Young councillor hits out at perceived sexist culture
“Arrangements for maternity leave/ pay for councillors are not covered by legislation in Scotland.
“However, we are aware that COSLA has raised entitlement to maternity, paternity and adoptive leave for councillors with the Scottish Government.”
However, the laws governing some parts of local government are almost half a century old.
Cllr Hamilton explained: “These rules have been set up for years upon years. The Acts are from 1973 so everything is set up for when men were the councillors. There’s no provision for parents.
“What we are entitled to just now is what all councillors are entitled to. You don’t need to attend a meeting for six months and if you’re not going to attend a meeting after that six months you’ve got to go to council to explain why you’re not able to attend.
“The thing with that is it’s predominantly to be used for people who are not well, who have long-term illnesses.
“There seems to be barriers at all times and it’s not fair. Everybody else is entitled to maternity leave and there is this grey area that we’re not employees of the council, so they are a bit iffy about implementing anything that would mean we are employees.”
It also means councillors on maternity leave don’t get to vote on key decisions at full council meetings. which could have huge ramifications in the minority-run South Lanarkshire. Councillors must be present to vote, so ideas about proxy voting have hit a brick wall.
Cllr Hamilton added: “Mark McGeever’s [councillor for Hamilton West and Earnock] wife had a baby the day before the budget meeting.
“There should have been provision, but it was lucky that Jade was still in hospital with the baby so it wasn’t as if he was leaving her at home. He had to come in and vote. It’s not fair that that provision is not set.”
Things are moving forward in the fight for equality – but it may take a while and Cllr Hamilton concluded: “COSLA are looking at it – I know they are – but the changes will obviously not take place very quickly because nothing takes place very quickly.”
It’s maybe a culture and the culture is that old men in suits are councillors. The system’s not set up for younger people