The Committee is undertaking work on the relative lack of diversity in Scotland’s councillors and barriers deterring people from participation in local politics. The Improvement Service undertook a survey of councillors in Scotland between 2017 and 2022 and found that of those who responded
Find out more about the Improvement Service Report: Scotland's Councillors 2017-2022 (improvementservice.org.uk)
The Committee previously held sessions to help inform this work in November 2021. The meeting papers and official report of that meeting are available via the following link: Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee 12th Meeting, 2021 | Scottish Parliament Website
The Committee then agreed to postpone further work until after the local elections had taken place in May 2022.
The Scottish Government invited local election candidates to complete a diversity survey with a view to assessing any changes or emerging trends in relation to candidates with one or more protected characteristics. The results of this survey are expected to be published soon and the Committee has agreed to receive a briefing on its findings from Scottish Government officials.
The Committee took evidence from relevant stakeholders on 1 November 2022, with a particular focus on increasing participation of women in local politics. The meeting papers can be accessed here.
The Committee then took evidence from Scottish Government officials on the results of their Candidate Diversity Survey on 6 December 2022. The meeting papers can be accessed here.