Councillors set to back action plan aiming to increase diversity in 2022’s local government elections

A draft action plan aiming to increase diversity in Wrexham Council ahead of the next election is set to be backed by councillors.

The document, which has been released ahead of this week’s full council meeting, includes a commitment to “encourage representation from under-represented groups in leadership roles whenever possible”.

It has been drafted after the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) announced plans to improve diversity in local government and to reduce barriers which stop people from putting themselves forward for election,

The next election is due to take place in a matter months and is scheduled to take place in May 2022, with the WLGA aiming to “ensure councils are more representative of their communities.”

The role has traditionally been seen as one that suits those who are retired, with criticism previously over how meeting times do not fit with those who work during the day, in higher education or need childcare to be able attend or similar.

As part of the WLGA’s Diversity and Democracy Programme, the organisation agreed to encourage all political parties to commit to proactive and coordinated activities to improve diversity in local government democracy, that councils should “demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, that councils should set targets to be representative of the communities they serve at the next elections and consider staggering council meeting times and agreeing recess periods to support councillors with other commitments”.

A report due before all 52 councillors on Wednesday says: “The lack of diverse representation in local authorities is an issue that has been recognised for a long time.

“A more diverse democracy and elected representatives who are more reflective and understanding of their communities leads to better engagement with individuals and communities, in turn leading to greater levels of confidence and trust, and better decision making informed by a wider range of perspectives and lived experiences.

The evidence base, barriers and challenges to attracting more diverse councillors were referenced in the WLGA’s submission to the Senedd’s Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Inquiry into diversity in local government in September 2018. The barriers and challenges can broadly be summarised as:

• Time-commitment and meeting times
• Political and organisational culture
• Childcare and other caring responsibilities
• Public criticism and online abuse
• Remuneration and impact on employment and
• Lack of diverse role models and incumbency

“The WLGA has committed to making a change in local government diversity at the 2022 local elections as it is acknowledged that despite previous action and campaigns, progress has been slow and it is recognised that there remains a lack of diversity in councils”

In a bid to try and address the lack of diversity in councils and to encourage more people to put themselves forward for election in May, Wrexham Council has published a commitment to “demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all.”

As part of the  draft action plan set to be approved by councillors, which includes a commitment to encourage representation from under-represented groups in leadership roles whenever possible.

Also included in the draft plan is:

1.  Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy
2.  Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct
3.  Demonstrate a commitment to a duty of care for Councillors by
– providing access to counselling services for all Councillors with Care First
– having regard for the safety and well-being of Councillors in their role
– promoting a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment by members including through social media networks
4. Consider how to provide flexibility in council business by reviewing our practical arrangements for holding meetings including:
– reviewing and staggering meeting times
– encouraging and supporting remote attendance at meetings
– agreeing a timetable of meetings to support councillors with caring or work commitments
5. Encourage all members to take up the allowances and salaries to which they are entitled, particularly any reimbursement of costs of care, so that all members receive fair remuneration for their work and that the role of member is not limited to those who can afford it

The report will be considered by all councillors on Wednesday 22 December.  The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website at 4pm.