Agenda item

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

To adopt the Diversity Declaration below and request that the Democratic Services Committee develop a work programme to support the declaration:-

“This Council commits to being a Diverse Council.  Therefore, we wish to reflect the community in which we live by, in the first instance, increasing the number of females, young people, disabled and ethnic minority who stand in the elections to be a Gwynedd Councillor.  

We agree to:-

·                Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy

·                Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards
of behaviour and conduct

·                Promote actions as a Diverse Council ahead of the 2022 local elections

·                Work towards the standards set out in the Wales Charter for Member Support and
Development

·                Demonstrate a commitment to a duty of care for Councillors

·                Consider how to provide flexibility in council business by reviewing our practical
arrangements

·                Continue to encourage all members to take up the allowances and salaries to which
they are entitled, particularly any reimbursement for 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.

·                Work towards ensuring that councillors from under-represented groups are represented whenever possible in high profile, high influence roles.”

The Leader submitted a report which recommended:

·         That the Full Council adopted the Diversity Declaration in order to publicly state that Gwynedd Council encouraged and promoted diversity in democracy.

·         Request that the Democratic Services Committee led on developing a full work programme to realise the declaration, submitting the work programme to the full Council at its next meeting on 2 December, 2021.

The Leader of the Independent Group was invited to say a few words, and then the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support elaborated on preparations to hold a Democracy Week in Gwynedd, that would commence on 18 October.  She asked everyone to share the messages that would be tweeted and shared during the week, noting that it was intended to re-run the campaign in January after having an opportunity to learn lessons from the first campaign.

Members were then given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by individual members:

·         Concern was expressed that something major was wrong when so many members were elected to the Council unopposed, and that it could not be certain that what was being recommended would change the situation in terms of attracting people to stand for election.

·         It was noted that the declaration was commendable and the campaign to try to get more diversity from different backgrounds to stand as councillors was welcomed.

·         It was suggested that the declaration should include, not only women, young people, disabled people and ethnic minorities, but also people of colour and people with other characteristics that were included in the equality legislation, such as gender and sexual orientation. In response, the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support noted that she welcomed the observation and that she would ensure that the declaration was amended to reflect this important point.  She would also ensure particular attention to this in the work programme that would be developed to support the declaration.

·         It was noted that there was a clear role for political parties to reach out and hold events to raise awareness of councillors' work.

·         Frustration was expressed that the delay in publishing Welsh Government's decision regarding electoral boundaries could have delayed the process of trying to attract a variety of candidates to stand for election in May 2022.

·         It was suggested that a change of culture was needed within the Council to make it more dynamic, as it seemed that only a little was taking place in Gwynedd compared to some other counties, and it was enquired whether this was due to the attitude of senior officers towards some councillors.

RESOLVED to adopt the Diversity Declaration below and request that the Democratic Services Committee develop a work programme to support the declaration:

"This Council commits to being a Diverse Council.  Therefore, we wish to reflect the community in which we live by, in the first instance, increase the number of females, young people, disabled and ethnic minority who stand in the elections to be a Gwynedd Councillor. 

We agree to:

·           Provide a clear public commitment to improving diversity in democracy

·           Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct

·           Promote actions as a Diverse Council ahead of the 2022 local elections

·           Work towards the standards set out in the Wales Charter for Member Support and Development

·           Demonstrate a commitment to a duty of care for Councillors

·           Consider how to provide flexibility in council business by reviewing our practical arrangements

·           Continue to encourage all members to take up the allowances and salaries to which they are entitled, particularly any reimbursement for 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.

·            Work towards ensuring that councillors from under-represented groups are represented whenever possible in high profile, high influence roles."