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16
Jul
Council leader defends cabinet over ‘lack of diversity’ claims
North Yorkshire Council’s leader has defended his cabinet over claims it is “made up entirely of people over the age of 50” and only has three women.
Cllr Carl Les, Conservative leader of the council, announced a change to his 10-person decision making cabinet, also known as the executive, in June.
The move saw Cllr Keane Duncan, the 30-year-old executive member for highways and transportation, replaced after his resignation by Cllr Malcolm Taylor. Cllr Richard Foster, a self-employed roofer, also took over from Cllr Greg White as executive member for managing our environment.
However, Cllr Rich Maw, an independent who represents Weaponness and Ramshill, asked Cllr Les during a full council meeting today (July 16) whether the changes reflected the “diversity and lived experience” of people in the county.
He said:
I’m looking at the executive and my guesses are that there are none under 50 and I can see three ladies there. An executive made up entirely of people over the age of 50 and seven men and three women.
Does the leader seriously think this line-up reflects the diversity and lived experience of people in North Yorkshire? You said the appointments were about bringing in and preparing new talent. How does replacing someone with a person twice their age achieve that, even if it is a Tory?
Isn’t this just more of the same at a time when the council needs fresh perspectives and broader representation?
Cllr Malcolm Taylor (left) and Cllr Richard Foster
Cllr Les said in response that he was “proud” of the diversity of his group.
He said:
I don’t think you mean to cause offence. I don’t think you mean it. But I think it’s a bit rich getting a challenge on diversity from a middle-aged, white, Anglo-Saxon male. Now, I believe that my group is very diverse and I’m very proud of our diversity.
We’ve got male, female, straight, gay, single, married, widowed and widowers. With or without children. We’ve got eastern European connections and we’ve got Middle Eastern connections and various other ethnic connections, including Yorkshire. We’ve got all age groups.
It seems like others you’re obsessed with the executive posts in the council. The executive is only 10% of this council. Look at the other roles and look who is filling them. Scrutiny, area committees and champions. Rich, you must never confuse age with ability or the lack of ability at either end of the spectrum. Gender should be no barrier to progression, neither should it be a high speed lift.
He added:
It’s the leader’s decision. It is my decision and as in business and other organisations that I’ve been connected with all my life, I always want to give people the opportunity to serve.
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