Diversity in local government
Inquiry5
The Equality,
Local Government and Communities Committee undertook an inquiry into diversity in local government.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference for the inquiry were:
- To
understand the importance of diversity among local councillors, including
the effect on public engagement, debate and decision making.
- To
understand key barriers to attracting a more diverse pool of candidates
for local government elections.
- To
explore areas of innovation and good practice that may help increase
diversity in local government.
- To
explore the potential impact of the proposals in the Welsh
Government’s Green Paper, Strengthening Local Government to increasing diversity in Council chambers
Evidence
Gathering
The Committee held a number of evidence sessions to inform the work of the Committee, which can be viewed in the table below.
The Committee also consulted on the topic and created online
surveys for councillors and the general public. The consultation
responses, the survey for councillors
and the survey for the general
public have been published.
|
Evidence session |
Date, agenda, minutes |
Transcript |
Video |
|
1. Welsh
Local Government Association and One Voice Wales Councillor Debbie
Wilcox, Welsh Local Government Association Leader and Leader of Newport City
Council Daniel Hurford,
Head of Policy, Welsh Local Government Association Siân Williams,
Head of Democratic Services, Conwy County Borough Council Paul Egan, Deputy
Chief Executive, One Voice Wales |
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|
2. Electoral
Reform Society Cymru Jessica Blair,
Director, Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru |
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|
3. Representatives of equality
organisations Cerys Furlong,
Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg Catherine Fookes,
Director, Women's Equality Network (WEN) Wales Uzo Iwobi OBE,
Chief Executive Officer, Race Council Cymru Paul Hossack,
Senior Associate, Equality and Human Rights Commission |
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|
4. Representatives
of political parties Mike Payne,
Chair, Organisation Committee, Welsh Labour Gareth Clubb,
Chief Executive, Plaid Cymru Councillor Bablin
Molik, Councillor in Cardiff and Chair of the Cardiff and Vale local party,
Welsh Liberal Democrats Roger Pratt,
Boundary Review Director, Welsh Conservatives Tom Harrison,
Regional Officer, UKIP Wales |
|||
|
5
Representatives of youth
organisations Kathryn Allen,
Vice-President, Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Service Steve Davis,
Service Manager, Principle Youth Officers Group Julia Griffiths,
Joint Acting Chief Executive, Youth Cymru Chisomo Phiri,
Women’s Officer, NUS Wales |
|||
|
6 Minister for Housing and Local Government Julie James AM,
Minister for Housing and Local Government Lisa James,
Deputy Director, Local Government Democracy, Welsh Government Angharad
Thomas-Richards, Electoral Reform Programme Adviser, Welsh Government |
Report
The Committee
published its report on diversity in local government on 4 April 2019. Read the
full
report (PDF, 709KB).
On publication of
the report, John
Griffiths AM, Chair of the Committee said:
“Local government in
Wales delivers a range of important services to our communities including
education and social services. It is charged with understanding the needs of
local residents and providing for them. The more representative of the people
they serve the better equipped our councillors to carry out their duties and
responsibilities.”
The Welsh Government
laid its response
(PDF, 567KB) to the report on 19 June 2019. The report and government response
was debated in Plenary
on 26 June 2019.
Business type: Committee Inquiry
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 10/05/2018
Documents
- Survey analysis - General public
PDF 157 KB - Survey analysis - Councillors PDF 164 KB
- Letter from the Welsh Local Government Association to the Chair - 13 June 2018 PDF 71 KB
- Letter from the Chair to the Welsh Local Government Association - 5 June 2018 PDF 87 KB
Consultations
- Inquiry into diversity in local government (completed)