Agenda item - Women in Local Government

Report of the Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law (copy attached)

RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Noted the action that has been taken by the Chief Executive in

writing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (as set out in paragraphs 3.5-3.7 of this report).

(ii)          Noted that a report will be taken to the Audit & Standards Committee regarding suggested changes to the Code of Conduct for Members (as set out in paragraphs 3.8-3.9 of the report).

(iii)         Resolved for the matters set out in paragraphs 3.10-3.29 to be

discussed by a Working Group consisting of Whips and for recommendations to be brought back to this Committee for approval.

(iv)         Noted the achievements and progress that has already taken place as set out in paragraphs 3.30-3.46 of this report.

86.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law, in response to the Notice of Motion. The report set out the actions that had already been taken, and provided further details on matters which required further discussion.

86.2    Councillor Mitchell thanked officers for the report and was pleased with the recommendations and with the commitment to take the matters forward, and was proud of Brighton & Hove City Council for the percentage of women councillors. Councillor Mitchell said that when she first became a councillor her children were aged 9 and 11, and it had been difficult to balance their needs and that of being a councillor but both officers and fellow councillors had been great and had supported her.

86.3    Councillor Mac Cafferty agreed that the report was very interesting, and including the report from the LGIU and the Fawcett Society was useful. He said noted that the papers provided for the pre-meet included the full table of proposals and actions, and said it would have been useful if it had been kept in this report. The Executive Lead Strategy Governance & Law said that it had been omitted as many of those issues related to central government, and officers had wanted to focus on areas which the council had control over. Anything outstanding from this paper would be referred to the Member Groups.

86.4    Councillor Mac Cafferty said that members with young children were always concerned about the timing of meetings, and suggested that that should be looked at.

86.5    Councillor Meadows said that when she first became a councillor she was pregnant and had another young child, and had to take her children to some meetings. At that time officers had not thought that that was appropriate, but thankfully attitudes had now changed. Childcare had been available, but it had been challenging and the allowance provided had not covered the cost of the care and that should be taken into consideration during the review.

86.6    Councillor Janio said the councillors represented the residents of the city and it would be good to have 50/50 split of male and female councillors. He referred to Councillor Mac Cafferty’s comments on the time of meetings, and said that it was important to balance the needs of councillors with that of residents, and if meetings were held for example in the early afternoon it may impact on their ability to observe or attend meetings.

86.7    RESOLVED: That the Committee –

(i)            Noted the action that has been taken by the Chief Executive in

writing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (as set out in paragraphs 3.5-3.7 of this report).

(ii)          Noted that a report will be taken to the Audit & Standards Committee regarding suggested changes to the Code of Conduct for Members (as set out in paragraphs 3.8-3.9 of the report).

(iii)         Resolved for the matters set out in paragraphs 3.10-3.29 to be

discussed by a Working Group consisting of Whips and for recommendations to be brought back to this Committee for approval.

(iv)         Noted the achievements and progress that has already taken place as set out in paragraphs 3.30-3.46 of this report.