A ROW has flared up over the lack of women in senior roles in the borough council’s new administration.
The Conservatives gained control of the council at the local elections in May, however the new Leader, Councillor Matt Dormer, has appointed an all male executive.
Coun Joe Baker (Lab, Greenlands) said the council had taken Redditch back in time by 30 years.
“We have been celebrating this year the 100th anniversary of some women getting the vote,” he said.
“Their own MP, Rachel Maclean, has said she wants to see more women in positions of power and yet there are no women portfolio holders in his executive.
“I asked him why at full council on Monday and he just looked and said he would give me a written answer. I found it embarrassing.”
However Coun Dormer said the attack was totally unjustified.
He said: “It’s basically about time; we have Coun Juliet Brunner who would have been a portfolio holder but instead preferred to by Mayor, Coun Joanne Beecham hasn’t really got the time to be a portfolio holder while Coun Gemma Monaco is vice chair of Planning. Both are new councillors too.
“However we have Coun Anita Clayton who is chair of licencing and let’s not forget we also have Rachel Maclean as MP and our previous MP was also a woman.
“The reason I offered a written reply because I believed that was the appropriate response to Coun Baker’s question.”
