New Measure will strengthen local government in Wales

13 Jul 2010 07:54 AM

The proposed Local Government (Wales) Measure has been introduced by Local Government Minister Carl Sargeant. A key feature of the proposed Measure is to encourage more people from diverse backgrounds into public life.

Under the Measure councils will be able to remove barriers which may have previously discouraged people from standing as a councillor. Carl Sargeant hopes that proposals such as parental leave and remote attendance at meetings will encourage a wider range of people to become local councillors.

Carl Sargeant said

“Local councils, and the councillors who sit on them, need to be representative of the whole community. However the current system can make it difficult for people who, for example, have family obligations or who have physical conditions that make it difficult to get out and attend meetings. This Measure will take local government into the 21st century and will open up the opportunities to anyone who thinks they can make a difference to their local community.”

More women are already being encouraged to consider roles in public life through projects such as ‘Women Making a Difference’. This Assembly Government funded project runs courses to help women gain the confidence and skills to take an active part in their communities and in public life. Over 300 women across Wales have taken part in the project so far and many have taken up public posts within their community, from school governors and trustees to councillors and magistrates.

Paula Manley, Managing Co-ordinator for the project, said

“Examples of the project’s success include a North Wales woman with a history of depression who stood as a candidate in the recent UK General Election, a Visually Impaired woman who stood in a bi-election in February this year as a County Councillor in Bridgend as well as a large number of women who have used the skills and experience they gained through the programme to take up ‘leadership’ positions in their communities. 

“These women are taking responsibility for themselves, rather than expecting others to do it for them, and making their communities better places to live in.”

The Measure will also strengthen the role of town and community councils, ensure greater collaboration between councils and other bodies and includes provisions to reform the allowance system for councillors.

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