East Devon votes to stamp out sexism and improve maternity allowances

A motion to stamp out 'sexist banter' and end a freeze on allowances during maternity was almost unanimously supported by East Devon councillors.

Wednesday night's full council meeting saw backing given to calls to 'end the sexist treatment of woman which was treated as banter', as well as to scrap a policy that meant special allowances ceased to be paid if female councillors were on maternity leave, and to introduced a new clause in the Code of Conduct against sexism.

The motion, which was supported by 43 votes to 0, with two abstentions from Cllrs Peter Faithfull and Fred Caygill, will also see the council's constitution be appropriately revised to accommodate the title of 'chair' rather than 'chairman' for committee appointments.

Putting forward her motion, Cllr Kathy McLauchlan said that, in the past, the sexist treatment of woman was treated as banter to be endured and there was no requirement for gender neutral language.

She said: "Sexism is commonplace and 38 per cent of councillors have received sexist comments in their own party. Sexism is viewed and tolerated as a part of political life, but this has to change and local government should be a safe and secure place for all.

"This is a chance to the right thing for current and prospective members of the council."

Cllr McLauchlan said that it was government policy to write in gender neutral language so the council should make the same effort, and her motion acknowledged with disappointment that women made up just 30 per cent of councillors on East Devon District Council, which is below the national average of 35 per cent.

She added: "Woman make up 51 per cent of the population so we have to make working as a councillor easier for them, and the lack of maternity support is a barrier and holds them back as a councillor."

Cllr Paul Millar, who seconded the motion, added: "Why is it fair that a woman looking after a new-born should be removed from their position? As that is what the policy states, and it deserves to be thrown into the dustbin of history never to rear its ugly head again.

"The motion seeks to empower the role of woman and younger women in local government, to encourage to take up senior positions without the fear that starting a family will see them removed from the position, as wanting to start a family should never be a disadvantage.

"This, plus the clause in the code conduct about sexism, will be a safeguard against the minority with dinosaur like tendencies."

Cllr Eleanor Rylance said that the gendered culture of how boys and girls are treated began at a very early age, describing how her daughter, when a toddler, was waiting to play with a garage set at a playgroup and was given a doll to try and distract her by another parent.

She said: "Boys and girls go to nursery and come back thinking men are doctors and women are nurses – although my oldest daughter who is a doctor would disagree."

In regards to calling people chair rather than chairman, she added: "It may seem a minor detail to those unaffected by it but if you are a young girl and don't see anyone like you or can relate to on a council, you will be put off applying. 

"To continue addressing a role as chairman is putting people off applying and a step back before a step forward. It's 2020, not 1970 – you don't get away with casual sexism anymore."

Cllr Paul Arnott, leader of the council, said that language mattered and that the word 'chairman' alienated people who were sensitive to gender and diversity issues, and for that reason alone he agreed that councillors must change the way they spoke in the chamber.

Deputy leader Cllr Paul Hayward added that in 2014, before he was a council, then leader Paul Diviani referred to fellow councillor Claire Wright as "young lady".

He said: "He did in in a deregulatory, intimidating and deliberately offensive way. But it shows that it was an ingrained consult to intimidate and bully and harass and harangue."

Cllr Sarah Jackson said the essence of the motion was trying to make the council an inclusive environment for anyone considering becoming a member in the future.

Cllr Joe Whibley said that, rather than the council potentially being seen as 'too woke', it showed that East Devon was a forward-thinking and progressive council.

Leader of the Conservative group, Cllr Andrew Moulding, said that he would be supporting the motion, but after 33 years of being a councillor and always using the word 'chairman', he said it would be difficult for him to change his ways.

He said: "But change my ways I shall do, and I apologise if I forget to call a person by an inanimate object. It will be difficult for me and it will take some getting used to but I will vote for it, and I am 100 per cent in favour of the matters around maternity, rebuking sexism, and encouraging more female councillors."

Cllr Helen Parr added: "The most important parts of this are that we bring in proper maternity allowances and that as many women who want to stand are encouraged to and can do.

"It doesn't matter to me if you call someone chair or chairman, but if people want this in the constitution, I am sure it will be agreed, but it is unimportant compared to the rest of the motion."

The motion, which was agreed, will require members to address chairs of any committees, panels, forums or groups as the 'chair' rather than chairman.

While the council has a policy for maternity pay for councillors without extended roles, the current Allowances Scheme does not extend maternity pay for councillors on a Special Responsibility Allowance, so a report will come forward as to how to adopt the Fawcett Society's recommendation of having maternity pay for councillors with extended roles.

The Fawcett Society's recommendation that new clauses in the Code of Conduct against sexism be introduced will also be adopted, as will a commitment to ensuring gender neutral language is used across the council in internal and external communications.