New parental leave policy proposed for Peterborough councillors to improve diversity and equality

A working group of councillors has proposed adopting the Local Government Association’s (LGA) model policy, with a few adaptations.

Currently, there is no parental leave policy in place for councillors meaning they have no entitlement to maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave.

The policies, if agreed by the council, will mean:

. Members giving birth, adopting, fostering for adoption or becoming surrogate parents will be entitled to six months leave with the potential to extend this to 52 weeks

. The policy covers still births, premature babies, late term miscarriages and babies dying after being born

. Members will be entitled to two weeks paternity leave where they are the biological father or the nominated carer

. Any member who takes maternity, shared parental or adoption leave retains their legal duty to attend a meeting of the council within a six month period unless the meeting agrees to an extended leave of absence

. Members should continue to receive their basic or special allowances while on maternity/paternity leave.

The working group was set up after Full Council agreed a motion in July 2020 from Labour and Co-operative member for Park ward Cllr Aasiyah Joseph which called for a review of aspects of equality and diversity among councillors.

The motion stated that: “Improved provision for parental leave will contribute towards increasing the diversity of age, experience and background of councillors, in addition to assisting with the retention of experienced councillors, and would make public office more accessible to those who might otherwise feel excluded.”

It added: “Action must be taken to improve the number of female councillors by not only making it easier for them to become councillors but by creating a culture where they wish to stay.”

The working group has also proposed adopting a new LGA model Code of Conduct, but with the following changes which include undertaking training every year:

. That councillors have “a right to expect respectful behaviour from the public” and “if members of the public are being abusive, intimidatory or threatening you are entitled to stop any conversation or interaction in person or online and report them to the local authority, the relevant social media provider or the police”

. As a councillor: I do not bully any person, I do not harass any person, I promote equalities and do not discriminate unlawfully against any person

. Councillors will undertake Code of Conduct training provided by the council on an annual basis and apply its principles in all aspects of their work as a councillor.

The recommendations will initially be put to the council’s Constitution and Ethics Committee with the finished version needing to be agreed by Full Council to be adopted.

The working group will continue to meet with other topics for consideration including potentially phasing out the use of gender defining titles and how political groups, group leaders and the mayor can help ensure better behaviour in the Council Chamber to “create an atmosphere of mutual respect”.