Council drops the word ‘chairman’

The North York Moors National Park authority has decided it is time to drop the word “chairman”, despite protests from a female member.

The authority will now refer to its chairman, Cllr Jim Bailey, as the “chair” of the council following its meeting earlier this week.

However, Cllr Caroline Patmore spoke out against the move, saying that “chairman” was perfectly fine as a term.

The debate was sparked as councillors were asked to approve its financial regulations.

Cllr Patmore asked the report’s author, officer Richard Smith, why the word “man” had been removed from “chairman” in the final version of the committee report. Mr Smith said the change was made after he was asked on a previous occasion to use “chair”.

The current chairman, Cllr Jim Bailey, said he had no strong preference and opened it up for members to decide.

Cllr Jeremy Walker said: “My language instincts are with Cllr Patmore and I think it is a shame it has become subject to political correctness but, that said, I think it is now generally accepted that ‘chairman’ as a term is a bit dated.”

Cllr Patmore tabled a motion that the chairman is referred to as either “Mister chairman or Madame chairman” in the future. Despite support from the majority of female councillors present, the motion was defeated.