Glass ceiling still exists in local government

(25/09/08) UNISON is calling on local authorities to help women smash the glass ceiling in councils.

The call comes as a new report reveals few women make it to the top in local government, either as chief executives or council leaders.

Researchers found only one authority – South Northamptonshire – in which the leader, deputy leader and chief executive are all women. There are 175 authorities in which all these posts are held by men.

The findings show that 30% of local councillors in England are women, but only 15.7% of local authority leaders are female and 20.1% of deputy leaders.

Only one of the country's thirteen directly-elected mayors is a woman, and only four deputies. London is a solely male preserve.

The absence of women at a senior level should be a cause for concern, note the report's authors.

"The lack of women in leadership roles in local government is clearly unrepresentative, not only of the electorate as a whole, but also of the councillors by whom they are chosen.

"It must inevitably have an effect on both the political culture and the culture of the authority, and create an imbalance of experience, interest and expertise at the point at which key decisions about local communities are made."

Heather Wakefield, UNISON's head of local government, said the report clearly demonstrates that women are still lagging behind when it comes to their career prospects.

Ms Wakefield, said: "When you consider that 75% of local government workers are women, this situation looks even worse," she said.

"Local authorities desperately need to take steps to break this glass ceiling." Leadership and gender in local government in England was produced by the < Centre for Women and Democracy.

UNISON press release

Bookmark, print, post, feed or send to a friend:

Print version

RSS feeds