Claims of ‘deep rooted power imbalance’ at West Berkshire Council
Violence and under representation of women were issues that were brought up at a West Berkshire Council meeting last week.
Resident Alison May told the executive committee of her concern over a ‘deep rooted power imbalance’ at the district council.
She said the council continues to fail politically active women.
“How can West Berkshire show it champions a progressive and inclusive society when its own structure continually fails women?” she said.
Council leader Lynne Doherty (Con, Speen) told the meeting that it would do all it could to end violence towards women in politics.
“Violence has a detrimental impact on local democracy,” she said.
She pledged to call out inappropriate behaviour and to take action against intimidation of its councillors.
READ MORE: bad behaviour of male councillors blamed
“We should stand together and call out inappropriate behaviour towards women," she added. "I am concerned that online bullying will put women off standing in public life and cause a democratic deficit in balance representation.
"We acknowledge that here in West Berkshire we already have an issue with this.”
READ MORE: What young people think of representation in West Berkshire
