Reform councillors aged 19 and 22 in charge of children’s and adult services at local authority

Concerns are mounting over the appointment of two Reform councillors as political leads for children’s and adults services in Leicestershire.

Joseph Boam, 22, now heads up adult social care at Leicestershire County Council (LCC), and Charles Pugsley, 19, who is still at university, has been made cabinet member for children and family services.

The pair were appointed following the local elections in May, and are responsible for multi-million pound budgets.

Cllr Deborah Taylor, leader of the opposition at LCC and previous cabinet member for children and families, told PSW magazine: “My concern regarding the appointment of Mr Boam and Mr Pugsley is whether they possess the necessary business, organisational, or life experience to manage complex portfolios.

“Adult social care and children’s services account for approximately 75 per cent of the council’s £616 million budget.”

Cllr Boam was recently exposed by Hope Not Hate – a group opposing far-right extremism – as appearing to show support for misogynist Andrew Tate in posts from a now-deleted X account. 

According to the Hope Not Hate investigation which also uncovered racism within the local Reform branch, Boam commented during the last World Cup: “Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Iran are all out. The way things are going England will be the only Muslim country left in the World Cup.”

This week, Cllr Boam showed support for banning the burqa, after Reform MP Sarah Pochin asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he was going to ban them. 

Reform party chairman Zia Yusuf described the question as "dumb" and resigned the same day, but Cllr Boam said on X: "She’s absolutely right, this is a public safety issue. No one should be allowed to hide their identity in public. It’s time we had the debate..."

Questions about judgement

Boam was recently advised by opposition leaders to “educate himself on mental health matters” after a social media post from a now-deleted account resurfaced online, in which he allegedly said “depression isn’t real.”

Reform Party UK Exposed claim the message was posted in December 2022 under the account name 'Lord Joseph Boam II'. 

Cllr Taylor said: “These posts, verified by Hope Not Hate and the Leicester Gazette, have been dismissed by Mr Boam as ‘fake news’ and a ‘political smear’.

“However, the verified screenshots undermine his denials, raising questions about his judgement and suitability for a role overseeing vulnerable adults, many of whom rely on mental health and social services. 

“His refusal to acknowledge or retract it raises concerns about his current stance and ability to advocate for mental health services.”

Cllr Taylor has contacted the Reform leader of the council Cllr Dan Harrison with her concerns, but has had no response.

She added: “The council’s responsibilities require leaders with sound judgment and respect for the whole Leicestershire community. Mr Boam’s documented history of offensive posts and denial of depression’s legitimacy directly conflicts with the empathy and expertise needed for adult social care.

“The lead member for children and families has over 200 statutory duties, including many for the most vulnerable children in our county, along with responsibility for a budget of over £200 million. I do have concerns that at 19 years old, a person may not yet have the life experience such a role requires.”

Wider reaction

The Social Workers Union recently described Reform as a "looming shadow for workers' and civil rights" in an article published in the wake of the local elections.

John McGowan, general secretary of SWU, said: "This is a party that wants to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and introduce a new “British Bill of Rights” to replace the Human Rights Act 1998...

"The party’s announcement of intended funding cuts for specialist Diversity, Equity, Equality, and Inclusion roles, coupled with the pledge to ban flags representing solidarity, is active endorsement of the oppression of people of any difference."

An anonymous social worker from Leicestershire also expressed concern to PSW, claiming Reform’s beliefs did not sit well with social work’s ethics.

“If you think about social work’s values and ethos there is nothing consistent with these within Reform. 

“If you have a party saying if you don’t have so many immigrants you will have a house and a job, that is dangerous. It’s that perception of immigrants from fake news and the politics of fear.” 

Further disquiet has been expressed on social media. One worker who has been practising for 42 years said they were “worried people with no experience of ASC [adult social care] are now in charge of this vital area”.

Another said: “You’re all too young to be in such responsible positions of power.”

DOGE audits

Reform this week announced it has deployed American DOGE-style consultants to make savings in local councils under its leadership.

Cllr Boam said on X: "Reform’s UK “DOGE” has launched to root out wasteful spending, starting at Kent County Council. Keep your eyes on Kent. Leicestershire won’t be far behind!"

During the May election campaign, Reform pronounced Leicestershire County Council as “broken”, “wasting staggering sums”, and “unable to effectively deliver local services”.

The children’s and families department formerly headed by Cllr Taylor has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

Reform UK won 25 of the 55 seats in Leicestershire. The party does not hold a majority and no formal deals were struck with other parties.

Following his appointment, Joseph Boam said: “It’s a huge privilege to be entrusted with this responsibility, and I’m committed to delivering real change and support for residents across our county.”

Charles Pugsley said: “At 19, I’ve just been appointed cabinet member for children’s services at Leicestershire County Council.

“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.”

Both Leicestershire County Council and Reform were approached by PSW for comment, but none was received in time for publication.

However, Boam recently told LeicestershireLive: “I won’t be engaging with fake news or political smears. My focus remains on delivering for the people I was elected to serve.”