Groupto improve inclusion

A new short-life working group is being created to help break down barriers to inclusion and participation for councillors in West Lothian.

A meeting voted to create the Elected Members Equality and Diversity Working Group.

The remit of the group is to promote policies, procedures and practices which seek to break down barriers to inclusion for prospective, new and current councillors.

Leader of West Lothian Council, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, said: “It’s vital that we take all the appropriate steps to ensure being a councillor is open to everyone.”

Each of the three political parties on the council will nominate two councillors to join the group, with the chair and vice-chair to be appointed.

Representatives from Disability Access West Lothian, Enable and the Faith and Race Forum will be invited to join the group due to their knowledge and experience in their fields.