The LGA’s Be a Councillor programme has made a real difference in delivering diversity in council’s political groups, but we still have a long way to go.
And, as part of the government’s local government reorganisation plans, there is an opportunity to look at the role of councillors, members allowances, training and councillors’ working conditions.
I am proud of the LGA’s training offer, and it’s great to get positive feedback from those members who have taken it up. If you haven’t accessed any LGA training, I would encourage you and your colleagues to do so.
“Having parental leave policies for councillors can increase diversity”
Doing all we can to offer help and support once elected can only encourage people to put themselves forward.
Because of their unusual employment situation, councillors are not automatically entitled to the same rights around maternity, paternity or adoption leave as most employees. It is up to individual councils to decide whether to adopt formal or informal policies granting such entitlements to councillors.
Having parental leave policies in place for councillors can help to increase the diversity of people seeking election to local government. Liberal Democrat councils offering this include Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse to name just two.
The LGA uses the model parental leave policy.