Diversity in local government

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

21 November 2018

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

2.     Electoral Reform Society Cymru

Jessica Blair, Director, Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru

21 November 2018

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

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

 

5 December 2018

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

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 December 2018

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

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

5 December 2018

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

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

9 January 2019

Read transcript

Watch on Senedd.TV

 

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

Consultations