Agenda item

Report of the Town Clerk.

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk, submitted on behalf of the Members’ Diversity Working Party, presenting that Working Party’s proposals in respect of enhancing the diversity of the Court.

The Chair prefaced discussion by extending her gratitude on behalf of the Committee to the Working Party for its diligent and thorough work on this extremely important issue. Several other Members also spoke to thank the Members of the Working Party for the considered and considered manner in which they had progressed this area of work.

The Chairman of the Working Party spoke to introduce the report, observing that there were a large range of proposed measures in front of the Committee to be taken forward. Whilst he understood the desire that some might have to unpick or remove particular items, he urged that support be given to all the proposals as a package, noting that extensive deliberation had determined that these measures together would, in aggregation, achieve a significant and lasting impact.

Whilst appreciating the desire for the various measures to be taken forward in their entirety, several Members spoke to express concerns or reservations in respect of particular items. Other Members spoke to support the recommendations being approved as a package. During discussion, the following points were made:

·      Members clarified that any targets to be set in respect of the Court should be in relation to candidacy only, rather than Members, cautioning that it was for the electorate to determine whom they wished to elect and the City Corporation should not be seen in any way to tell people whom they should vote for. The focus should therefore be on working to ensure that the electorate had a wide and diverse pool of candidates from which to choose.

·      A Member suggested that there should be more focus on working with businesses to encourage a greater pool of candidates who represent the City workforce in relevant Wards.

·      Members urged that thoughts around diversity not be limited to protected characteristics, noting that diversity of opinion from those of differing social backgrounds would be important.

·      It was suggested that the arrangements by which Members were elected to the various committees should be explored, as this might help to achieve increased diversity of input during decision-making.

·      Several Members spoke to express their views in relation to the timing of meetings and how they might be altered to facilitate greater engagement from those with full-time jobs.

·      The question of remuneration for Members was referenced, with it observed that this had been discussed on a number of occasions and Members had only recently agreed that the matter should not be re-opened for the time being. It was clarified that the recommendation to have an external reviewer look at the matter did not imply an immediate review, but rather suggested that the review should be conducted by an independent party when it was next due to be considered.

·      There was general consensus that the Working Party should be retained as currently constituted, rather than being changed to a Sub-Committee.

·      Some Members expressed a concern about adopting a fixed or inflexible position in certain areas, such as declining invitations to appear on all-male panels, suggesting that there might be occasions with extenuating circumstances and where adopting a rigid policy would therefore be unhelpful and could have unintended consequences. Other Members observed that this practice had been widely adopted by many other organisations and was managed pragmatically and effectively.

·      A Member highlighted concerns in relation to the process for the election of Sheriffs and other officers at Common Hall, urging that consideration be given to the diversity of the electorate for these posts.

In concluding debate, Members noted that each of the individual recommendations would be subject to further reports or decision-making by the Committee in due course. On this basis, Members were pleased to endorse the suite of proposals presented and support the direction of travel.

RESOLVED: That the direction of travel in respect of the activities recommended by the Members’ Diversity Working Party, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be endorsed, with it noted that each of the individual recommendations would be subject to further reports or decision-making by the Committee in due course.