Women in Town & Parish Council, by Amy Knox
On Wednesday evening, I was one of 150 women who joined the Parliament Project for the “Women in Town and Parish Council – What is it and can I do it?” workshop. It was a truly electric, informative and inspiring session, where we shared our hopes and aspirations for Town and Parish Council and heard from three phenomenal guests who encouraged us to “put on our big girl pants” and throw ourselves into our political journeys. Here’s what I learnt.
What they are...
Town Councils, Parish Councils, sometimes referred to as Community Councils - they’re all the same! They fall under the umbrella term of Local Council. This term is especially fitting, because they all represent the first and most local tier of government, with the county and city authority sitting above them in the hierarchy. The activities of Local Councils are super broad, ranging from the delivery of services such as allotments; the organisation and funding community projects; to representing the local community to other public and governmental bodies.
If you think Town and Parish Councils can’t make a difference, think again
It is precisely because Town and Parish Councils are the most local representation of the democratic system that they are able to make a real change in their communities. Compared to other tiers of government, they are more likely to understand the needs of their constituents, and therefore more likely to make contributions to quality of life and community well-being that are suited to these needs.
While there are a number of things Town and Parish councils are legally obligated to do, there are few limits on what they can do. As Ex-Councillor Pam Barret told us during the workshop, the biggest challenge is ambition, and being brave enough to design and implement the changes you want to see in your community. In other words, the sky is the limit. We can transform Town and Parish Councils, and we can make them fit for the 21st century and the communities they represent!
Local council politics only appeal to ‘white, old men’ because they are only made up of white, old men
With 2/3 of Local Councillors being white men over the age of 50, it was unsurprising to hear that the culture of ‘old boys clubs’ and bullish politics is often the reality in Local Council. When it comes to women’s representation, the importance of taking up these spaces is not confined to a simple box ticking exercise, or a case of slotting into the status quo. We need women in Local Council because women are capable of transforming the political culture of the Local Council itself!
Given their locality and embeddedness within their communities, Town and Parish Councils are the easiest political level of any to feminise political culture, by placing an emphasis on collaboration, empathy, care, togetherness, and community empowerment. It is these values which enable Town and Parish Councils to be a realm which can create and serve communities; enhance citizen involvement and engagement; and promote a participatory and inclusive democracy. Sounds pretty empowering to me.
If you want to avoid an election campaign or party politics, Town and Parish Councils are the place for you
In what has been a hugely divisive couple of years in British politics, the lack of party allegiances at Town and Parish Councils is nothing but refreshing. Councillor Nukey Proctor’s experience of Town and Parish Council was one of being surrounded by likeminded people who are not advocating for party lines, only for the needs and betterment of their communities. What’s more, you may not even need to stand or run a campaign to take up the role of a Councillor. It is not uncommon for elections to be uncontested, or for members to be co-opted when the number of candidates is fewer than the number of seats available. Councillor Nukey described the interview process for co-option as similar to that of a job – all you have to do is sell yourself and why you would be an asset to the Council.
As the Clerk of a Parish Council, Jackie Weaver does in fact have authority
Sitting as a Local Councillor is not the only way to get involved with Town and Parish Councils. Each Council also appoints a Clerk, who is the principle advisor and the officer responsible for the administration of financial affairs. Basically, if Karen asks to speak to the manager of the Town and Parish Council, as the Clerk, you are the manager. The role of a Clerk is equally essential, and valuable, to that of a Councillor. According to Jackie, there is a national shortage of Clerks at the Town and Parish Council level. They are in high demand, so in many cases if you show interest in taking on the role you will be successful!
Can I do it?
Yes. The key takeaway from the session was that women are more than capable of taking up roles in Town and Parish Councils, and more than capable of doing it well. But we don’t visualise ourselves in these roles - because we don’t think they are meant for us and we don’t think we are ‘the best person for the job’. Here’s the thing. We don’t need to gain more skills to be elected as Local Councillors, we are already skilled. We don’t need to gain more experience either, we are already experienced. What we need is a support network, and to be inspired and empowered. And sometimes, we just need to be asked to stand by incredible women who are already paving the way.
