ANGER OVER COUNCIL GENDER GAP
ONLY a quarter of the highest posts in Welsh councils are held by women, new figures have revealed.
Electoral Reform Society (ERS) statistics have found that about 26% of cabinet positions in local authorities are taken by females.
Vale of Glamorgan and Blaenau Gwent council cabinets are exclusively made up of white men, while Wrexham, Gwynedd, Merthyr Tydfil, Anglesey, Denbighshire and Bridgend have just one female member.
While no council reached 50% women in its top jobs, Caerphilly, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taff were at 44%, followed by Carmarthenshire and Conwy (40%).
There are claims decisions made by these cabinets cannot truly reflect the needs of women in society.
The ERS described the lack of diversity as “damning”, while the the Welsh Local Government Association said progress was “slow”.
According to the Office of National Statistics, more than half of the Welsh population was estimated to be female, with 1,579,112 women, compared to 1,534,038 men.
ERS director Jessica Blair told BBC Wales: “This is a total failure of authorities to properly represent their electors and to encourage diversity.
“In 2017, we really should be doing better on an issue that is vital in ensuring our councils work as effectively as possible.”
Elsewhere, five women hold posi- tions in the assembly cabinet compared to seven men – meaning women make up 41% of Carwyn Jones’ cabinet.
While the overall number of women councillors has increased – up from 26% in 2012 to 27.8% in 2017 – gender equality charity Chwarae Teg said the lack of women on cabinets meant they were not being represented.
Its chief executive Cerys Furlong said: “I find it frankly embarrassing that so little progress has been made by political parties in implementing the changes needed to deliver equality, and that, in the 21st century, the status quo persists, where women’s voices are largely absent from decision-making in our councils.
“The decisions made by these cabinets cannot truly reflect the needs of the women when policy is made without their experience, understanding and skills.”
In response, Blaenau Gwent council said members were selected based on a “range of factors” including experience, regardless of gender.
The local authority said it was proactive in creating opportunities for female members to gain more experience.
Vale of Glamorgan leader John Thomas pointed to the council having a woman mayor, adding it was felt councillors with the “most experience” were best placed to form the new cabinet.
44% of top jobs are held by women at Caerphilly, Newport and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils