Council accused of being ‘stuck in the 1950s’

Richard Evans – Local Democracy Reporter

Prospective well-qualified employees won’t apply to work at a Welsh county council because of its lack of commitment to equality and diversity, a councillor has claimed.

Colwyn councillor David Carr claimed the authority is stuck in the 1950s and not properly considering equality and diversity in its recruitment of new staff.

The criticism was levelled at Conwy during a governance and audit committee finance and resource overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Monday.

Performance

Members were asked to consider a statutory self-assessment report on its performance for 2023/2024.

The report accompanies the council’s performance self-assessment for 2023 to 2024, providing an end-of-year analysis of progress and challenges with key performance objectives.

Diversity

But Cllr Carr slammed the report, claiming there wasn’t enough emphasis on equality and diversity and likened the authority to one operating in the 1950s.

“I’ve looked through the report, and yet again, I’ve looked at other reports that were produced, and (there is) nothing about equality and diversity, and the question to ask is why not?” he said.

“I’ve asked for reports that were actually put through social care and health committee last month. I’ve had meetings with Cllr (Chris) Cater [Conwy Council’s cabinet member for audit, policy, and performance] and with the leader and then getting nowhere really.

“I mean sometimes I think that we are stuck in the 1950s in this council, that we think that equality and diversity doesn’t exist and we don’t have to be part of it, and there is a knock-on effect because I know people that are well-qualified that wouldn’t apply for jobs with the council because of its track record.

“What we want to do is include equality and diversity in everything we do, and certainly the absence of it in this report I find very disappointing.”

Cllr Cater replied: “The strategic equality plan report action plan will be coming to scrutiny shortly with the employment monitoring report.

“They will be coming very shortly, and those will be in front of you, Dave (Cllr Carr).”

Councillors backed the report which will now go before cabinet.