A government panel is calling for ‘positive discrimination’ to guarantee a better representation of ethnic and religious minorities in local councils in Wales. “Ensuring that we have a healthy democracy is an essential task for us all in Wales,” said Dr. Brian Gibbons, the local government minister at the assembly government, was quoted as saying on August 15. “We must do all that we can to encourage people from a wider range of backgrounds to consider standing as a councillor in Wales.” A report by the Councillor Commission Expert Panel said that religious minorities and women are under-represented in the local councils in Wales. “Despite concerns raised in a number of reports dating back decades, there has been little change in the socio-economic profile of councillors,” said the report “Are We Being Served?”
“Women, ethnic minorities, young people, disabled people, people in paid employment, and non-professionals are under-represented in the council chamber.” A 2004 census of local councillors in Wales found that only 0.8 per cent of councillors come from an ethnic minority. A 2007 census also found that women make only 22 per cent of Welch councillors. It noted that even with some progress in last year’s elections, it would take until 2060 to achieve gender balance at the current rate. The Expert Panel said that the government has failed to diversify its local councils members. The Expert Panel urged government steps for a better representation of minorities in local councils.