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Councillor 'barriers' scrutinised Councillor 'barriers' scrutinised
(about 7 hours later)
A new commission is to examine why so few young people, women and ethnic minorities stand in local elections.A new commission is to examine why so few young people, women and ethnic minorities stand in local elections.
The Councillors Commission will investigate the barriers that stop them trying to become councillors. The Councillors Commission will investigate the "barriers" which stop them trying to become councillors.
Its chairwoman, Dame Jane Roberts, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "We know that people know very little about how councils work."
Fewer than three in 10 councillors are women, and only 4% are from ethnic minority backgrounds.
'Legitimacy and credibility'
Next month's local elections in England will be the first in which 18-year-olds can stand for office after the minimum age of candidacy was lowered from 21.Next month's local elections in England will be the first in which 18-year-olds can stand for office after the minimum age of candidacy was lowered from 21.
Fewer than three in 10 councillors are women, and only 4% are from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds. That change came as council chambers continue to be dominated by white men in their fifties and sixties.
Council chambers are continuing to be dominated by white men in their fifties and sixties. The role of councillors is to become more and more engaged with their communities Dame Jane Roberts
The commission will explore why so few woman and ethnic minority backgrounds are making it into council chambers. The commission will explore why so few woman and people from ethnic minorities making it into council chambers.
It will also look at some of the barriers they face, including getting time off work, lack of childcare support, and the sometimes awkward timing of council meetings. It will look at issues such as getting time off work, lack of childcare support, and the sometimes awkward timing of council meetings.
It will take evidence from around the country, including from existing councillors, and report back in November. Dame Jane Roberts, a former leader of Camden Council, said: "We know that the role of councillors is to become more and more engaged with their communities and of course all people can represent other people.
"But I think for the legitimacy and credibility of local councillors, it is important that they more reflect the populations that they serve."
The commission will take evidence from around the country, including from existing councillors, and report back in November.