“The report rightly identifies that progress must be made at a faster pace to ensure a greater representation of women in our local authorities."
Responding to a report by the Fawcett Society on women’s representation in local government, Cllr Marianne Overton, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association, said:
“The report rightly identifies that progress must be made at a faster pace to ensure a greater representation of women in our local authorities.
“It is vital that local government better reflects the communities we represent and is inclusive in order to have the best skills and make the best possible decisions. The LGA is leading the ‘Be A Councillor’ campaign. This year, our main focus of the campaign is to encourage women and under-represented groups to stand for election and help shape local councils to best support our communities. Councils also remain committed to ensuring that once elected, women also have an equal opportunity to become leaders in their councils.
“Local government must be at the forefront of driving change, but it will be important to get the balance right between changing culture and imposing structures. Change will also require all political parties and Independents to fully engage and support a wide range of aspiring councillors.
“Among other things, we are also supporting the Women’s Local Government Society’s project who have identified 100 pioneers in women’s suffrage, women who went on to use their elected positions and their votes to bring tangible benefits to their communities. The project celebrates the 2018 centenary of some women being able to stand and vote for their MP. It is an opportunity to inspire a new generation of women councillors and civic activists. The LGA have recently gone out to tender for the development of a self-assessment equalities toolkit which will be developed this autumn.”