7. Debate on the Equality, Local Government and Communities Committee Report: Diversity in Local Government

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 5:03 pm on 26 June 2019.

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Photo of Jenny Rathbone Jenny Rathbone Labour 5:03, 26 June 2019

Yes, I think it's perfectly possible for large companies to have some designated days set aside for public duties and that doesn't need to be to be a council representative, it could be to be on a governing body of a school or to work in a voluntary organisation, advising them on how to do their bookkeeping or whatever it might be. I think a lot of business in the community does support that sort of activity, but I think it's unreasonable for a small company, with maybe five employees, to let somebody go. I just don't think that is possible. But I think that we need to really press ahead with—.

I think one of the other issues I don't think other Members have mentioned is recommendation 13, which is to ensure that the care allowances that people should be entitled to claim if they've got responsibilities for an elderly or disabled member of the family or they've got small children, I don't think that it should have to be reported that X, Y, Z individual has claimed this amount. This should just be something that's reported by the council as one of the expenses, with the obvious checks and balances that the individual who's claiming this allowance has to be, obviously, present at the meeting they're claiming for.