Yesterday, I visited Warwick University for a regional event organised by the Councillors' Commission. This has been set up by the government to look into the role of local councillors. It is chaired by Dame Jane Roberts, former leader of the London Borough of Cambden and she was there to lead the debate.
We had some interesting workshops where we could all share our ideas and experiences and see if we can help find ways of improving the system. The key function of the commission is to make recommendations on incentives to help, and also explore barriers which prevent, people standing as councillors. The aim is to encourage more women, ethnic minorities and younger people to come forward.
Only 29% of councillors are women, according to the latest surveys and even less are from ethnic minorities so more must be done to make our elected councillors more representative of their communities. The task of the Commission is to submit a report to the Secretary of State by the end of November 2007.
Anyone who would like to submit views to the commission can be emailed at:
councillorscommission@communities.gsi.gov.uk
We had some interesting workshops where we could all share our ideas and experiences and see if we can help find ways of improving the system. The key function of the commission is to make recommendations on incentives to help, and also explore barriers which prevent, people standing as councillors. The aim is to encourage more women, ethnic minorities and younger people to come forward.
Only 29% of councillors are women, according to the latest surveys and even less are from ethnic minorities so more must be done to make our elected councillors more representative of their communities. The task of the Commission is to submit a report to the Secretary of State by the end of November 2007.
Anyone who would like to submit views to the commission can be emailed at:
councillorscommission@communities.gsi.gov.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.