Strong support for councillors’ parental leave
A motion to introduce a parental leave policy for councillors following adoption or a birth of a child has been unanimously agreed by Havant Borough Council.
The motion, brought by Councillor Amy Redsull (Lab, Warren Park), said: ”There is no ratified parental leave for councillors, meaning that any councillor wishing for maternity leave, paternity or adoption leave needs to apply for special dispensation to spend time with their child.”
She said only 34 per cent of councillors elected in the May 2021 local lections were women (Fawcett Society report, 2021) and 35 per cent of councillors overall are women.
Nationally, 33 councils have passed the LGA parental leave policy and seven councils have their own, which means you can have rights to receive pay and statutory maternity rights etc like any parent.
Cllr Redsull, the youngest member of the council, praised the work done by council officers to make the wording a non-political motion and remove barriers to becoming a councillor, wanting to encourage other young people onto the council.
Cllr Redsull said: “This is not a political motion. It is apolitical and worded in such a way that it opens it up to all.
“I’m not doing it to wave the red flag. This is done to amplify the voice of the youth.”
That parental leave aims to apply to parents regardless of gender or background, and should cover adoption leave to support those parents who choose to adopt.
It will also encourage and enable councillors who want to start a family to stay working as councillors.
There was full cross-party support for the motion, recognised and welcomed through the debate at the council chamber.
Councillor Philppa Gray (Lib Dem, Bedhampton) said:
This is not a political motion. It is apolitical and worded in such a way that it opens it up to all
”It is a strong message that Havant welcomes a diverse group of people.”
Leader, Councillor Alex Rennie (Con, Bondfields), said: “I agree wholeheartedly with trying to encourage more people from more backgrounds into being a councillor.
“We have a 50, 50 per cent council in the borough, 57% of our councillors are women.”
The council has committed to agreeing a parental leave policy, so Havant Borough Council officers can now begin to draw up a draft policy.