Warning female Northumberland councillors 'left in tears' as they struggle to have their voices heard

A report by the outgoing Local Government Association’s Challenge Board, which has been overseeing the authority’s implementation of a range of recommendations contained in the damning Max Caller report, highlighted the issue to members at a meeting of full council.

The report acknowledged that progress has been made since the Caller report was published last summer, but noted that some female councillors were struggling to have their voices heard.

The report state that views from “across the political spectrum” were received by the board. Speaking at the meeting, leader Glen Sanderson pledged to tackle the issue.

He said: “I do want to just say one thing which I’m quite concerned about. The report talks about female voices struggling to be heard.

“That surprises me somewhat and it disappointed me. If any member struggles to get their voice heard I want to know about it.

“We’re going to ask for some work to be done to get to the bottom of this, find out what the problem is and how we need to alleviate that. Together, the group leaders will take this forward.”

Labour councillor Lynne Grimshaw said: “There’s many colleagues in here who have been in tears over some of the comments. It is now improving, but we have been in meetings where the eyes have been rolled; we have been cut off; we have been criticised and threatened to be taken to standards.”

Independent councillor Georgina Hill added: “Without any doubt things have got better and I think things are going to get better still.

“The leader has very skilfully managed a difficult situation, not just with the splits in the county but within his own group. I’m not sure anyone else could have managed it.

“People feeling they can’t be heard – I don’t think that’s quite what it is, it’s not so much you’re not being heard, it’s that can you be heard without being shouted at? Can you be heard without looks and sarcastic comments?

“The public and colleagues have said to me, ‘have you heard them all mumbling and rolling their eyes’. This has got better but I’m talking about what’s gone on in recent years.

“It’s a behaviour we all need to think about. Witnesses to these meetings have said that it is definitely different for women, women who get up, women who say controversial things, have had to experience that behaviour.”

The challenge board was welcomed in August last year following the recommendations of the Caller report, described by Coun Sanderson as a “critical friend”. Chaired by former Newcastle City Council CEO Pat Ritchie, it was brought in to provide “independent challenge, advice, expertise support”.

The final report said that improvements had been made but the council had “only just begun” its “improvement journey”.

The council voted to accept the recommendations of the report and agreed that the challenge board’s work was now complete – although the Labour opposition refused to support the motion.

Coun Sanderson added: “I have taken on the points that have been raised. I’m absolutely convinced that we are moving in the right direction and if we all work together, we will get there.”