3 May that they would act as a "strong opposition" to a Reform minority administration, closing off the option for a coalition of the parties to run the council for now. It means Reform has the option of either governing in a minority administration or trying to form a coalition with parties towards the opposite end of the political spectrum. But there has been no official word on what is happening. Reform has until 14 May to name its leader and cabinet. That is the date of the county council's annual general meeting - when all councillors meet to elect a chair and vice-chair and appoint councillors to committees. The other parties are waiting for Reform to name its leader so they know who they will be working with to form the important committees that oversee the authority's work. Conservative leader Deborah Taylor said: "We all need to work together for the good of Leicestershire. "Without a leader to talk to, I can't do anything." Joseph Boam, the newly-elected Reform councillor for Whitwick, previously said: "Let's not forget the sheer importance of what has happened here. "From a standing start we are now the largest party in Leicestershire County Council. "The message from local residents is clear: They want change and Reform UK will deliver that." Reform councillors must decide among themselves who leads them - a meeting to decide that is understood to be taking place on Monday. So how will they choose their leader - will they rate youth over experience? Dan Harrison has the most council experience in this Reform group. First elected on to Leicestershire County Council as a Conservative in 2017, he defected to Reform in February. He also served on North West Leicestershire District Council for eight years until 2023. He has to be in contention. Virge Richichi stood as an independent in district council elections in north west Leicestershire back in 2007 but didn't win. He succeeded as a Conservative four years later and continued as a district councillor until 2023, including as council chairman in 2021. Some of the group at least have previous experience in contesting elections. Three of the new Reform group stood for the party in the last county council election in 2021: Pete Morris elected in Loughborough North, Adam Tilbury in Forest and Measham and Bill Piper in Broughton Astley. Piper has a long history as a candidate in a range of elections including three for Parliament, also standing for the UK Independence Party before he joined Reform - and has previously served on Lutterworth Town Council. Others just elected may have had parish council roles before or have roles within the party now, like Boam, who chairs the North West Leicestershire Reform UK branch - or 19-year-old Charles Pugsley, who is the same branch's secretary. For whoever does emerge as leader, the job of winning over their colleagues is just the first hurdle to stepping up as leader of the whole council in which they are outnumbered by other parties. Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Council falls into no overall control - as it happened Conservatives rule out coalition after Reform wins Leicestershire County Council
