National Assembly for Wales Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Diversity in local government April 2019 www.assembly.wales The National Assembly for Wales is the democratically elected body that represents the interests of Wales and its people, makes laws for Wales, agrees Welsh taxes and holds the Welsh Government to account. An electronic copy of this document can be found on the National Assembly website: www.assembly.wales/SeneddCommunities Copies of this document can also be obtained in accessible formats including Braille, large print, audio or hard copy from: Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee National Assembly for Wales Cardiff Bay CF99 1NA Tel: 0300 200 6565 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SeneddCommunities © National Assembly for Wales Commission Copyright 2019 The text of this document may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium providing that it is reproduced accurately and not used in a misleading or derogatory context. The material must be acknowledged as copyright of the National Assembly for Wales Commission and the title of the document specified. National Assembly for Wales Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Diversity in local government April 2019 www.assembly.wales About the Committee The Committee was established on 28 June 2016. Its remit can be found at: www.assembly.wales/SeneddCommunities Committee Chair: John Griffiths AM Welsh Labour Newport East Current Committee membership: Mohammad Asghar AM Gareth Bennett AM Welsh Conservatives UKIP Wales South Wales East South Wales Central Huw Irranca-Davies AM Mark Isherwood AM Welsh Labour Welsh Conservatives Ogmore North Wales Carwyn Jones AM Jenny Rathbone AM Welsh Labour Welsh Labour Bridgend Cardiff Central Leanne Wood AM Plaid Cymru Rhondda The following Members were also members of the Committee during this inquiry. Jayne Bryant AM Siân Gwenllian AM Welsh Labour Plaid Cymru Newport West Arfon Jack Sargeant AM Bethan Sayed AM Welsh Labour Plaid Cymru Alyn and Deeside South Wales West Diversity in Local Government Contents Chair’s foreword ..................................................................................................... 5 Recommendations ................................................................................................ 6 1. Background ........................................................................................................... 9 Engaging and gathering evidence .......................................................................................................... 10 2. Practical solutions ........................................................................................... 12 2. 1. Technology ........................................................................................................................................................... 12 Our view ............................................................................................................................................................................ 14 2. 2. Timing of council meetings ................................................................................................................. 15 Our view ............................................................................................................................................................................ 17 2. 3. Job sharing .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Our view ............................................................................................................................................................................ 21 2. 4. Role of employers......................................................................................................................................... 22 Our view ...........................................................................................................................................................................25 3. Information and support ............................................................................. 27 3. 1. The role of local elected representatives .................................................................................. 27 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 29 3. 2. Training and support for councillors .......................................................................................... 30 Our view ........................................................................................................................................................................... 33 4. Bullying, Discrimination and Harassment ............................................ 35 4. 1. Social Media ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 4. 2. Independent adjudicator ..................................................................................................................... 39 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 40 4. 3. Joint Code of Conduct .............................................................................................................................. 41 Our view ........................................................................................................................................................................... 42 5. Terms and remuneration ............................................................................. 43 5. 1. Salary ......................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Diversity in Local Government Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 45 5. 2. Care allowance .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Our view ........................................................................................................................................................................... 47 5. 3. Full-time councillors on full time pay ....................................................................................... 48 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 49 5. 4. Resettlement grants ................................................................................................................................. 49 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 50 5. 5. Four term limits and incumbency ............................................................................................... 50 Our view ............................................................................................................................................................................ 51 6. Programmes and Schemes ......................................................................... 53 6. 1. Mentoring and leadership schemes ........................................................................................... 53 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 58 6. 2. Education system ........................................................................................................................................ 59 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 60 6. 3. Access to Elected Office Fund .......................................................................................................... 61 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 62 7. Electoral system and quotas ...................................................................... 64 7. 1. Quotas ..................................................................................................................................................................... 64 Our view .......................................................................................................................................................................... 65 7. 2. All-women shortlists ................................................................................................................................. 66 Our view .........................................................................................................................................................................